Source for CB1100F fork tubes

Guest

Other than Franks Engineering, is anyone aware of another source for new or refurb fork tubes for an 1100F? They seem to be on a hiatus right now.

Thanks

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:23 pm

I recently (last season) used Franks for a new set and was very satisfied with them. I think they are older folks and I was concerned about availability of replacements in the future if they retired. I vaguely remember something odd about the transaction like no credit cards or having to send a bank check.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:57 pm

Franks has been in business for decades, and his wife is the person on the phone when you place your order. He builds the forks on request, they are not old stock forks. I've bought 4 sets of forks from him in the past 20 years.
When he retires his service will be missed.

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 10:31 pm

Frank just made a set of 1100F forks for me, perfect.
Worth waiting for.

J.R.
CBX-tras LLC

Guest

Waiting may not be an option, which is what I am looking for a plan B. There are some familia issues with them and they are not sure if they are going to start back up again.

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 2:00 am

RikRok wrote:

Waiting may not be an option, which is what I am looking for a plan B. There are some familia issues with them and they are not sure if they are going to start back up again.

Not good to hear, they provide(d) a great service at reasonable prices.

J.R.
CBX-tras LLC

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:23 pm

I found that Race Tech offers 1100F fork tubes made by TNK.
No idea/experience on price or quality. But, worth a call. Here's their page on tubes:
http://racetech.com/html_files/FTNK_forktubes.html

J.R.
CBX-tras LLC

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:45 pm

I read 2 things a while back.
Frank has passed and his wife was running the show with 2 guys in the shop. The other more recent was, get your orders in. They will be closing for good and there was a firm date. I to need to get a set or anyone have theres re-hard chromed?

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 12:11 pm

pn27416 wrote:

I read 2 things a while back.
Frank has passed and his wife was running the show with 2 guys in the shop. The other more recent was, get your orders in. They will be closing for good and there was a firm date. I to need to get a set or anyone have theres re-hard chromed?

Are you saying they are still operating? Specifically, are they re-chroming fork tubes? I didn't know that was an option. If you know they can still provide that service, I would be interested.

I have one fork tube with a small pit right in the fork seal swept area..I bought a new set.

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:24 pm

Try dropping Cruzin Image a note, maybe something he would be interested in suppling.

Cruzinimage ebay

Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:16 am

f4fast wrote:

pn27416 wrote:

I read 2 things a while back.
Frank has passed and his wife was running the show with 2 guys in the shop. The other more recent was, get your orders in. They will be closing for good and there was a firm date. I to need to get a set or anyone have theres re-hard chromed?

Are you saying they are still operating? Specifically, are they re-chroming fork tubes? I didn't know that was an option. If you know they can still provide that service, I would be interested.

I have one fork tube with a small pit right in the fork seal swept area..I bought a new set.

Franks only made new for what you needed, no rebuilding or re-chroming.

J.R.
CBX-tras LLC

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 2:52 pm

f4, I can not say. Like CBX said, Franks does not chrome. They must send them out. But getting them re chromed is an option but it must be hard chromed and most chromers don't do this. So you need the right chromer. I was hoping to just get new to avoid the down time. I to have a bad nick in the seal area.
jkotsi, I dropped Cruzin a note. If they can them maybe we can get a group buy here going.

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:43 pm

Cruizin image answered no.

Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 5:00 pm

I'm happy to announce that Franks is still in business and making fork tubes, I spoke with them yesterday.
Yes, they have been experiencing difficulties of late but, place your orders, they'll be happy to take care of you.
They have no plans to go out of or sell their business.

Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 3:49 pm

Thanks for following up on this J.R.

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 1:05 am

Last night I paid $480 for a pair of late model Triumph tubes, I wonder if Franks would have been another option. It looks like the Triumph ones are pretty stitched up with several sellers all having exactly the same prices but the 90 quid postage hurts

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 2:11 am

Great news, thanks jr!