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Triple Tree/Headlight Ear?

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  • #1

    Triple Tree/Headlight Ear?

    I was going to put the forks on this morning before work and went to put the special headlight ears (putting a special headlight on a standard) in and found that they don't fit. The tube that the forks slide through is about a half inch linger on these ears than the standard ears that were on it.

    So my question is, is the distance between the upper and lower triple tree different between the standard and the specials?
    Nathan
    KD9ARL

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    1978 XS1100E
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  • #2
    Yep, they are... another one of those little surprises you find when swapping parts.
    Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

    '78E original owner - resto project
    '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
    '82 XJ rebuild project
    '80SG restified, red SOLD
    '79F parts...
    '81H more parts...

    Other current bikes:
    '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
    '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
    '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
    Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
    Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

    Comment

    • #3
      No one has ever said anything about that, or at least that I have read. I have always seen people sat that the headlight swap was just a straight up parts swap. Interesting...
      Nathan
      KD9ARL

      μολὼν λαβέ

      1978 XS1100E
      K&N Filter
      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
      OEM Exhaust
      ATK Fork Brace
      LED Dash lights
      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
      Green Monster Coils
      SS Brake Lines
      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

      Theodore Roosevelt

      Comment

      • #4
        Originally posted by natemoen View Post
        - - - my question is, is the distance between the upper and lower triple tree different between the standard and the specials?
        Hi Nate,
        sure is.
        Standard upper 'tree dekes down while the Special upper 'tree goes straight across.
        No biggie to fix it, crop ~1/2" off the Special headlight ear tubes with a hacksaw.
        Fred Hill, S'toon
        XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
        "The Flying Pumpkin"

        Comment

        • #5
          I suspect the reason for this is when they installed the shorter 16" rear tire on the special (lowering the rear of the bike a bit), the special tree design lowers the front to match.
          Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

          '78E original owner - resto project
          '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
          '82 XJ rebuild project
          '80SG restified, red SOLD
          '79F parts...
          '81H more parts...

          Other current bikes:
          '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
          '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
          '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
          Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
          Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

          Comment

          • #6
            Nate
            Mine were like that when i got it apart to put the correct triple tree on. I do have the set of black ones that are cut. They are yours if you want them. Also keep in mind that the front name plate may be different mounting as mine was. I had to get a new one of those as well. The Special, and Standard lower tree bolts on different.
            1980 XS1100LG Midnight
            1991 Honda CBR1000F Hurricane


            "The hand is almost valueless at one end of the arm if there be not a brain at the other"

            Here's to a long life and a happy one.
            A quick death and an easy one.
            A pretty girl and an honest one.
            A cold beer and another one!

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by XS1100 Newbie View Post
              - - - Also keep in mind that the front name plate may be different mounting as mine was. I had to get a new one of those as well. The Special, and Standard lower tree bolts on different.
              Hi Newbie,
              yeah, amazing how those little details slip one's mind, eh?
              You gotta take the tinsnips to the Special's chromething so it'll fit the Standard's lower tree because they moved the clamping bolts.
              WTF they do that, eh? Dumbfux!
              I later had to reduce the chromething into individual cups in order to install the WER steering damper.
              Fred Hill, S'toon
              XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
              "The Flying Pumpkin"

              Comment

              • #8
                The next question is, is it better to cut the extra off the top or the bottom of the ears?
                Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

                '78E original owner - resto project
                '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
                '82 XJ rebuild project
                '80SG restified, red SOLD
                '79F parts...
                '81H more parts...

                Other current bikes:
                '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
                '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
                '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
                Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
                Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

                Comment

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