KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: edkx on February 04, 2006, 02:04:43 PM

Title: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: edkx on February 04, 2006, 02:04:43 PM

I've got a 91 and would like to upgrade to 94 or newer and the fiche at buykawasaki.com says it should work when I look at the part#'s.But I'm wondering if anyone has any real world experience with this.The parts diagram shows the stem and clamps being the same til at least 2000.what about the front wheel and brake.Thanks!!

Title: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: edkx on February 04, 2006, 02:07:57 PM

I should add that I've been looking at the 250 diagrams as well.

Title: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: 01KX5WOODSRIDER on February 04, 2006, 02:22:27 PM

I had a 91KX-250 and it had 43mm forks. I have a 96KX-250 now along
with 01KX-500 and they both have 46mm forks. I assume the 91KX-500
had 43mm forks also. If so you will need newer clamps to go with newer
forks.

Title: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: edkx on February 04, 2006, 02:26:00 PM

The lower tubes would change in size but the upper/outer tubes could stay the same.I believe the diagram shows the clamps being the same as my 91

Title: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: KXcam22 on February 04, 2006, 04:17:27 PM

Ed,
 Wouldn't it be easier (cheaper) to revalve and respring.  My 92 has the same 43mm and I can't say I notice any flex.   You cold get the racetech spring and base valve and assemble yourself. Cam.

Title: Re: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: gowen on February 04, 2006, 05:31:44 PM

Quote from: KXcam22

Ed,
 Wouldn't it be easier (cheaper) to revalve and respring.  My 92 has the same 43mm and I can't say I notice any flex.   You cold get the racetech spring and base valve and assemble yourself. Cam.

Good stuff, the size of the forks mean nothing. If you have it valved and sprung for your weight.

All KX500 forks suck out of the box. They all need help for motocross and trail riding. You'd be better off getting a race tech kit like Cam said. That is what I did and it made one hell of a difference.

Title: RE: Re: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: edkx on February 05, 2006, 12:08:47 AM

I can get them quite cheap and they already come with stiffer springs.That and my old ones are quite worn where the stock # plate touched below the lower clamp.It's worn through the anodizing and rubbed the aluminum.Part of the reason would be cosmetics.I don't like the blue.

Title: RE: Re: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: edkx on February 06, 2006, 04:51:41 PM

Anyone else?

Title: RE: Re: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: moburki on February 07, 2006, 03:58:13 AM

USD came in '94, right? Shameless plug, check the classifieds. USD forks will be stiffer than conventional forks, should be a better steering fork. Everyone here is right about a revalve (spring if needed) for you're riding style. Matching the rear shock will also improve handling.

Title: RE: Re: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: gowen on February 07, 2006, 06:10:40 AM

USD came in '90.

Title: RE: Re: RE: Upgrading forks!?
Post by: doordie on February 07, 2006, 06:19:25 AM

Late 1989..... :wink:

//doordie