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CB750F suspension forks front switch

sonny91be

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Hey there guys,

I recently bought a CB750F from 1982 and it will be my first build ever! I'mvery stoked and pleased!
The bike I bought has damaged front forks, thae motorcycle had a minor accident and they are slightly bent in one side.
I want to replace the front forks and rear shocks with new ones.

1. I read people flip the forks with CBR1000 or GSX-R front sides, then just have a fully custom new set up for the front steering. I wanted to ask if there are other options besides trying to find OEM ones that are more suitable for the bike and our current age? I have been reading around but where better to ask than on a specific forum for the 750!

2. If I change the front setup, what is crucial to keep an eye on?

3. Also how do I decide what suspension I use at the back? Are there certain popular options someone actually used and would advice me to pick?


I'm pretty new reading through the threads so take it easy on me, I haven't gotten through them all yet :D


Take care.
 
How mechanically experienced are you in general?

You can adapt any front forks to any motorcycle...if you have enough fabrication skills and tools, or enough money to pay someone else to do it!

I know very little about front-end swaps but there are a few options for rear suspension if you keep the stock swingarm. If you're looking for performance, Ikon and Hagon and Ohlins all make good shocks for our machines and none of them are cheap.
 
You can swap front ends - often meaning fork tubes and triple trees - to an inverted fork set-up by replacing the steering stem in the bottom clamp, but then you also have to swap front wheels with a compatible axle diameter, then often brake rotors and calipers, then weld-up a steering stop to the frame., etc.

Key suppliers include CognitoMoto (stem, hubs/wheels, clamps) AllBalls Racing (steering and wheel bearings)

The '82 750F had pretty good forks that would obviously be easier to replace/rebuild. If the forks were bent, often the lower triple clamp/ steering stem is bent too (hopefully not the steering head) - best to check all that.

Build in Progress: https://www.cb750.com/threads/resto-mod-f1-build-kinda-cafe-kinda-superbike-style.7970/
 
How mechanically experienced are you in general?

You can adapt any front forks to any motorcycle...if you have enough fabrication skills and tools, or enough money to pay someone else to do it!

I know very little about front-end swaps but there are a few options for rear suspension if you keep the stock swingarm. If you're looking for performance, Ikon and Hagon and Ohlins all make good shocks for our machines and none of them are cheap.
I have some basic mechanical know how but I'm only a rookie in motorcycle restoration nonetheless. I have no custom fabrication skills nor tools for that matter. I would prefer buying setups like a clamp conversion kit for a GSXR front side on the bike or something that is prefab made so that I don't have to fabricate it myself. That being said yes there are some options, I'm doubting to buy new front forks and just replace the springs or if I should swap the whole front out .. I don't like the low riding position on the GXR front forks, so that is bugger.

Considering the backside, I recon I will keep the original swingarm as I see no need to change that honestly .. will be changing the rear suspension with hyperpro parts if possible, they do rebuild and are a local brand that has a good name here in the netherlands.
 
You can swap front ends - often meaning fork tubes and triple trees - to an inverted fork set-up by replacing the steering stem in the bottom clamp, but then you also have to swap front wheels with a compatible axle diameter, then often brake rotors and calipers, then weld-up a steering stop to the frame., etc.

Key suppliers include CognitoMoto (stem, hubs/wheels, clamps) AllBalls Racing (steering and wheel bearings)

The '82 750F had pretty good forks that would obviously be easier to replace/rebuild. If the forks were bent, often the lower triple clamp/ steering stem is bent too (hopefully not the steering head) - best to check all that.

Build in Progress: https://www.cb750.com/threads/resto-mod-f1-build-kinda-cafe-kinda-superbike-style.7970/
It seems as if the steering head is just fine but can't say for certain just yet, the accident wans't a heavy front collision and I think only the forks are slightly bend. I'm going to replace them perhaps and give them a revision. I don't have welding skills just yet and adjusting the steering stop seems like a pain in the ass as I can do welding in my garage (not enough power in the fuses).

Thanks for sharing those suppliers I'll take a look if they offer prefab solutions and will navigate my way through. If costs add up too much I will first buy old forks and give them some maintenace before flipping the front side. I'd like to keep this bike not in a high cost if possible unless it is a very good upgrade to consider for performance and handling.
 
I think that's a good choice. Steering stop welding is near mandatory. The inverted fork swap typically is an expensive proposition and mainly done just for the "cool" factor; performance difference on normal street bike riding is marginal.
 
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