Which forks?

[invigiator]

Cutting to the chase, will these forks (400SS):
http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e34668623
fit this bike:
http://www.invigiator.com/crap/forks1.jpg
http://www.invigiator.com/crap/forks2.jpg

AND will the right-side fork (M600) here:
http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b47681919
fit the left-side of the bike shown? --caliper mounting required--


Now the story leading up to the chase:
See the green arrow? That is where the plastic sheath of the steel braided brake hose wore down to the steel braid, which then wore a groove in the aluminium upper fork housing, until this morning fork oil leaked out through a tiny hole.
Is it possible to have the forks stripped down, welded, and rebuilt? If I buy a set of stock forks, and use the right-side fork on the left of the bike (I need caliper mounts on both sides), should I worry about them not being 'a pair'? Are either of the second hand forks I gave links to adjustable?

Julian

[Bunny]

I think all the tops of the forks are the same (your broken bit), so getting another fork and swapping tops shouldn't be a problem,whether left or right.
I think the bottoms change depending on year - different spindle size, and they are handed, so you cannot use a right bottom for a left.
Look for a set with damaged lower bit, and just swap the top bit over - should be the cheapest way out

[invigiator]

Shame about them being handed, they look so symmetrical, apart from the spindle, and it looked like you could drift the bushes out and swap them.

So you don't think the old 400SS forks would fit (at the spindle end)? Shame again. Same problem as the handedness I suppose.

Dammit! That means I am going to have to have the fork rebuilt whatever I buy.

[Bunny]

You'd have to contact the seller(s) re. measurements of the SS set, I don't have any details on that model.
Rebuilding forks is easy though, and you'd went to change the oil in a secondhand set anyway, especially if you only change one fork, otherwise the amounts/grade may differ

[spacemonkey]

The left and fronts can't be swapped at the bottom end. They look the same as mine and the axle spindle screws into the left side and clamps in to the right. Have you thought if costs are tight (I believe from memory that second hand prices in Japan are very low, but with the dropping economy this might have changed in the last coupla years..) of plugging the hole with chemical metal, of any epoxy compound? If its weeping you could remove it and lay it upside down to stop the leak while it sets. I used wood supports while the leg is off. When you reassemble the whole thing, put tape around the brake pipe where it rubs!

[spacemonkey]

ps, Nihhongo hanashimasu ka?

[invigiator]

I just got some '99 forks in very clean condition for $100. Problem sorted. What a piece of luck!

Thanks for the help and advice though.

Incidentally, just as a point of curiosity, it looks like the bush that the front spindle scerws into could be swapped between sides, But I don't need to worry about that any more.