I'm considering having my front forks sorted out so I'm thinking of the upgrade kit from Rick.
My question is: would my bike benefit from the later type forks while I'm at it?
Are they physically the same size for the yokes and brakes? And therefore bolt straight on?
What are the differences between the two types?

Do you have early or late type spec forks at the moment? Late type are more adjustable vs. early ones. Internals are not interchangable and differ. Rick can help you with upgrades for early and late. I rate them very good (I've used one of his late type kit before). Forks bolt straight on in the yokes, they share the same diameters.

jo wrote:I'm considering having my front forks sorted out so I'm thinking of the upgrade kit from Rick.
My question is: would my bike benefit from the later type forks while I'm at it?
Are they physically the same size for the yokes and brakes? And therefore bolt straight on?
What are the differences between the two types?

yes, early type forks are shite in comparission.

The only bike that had the early forks was the 1989 bike, type 1 in the original colours or seed scheme with gold calipers.

The later type forks all have two adjustments up top, an outer adjuster with a brass screw inset.

Early type forks only have the outer adjuster.

Mine is an 89 type 1.
So I'm thinking: buy some second hand (straight) forks and get Rick to upgrade them and fit them to my bike.
Will this work ok?

yes

That's the answer I was hoping for :)
Thanks :)

jo wrote:Mine is an 89 type 1.
So I'm thinking: buy some second hand (straight) forks and get Rick to upgrade them and fit them to my bike.
Will this work ok?

yes they will bolt straight in, your existing calipers / wheel / mudguard / triple clamps and everything can all be used so you really only need the forks themselves.

good call on the rick o spring kit, get them fully serviced and rebuilt and will be one of the best mods you can do to your bike for budget.

front end goes from a vague no-feel to being able to read the road really well

Neosophist wrote:

jo wrote:Mine is an 89 type 1.
So I'm thinking: buy some second hand (straight) forks and get Rick to upgrade them and fit them to my bike.
Will this work ok?

yes they will bolt straight in, your existing calipers / wheel / mudguard / triple clamps and everything can all be used so you really only need the forks themselves.

good call on the rick o spring kit, get them fully serviced and rebuilt and will be one of the best mods you can do to your bike for budget.

front end goes from a vague no-feel to being able to read the road really well

Cool thanks for the info and feedback - I'm now on the lookout for a decent pair of forks!