Upper fork tubes

[mack]

OK, so , I'm not too confident I canget the the flat head screw out to release the pressure on these E forks. So from what I understand , the uppers are the same diameter from year to year so All things being equal, I could exchange a set of sf uppers with the air valve on top for the uppers on the E. However I would stilll need to change out the respirator at the same time. Is this correct? I prefer the tops of the SF to the E any day for charging purposes. Besides I have a set of uppers that are in good shape and you can't get the caps etc. for the E.

[bikerphil]

The problem with switching the caps between the early and late Standard is the thread depth is different between the two. The Special fork caps have an different thread which is coarser than the Standard.

[BA80]

Also, if I understand you correctly, you want to exchange the special tubes for standard tubes.

They are different and won't interchange and if you put standard forks on a special the triple tree will need to be changed also or it will screw up the trailing.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Mack,
You mention charging and relieving pressure. Do you have caps with Schrader valves ? I believe 78E did not have the air option.
Phil

[bikerphil]

I could exchange a set of sf uppers with the air valve on top for the uppers on the E

The Special uppers are longer (4"?) than the Standards and they have that extra slider bush. Couple of fellas have done it I believe. I've tried it and found they would bind, YMMV

[mack]

Uppers

Well I haven't given up on the standard forks yet but they don't look too promising. I was hoping that I could transplant the uppers from a spare set of specials I have that are in good shape since thay are both 37mm diameter. Didn't realize there was length difference. Was thinking that if I also changed out the dampener assemblies at the same time I could have the air assist etc from the special and keep the E calipers.This is my first foray into a standard so I'm not up on all the nuiances yet.
Friggin hand, I can't apply any torque to anything yet. May have to wait till after the surgery and try again. Until then I will just keep soaking everything in "liquid wrench" and say a prayer every night.

[BA80]

If you want air assist on your Standard, a set of air assist forks from an 81 Venturer will slip right in there.