Extended for tubes and internals swap

[RustiePyles]

Would it be cheaper to find tubes to match your current forks and sell the 35mm tubes ?

Not if he's looking for extended tubes. Long 34mm are a lot harder to come by than long 35mm tubes.

 

[gggGary]

Yes the neck got longer in 74 all 74 up frames will accept any complete 74 up fork.
The tubes on the eBay set are horribly rusted why he's hiding them. I'd pass, no way to know if the dampers are still inside.
Also no top triple which you will need.

 

[RustiePyles]

Yes the neck got longer in 74 all 74 up frames will accept any complete 74 up fork.
The tubes on the eBay set are horribly rusted why he's hiding them. I'd pass, no way to know if the dampers are still inside.
Also no top triple which you will need.

He has new tubes, he only needs lower legs, damper rods, and yokes.

 

[gggGary]

He has new tubes, he only needs lower legs, damper rods, and yokes.

Kind of a pig in a poke is all I'm say'n, what else is hidden?
I'd be looking beating the bushes, begging for a complete fork set locally.
77 forks have different internals than the rest of the 35s the ever useful 5twins details it in here somewhere.

 

[nj1639]

Beefing the forks up from 34 to 35mm is a good thing, especially when extending them 4"....imho.
Those on eBay you linked to appear to be standard model forks, '77 through '79..... chrome trim below the lower triple says so, and trying to find just those trim pieces is akin to trying to find the lower side covers to the Heritage Specials....
Free shipping on that item places the actual price to around 70 bucks? 70 bucks for two lowers, most of a triple and unknown guts. Tough call.
I may have a 35mm triple top out in the pole barn.

 

[lumbee]

So it sounds like those forks on ebay may be what I need. Thanks nj; I may hit you up for the triples. Tooks some measurements on the first I have; first here are the 35mm extended tubes...numbers check out:

Here are the forks that were in the bike when I got it:

These look to be 36mm no? So not xs650?

 

[nj1639]

36mm forks came on Yamaha models too, thinking the triple cylinder xs750 as an example.
For laughs, measure the neck length on your frame and post the result. '70 through '73 had a shorter neck length that may, I emphasize ''may' be a direct swap for the later xs750 triple and forks.
Mebbe Gary knows the different lengths off the top of his head......
"IF" you have a '73 frame listed as a '74, those forks on eBay won't help. Get that neck length for verification.

 

[gggGary]

XS750 neck is "close" to the 70-73 frame neck in length.

 

[nj1639]

Yeah G,, got some numbers to go with? For instance the difference between the '73 and '74 xs650 is.......

 

[gggGary]

in 'merikan 70-73 about 6 1/2" 74 up about 7"
numbers pulled out of my, well never mind.
Look here: https://www.xs650.com/threads/steering-bearing-assistance.2067/

 

[RustiePyles]

'77 through '79..... chrome trim below the lower triple says so, and trying to find just those trim pieces is akin to trying to find the lower side covers to the Heritage Specials....

They were also used on the 80 XS650G Special II model as well.

 

[nj1639]

Yeah Rusty, that one falls into the odd category, considering that it's a Special. It's the best looking one produced, imho. Thinking the only improvement that could be made to it is lower handlebars and plastic floats for the carbs......

 

[nj1639]

I measured the neck on a stripped down '81 frame, 7 7/16" give or take a mm or two. Not the spindle, just the outside overall neck.
So, to Lumbee....if your frame neck measures out the same +/- a mm or two those forks and triple should work for you.

 

[gggGary]

got one that seems straight has the scrape you can see..............