Kev Nemo said:
So, I know I can swap a GL1000 or GXR front end to my CB750, but will that give me a true a track suspension feel? I know the real (ie more expensive) solution would be to buy Betor, Cerriani, or an old Can-am set-up. Thoughts?
Seems like there's a lot of confusion about what a street tracker really is.
It isn't always "old", it isn't supposed to be a grungy rat bike, nor does it have the fattest tires you can squeeze on it.
What it is - simply a bike that could actually be put on a flat track and actually put in some good laps. A minimalistic bike with a dirt track type or similar tire. If someone doesn't know what that is simply go to any flat track site and look at the bikes then imagine putting lights on it. In addition the classes for flat tracking covers virtually any size bike, so doing anything from a Kaw KD100 to a 1000 V-twin fits the bill for that. With the advent of vintage racing, any age bike fits too... Just make it look the part - as if it just came off the track after the heat race, but with lights.
In Nemo's case the only negative is the 4 cylinder, but in 74-75 there was experimentation wiht the 4s... until the AMA banned all multi's bigger than twins. So he can display some trivia knowledge by stating the unobvious - they did play with the 750/4.
Now to answer your fork question, actual flattrackers are using a wide variety of forks from shortened travel MX forks to sportbike forks and everything in between. They put in different springs (and travel limiting spacers on MX forks) to suit the use. I'ts more a case of what you can find and afford. All there is for "true track suspension" is simply a set of forks and shocks that work well. There's nothing magic.
If I had the money I'd do some measuring and consider getting some beefy late 80s sportbike forks with the brakes. It's likely they can be had fairly low buck They will most likely be standard fork setups instead of inverted, but will be much bigger diameter than the CB forks. You should be able to find them for low buck. I have a friend who's bought inverted GSXR forks brakes and wheels for la couple hundred.
The other option to go on the cheap is to find a pair of Bultaco forks (Betors) or similar dirt type forks from the 70s that are 35 mm like your 750 forks. The negative is that it will be tough to fit a set of disc brakes on them if you want discs. You can find the offset 35 mm
Betors from an early Matador or the like for under $50. They normally show up o ebay usually under $50. Fact is I have a set of Sherpa S legs in the garage myself... They could disappear for about $30 plus shipping. They would actually fit the Honda triple clamps with no modifications.. Another plus is they will fit Honda CL77 fork seals making them leakproof.
The cheapest is if your 750 has internal fork springs, pull off any covers on the stanchion tubes and polish up the sliders.... probably what I'd do if I didn't have the money to buy a CBR FZ or ZX 600 fork set.