Rd350 front end/xz550 mod?

[Scooterror]

I was reading on 2strokeworld about a road racer who was using xz550 fork lowers (I think) with rd fork tubes (35mm?) For better handling.  I can't remember if it was the old site or new, but I can't find the thread. Anyone heard of this or tried it? Any details would be appreciated . Thought I took a screenshot of it, but no dice.

[Jspooner]

RDs are 34mm (except Daytona is 35mm) and the XZ550 which is the Yamaha Vision is 35mm and if I remember right they also have a silly almost trailing type axle on them. So not really sure how he would have made that work without doing a complete swap. The easiest solution is to just get some better springs and Race-tech emulators. There are other emulators that can be made to work if you know what to do and have the machining skills but the race-tech ones will drop right in. You just need to make some minor mods to your damping rods. Can be done with a hand held drill if that's all you have.

[SoCal250]

The more common swap is TX500 forks in order to get dual disc.

I think this guy may have been on the old 2SW. He swapped the entire Vision setup though
http://ridersofvision.net/rovforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=ld5o8elqplmfi4tgl67l3tlud1&topic=14811.msg136937#msg136937

[Hawaii-Mike]

Joe's right, the XV550 was also known as the "Vision" and it has forks with trailing front axle.

[Dvsrd]

The more common swap is TX500 forks in order to get dual disc.

74-76 TX/ XS 650 also has 34 mm forks, and the same caliper as the RD.
At least on the 650,  the caliper lugs are located a bit higher, to allow for a 298 mm disc. Note that both TX500 and XS650 had 19" front wheels, so the fork sliders are a little bit longer. Also, the fender stay lugs are in a different position than on the RD.

[stresa]

Hi,
the TX500 sliders have the same lengths as the RD sliders. The stanchions of the TX500 are longer.
As written above, the TX500 sliders(in fact the left one only) are the ones you need if you go the twin brake route.
Regards Uwe

[Jspooner]

I'm not sure how this turned into a dual disc front end but the OPs original post was asking about making the swap for better handling. Unless he wants a different look for some reason I still say go with Race-Tech springs and emulators.

[oxford]

I'm not sure how this turned into a dual disc front end but the OPs original post was asking about making the swap for better handling. Unless he wants a different look for some reason I still say go with Race-Tech springs and emulators.

This is probably the easiest way but unfortunately it is not really cheap.  You can get quite a few bucks wrapped up in vintage forks especially if you need new tubes.

I kind of wish that the states would have gotten a lot of the higher performance small bore bikes that other countries did.  I think it would give a lot more options on front end swaps for these older bikes.

[stresa]

I'm not sure how this turned into a dual disc front end but the OPs original post was asking about making the swap for better handling. Unless he wants a different look for some reason I still say go with Race-Tech springs and emulators.

Joe,
my post was an answer to the post in front of mine where it was written that the TX500 sliders are longer due to the 19" wheels. I only wanted to stay this wrong fact clear.
I am with you with the emulators. It is a good mod.
In europe some companies do bespoke cartridge systems. But this is expensive
Regards Uwe

[Oil Burner]

The race-tech emulators seems real pricey for what they are. Maybe they're the cats meow, but seem overpriced to me anyway.

[oxford]

The race-tech emulators seems real pricey for what they are. Maybe they're the cats meow, but seem overpriced to me anyway.

The clones from MikesXS will work but you will need to get adapters and possibly drill some additional low speed holes.  I also believe that the racetech units come with a lighter preload spring.  I don't know if racetech will sell the springs separately or not.  It would be good if someone that has the springs could post some info so a suitable replacement could be sourced for the clones.

[Oil Burner]

Only see 35mm versions on mikesxs. I'd be interested in some clone info.

[oxford]

Only see 35mm versions on mikesxs. I'd be interested in some clone info.

The 35mm ones work.  Emulators will fit a range of forks, not one for each fork size.

[Dvsrd]

Hi,
the TX500 sliders have the same lengths as the RD sliders. The stanchions of the TX500 are longer.
As written above, the TX500 sliders(in fact the left one only) are the ones you need if you go the twin brake route.
Regards Uwe

I did a bit of "guesstimation" regarding the TX500 sliders. I do have a set of TX/XS 650 sliders for 34 mm forks, and those sliders ARE longer, as well as heavier than the sliders on my RD350A.

[Dvsrd]

I was reading on 2strokeworld about a road racer who was using xz550 fork lowers (I think) with rd fork tubes (35mm?) For better handling.  I can't remember if it was the old site or new, but I can't find the thread. Anyone heard of this or tried it? Any details would be appreciated . Thought I took a screenshot of it, but no dice.

The trailing axle XZ fork lowers will increase trail, and stability. I am not sure what you mean by "better handling", though. Quicker steering or more stability? Basically, it is difficult to get both.