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Front end swap
- Thread starter n00ben7
- Start date
Why start with Suzuki on a Honda? You already have them/know where to get them cheap? I don't know the answer to your question, but normally staying within a brand gives you better odds.
Trials
Well-known member
I bet you can make it work
and I bet you run into at least one complication, both those bikes have trash for steering head bearings, do you have any plans to install taper bearings while you are at it, you almost may as well imho. But it's a wild guess because I have never owned either of those bikes, best luck with the modification.
and I bet you run into at least one complication, both those bikes have trash for steering head bearings, do you have any plans to install taper bearings while you are at it, you almost may as well imho. But it's a wild guess because I have never owned either of those bikes, best luck with the modification.
TK4
Well-known member
All Balls Racing sells tapered roller steering head bearings individually by dimension -
Trials
Well-known member
... if the problem is you don't know the size of donor bike forks Fork tube Diameters list
I make no claim for accuracy, you're on your own to confirm it.
I make no claim for accuracy, you're on your own to confirm it.
chart suggests 33mm forks for a CM450E, and at least some Suzuki GS450 models of the same era. If that's the case then the forks will slide into the triple clamps. The length needs to be checked, too.
What's wrong with the bike's original drum brake? It's not a high-performance bike.
What's wrong with the bike's original drum brake? It's not a high-performance bike.
TK4
Well-known member
Width between the forks once mounted may mean custom wheel spacers would be required.
I'd think the cleanest way would be to use the complete donor front end (triple clamps and all) with correct steering head bearings.
Length of the donor steering stem might be too long or short, perhaps requiring a spacer as well.
A long time ago I mounted a complete Honda CB400T Hawk front end on a CB400F (for the Comstar wheels).
It wasn't that tough, just take your time and make certain nothing is too loose or binds.
TK4
Well-known member
Then just measure every thing up, order the correct bearings and you'll be most of the way there.
The problem is that I don't have access to the donor bike yet. I'd like to confirm fitment before I head out to meet the guy. It is a running bike and measuring things wouldn't be so simple.
After a google search I found the following:
TOP BEARING SET | BOTTOM BEARING SET | |
| 82 CM450E | 26 – 48.5 – 15 | 30 – 50 – 14.25 |
| 82 GS450A | 25 – 47 – 15 | 30 – 55 – 17 |
Looks like a no-go? The GS stem at the bottom is wider than the Honda neck?
Edit: forks seem to interchange though, is there any chart that provides spacing between the forks to see if it would clear with my honda triple tree?
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TK4
Well-known member
Yes - you would need a 25-48.5-15 top bearing (n/a) and a 30-50-14.25 bottom bearing (part #99-3512-5).
You could make the 25- 48.5-18 top bearing (part # 99-3544) work but it will sit proud by 3mm in the frame neck.
I don't know how much of a difference that would make, if any.
You'd be better to use the Honda triple clamps, the Suzuki forks and be prepared to make axle spacers.
Its still do-able, but how much work do you want ?
GVH
Well-known member
The 78-79 hawk CB400T, 79-80/1 CM400T or CB450SC Nighthawk triples are probably the same.
Also join the Honda Twins or Home for cafe builds.
Also join the Honda Twins or Home for cafe builds.
If you slide them up into clamps and they used to be screwed into the triple, there is a good chance you are lowering the front end and steepening the head tube angle. Expect handling changes.
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