Modern (or otherwise) Front End Swaps

Ease · Sep 18, 2008

This info was posted by a member of dotheton.com, Sherm...

Might be valueable for anyone considering a front end swap.
I haven't looked any of this info up, but feel free to check it out or comment.

Dudes,

Check it. Go to the all balls bearings website, (goallballs.com) and find steering head bearings for your frame. I input my 1978 CB750K and got this page - http://www.goallballs.com/Product_Lookup_results.asp

Now, click on "Click to buy online" on the left of the screen (it doesn't make you buy them), and get to this page - http://www.goallballs.com/Product_looku ... code=37042

Now, click on "Details" under "Steering brg - seal kit" and it takes you to this page - http://www.goallballs.com/SHOP/shopexd. ... Ret&id=582

Here's the good part - it lists every bike that those bearings fit!

So by using this tool, I can tell at a glance that a front end (forks, triples, everything) from a CB400F, GB500, Ascot, etc. will bolt on to my bike using the stock CB750 steering head bearings!

Now, for my next trick, (listen up streetfighters) check this for way more options - Use this chart, http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/OCRStemSizes.pdf and find your steering stem size. For example, my 78 CB750 uses bearings of this size - Upper: 26 x 48.5 x 15.2, Lower: 30 x 50 x 14.4

The info from this to remember is the first measurement of upper and lower. In my case, 26mm upper and 30mm lower stem sizing.

Now, you know the measurements of your stem, there may be another section in the same chart (http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/OCRStemSizes.pdf) that has those 26 and 30mm stem sizes. for example, I found "Upper: 26 x 47 x 15, Lower: 30 x 55 x 17"

Disregard the - "47 x 15" Upper and "55 x 17" Lower because you only want to know other bikes with the same stem size, not the size of the area where the bearing sits in the frame of that bike.

Ok - here's the money shot. Go back to goallballs.com and input any bike from that other section with the same stem sizes, and when you follow it to the "Details" page, it will list every other bike with your same stem size! For streetfighters, this covers even new bikes that aren't listed on the Ohio cafe racers site.

Using this, I found that virtually every CBR600, 900, 954, 929, VFR, CB1100F, and even newer CBR1000rr front end has the same stem size as my bike, making them virtually a bolt-in swap!

Ahh, but you say "what about the length of the two stems? If the CBR stem is shorter, you're screwed because it won't reach through your steering head."

That's when you use your stock CB750 stem in the CBR triples, because they have the same diameters where it counts. You also use your frame's stock size steering head bearings because the stems are the same size.

HAHA! Now all I have to do is source an eBay CBR1000rr front end, complete with the latest radial brake and fully adjustale suspension technology and hook my bike up!

Of course, you could use this data to create a custom bearing set to fit your frame with a stem that is not the same size as yours, but if the new stem is too short, you've just increased your cost substantially because you'll need to get a longer stem custom made. Typically, modern sport bike front ends complete with brakes, triples, forks, and axle (not the wheel) go for about 500-800 bucks on eBay. That's CHEAP for the height of suspension and brake technology.

-Sherm
Click to expand...

kevineleven · Sep 18, 2008

best. post. evar.

ZaGhost · Sep 20, 2008

Keep getting an error on the ohiocaferacers page.... corrupt pdf....
Very interested in this, will try later

yamaha4life · Sep 20, 2008

cool messed with it for a few minutes LS650 savage,GSXR750 89-95,sv650 99-00 same stem size as my 750

kevineleven · Sep 21, 2008

I see the ohiocaferacer guys every monday night, i'll let 'em know wassup with their page.

Ease · Sep 21, 2008

kevineleven said:

best. post. evar.
Click to expand...

Woop!

Can't take any credit though, haha.

swickwake · Sep 21, 2008

finally my answer to my drum to disk conversion on my xs400

thanks Ease

Zookie400 · Sep 21, 2008

this was sorta depressing, there isnt a very good picking of front ends for my bike. good to know at any rate.

spinalator · Sep 22, 2008

The vfr boys have been grafting USD forks onto their bikes and have to pay around and machine different tops of the triples since the spacing is off compared to the stock bikes. So far they have done R1, RC51 and CBR600 front ends.

That may not apply to anything but I thought I would pass it around.

ZaGhost · Sep 22, 2008

Hehe Newest that fit mine, XV250 and XJ600 heh

switch263 · Oct 9, 2008

Holy crap this post rocks.

Zookie400 said:

this was sorta depressing, there isnt a very good picking of front ends for my bike. good to know at any rate.
Click to expand...

Are you sure you're cross-referencing properly on the PDF? There's tons of front ends that essentially "fit" the front end of 81-83 750s.

I've got a buddy who just replaced the front of his sv650 with gsxr parts .... i wonder what he'd sell me his old front end for ....

earz_cd · Apr 15, 2009

here's another link that may help with this. Steering bearing sizes

Just find your bike and the kit needed for it, then view the bearing sizes included in that kit. You can cross reference sizes from that point.

Plumber · Apr 26, 2009

Gsxr750 front end might be the answer for my bobber

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Modern (or otherwise) Front End Swaps

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