1972 XS2 front forks

[GNunezXS-2]

Hey everyone,

I am trying to rebuild the forks on my 1972 XS2, but I am having trouble sourcing new fork tubes.
My old fork tubes are badly pitted.

I went ahead and ordered some new fork tubes from mikes XS, item number 27-2002. I hit a bit of a hiccup because my old dampener rod will not fit into the ID of the new fork tube. The dampener has a ring/collar that is about 28mm OD but the new tube has a ID less than that. I am not sure if they sent me the wrong part (the box had the correct part number)
I have looked around and looks like most tubes are 26.25mm ID on the snap ring side.
(http://www.nichecycle.com/ncs/categories/suspension/fork-tubes/fork-tube-std-yam-34mm.html)

Has anyone else had this issue? I am wondering if there are any tubes out there that will fit the stock (28mm) dampener rod. Will I have to modify the damper rod to make it fit? I guess I could just throw my old tubes back on for now or maybe buy another damper rod?

I attached some images showing this. I also attached an image of the old fork tubes.
PS. I am almost certain my bike had the original fork oil and fork seals in there, its 2021. It was an absolute mess.

 

[DogBunny]

I can confirm that your damper rod is correct and 28mm is correct.
Until you find something better you can do this: Apply a light oil to a sheet of 400-600 wet/dry sandpaper and hit the pitting with a figure-8 stroking motion with your hand wrapped around the tube. This will bevel the pits so that they don't tear up the seals.

 

[GLJ]

I would contact Mikes.
Is there a slight difference between the length of the old tubes and the new ones?

 

[GNunezXS-2]

Hey thank you for the response!

I will definitely try to bevel out the pitting on the old tubes. We are getting some nice weather this week here in Virginia and I would like to enjoy some of that on the bike.

@GLJ Yes, there was a slight difference in length. They also had some additional components near the circlip side. I don't have any images of that right now, but it was the typical spacer, a race of some sorts and a small spring. . .

 

[GLJ]

Most likely those are for a 74-76 XS.

 

[GNunezXS-2]

I've contacted mikes XS, so I will just have to wait and see. I am not sure if anyone has successfully ordered a set of fork tubes for a 72 XS2 from them.

 

[GNunezXS-2]

Just to give an update. I went back and forth with Mikes XS, but to no avail. I am just returning the tubes they sent me and hope to find somewhere else to buy them. For now my old tubes are going back on. At least I put new fork seals on there.

 

[Beags64]

If and when Frank's opens back up they may be able to help, they're still listing 70-73 tubes.
https://franksforks.com/YAMAHA FORK-TUBES.html

 

[cra-z1]

I have ordered tubes from mikes for my 72. However that was 10 years ago. Try this

\https://www.z1enterprises.com/yamah...MIvtSH8sOp7wIVpT2tBh1UXQOaEAQYAiABEgLrEPD_BwE

 

[Rudedog1]

Did you ever solve this problem? I have come across the exact same problem 28mm valve into a 26mm bore. fork tubes bought from Mikes say 72 XS..