How to identify what forks are on YOUR vintage Honda motorcycle

Throughout the late '60s and '70s, Honda used 4 main styles of fork architecture to build the forks for the Honda CB175 / CB200 / CB350 / CB360 / CB450 / CB550 / CB750 families of motorcycles. It is important to understand the differences between the forks so you can better understand your forks, and how to find the right parts that are used on your motorcycle. We get a lot of questions about forks and fork seals over here at Common Motor so we thought it was time to make a comprehensive guide to the forks from this era. The forks can be sorted into 4 main architectures:
External spring forks: • How to rebuild the Hon...
Internal spring forks with dampening rods: • Honda internal spring ...
Internal spring forks without dampening rods: • Honda internal spring ...
Sealed spring forks: • Honda Sealed Spring Fo...
Forks can be changed so it is important to not only know which motorcycle model you have but how to tell what fork you have just by looking at it. In this guide, we will walk you through triple tree design, spring design, and unique features of the fork so you can tell what you have just by looking at it. Lastly, it is important to understand that these are just architectures and Honda made several sizes of each architecture, depending on the motorcycle. When looking for parts for your forks like seals, springs, and top caps, also verify that those are exactly the parts you need for your motorcycle using our compatibility chart.
CB175 / CB200 Fork Parts: www.common-mot...
CB350 Fork Parts: www.common-mot...
CB360 Fork Parts: www.common-mot...
CB450 Fork Parts: www.common-mot...
CB550 Fork Parts: www.common-mot...
CB750 Fork Parts: www.common-mot...
Honda motorcycle models this video also applies to: CL175 / SL175 / CL200 / CL350 / SL350 / CL360 / CJ360 / CB500K / CB500T / CL450 / CB550F
www.common-motor.com

[@CCitis]

Re did mine on my CL450, now I am ordering your heavy duty rear shocks to stop the pogo stick effect. Thanks for supporting these bikes.

[@RedSiBaron]

This is great, can't wait to see the rebuild video, that's one of my top to dos on my cb200. Also thanks Caleb for answering my email the other week on your ignition and reg/rec I purchased.

[@michaelmurdock6560]

Thanks, I appreciate the fact you guys actually work on and ride the bikes you sell parts for. I have found some parts a little cheaper elsewhere, but I feel more confident ordering from you knowing you have actually tried them out first. I wish you had been around when I restored my CL450 a few years ago.

[@mattcreek3671]

I'm learning so much about my bike! Thank you!

[@robertdivizio3489]

Thank you for explaining the differences!

[@jaylin1932]

The word is damping, not dampening when it used to describe a the function of a fork or shock absorber.

[@chandlerwallace3313]

Hi. I have a Honda 1971 SL350 K1 and I don't see the fork that is on this bike on here... I have everything disassembled. It had two springs (separated by a plastic piece) in it.... all I have left is removing the chrome tube from the boot.... I'm assuming the dampening rod is somehow holding it together.... any thoughts?

[@dntlss]

Im so glad my forks doesn't have those gaiters, after 40 plus years everyone i see being disassembled looks like hell from water and stuff being held inside those rubber boots.

[@GlorifiedPizza]

Everyone always forgets about the CB900, sigh

[@rockobukkako813]

You're not forking around

[@jasonwight7726]

Where can I find the video for the external fork design?

[@Common-motor]

Keep an eye on the channel! We’ll be rolling out all the fork rebuild videos over the next week and a half