KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: Motorrad on June 21, 2010, 08:28:55 AM

Title: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on June 21, 2010, 08:28:55 AM
Searched.  Didn't find what I was looking for.

So
rear suspension   What changed over the years? 91-04
Linkage?  Shock?  Valving?

I am going to pick up a second shock to have valved to match the 08 450f forks I'm putting on,  and need to get the best shock I can.  Just need to be sure it will fit my 91
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: don46 on June 21, 2010, 09:48:45 AM
Get the 450 shock and change the clevis, if your really handy you can redrill the existing clevis, its a pain but can be done, changing it is much easier. Oh and you must depressurize the shock first or you'll blow out the needle, springs and all the good parts for the rebound adjuster. anyway if you wanted the latest stuff thats what I'd do. I have not used a 450 shock but I have used the 04 05 250f shock with no issues.
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on June 21, 2010, 02:16:18 PM
I was considering going that route.  But am fearfull that the valving will be way off since there are differant ratios etc on the new bikes..  Thinking it would be a shot in the dark to get it valved correctly for desert raceing.
But if they arnt that far off I'd rather go this route.

Is the collapsed and extended length the same?

 

Is there a link to your conversion?   
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on June 22, 2010, 05:48:40 AM
Just got off the phone with my suspension guys    They told me that if I can make the 450 shock fit.  They can valve it correctly.  And would reccomend I go for it. 

Told me that they have done it for a few 250 guys already. 

Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: don46 on June 22, 2010, 06:36:55 AM
the lengths are the same provide you swap the clevis otherwise the 450 shock will be to long, as I recall the clevis is about another 1.5" longer on the 450 than the K5
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on June 24, 2010, 10:32:35 AM
can I just re-drill the 450 clevis? is there enough material there?

Looking at the clevis on the 450, there is some sort of rebound or dampening adjustment on it on the 450... this may be a problem for a swap
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: DoldGuy on June 24, 2010, 11:37:03 AM
Motorad,

View this topic, think it will answer alot of your questions.

http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,7396.msg57326.html#msg57326

My only concern would be the bladder chamber as it is at a fairly steep angle, but in honesty I have not looked at the K5 sub frame to see if it would be a problem.

DoldGuy
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on June 24, 2010, 04:59:33 PM
Gold mine...
Thanks Dold...

Looks like I need to get in touch with Cuttingtorch
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on July 11, 2010, 06:44:03 PM
I have used the 04 05 250f shock with no issues.

what did you do about shock- pipe clearance?
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on July 12, 2010, 11:56:36 AM
Found a blown shock locally for $20.  Going to see what it will take to make fit on the K5.

Right off the bat.  The pipe will be a problem from what I can see.  K5 shock rez angles down.  450 angles up.   

Thinking I may be able to reroute pipe. Or intake. (flop shock around). To make work.   

We shall see I pick the shock up tomarrow 
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on July 13, 2010, 07:21:55 AM
Not sure if anyone is following this anymore or if I'm just rambling.
But was just poking around race tech's website and noticed they build custom shocks. High speed, low speed compression etc etc etc.  Shot them an email on one in k5 bolt on configuration.  Just another option I found. For those sick people like me that like the old geometry of the k5
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Friar-Tuck on July 13, 2010, 09:53:15 AM
 Still Following Rad!  :-D
  I try to read as much as possible here, I'm still slogging through the 140pages of the 500 thread.
Unfortunatly I don't know how to set up some kind of reference system. I know SEARCH  :-P
   So yes someone does follow along,even though I don't have anything to contribute...Yet!
  Tuck\o/
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: crazyolbastard on July 13, 2010, 10:26:48 AM
times two
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on July 19, 2010, 01:41:16 PM
Well. The 450 shock compression adjuster ends up where the stinger for the exaust needs to be. 
It looks like you could route around it.   
BUT I don't want to cut up my new zipty pipe. One of very few left in the world.  So I scrapped the idea of the 450 shock and am giving RaceTech a call tomarrow as I never got an email reply. 

Anyone interested in a good 450shock? 
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: crazyolbastard on July 20, 2010, 10:11:46 AM
Will it fit a 500,   :wink:

I bet them guys at race tech can get ya set up spot on.

Keep us in thew loop.
I will be interested in your results.

Good luck mister    :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Rear suspension
Post by: Motorrad on August 11, 2010, 05:53:38 PM
Quick update on the front.  Finaly got Settled on a steering stop design. It's adjustable. And if bolts removed it acts the same as stock stops (can swap back to original front end)

will weld it on under the original tab tomarrow. 
Need to order a few minor frot end parts (rotor caliper etc)

Need to order a scotts bar mount to fitthese kx450 clamps also as my kx500 one is different spacing. 

Havnt called racetech yet. Need to stash more cash from the wife first
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb275/Motorrad2/1db362c0.jpg)
(http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb275/Motorrad2/49b465ec.jpg)