SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

Replacing the forks or not?

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brinkys:
The jury is out on this one at the moment, I have a CB550 that I want to turn into a Cafe Race, the dilemma that I am in it the moment is whether to change the front end on the bike or not. 

I have a set of CBR600 forks (rwu) and yokes, the question is do I fit these?  Any thoughts? 

Has anybody any experience fitting alternative forks and photo's?

Thanks

K2-K6:
Most things are possible but it depends if you want it to work afterwards.

You see many specials with changed forks so not a difficult mod, just have to be a bit careful about the geometry that you construct to give the ride you want.

Going from a 19" rim and quite a bit more Kg's with lazy steering, trail etc will take some informed guestimating to arrive at 17" rim and modern trail, also you'll have the older head angle (rake) still mixed in to give you a good pot to stir!

Not trying to put you off, but you do need a reasonable plan to get there.

Don't know if it's possible, 600legs into original yolks could be the way to go as less variables will come into it (you'll have to measure it). Then lift or drop the front end on the legs to trim head angle approx.

Then you may need a test pilot+parachute :o

rigwit:
if you dont i'l have forks and yolks ;D 

matthewmosse:
Would the cbr wheels suit the cb as a bike? Would possibly look odd unless you did a swap over of both wheels, which would be new swing arm time and chain alighnment issues in all likelyhood. Also cbr forks much fatter so you'd need the cbr yolks and swap headstock bearings around or more likely replace, plus shorten steering stem. I'd stick with period rubber and wheels personally, the engine only puts out 50bhp after all, a cb400n front end slots streight in yolks and all and comstars plus standard twin disks and more modern calipers does look good. My first 550 was on comstars and they do look smart on a 550. I do wonder with putting modern brakes on an old machine if the frame and handling might get 'interesting'
Just my thoughts, but don't be too put off, I'm a luddite as my dad keeps reminding me and I tend to shy from modern technology, it's why the 550's will stay, they have the benefit of kickstarts.

rigwit:
 comstars iv'e found are hard to get, pluss the likleyhood of finding a pair of 400n forks is like the proverbial rh s ive searched and searched  and apart from a full bike  nothing of use has turned up  is why im thinking of running either newer honda wheels (which to me look bland) or going for another manafacturer's products and machining to suit, .............. but a bit away from any do or die decisions  so you never know  some might pop up  :)

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