Fork Options

[k1n3k]

So I'm finally getting around to doing something with the 1972 XS2 I inherited from my grandfather. Its been sitting since 1984, has not ran in 41 years. I haven't quite decided what I want to do with it yet, scrambler, street tracker, factory resto, etc... and that is pretty dependent on the forks. I'm struggling to find replacements for the extended forks. if I can't find an after market set that match the 28mm damper, i either need to modify the existing forks which, while doable, i want to avoid. other option is just snag some complete forks that have a 34mm OD from a later bike and swap those.

So, what are my options? the forks I see from Niche cycle have reports of being 26mm ID and not the needed 28. Are there any on the market that fit or am I hosed on replacements?

 

[Its been a long time]

I wouldn't know of a company in the USA, but here in the UK there's at least one company I know of that will manufacture fork stanchions if new ones aren't available. For sure, there's going to be someone out there who can make fork stanchions if you decide to keep the XS2 forks?

 

[gggGary]

We've been looking at the 34mm forks in this thread. https://www.xs650.com/threads/emulator-knock-off.67609/page-8#post-880077
@GLJ should have results on an emulator install on 72 tubes shortly.
post shows when changes were made. to the best 34mm internals but it's a rabbit hole for a 72.
70-72 use deep offset triple tree. it allows everything to clear the longer early gas tank near full steering lock.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/emulator-knock-off.67609/page-8#post-880077
I will note that a thread tap to retap shortened tubes for the cap is available from china.
The forking by frank extended fork tubes do not use hard chrome like factory tubes and tend to wear badly at the fork seal. take a look.
That 72 front brake is a "one year wonder" for good reason.

 

[Its been a long time]

My own admittedly limited experience of using Chinese taps is that the resulting thread is dreadful. I guess high quality Chinese taps are available. They will come with a cost.

Personally, I'd say if shortening fork tubes is an option being considered, you'll be shortening them in a lathe. I'd use the same lathe to recut the required internal thread. Use the fork cap as a gauge for the correct fit. Hope that helps.

 

[gggGary]

My own admittedly limited experience of using Chinese taps is that the resulting thread is dreadful. I guess high quality Chinese taps are available. They will come with a cost.

Personally, I'd say if shortening fork tubes is an option being considered, you'll be shortening them in a lathe. I'd use the same lathe to recut the required internal thread. Use the fork cap as a gauge for the correct fit. Hope that helps.

He mentioned in a different post that his lathe doesn't have metric thread gears.
Yeah I bought that tap for thread chasing. It LOOKS good LOL.

 

[Its been a long time]

He mentioned in a different post that his lathe doesn't have metric thread gears.
Yeah I bought that tap for thread chasing. It LOOKS good LOL.

Ah. OK.

Chinesium taps likely fine for chasing existing threads. The last time I bought one it was 3/8" NPT. The thread it cut in aluminium was appalling. Cheap tap? Yes.

I guess high quality Chinesium taps are available and I suppose they will be fine.

 

[gggGary]

So I'm finally getting around to doing something with the 1972 XS2 I inherited from my grandfather. Its been sitting since 1984, has not ran in 41 years. I haven't quite decided what I want to do with it yet, scrambler, street tracker, factory resto, etc... and that is pretty dependent on the forks. I'm struggling to find replacements for the extended forks. if I can't find an after market set that match the 28mm damper, i either need to modify the existing forks which, while doable, i want to avoid. other option is just snag some complete forks that have a 34mm OD from a later bike and swap those.

So, what are my options? the forks I see from Niche cycle have reports of being 26mm ID and not the needed 28. Are there any on the market that fit or am I hosed on replacements?

If you bought/got later model internals (dampers) it might work better than stock but there might be other issues assembling with your 72 lowers, dunno.

 

[GLJ]

I have used 75 tubes and dampers on 72 lowers with no problems.

 

[gggGary]

I think that would be your goto!

 

[arcticXS]

My own admittedly limited experience of using Chinese taps is that the resulting thread is dreadful. I guess high quality Chinese taps are available. They will come with a cost.

Personally, I'd say if shortening fork tubes is an option being considered, you'll be shortening them in a lathe. I'd use the same lathe to recut the required internal thread. Use the fork cap as a gauge for the correct fit. Hope that helps.

I did that some 30 odd years ago. Bought some 6" extended early XS fork tubes, cut them off at the top and single point threaded them. It took some time, but came out ok. Used those fork tubes on my RD350