CB400T fork swap

[longhorn717]

Wasn't sure where to put this. Y'all don't have a suspension sub-forum. I would like to put some beefier forks up front or if I could find the right deal some inverted cartridge style forks. I have a buddy with a lather and mill and I can weld and fabricate. So that's not an issue but I would like as much of a drop in as possible.

As far as I can tell if I'm going all out on the front all I need to know is my steering head bearing sizes.... Is this correct? if so they are 26 x 48.5 x 15.2 and 30 x 50 x 14.4

Would like to keep a larger wheel like the comstars that are on there. Because I feel like if I go to a 16 up front I'll have to do it in the back too and although that would give me more space under the seat I like the fair amount of clearance I have right now. I don't want my frame and engine getting too low.


Thanks for reading and I appreciate any comments or suggestions. I'm trying to go for a ratty looking cafe-fighter.

 

[longhorn717]

Thanks are those known replacements or just ideas?

 

[ctluba]

Longhorn, If you go to all balls racing web site they have a conversion chart. You enter the year make and model of your bike and you get a long list of all the front ends that will fit on your bike. You then buy thier conversion bearings, like 45 bucks or so, and you bolt the front end on. If you have your eyes on a certain front end that is not a direct bolt on, you can always swap your steering stem into the new front end and then bolt it all together using some new stock size bearings for your bike. Of course swaping the stem is a pretty important job that needs to be done correctly if you want to live for a few more years. ;D I had my triples sent out and it cost like 80 bucks for a guy to do the swap for me, it was over my skill level for sure. You also may run into other issues like having to make steering stops or other odds and ends that come with any "custom" creation. Good luck.

Front end from a 04 ZX6

ZX6 stem compared to CB750 stem

CB stem in new front end

04 ZX front end on 81 750F ;D

 

[longhorn717]

wow. Yea this is kinda getting my feet wet my next project will be something in the 750-1200 class. I need more raw power. That or a GT750. : ) I like what you did with the 750. monoshock conversion as well. looks sweet. although I'll probably be keeping the 400 twin shock just upgrading it. and the front may just need new bearings and a rebuild with heavier springs. I just like the look and stance of cartridge forks.

 

[ctluba]

Actually, the CB is not mono shocked yet. I just pulled off the ohlins to see how it would look if I do go mono. It looks good for sure, but it is a huge job and I would have to come up with a solution as to where to move the battery to. We'll see, maybe.

 

[longhorn717]

could lay the shock down and use a pivot.....

 

[Fox]

Can we keep talking about monoshocks? I'm wanting to do that with an XJ 650 and am trying to figure out if I'm getting in over my head. What does the process of converting to a monoshock look like? Sorry for a thread steal...