'84-86 750ES front fork fitment.

[salty_monk]

The answer is "maybe".... but it may not be that simple. Bearing sizes, fork stops, ignition, speedo...

[Colorado85gs550]

I'm just exploring my options with what I can find out here. So far all I've found is a '80 850 front end, and the Nighthawk front end I just mentioned. That just seems to be what is in my area lately.

Do you have a "used" bike parts yard around? I found so much stuff to use at the local bike salvage........

Billy Ricks sent me the front end (forks/triple/handlebar risers), but I found everything else to piece it together either on ebay or locally......start with the forks and triple that you want/need and go from there if you can't find a complete front end ready to go......I actually found that I saved a little by piecing one together to fit my specific needs rather than just go with a "complete" front end!

Keep us updated on what you find.....I'll send you pics of my front end install in the coming week.

[Colorado85gs550]

I think my 550 front end is only like 33m forks.......but if the head spacing works, I have a complete front end with a wheel with dual brakes/rotors ready to go!!

[Billy Ricks]

I think your '77 uses loose ball bearings rather than caged ball or tapered bearings on the stem.

[wkmpt]

I think your '77 uses loose ball bearings rather than caged ball or tapered bearings on the stem.

If it does, is there a way to convert to caged/tapered bearings? Do you think that it would be cost-prohibitive to do so?

[Billy Ricks]

If it does, is there a way to convert to caged/tapered bearings? Do you think that it would be cost-prohibitive to do so?

I'm pretty sure there are people here that have done it. You might want to start a new thread on it.

[wkmpt]

Does anybody know if any of the GS's out there had 39mm forks?

As it relates to the Honda nighthawk forks I mentioned earlier, I was wondering if I could get a 39mm GS triple tree and install the Nighthawk forks in there. I figure that would be one way to simplify the transition.

[Colorado85gs550]

wkmpt........If you'll research the bearings for that nighthawk triple, I'll see if the bearing shop here in town carries the proper bearings to make it work on your GS......

[Colorado85gs550]

I've done the research for you.........

http://www.sudco.com/vol33/181.pdf

purchase a NEW tapered bearing/race for your bike....should be

30x55x17 for the bottom.....it will fit the CB650SC triple

then get a 26x47x15 for the top instead of the 25x47x15 that your bike takes.

The difference is the top bearing inner bearing diameter........the GS takes a 25 mm and your CB650 has a 26mm upper diameter.

I'll check to see if my bearing place here in Colorado Springs makes the bearing you need tomorrow.

Paul

[Colorado85gs550]

I just found out that they do make that bearing for you!!!

[Colorado85gs550]

that upper bearing you need is listed on the link I posted on the steering stem kits where I found out which bearing size would fit your bike cross referenced to overall diameter and width of the bearing that will fit your GS......if its listed then there's a bearing company out there that makes what you need!

Just get a tapered bearing/race that is:

30x55x17 for the bottom
26x47x15 for the top

your Nighthawk 650 front end will fit then!

[Colorado85gs550]

Next........

[Colorado85gs550]

replace the races with the bearings!!!!! Don't leave those old races in the frame..........it could cause problems later on

[wkmpt]

I posted all the following while Paul was pwning the bearing issues above...

wkmpt........If you'll research the bearings for that nighthawk triple, I'll see if the bearing shop here in town carries the proper bearings to make it work on your GS......

That's mighty cool of you. Lemme see what I can come up with.

On a somewhat related note, I went to the AllBalls Bearing website, they have a tapered bearing conversion kit available for my GS, it only requires a slight bit of machining on the top of the steering spindle. http://www.goallballs.com/pdf/Suzuki...g_Stem_Mod.pdf
The (perceived?) ease of the conversion leads me to believe that hopefully bearings won't present a giant issue.

I think I'm most concerned about the length and diameter (more homework on my part) of the Honda Steering spindle vs. the 'Zuki spindle. That's why I was inquiring as to the existence of a 39mm-forkable (is that even a word?!?) GS triple tree.

Forkable.

[wkmpt]

Paul, you kick a$$!

Thanks profoundly for your help.