Modern forks for a cb75o

[shinyribs]

Does anyone know of any modern forks that will simply swap on to the 69-78 triple trees?

By modern I just mean any forks that holds two drilled rotors from the factory. They dont have to be monster mm's. Though fatter forks is not all bad.

Also,since I have 35mm forktubes now,is there a way-too-easy swap ,like just getting a set of lowers off of a 'modern' bike that has 35mm tubes and sliding them on my tubes?

I'm not opposed to swapping out the triple trees,but I would rather keep as much of the original CB750 parts still intact which is another reason I'm not real hepped up on swapping to huge diameter tubes. If there are suitable 35mm "drop-in" tubes with the modern stuff out there,that would be better-for me personally-than swapping out the whole shebang.

I understand fork spacing would more than likely be an issue,but I'm willing to tackle that. Heck,I have even consider "boring" my triple trees to accept larger tubes while keeping the steering head stock.

ANY and ALL suggestions are welcome. I got a frame in my shop just begging to be modded!

[Piute]

  I say you go finish mulessting Yo Pops bike and use those Looooooooonnnnng tubes

[Half-Caf]

If it's just dual disks you want, I'm yo man
It looks like I'll soon have a whole bike I'm parting out (either my 750 forks or the 900's will be up for grabs)

[TOOLS1]

Use a Gold Wing front end.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Tools,what does it take to swap on a GL front end? Will the forks slide in my clamps,or do I pull it all down to the bare neck and replace all of it. Also,since the GL's were such bigger heavier bikes how do those forks act on a lighter machine?Too stiff? Or since they are  setup for cruising will they give you a soft front end that will wash out?

I got to thinking on this some more. There is not a lot of technological advances that could be made in telescoping forks.They are what they are.Sliders on tubes.Period. I have enough parts to do a dual disc conversion on mine using stock parts.Granted that you( that's you,Tools) helps me out with the whole speedo drive thing.Really what can be made better other than valving and the springs? Sarge seems to love his progressive springs,maybe I should just do that.

I am not,nor will I ever be, a good enough rider to out-ride my 35mm forks.But I do want to modernize my bike as much as possible while keeping it looking like a CB. Do progressives offer superior handling,or just a better ride? I know on most sports cars you give up a cushy ride for stiff well handling suspension.Not sure how it all relates to bikes. But too stiff can cause handling issues as well if your tires start skipping across the pavement..

So I guess my question now is: If I go with progressive springs in my factory forks how much technology am I missing out on using 1969-78 fork valving technology? Should I go with modern forks,or just take the easy road and go progressive?

[TOOLS1]

Progressive springs give a great ride, but not very good, for fast handling. My son, and son-in-law are into sport bikes, and when they go to the track they switch out their progressive springs, for straight ones. The progressive springs will squat the bike in the turns. This causes the foot pegs to drag sooner, and also eats up horse power.
As, for the Gold Wing front end. Just get a set of All Balls tapered roller bearings, and bolt the whole thing on. It has better breaks, bigger tubes, and is a little wider.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

That is kind of what I was thinking on the progressives.To be honest I haven't really has any complaints with my front end so far,but my rear  is a tad stiff. I have a solution for that on my new build...I hope...

How do you think a GL swap would affect handling on a CB?

And how's Toolbabe?

[shinyribs]

I just remembered something.On my '78K frame,the steering sort of locks in the middle.It feels smooth ,like the bearings are fine,but it feels as if it is spring loaded to hold itself in the center.My '76F doesn't do that.Its just free all over. Am I right that it is spring loaded to hold itself centered,or are my bearings just shot?


Oh yeah,concerning the GL swap.I really wanna keep my spokes.Is that do-able?

[TOOLS1]

Your bearings are shot. The 75-76 GW had spoke front wheels, but they were the aluminum one's that were also used on the matics. Not very shiny. The CB 500, 550, 750 wheels will go on the GW front end though. Just use the axle, spacers, and discs off the GW.
Toolbabe is sound asleep right now. I'm going to wake her up in a few minuets to go get the pin removed. Should be fun.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Okay.Thanks a bunch. I really do appreciate your help.

I hope all goes well with the pin

[Ghost-Flame]

Shinyribs,
I am on a similar search. but I want some new forks. Mine are pitted from what I can see on the outside. I,m going to take them apart next to see what they need.

Are the Goldwing forks you are talking about from an old bike or from a current gold wing? New GWs seem like they would be too long.

What about new universal forks? Are there such a thing?

Can my old Forks be resurfaced? Chromed?

[Ghost-Flame]

does this chart help?

http://scandalon.com/2009/06/motorcycle-fork-diameter-chart/

[TOOLS1]

The GW front ends that work the best are the 75-76 models. No body makes a universal fork, but, you can get new tubes from "Forking by Frank".
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

I talked with Eric about the GL front end today. He has done it and said it does fine. Of course I figured that anyways.But he also said I could upgrade my existing forks easier. He told me of a company that sells new guts for the 69-78 forks but I cannot remember the name of it and I lost the slip of paper I wrote it on. Whatever the piece is that controls the valving,this company is selling a "performance- tuned" version.I dunno.He has the setup in his road race bike and is really happy with it,reusing the stock springs.

I really am not trying to look modern,just ride modern.I want it to look the same more or less.My rear end is gonna be hard to hide,though. I doubt stepping up to the 37mm GL forks would be worth the expense of locating a whole other front end. By the time I rebuild the calipers and seals on whatever I find,plus by the bearings to swap it on,I could just spend the same money on what I already have and spend what I would have paid for a GL front end to upgrade what I have.

If I had a GL front end I would use it,no doubt.But spending $200+ gathering used parts...well,I'd rather just spend that on what I have now. I would tend to think the GL front end would be valved to cruise,which would feel washy when riding hard.And it is definitely sprung for a heavier bike. Just my thoughts on it.

Basically,I just dont think another 2mm is worth it for what I'm doing. I will definitely use this GL swap info on my next bike though.

[shinyribs]

Emulators! That is what the piece is called that controls the action of a fork.Emulators.

I found the parts and the place that sells them .I even understand what they do!!But their page makes NO sense to me whatsoever.Any help???

http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/2/Honda/CB750K/1973-78 

[Piute]

  My parts bike 75 miles away is A 1980 GL 1100 ,already missing parts that I got already ,same front and rear calipers,mag wheels,I wont to say that it had air assisted front end and rear,on board compressor and all,This hill billy most likely still has everything ,I'll "E" him (if I find it)can find his house that I know/think???l.o.l.It's all there bad engine,he was moving it out of garage after he sold some stuff he said but nobody was wonting anything ,heck I could of got the whole bike for 100 bucks but don't wont it lyeing around.Rather get parts peace by peace,gave him 30 bucks for rack, bagg brackets,(wont work on F2 need fender) calipers N bolts,bunch of other stuff ,lyeing around now.

[shinyribs]

I'm putting a roll cage in a truck for a guy this week that has two goldwings.He has been telling me for over a month now to come and take one to free up some space.I have no idea what they are. I need to get by there.

[shinyribs]

A good explanation of fork emulators:
http://www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/emulators.htm

[shinyribs]

Does anyone have any experience with these Race Tech Fork Emulators? I have found a set at a decent price,but dont want to buy something blindly.These seem like a really neat piece.

[Half-Caf]

Has anyone had any experience with the 900 air-assist forks? I know nothing about them, but some have come into my possession and I wonder if they would be any better than my 750 DOHC forks