Mystery fork identification

[Meetstew]

Hi guys, new member here.

I’ve been enjoying my 2002 KX250 for about two years now. Great bike, still needing some tlc in some areas, but generally solid.
My forks started leaking recently so I ordered up a seal kit.
I thought it was strange when I got the bike that the front hub had a speedo drive on it but thought maybe the PO added it after market or something. I then realized the brake hose routing was different than the factory parts diagram. So I finally measured the tubes to see if they were even the stock forks. Nope. Just about 43mm instead of the 48mm that should’ve been there. Also, no external adjustments whatsoever.
My question is, is there a way to id these things so I can order up the proper seals? Or do I  just go by the dimensions and see if I can track something down? Thanks for any help.

[Kawafornication]

Best bet is to put a picture up, sounds like it could be a set of KDX forks on the bike!

[sandblaster]

On the lower inside area of the fork will be some ID numbers and letters.
The 01 KX250 are ID'd like this:
Left fork K312-L
Right fork K312-R
Tell us what yours are...

[Meetstew]

Sorry it’s taken a bit to reply.

So left leg is K328L
       Right is K328R

I did not see those numbers until I cleaned them up after you mentioned them.
Also, there are adjustment screws in the bottom of the legs I had also over looked. Thanks

[sandblaster]

1996   KLX250R
1997-2002   KLX300R
1993-1996   KLX650R
Perhaps others as well...
Which means someone had to swap the triple clamps or make adapters, front axle, front wheel, and potentially the front brake.
You need to get rid of that and get what belongs on your bike.

[umberto]

1996   KLX250R
1997-2002   KLX300R
1993-1996   KLX650R
Perhaps others as well...
Which means someone had to swap the triple clamps or make adapters, front axle, front wheel, and potentially the front brake.
You need to get rid of that and get what belongs on your bike.

I agree with Sandblaster.  Those forks are crap.  The 1999-2002 KX125 or KX250 triples will work, but only the 2002 and up will allow you to use the 48 mm forks.  The 2003 and up are 48 mm, but I would shoot for 2004-2007 KX250, or 2004-2005 KX 1225 forks, as the fork guards will allow you to run the brake line conventionally like a CR (or the later KXs). 

Of course you can press out the stem from your 1999-2002 triples with a hydraulic press and use anything later model, such as the 2009 KXF forks I am using on my 500 conversion.  Watch your triple clamp offset though.  A lot of the later KXF triples use 23.5 mm offset, and can slow your handling quite a bit. Applied racing makes a set with 25 mm offset that will mount the 2009 KXF forks.

[Meetstew]

Thank you guys so much, tons of helpful info!

I was able to order up the correct seals today.

I will just run these until i can gather up all the parts to switch back to a decent fork. I only paid 800 for the bike so I hate to throw down another 5-600+ for a whole front end, but I know it will make a huge difference.

Any good sources for forks/front ends out there besides eBay?

Thanks

[Meetstew]

Hi again!
I’ve found a complete front end off of a 2005 KX 250f here locally. Is that a good swap? Any big surprises involved?

Thanks all

[umberto]

Those should work just fine.  If my memory serves me, the triple clamps will be the same offset as your bike (25 mm).  You will need to buy a 2004 and up KX brake line, as they switched to the more traditional (and better) routing after 2003. 

[Meetstew]

Thanks!
Yeah it’s complete with wheel and brakes, including caliper, hose, and master.

[umberto]

Thanks!
Yeah it’s complete with wheel and brakes, including caliper, hose, and master.

Even better. That’s smart to buy everything.