[vanmor]

I decided to take a risk and buy some used CB650 fork tubes and lowers. These are 35mm as are my 81' Custom fork tubes. The last used set I bought were beat up and the decent ones I found were always about $75 to $125.



The lowers or sliders are different but all I wanted were the tubes.



I'll report back on how they worked out.

 

[Blindstitch]

Is it for a dual disc? If the distance apart is the same I don't see why they wouldn't work.

 

[vanmor]

Well, I'm using the original triple clamps and sliders or lowers. All I'm using is the chrome fork tubes themselves. I think they should work.



I think somebody posted on the old list that CB400 fork tubes fit. I just can't see Honda having that many fork tubes for that many different bikes. As long as the length and diameter is OK, I think they will work.



At $17 with $14 for shipping, they were a lot cheaper than anything else I've found.

 

[Shep]

CB400N Super Dream tubes fit.I have a pair.



I'm led to believe CB750 and CB900 old bike ones fit as well.



I know CB900 Brake callipers fit as there's a pair on my Main CX.

 

[vanmor]

Thanks for the input Shep. As always, you and Blindstitch always come through with useful information.



I wonder if there is a list somewhere for parts from other bikes that fit or work for the CX/GL ? If not, maybe we need to start one. We can post what parts we used from what bike. We could also post any slight modifications we made to make a part work. I know a person can always do a search but it would be nice to have a list to look at. As you know, it's not always easy to do a search for the information you need.



Vance

 

[Blindstitch]

There use to be one. This is what I took from it.



https://sites.google.com/site/cx500gl500/parts-interchange





I think there's another too from the Davis site.

 

[Blindstitch]

Lets see if this doesn't look horrible.





http://ftso.net/cx-gl/drop.io_stuff/cx_-_gl_500_-_650_parts_interchangeability.pdf



Ok it looked horrible so maybe the link works.

 

[vanmor]

OK........



The CB650 fork tubes and sliders came in today. I took them apart and found the tubes are two inches shorter than the stock 81' CX500 Custom fork tubes.



At first I thought, "oh man..... these ain't gonna work !" Then I decided to put my lowers or sliders on the CB650 fork tubes. They fit just fine. So I thought, why not just go ahead and reassemble them and see how it goes. They both are air assist and my short self wouldn't mind a CX500 Custom that was two inches lower. A set of shorter rear shocks can be had on E-bay or other suppliers for good prices.



I have a picture saved of a guy in the Netherlands (see avatar) who lowered his 81' CX500 Custom in the rear only and it looked really cool. No big gap between the wheel and fender.



Since I already have the seals and two sets of everything for the CX forks, I'm going to give it try and see how it goes.



Harley has the Sportster Low. Maybe a CX500 Custom Low ?

 

[vanmor]

Well.......



I got my forks back together. Been a while since I did any. I had to mix and match parts from both the CX500 forks and the CB650 forks. I had to take both legs apart because I got a couple of parts backwards. Mostly I just reused the rebound spring on top of the CX500 long spring. There was no way I was going to get the CX top springs in there. The CX main springs were just as long as the CB springs. The CX springs are progressively wound while the CB springs were the same all the way down the spring.



I put about 10 lbs of air from a bike pump and they are pretty firm. I used ATF because I have always used that and it works for me. I think there was fish oil in the ones I took apart. Very thin stuff.



The tubes are very nice with no pitting at all. A lot nicer than the two other sets I tried to use.



I ran out of time and will have to bleed my front brake. I'll go for a test ride tommorrow.

 

[vanmor]

Well.......



I got my forks back together. Been a while since I did any. I had to mix and match parts from both the CX500 forks and the CB650 forks. I had to take both legs apart because I got a couple of parts backwards. Mostly I just reused the rebound spring on top of the CX500 long spring. There was no way I was going to get the CX top springs in there. The CX main springs were just as long as the CB springs. The CX springs are progressively wound while the CB springs were the same all the way down the spring.



I put about 10 lbs of air from a bike pump and they are pretty firm. I used ATF because I have always used that and it works for me. I think there was fish oil in the ones I took apart. Very thin stuff.



The tubes are very nice with no pitting at all. A lot nicer than the two other sets I tried to use.



I ran out of time and will have to bleed my front brake. I'll go for a test ride tommorrow.

 

[vanmor]

OK.........



I tried to bleed the brakes. I have some brake but you know the old story, I can't get a firm front brake. It does stop somewhat.



The bikes still sits up in the front a bit when parked. It sits level when I sit my 200lb. butt on it.



The handling is about the same. I think slow speed turns are better now. There is not as much top heavy feeling going through the turn.



The one thing I don't like is the fact that I don't have much travel left. Maybe two to three inches during riding.



The new seals are nice. I don't have fork fluid all over the bike when I ride it. Yeah.... the first set of second hand forks were that bad. The original bent forks didn't leak at all.



Oh yeah, the ride is great. It rides about the same as the original set up but with a little less dive.



So for the record, if you want to lower your CX in the front or you can't find any fork tubes for you 81 Custom, use the 35mm fork tubes off a CB650. Mine came off an 81' model.

 

[Doward]

I ended up going the other way - using VT700 tubes in VF750 lowers - ended up 33" overall! So now my CX is EVEN HIGHER in the front! Of course, I'll be raking the neck at some point, so that should even out

Anyway, see if the CB650 springs are stronger than the CX500 springs. If so, use them, and you won't sink down as far!

 

[vanmor]

I'll keep the old CB650 springs. I now have two sets of extra CX500 Custom springs.



I noticed that any lowering kit includes progressively wound springs like the ones that come stock on our bikes. The stock CX springs are working great with the extra rebound spring at the top. Sometime in the future, I may try the CB650 springs. They do seem a bit stiffer.



Now I just need to find some 11" inch shocks for the rear.