Fork lower compatibility in early models

jerd61

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Hello Everyone-

I'm back after a few years hiatus from xs650's. I picked up a non running 73 tx650 a few weeks ago that had been in storage for at least 10 years. Fresh battery and gas and she fired right up!

The previous owner had made some modifications that I wanted to change back to get it a little closer to original. One of those mods was +6 fork tubes. I found a set of 72 tubes on ebay for parts, and it had a right lower with it. My right lower had a ding around the fork seal lip that was cracked and ultimately broke when disassembling.

This leads me to my issue- the lower that came in the parts lot is the style with the double nut on the axle (and I believe the axle was longer in 72 as well, but I could be wrong). I have the 72 disc shaft, spacer collar, square washer and larger nut.

Looking at the factory manual, it still looks Iike I'm short 2 bearings (#21), an o ring (30), and the longer 72 axle. The fender mounts also don't line up, and I'm not sure if the axle heights are the same between 72 & 72.

At this point, I'm wondering if it's best to just cut my losses and get a new fork lower.

So, long winded description to ask if the 73-76 lowers are the same? Or if anyone has good recommendations on how to bitsa the parts I have together, I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance.
 

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https://www.xs650.com/threads/1970-...eering-stem-differences-identification.59575/
Read entire above thread. Should answer your compatibility questions.

So, based on what I read, the axle length isn't different, it's just the triple tree spacing, so trying to use what I have isn't going to work without some lathe work.

I'm thinking my fork legs were not original 73 items since they have 2 pinch bolts.

Just to confirm then, 74-76 fork lowers should all be the same?
 
'74 and '75 are the same according to the parts listings. In '76, the caliper mount was moved to the rear of the leg. But other than that, I'll bet it's the same internally. You might even consider it a little upgrade as it puts the weight of the caliper down lower.
 
'74 and '75 are the same according to the parts listings. In '76, the caliper mount was moved to the rear of the leg. But other than that, I'll bet it's the same internally. You might even consider it a little upgrade as it puts the weight of the caliper down lower.
Thanks for the info. What is the best way to look up parts diagrams, partzilla? I used to use bike bandit, but they disappeared while I was away.
 
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