'78 Special fork tubes

cathalp · Posted: May 8, 2009, 10:11 pm Post subject: '78 Special fork tubes

Can someone look at the picture of my '78 Special in my gallery and tell me if it looks like my fork tubes are stock length. They measure up about 80mm longer than the tubes on my '79 and '81. Was this a year specific length or has the po installed longer tubes. When I compare to other pics it looks like the front of mine is a bit high. Not sure I like it. It handles fine.

jayel · Posted: May 9, 2009, 12:18 am Post subject: Re: '78 Special fork tubes

the red bike (same as your avatar) looks extended

danno · Full Member Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 212

The forks are definitely extended,I would guess between 4 and 6 inches. Also,the seat looks as though it has been retrofitted from a late model Special ( if it doesn't hinge on the right side,it isn't original to this bike ).
The lower right side engine cover is not original to a ' 78 Special either,as evidenced by the oil level sight glass. I could find other discreprancies,but I have probably already ruined your day...
As long as you like the bike,I wouldn't worry. That is one nice looking scooter!

cathalp · Posted: May 9, 2009, 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: '78 Special fork tubes

The discreprancies are my own work,the shocks are off the same '81 that the side case is off and the slotted disk is off an XS11. She was bone stock when I got her apart from the now revealed extended front. I have a choice of stock front ends if I wish to return her to original. She also has a solid state reg/rec(not stock and better for it).Thanks for the revelation,I think I'll leave her as she is.

cathalp · Posted: May 9, 2009, 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: '78 Special fork tubes

Oh,the seat is a NOS item,exactly the same as the one it replaced without the rips,hinged to the side......which I have just found out is a Yamaha custom low seat,it came in it's original Yamaha box. Must have been an option back in the day.

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