Broom-Tech

Even more simple, demanding less brute force, and lighter weight, than scaffold tube this 'tool' should not be underestimated. I don't believe there is anything in a magic Snap-on van that could do this job any better... In preparation for last year's Dirt Quake I swopped my chop's original 1979 XS650SE fork legs with its 6" over 35mm stanchions, for Honda CB750F legs (also 1979) with standard(ish) length Marzocchi stanchions (also 35mm) concocted for me by Co-Built's mate, Lee . I was very happy with the new lower look and "If it looks right, it will work right" - right? sadly not this time. On the banked corners of the Coventry track I got away with it, but out on the road the frame rails and silencer grind out and dangerously threaten to have me off like a violent binge drinker.photo Lee Vincent Grubb

As the old XS forks were shagged I tried to find replacement long CB stanchions. Calling upon the usual internet gods drew a blank. It seemed like the only option would be to have them custom made in the States by Forking by Frank. Alternatively, MikesXS also in the States does sell very reasonably priced 2", 4" and 6" over-standard XS tubes, but shipping would be a bit of a stinger and this is a shoe-string bike. Then Pete Eat The Rich gave me the (untested by him) name of Philpots in Dunstable who specialize in hard chrome. Visiting the facility I was more than convinced their refurb technique - 20 hours in the electrolysis tank versus the 20 minute dunk the original factory items received. We shall see...

Stripping my old forks down, the horrors were worse than predicted. The former owner had used galvanized metal tubes as a long spacers instead of the usual known chopper fork bodge of PVC pipe. Although the innards were sloshing in oil the spacers were totally rusty and had contaminated everything. The seals required a blow-torch, a tyre-lever and a foul mouth to eject. The main fork springs were rusted to the inside walls of the stanchions. But luckily I had an old witches broomstick to hand. After some hefty WALLOPS with a rubberized lump hammer and a little swearing, the bastids came out. BP