Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes front ends

OK guys I need to pick your brains a little here. What would be involved mounting a 76 honda 750 front end to a 69 TR6 frame?

Back in the day, we never even tried to match fork tubes and bearings and races and such. It just isn't that hard to chop both tubes at the mounts and reattach the Honda tube, with corresponding fork to the desired frame. Of course, an expert welder is needed to fab it back on. At the same time, the rake you want is the time to do this. Worst possible case involves small gusseting or outer tube reinforcement.

I was thinking of using the whole front end, and mounting it to the existing neck. What would be involved? Would the existing stem work or would that need to be changed out?

I believe the TR6 has a 1" stem diameter; if the Honda has the same diameter then it's only a matter of the stem length being long enough. If it's smaller you could likely adjust the width of the bearings and races to take up the difference. Of course, if the diameter's too large you're out of luck.

have to look at the distance between the bearings too. The problem I ran into with mounting a HD springer is the bearing head on our frame is an inch too long. The dia. is pretty easy to solve most of the time. Just measure the inside and outside dia. you need and the thickness. Then you can order bearings to suit. But if the the shaft is too short for the frame you have to cut and weld or it won't work.

In addition you have to look at the clearances and turning stops. The tubes could hit the gas tank or something on top could hit the dash...etc...

That's right Ian, I haven't given up on the idea of a Harley springer on my Speedmaster yet but it will be some work.

I used to have an old Sporty frame kicking around but got rid of it a few years ago. Too bad, I would have swiped the bearing head off the frame and stretched the neck out some and welded that bearing head on and I would have a springer on mine now. I do have a couple early Suzuki 380s out back and a Kawi KZ1000 complete front end with bearings and bearing head from the frame I cut from a bike I scrapped. Might try something with one of those, not sure I want to change the frame on my SM though. I might wait and get another one to play with when I have the cash.