Using /5 forks on 1969 R60/2 US?

mutineer · 09-17-2004, 07:57 PM

the '69 is the only year that had telescopic forks.

My crash this summer stove up the front end real good.

I can't find forks for a '69 anywhere. I need the whole front ends, forks, trees, etc.

Will /5 forks work?

If I can't find something soon I'll probably go with an Earles set up

Tim McKittrick · 09-17-2004, 10:15 PM

I like the earls set up on my R69s and R50 mongrel bike fine- but to convert you would need a complete front end. fender, fork, swingarm shocks top plate, headlight ears, brake backing plate, possibly a front wheel, etc. I think the /5 forks will work, and would probably be an easier swap.
of course, with the Earls set up you get to have the front end RISE under hard braking.

Chopperman · 09-18-2004, 09:18 AM

I beleive they are the same. Did you tweak the trees?

mutineer · 09-18-2004, 10:55 AM

tweked pretty good - the whole thing is gona need replacing

I am terrified I tweaked the tube too, but it looks OK.

Chopperman · 09-18-2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutineer

tweked pretty good - the whole thing is gona need replacing

I am terrified I tweaked the tube too, but it looks OK.

Hmm. If you bashed it hard enough to tweak the trees there is a good chace he frame is bent too.

Tim McKittrick · 09-18-2004, 01:07 PM

I have had to replace a /2 frame after the bearing cups in the steering head streched and the races started moving about. I would pay careful attention to the fit of the bearing races as well as any possible bending of the frame. The /2 frame is very robust and I suspect the relatively thin bearing cups will deform before the frame will bend.

Stephen · 09-18-2004, 04:12 PM

I had a 1970 R75/5--quite awhile back, now--and a friend has an R69US...I know that the forks are not identical, but it may be a distinction without a difference, if you know what I mean. They sure look mostly the same, but your may run into some interesting little details, say, when fitting headlight ears. Knowing how stubborn BMW is about change, I'd expect them to be interchangeable at the steering head. Oh, I know that the spring rates are different; the /5 are stiffer. Big surprise. And I seem to recall that the studs for the fenders are different, as the /5 used a plastic fender with smaller stays.

Good luck. Post some before and after pics.

09-17-2004, 07:57 PM	#1
mutineer ^OP Raoul Duke Lives Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Eastern Chaingolia Oddometer: 18,824	Using /5 forks on 1969 R60/2 US? the '69 is the only year that had telescopic forks. My crash this summer stove up the front end real good. I can't find forks for a '69 anywhere. I need the whole front ends, forks, trees, etc. Will /5 forks work? If I can't find something soon I'll probably go with an Earles set up __________________ "Life is as good as you let it be" - Chain "well . . . it ain't for everybody" - Goonie

09-18-2004, 09:18 AM	#3
Chopperman I am dead Joined: Sep 2001 Oddometer: 27,033	I beleive they are the same. Did you tweak the trees? __________________ dead

09-18-2004, 10:55 AM	#4
mutineer ^OP Raoul Duke Lives Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Eastern Chaingolia Oddometer: 18,824	tweked pretty good - the whole thing is gona need replacing I am terrified I tweaked the tube too, but it looks OK. __________________ "Life is as good as you let it be" - Chain "well . . . it ain't for everybody" - Goonie

09-18-2004, 04:12 PM	#7
Stephen Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Oddometer: 3,162	I had a 1970 R75/5--quite awhile back, now--and a friend has an R69US...I know that the forks are not identical, but it may be a distinction without a difference, if you know what I mean. They sure look mostly the same, but your may run into some interesting little details, say, when fitting headlight ears. Knowing how stubborn BMW is about change, I'd expect them to be interchangeable at the steering head. Oh, I know that the spring rates are different; the /5 are stiffer. Big surprise. And I seem to recall that the studs for the fenders are different, as the /5 used a plastic fender with smaller stays. Good luck. Post some before and after pics. __________________ Stephen Still for sale: 1988 BMW R100GS saddle: the Bumblebee seat

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09-17-2004, 10:15 PM	#2
Tim McKittrick Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Wasilla Alaska Oddometer: 1,446	I like the earls set up on my R69s and R50 mongrel bike fine- but to convert you would need a complete front end. fender, fork, swingarm shocks top plate, headlight ears, brake backing plate, possibly a front wheel, etc. I think the /5 forks will work, and would probably be an easier swap. of course, with the Earls set up you get to have the front end RISE under hard braking.

09-18-2004, 01:07 PM	#6
Tim McKittrick Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Wasilla Alaska Oddometer: 1,446	I have had to replace a /2 frame after the bearing cups in the steering head streched and the races started moving about. I would pay careful attention to the fit of the bearing races as well as any possible bending of the frame. The /2 frame is very robust and I suspect the relatively thin bearing cups will deform before the frame will bend.