Are the frames different between a special and a standard?

[tweeleft]

I guess I'm asking if there are issues putting standard forks on a special. Install and handling. 80g to a 81sh. 81 needs brakes and fork seals. 80's are both good.

[tweeleft]

Is the rake different as to the handling?

[bikerphil]

The steering neck is the same on the Standard and Special frames, the forks and triple trees are different as well as the calipers. If you change the triple trees along with the forks, the rake/trail will remain correct.

[skids]

I know you didm't ask, but you better get the fender also.

[tweeleft]

Thx. I have the 80 as a parts bike. Using tank and other parts

[BA80]

Changing brakes and fork seals is much less work than changing the entire front end.

Just sayin'

[Eveready1100]

Tweeleft, I did the swap a couple of years ago, due to being left seal-less by a narrow minded dealer over here.

[IMG][/IMG]

I left the trees alone, as that would've also meant swapping the headlight ears over as well. Just swapped over the forks, brakes, front guard, and speedo drive. Did about 50,000 klms till I got around to refitting the stock bits, which included towing my trailer on a couple of trips.
Had no problems with the slightly different steering at all, and also benefitted from much better braking from the standards calipers??
I'd say if you've got the bits on hand to get the job done, go for it.

[fredintoon]

- - - Had no problems with the slightly different steering at all, - - -

Hi Errol,
"slightly different steering" you say?
With ~2" extra steering trail?
Jeez! How much do you bench press?
BTW, that's a very pretty bike you have there.

[TomB]

Hi Errol,
"slightly different steering" you say?
With ~2" extra steering trail?
Jeez! How much do you bench press?
BTW, that's a very pretty bike you have there.

I run with the same set up as Errol and find it Ok, I do have 32" bars which probably accounts for why I find it Ok.

[Eveready1100]

Fred, can't say how much I can press, as I've never been near one, and for the record, I'm 5'9" @ 149lbs so I'm not exactly built like a gorilla.
Plus those RH bars are about an inch narrower than the euro standard bars

As far as steering the bike goes, it was really only slightly different to turn in to the turns, as compared to with the stock setup. Handled my favourite sets of twisties with ease, but my biggest thing that changed on the bike was the brakes. Kept the original 5/8" master cylinder and only swapped the calipers over but the change in braking force was phenomenal. Even with the original spongy lines, I could lock the front wheel if I wanted.
So different that when I put the original front end back on, it scared be badly and was quickly updated with braided lines and sintered pads just to get them working with any sort of parity to the Standard ones.

[TomB]

I'm also with you on the brakes Errol, I use standard 2H9/2H7 calipers that should use the 11/16" M/C with my 5K7 5/8" M/C and found the brakes great, much better than with the 11/16" M/C. I can lock these brakes.

More lever travel because of it but if bled up with new fluid not excessive