[Rob Lloyd]

[/I just posted pics of my CB350 cafe in progress (on my website). Here's the link :http://mywebpages.comcast.net/roblloyd/Motorcycle/1970_cb350_twin.htm

Not much progress, really, but at least it's started...

 

[joe c]

youre going to like that front end.

jc

 

[jbranson]

Yep you are...same front end I have on my race bike.
JohnnyB

 

[Rob Lloyd]

I thought about using '79 CBX tripple trees (really nice, beefy aluminum castings, 2 bolts per fork on the bottom, same fork diameter, basically the same offset as CB550).

Anyone tried them? The only problem is the stem is too long. But, it's replaceable. So other than having a custom stem made, it's a bolt on also.

-rob

 

[Rob Lloyd]

Oh yeah, do you guys do anything special with the 550 front end? Or run it stock? How high do you have them set in the tripple trees?

 

[jbranson]

I'm using them on a 175 frame so they stick up out of the top tree about 3" .

I use 20wt oil and 1" spring spacers.

JohnnyB

 

[joe c]

the cbx has a radically different geometry. at least the one i had did. i had the 1000 front end and it was really radical. more modern superbike like than what you have. also, the fork tubes were 39mm im pretty sure. they were definitely bigger. now, ive heard rumors that the cbx400 had 35mm tubes. and there was one at the track over the weekend and there was so much crap around the clamps i couldnt see anything. i should have grabbed my mic and measured the tubes while i was there but totally forgot. its the only one ive ever seen. i think youre going the right way with the 750. that disk is huge. i just picked up one that looks as nice as that one. nos. never been mounted up. the real problem is that they are 19" relace that puppy to an 18" rim and you should be all set for some good rubber. and they will stick out past the top clamp.

also, i cant remember what the cbx stem looked like, but all the others press out with a ram. you could maybe do the same thing. then there is always a bearing issue.

keep us posted. it looks great! if youd like to change those stupid chain tensioner wheels to the later model slipper types, i know a guy who makes them up.

jc

 

[Rob Lloyd]

The first year CBX ('79?) used 35mm fork tubes. Later ones were 39mm. Don't ask me why Honda ever thought 35mm forks were big enough for that bike. I've actually got a set of the tripple trees pulled apart. I was planning to use them on a 550 cafe racer project, but never did. When I lined them up next to the 550 tripple clamp, the spacing was the same, and the offset was maybe 5-10mm different (I can't remember which way). I just need to make a stem that's like 10mm shorter.

 

[JD]

I also have a set of the early cbx trees. planning on using them for my 350f racebike that has cb550 forks. like you said Rob, the stem is the only thing that needs to be changed. I really like the 550 forks. I have to say the original 350f forks worked very well on my second 350f racebike so I used them on my 175. I think with the right setup they'll work well. but that's probably because I'm not nearly as fast as johnnyb. still get a little chatter into turn one with 20wt oil. will probably lower them more and may try a preload spacer as well.

 

[joe c]

oh yeah, thats right.

now i remember!


jc

 

[UngaWunga]

quote:
nearly as fast as johnnyb. still get a little chatter into turn one with 20wt oil. will probably lower them more and may try a preload spacer as well.

If you're getting chatter in the corners, you might want to look into changing the valving by either widening the damper rod holes or brazing them closed and drilling them smaller.

 

[JD]

I've never tried changing the valving. I think I'll try heavier weight oil first and/or dropping the trees a little more. are there any drawbacks to using heavier fork oil? wouldn't that accomplish the same thing...at least to a point? I imagine by changing the valving you could much better fine tune the forks but I don't think I'm to that point yet.

 

[Nails]

Hey I know a guy here who´v made a cafe race from a cb 400 82, it took an year to finish, check it out:

Cruise and Bruise

 

[jbranson]

I don't know the in's and out's of the job but Rob is right, the best way is to alter the valving. I remember back in the day a lot of mags had articles on revalving damper rod forks by f'ing around with the holes. Working with the holes I know is better because I think you can vary the size from top to bottom or something, making kind of a progressive dampeing situation...but I could be mistaken.

The problem with oil is that it alters both rebound and compression. I don't get much of the chatter you guys talk about in turn one. I have felt on fast entries when I am a bit wide that I'm running over some irregularities in the pavement but I feel no lose of traction as you must with chatter. I'm quite a bit heavier than Aaron so that could be a factor.

Not sure how much it means but my front end is pretty stiff. So much so that it was almost impossible to ride down the hill at Gunstock.
JohnnyB

 

[Rob Lloyd]

Has anyone tried the Racetech Gold Cartridge emulators? They seem like they'd work good. But at that price (~$150, last time I looked), how good?