Recommendations for new fork tubes.

[grewth]

The fork tubes on my 750K are absolutely shot.
So rough I wouldn't even consider having them rechromed.
So I'm thinking about pattern replacements.
DS stock them at about £80 each, no mention of their origin.
Anyone bought them and riding on them for any distance ?
I'd appreciate some feedback about the quality.
There are also some Chinese pattern tubes appearing on the market.
Anyone been brave enough to buy a set ?

 

[sergei]

There are many used forks available, and you can choose a good one. It will definitely be better than the Chinese ones

 

[grewth]

I disagree.
After fifty years there are no good used forks available.
Even hard chrome pits and lifts eventually when exposed to damp conditions.
And the original chrome was never that good in the first place.
Maybe if I could find some low mileage forks from Arizona or New Mexico.
All the forks I've spotted on ebay etc all have pitted and gouged tubes, despite cunning attempts to photograph them from weird angles

 

[UK K6]

One of mine was bent. I've done 4,000 miles on a David Silver replacement without any problem. The fork gaiters I bought at the same time though, they are showing some deterioration.

 

[grewth]

One of mine was bent. I've done 4,000 miles on a David Silver replacement without any problem. The fork gaiters I bought at the same time though, they are showing some deterioration.

Would those be the pattern gaitors that DSS sell ?
I think mine has original Honda gaitors, but they're a bit stiff now, and the one I heated up with a hot air gun has gone stiffer still.
My mistake.
So time to replace unless I want to make even more work for myself.
More expense.........

 

[pickleknuckles]

I assume if the chrome is shot, you've got an early K series. I used K7 tubes and lowers on my K4. The later K series tubes are hard chromed and the lowers are about an inch taller (same overall assembled length), but you can use the later tubes in the earlier lowers.
They fit the early trees, tins, etc.

And in case you're unfamiliar; chrome or bright chrome is a decorative surface treatment, while hard chrome is a thicker, industrial plating process focused on wear resistance, corrosion protection.

 

[grewth]

I assume if the chrome is shot, you've got an early K series. I used K7 tubes and lowers on my K4. The later K series tubes are hard chromed and the lowers are about an inch taller (same overall assembled length), but you can use the later tubes in the earlier lowers.
They fit the early trees, tins, etc.

And in case you're unfamiliar; chrome or bright chrome is a decorative surface treatment, while hard chrome is a thicker, industrial plating process focused on wear resistance, corrosion protection.

I am familiar with the difference between decorative chrome and hard chrome, thank you.
Many years ago I used to build hydraulic cylinders - only the welding bit - I'm no machinist.
I've had fork tubes rechromed on my XS650 (I used a guy at Penkridge, Staffordshire, but it looks like he's no longer trading now)
The tubes were rechromed to industrial hard chrome standard.
Perfect finish, very hard surface, and no rust issues even after 18 years on the bike.
I've never known the OE tubes on any motorcycle last that well, especially when it comes to corrosion resistance.
So my conclusion is that different manufacturers have different standards for hard chrome.

 

[pickleknuckles]

I am familiar with the difference between decorative chrome and hard chrome, thank you.
Many years ago I used to build hydraulic cylinders - only the welding bit - I'm no machinist.
I've had fork tubes rechromed on my XS650 (I used a guy at Penkridge, Staffordshire, but it looks like he's no longer trading now)
The tubes were rechromed to industrial hard chrome standard.
Perfect finish, very hard surface, and no rust issues even after 18 years on the bike.
I've never known the OE tubes on any motorcycle last that well, especially when it comes to corrosion resistance.
So my conclusion is that different manufacturers have different standards for hard chrome.

Well then, FYI since you didn't know, the later tubes are known to be a different process that holds up a lot better. Call it whatever you want. I was simply trying to offer a solution that might be less expensive and more durable than pattern parts.

 

[grewth]

Yes, thank you for that.
I'm sort of thinking along those lines myself.
I've already built a set of forks from CB550 lowers and CB750F2 tubes.
So I've mixed parts from two different generations of Honda forks, the F2 forks being descended from the early GoldWing forks I believe.
Fitted up perfectly
Length of the sliders and overall length are exactly the same as my CB750F1, which is their intended recipient.
Now I'm thinking about doing the same for the 750K.
I'm wondering what length the 900F fork tubes are ?
Used parts for the DOHC fours tend to be much cheaper than early SOHC.

 

[Surf Dog]

The fork tubes on my 750K are absolutely shot.
So rough I wouldn't even consider having them rechromed.
So I'm thinking about pattern replacements.
DS stock them at about £80 each, no mention of their origin.
Anyone bought them and riding on them for any distance ?
I'd appreciate some feedback about the quality.
There are also some Chinese pattern tubes appearing on the market.
Anyone been brave enough to buy a set ?

I got mine from Frank's Forks they are very good quality, 2 1/2" longer than stock.
https://franksforks.com/

 

[grewth]

I got mine from Frank's Forks they are very good quality, 2 1/2" longer than stock.
https://franksforks.com/

Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean , so I expect the shipping and import duty would make this a top dollar option.
There are options for hard chroming here in the UK, but my tubes are so corroded I'd be concerned about their structural integrity.
I think I'm going to opt for a temporary solution (35mm tubes from a F2 and pattern seals + gaitors)
Long term I'll find a better set of forks to rebuild.