Fork questions 1978 GS750D

[NickFGS750]

I've just bought a 1978 GS750D it needs a restoration

My plan at the moment is to get it road worthy and get a cool 70's bike to ride round on....not looking to go concours!

I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions as the project progresses, my first relates to the forks.

the forks are off a later bike, I believe a GS650, they have one axle clamp, they are not leading axle and they have no air, just rubber caps.

so the questions I need help with...

1. Are the fork compatible with the bike, as good, better, the same as 750 forks

2. Should I try and find some original forks?

3. I believe these forks are a little shorter is this an issue, does it change handling?

4. If I refurb these, any sensible upgrades, how do I get the right seals, parts, etc as I don't know the model or year they came off?

thanks

 

[hampshirehog]

Not sure if it stands for all the 650s but the Kat forks are less than 1cm shorter than those from a 750. It will make a difference to the handling but you'll probably not know it. They have broadly the same technology in both sets so they'll perform the same. If you're not sure of the origins of your fork just measure them and compare to standard specs.

For seal renewal the seal size is written on the top of the seals so just order the same. If the springs are soft or you're heavy you could put in some firmer springs or cut a length off your existing springs and replace with a spacer.