KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: moburki on May 19, 2005, 04:44:52 AM

Title: Late model forks
Post by: moburki on May 19, 2005, 04:44:52 AM

Anyone retro fitted late model kx250 forks to a KX5? I would like to update my tired old forks to a modern larger diameter fork, and have it and my shock matched for desert riding. Wondering how close the offsets are between 250 and 500 on the triples. Maybe I can use 250 triples with custom steering tube, or will I be making custom tripples? Seems like a good idea (cheaper than a new bike at least, and I get to keep my 5). Thoughts? :?:

Title: Late model forks
Post by: Arigato on May 19, 2005, 05:11:35 AM

What year is your KX500?

Title: Late model forks
Post by: moburki on May 19, 2005, 06:29:33 AM

1995..

Title: Late model forks
Post by: doordie on May 19, 2005, 08:38:08 AM

moburki,

Me and John have doned it (a 46mm kayaba -02),you can look in gallery for "doordie". :wink:

//doordie

Title: Late model forks
Post by: moburki on May 19, 2005, 08:58:39 AM

Are the head tubes the same length? Do you know if the stock 250 tripple clamps will work?

Title: Late model forks
Post by: John on May 19, 2005, 11:53:35 PM

Mo,

The old style head tubes (the piece that runs through the frame) has a smaller diameter and uses smaller bearings than the new ones. It is also shorter.

You have to change both tripple clamps and keep the old head tube. The upper clamp won't fit the old head tube because of the smaller diameter so you will have to do some work there. I had a mechanical work shop fix my upper clamp and it costed me ~ ?100.

Add to this the fact that your old brake caliper wont fit the new forks and the mounting brackets for the handle bar is different (not incompatible but different)...

Seriously consider getting hold of a basket case KX5 with the new front suspension and swap over the engine. It will probably be cheaper in the long run and you will have lot's of usable spares  :wink:

//John

Title: Late model forks
Post by: moburki on May 20, 2005, 02:59:27 AM

Was '98 when KX5 went to 46mm forks?

Title: Late model forks
Post by: GDubb on May 20, 2005, 03:14:32 AM

I think it was either 96 or 97.

Title: Late model forks
Post by: GDubb on May 20, 2005, 03:20:44 AM

Since we're on the subject...  I read on here somewhere a long while back (cant find it now), that some KX500 clamps are the exact same clamps as the KX250. Anyone know the years in which they are interchangeable?  I would like to add this info to my notes for next winters rebuild so I can see who makes aftermarket clamps that will fit my '97.