Help with HD front end on cb650

[Banjoguy]

Okay soo I got a free harley front end from a shovelhead (don't have it in front of me yet) and I want it on the cb650 project I got going . Only thing I have on the front of the cb is the lower tree and the forks that are air assist . Rather have HD for a wider variety of wheels and bars and since I have to buy parts for whats on there now it would just make more sense to take the one off the shovelhead and fit it somehow .. now I know it's probably not a direct fit but what are some of my options for getting it on. If I pressed out the stem would it be direct press to fit on the HD tree? If not what do I got to do . The new front end will come with the bearings and cups that where on it before so is there another way I can do it without pressing out the stem . Kinda new to this and would appreciate some good advice . Thanks

[TriNortchopz]

found this:
"The CB650 head tube appears to be roughly 1/4 inch shorter than the CB750..."

"Steering bearings, the CB750 uses; Upper: 26 x 48.5 x 15.2 and Lower: 30 x 50 x 14.4
The 81 CB650 uses... you guessed it; Upper: 26 x 48.5 x 15.2 and Lower: 30 x 50 x 14.4
so far so good."

So, using a tapered roller bearing kit for the CB650, just install CB races, and use the 1" ID Timken tapered roller bearing (typical HD); L44643 (or a utility trailer replacement bearing with 1" ID)

CB 750 frame neck is 7.46":


Harley neck (without separate bearing cups) is 7.063":


Harley neck without cups is 1" shorter at 6-1/16"


could also do a HD neck swap if ya wanted:
Neck/Steering Head Choices

https://bellflower-harp-7yk6.squarespace.com/chassis-options

do you know what frontend you are getting?...shovel may not be what was originally on there

How To Identify Harley-Davidson Forks
"Identifying which exact fork (front end) is on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle can be problematic. Especially with older bikes, many parts of motorcycle forks can be changed to different styles, or replaced with aftermarket parts. In this article we share photos and identifying characteristics for a variety of front ends found on Harleys. Use the photos below to help differentiate which front end you have on your Harley Big Twin or Sportster.

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/blogs/motorcycle-how-to-guides/harley-davidson-fork-types-and-how-to-identify-them

[Banjoguy]

Okay this is a good start for me . Now that I got that infront of me .. I'm gonna have to eventually go pick up the front end and properly identify it but as far as I know it's from a shovel it's my father's old bike and this is what he's told me . But ya never know .... so with all this infront of me . If all goes well could I just slap Some spacers on the bottom and call it good if that's the difference I'm looking at. ... I