New member seeks part number detail for 1974 forks

[K1w1Boy]

Hi guys, new forum member, new TX owner in Auckland New Zealand, hoping to draw on the wisdom of the group.

My particular 1974 has been quite neglected for some time, but I’m cleaning it up and getting it back on the road. The main issue ahead of any inspection is that the fork legs are so pitted that they leak fluid - I’m not likely to get it passed like that.

So, fork tubes - not available locally. Mike’s XS has them, but the transport costs from the US to NZ are eye-watering, so I’m engaging with a few other possible providers.

Can someone help with clarity around definitive part numbers? This is a 74 TX, 34mm tubes, apparently 581mm in length.

I have found the following:

533-23124-31-00 TUBE,INNER 1 is used on these models and components:
1973 TX500 FRONT FORK
1974 TX500A FRONT FORK
1974 TX650A FRONT FORK X650A - XS650B
1975 XS500B FRONT FORK
1975 XS650B FRONT FORK TX650A - XS650B
1976 XS650C FRONT FORK XS650C

Also:
OEM Part number: 371-23124-00
OEM Part number: 533-23124-00

Also:
Inner tube code number: 371-23124-62

Anyone with anything to add? Cheers!

 

[gggGary]

Welcome aboard @K1w1Boy !
@650Skull
Aren't there fork specialists in New Zealand that can straighten and or rechrome fork legs?

 

[Its been a long time]

^^^^ this. Grind, hard chrome and regrind to size.

 

[K1w1Boy]

Welcome aboard @K1w1Boy !
@650Skull
Aren't there fork specialists in New Zealand that can straighten and or rechrome fork legs?

There are indeed, but online reports suggest it'll cost twice as much as aftermarket replacements, so...

 

[gggGary]

I'll post a link to the thread but there are a couple changes to the internals. So not all years of 34mm tubes interchange.

 

[gggGary]

PS some aftermarket tubes are reported to be thinner more flexy than the OEM tubes.

 

[650Skull]

Welcome K1w1boy,

I had a squiz on the net, doesn't seem to b much going in NZ.
These guys came up.
Otahuhu chrome platers
https://www.cybo.com/NZ-biz/otahuhu-chrome-platers

Kiwibiker forum was asked the same question back in 24, might b worth asking on there.

A couple of Aussie hard chromers came up price + postage??????.

I just this min rang these guys, $490Aus + postage. This was a firm price. I asked about heavy pitting and he indicated it was the same
https://www.radhardchroming.com.au/motorcycle-fork-servicing/

These guys gave a price of "about $500"
http://www.promecha.com.au/index.htm#services

 

[Signal]

That church looks a lot like the one at Upokongaro SH4 before the Paraparas very close to my home town.

 

[Jan_P]

I’m not likely to get it passed like that.

Maybe it is different. .But I had one fork leg 1980 SE
Without much oil in it and pitted and someone had used a pipe Wrench. on it
Could not get a seal to stop the oil leaking out.
For + 5 years the MOT Inspection never Noticed it
And I did not notice it either in the handling the fork is not good anyways in my Opinion
I believe the same tube was bent a bit so Braking hard it sometimes did not spring back But did so when giving gas again
That was a fail at the Inspection Once
But if you polish it a bit and remove the dirt and oil on the outside with a rag .. I don't think I would fail the Inspection here
They maybe give some slack on older vehicles :Now I don't need to inspect anymore. Being Old machine.

For thinking out loud If you drain both sides for all oil or most of it -- no leakage and a pass perhaps.
Some front ends and hard tails are worse dampened. Still pass.

Maybe there is a safety concern But i Doubt it Depending how severe the damage is But can give more time fixing it.

 

[gggGary]

I'll post a link to the thread but there are a couple changes to the internals. So not all years of 34mm tubes interchange.

This post (whole thread) may be of interest to @K1w1Boy
https://www.xs650.com/threads/emulator-knock-off.67609/post-880077

 

[K1w1Boy]

Welcome K1w1boy,

I had a squiz on the net, doesn't seem to b much going in NZ.
These guys came up.
Otahuhu chrome platers
https://www.cybo.com/NZ-biz/otahuhu-chrome-platers

Kiwibiker forum was asked the same question back in 24, might b worth asking on there.

A couple of Aussie hard chromers came up price + postage??????.

I just this min rang these guys, $490Aus + postage. This was a firm price. I asked about heavy pitting and he indicated it was the same
https://www.radhardchroming.com.au/motorcycle-fork-servicing/

These guys gave a price of "about $500"
http://www.promecha.com.au/index.htm#services

Thanks for this - the Otahuhu outfit now charge $1000 plus GST for a pair...

 

[K1w1Boy]

That church looks a lot like the one at Upokongaro SH4 before the Paraparas very close to my home town.

Well spotted. The PO lives in Castlecliff, took this pic on a wee "verification" ride he made before the bike was delivered to me.

 

[650Skull]

Thanks for this - the Otahuhu outfit now charge $1000 plus GST for a pair...

How much does it cost from Mike's with postage?

Otahuhu price make the Aussies prices look good.

Found anyone else in NZ?

 

[K1w1Boy]

How much does it cost from Mike's with postage?

Otahuhu price make the Aussies prices look good.

Found anyone else in NZ?

I've sent an email to the Radhardchroming guys...

 

[Its been a long time]

They're a long way from NZ but looking at the prices being quoted ABE in London might be able to make a brand new pair at a decent price?

https://allbikeengineering.co.uk/forks/

And there's Philpotts who are the UKs go to fork plating company. But that obviously involves shipping from and back to NZ.

https://www.pittedforks.co.uk/

 

[K1w1Boy]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Jan_P]

Salvage parts NZ or Aus ?

 

[K1w1Boy]

They just aren’t around in the numbers other places have, sadly.

 

[Its been a long time]

One final thought. If there's a mining area somewhere near then there's going to be shops that hard chrome plate and grind lots of hydraulic rams. Might not be the first place you'd think of to look, but refurbishment of hydraulic rams and fork stanchions is really the same job. Hope that helps.