V50 fork swap

[remfanuk]

I have seen an ebay listing for a V50 top yoke that has been modified to accept the larger diameter V65 forks.  could the whole front end of a V65 be grafted onto a Mk2 V50?  are the headstocks the same in terms of bearing sizes etc?  thanks.

[Frenchfrog]

Not sure but if I were doing this I'd mod  the bearings to taper rollers  while I'm at it.

[remfanuk]

i have read about this before but could not find the conversion kits for sale...if you know where they can still be bought that would be great.   they require different cups don't they?  whilst i have it all apart i would like to go to a taper set up.  thanks.

[Frenchfrog]

I'm assuming that you are in the US and according to this https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=197_199&products_id=2879 both the V 50 and 65's use the same cups and cones.later smallblocs use tapers.
The conversion kit is available here https://www.stein-dinse.biz/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=4176, in Europe, and only replaces one of the cups as there is insufficient clearance for both tapers. Pretty sure that there are alternative sources and I also remember seeing full taper conversion kits back in the late 80's in the UK. Maybe similar to this ?https://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/all-balls-moto-guzzi-v50-all-79-87-steering-stem-bearing-kit/.
This is chapter and verse on doing the conversion oneself !https://archive.guzzitech.com/v50bearing.html

[remfanuk]

Thanks for that great information!  i am in the UK and will have a look at those links 

[Frenchfrog]

I seem to remember it was maybe Dave Degens  or another Triton/british iron specialist who originally made these conversions back then...can't find a link at the moment though !. Good luck with it !

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Ed Milch also sells bearing conversion kits at guzzipower.com

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Ed Milch also sells bearing conversion kits at guzzipower.com

http://guzzipower.com/store/Smallblockbearing.html

[remfanuk]

Thanks guys...followed link. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I helped a friend install tapered roller bearings using the Guzzipower adapters. I think it's meant mainly for racing use - hard to incorporate dust seals during the installation. IIRC, the available stem thread length was barely sufficient due to the extra height of the adapters and bearings.

[remfanuk]

I helped a friend install tapered roller bearings using the Guzzipower adapters. I think it's meant mainly for racing use - hard to incorporate dust seals during the installation. IIRC, the available stem thread length was barely sufficient due to the extra height of the adapters and bearings.

Thanks for that...I have decided i will stick with the original setup. 

[John A]

Some kits need a longer stem. I made one on the lathe for the V65. It also needed spacers for the fork shrouds that hold the headlight.