Prolink Fork In Early Model Frame & Steering Damper

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:12 pm

Can't say for sure anymore.

It was some 15 years ago. They were supposed to be. New oil and seals and new steering neck bearings.

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:42 pm

Ok, It's been a while but the weather is now kind ( about effin time too) & I have all the "Honey Do" projects out the way, see below...Wifey's new "privacy fence", all work done by Moi....

Working 2 days so far on my bike... You know, you tidy a little bit here, things that you have been planning to do for years & it makes the rest look like shite & on it goes...
Sooo..... Forks are together, new bearings/bushings/seals... new everything & pieces repainted ( cos I'm anally retentive.) Going together well & won't be too long before I take her out for a blast.....
But.... before then, holiday in Majorca, ( family ties again ...sorry) & then the UKCBXRALLY.....OH ! Got to practice erecting my new tent, cos no room at the Inn...

cbxtacy · Post by **cbxtacy** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:10 pm

awesome, a privacy fence, so when I visit do I have to wear something?

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:11 pm

cbxtacy wrote:awesome, a privacy fence, so when I visit do I have to wear something?

From this side yes George, from the neighbors side they won't know....

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:02 am

That is one awesome job, Larry! Hats off! Didn't know you had carpentry talents too

(Shhh...I would be a little careful with my choice of words..."erecting my new tent"...may invite some smart remarks

)

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:39 am

EMS wrote:That is one awesome job, Larry! Hats off! Didn't know you had carpentry talents too

(Shhh...I would be a little careful with my choice of words..."erecting my new tent"...may invite some smart remarks )

Didn't think of that Mike....

Yes, my Grandfather was a master carpenter & my Dad was pretty handy too. I have a few tools left from my Grandfather ( 1878 mahogany scribe being one) which I enjoy using, as it keeps me "in touch" so to speak. Yes, the fence is the talk of the village....

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:35 am

OK guys back to the subject, the stock front axle ( 1980 A model) looks to be approximately 3/8-1/2" too short. What are my options, Prolink axle & spacers ??

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:36 pm

Ok, upon inspection it looks like I'm definitely gonna need a Prolink front axle complete & the right hand axle spacer. I can machine my existing spacer to make up the difference in length if need be. The piece of machined spacer on the left would have to have a welded tab to picks up on the fork leg & the speedometer drive cover tabs.

piit · Post by **piit** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:43 pm

When I updated my Â´79 front end by prolink front end I used prolink axle and spacer with Â´79 wheel, prolink wheel and now with Â´81 18" Gold Wing
wheel (black Comstar similar like prolink wheel).
Front fender lowered 3cm.
Some pics during latest modifications. Waiting for widened rear wheel to be fitted by 160 size tyre.
http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/1192753/

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:03 pm

Thanks piit, great pics by the way....

I asked Louis to send me an axle & spacer & upon my return there it was inside my door...

Thanks again Louis, I owe ya........

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:10 am

Prolink axle & right hand spacer bolted the 1980 wheel in perfectly without further modification. 1980 fender/mudguard needed spacers & the holes slotted to fit, just as Louis had said. Need longer bolts to fit my Performance Machine hangers & with the original spacers it should bolt up no problem ( the fork mounting lugs must be thicker/wider.) Honda "Bol d' Or" bars went on perfectly without any changes to pins or holes & are nearly identical to the sports kit bars ( about 1/4" longer.) Coming along nicely now.....

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:34 pm

A question for our illustrious Prolinkers.....

I'm going with the stock spring/damper setup as I'm coming over to the States next year & can bundle that in my luggage. Sooo my question is:

There are spacers in the top of the forks about 1" long to stack the springs. Would you advise omitting or installing them, as I do not have a heavy fairing stuck on the front & it's still air over ?

The springs appear to be dual rate, should I put the tighter coiled section at the top or the bottom of the fork ?

Thanks in advance...

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:05 pm

Technically, it does not matter which way you install the springs. They will work the same. Some claim with the tighter wound end down, there would be less "spring noise".
The spacer issue is a hard one to answer. It depends how much preload you like. I had a CB1100R fork in my 79 for a while and they had a spacer, which I left in. You can play around by cutting the spacer to a different length.

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:11 pm

I'll play with it for a bit Mike thanks. I think I will leave it out & see. Tough enough to get the fork cap back on without....

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:08 pm

Finished !!! Inspection /MOT tomorrow & then I ride. Not much to see really, looks like stock...

Many many thanks to all whom contributed advice & especially Louis for getting parts out to me, same day post...