1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
Post Reply
taco jeff
Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 09:11 pm May 19 2012
Country:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by taco jeff »

Hello All, This is my first post on this forum so here it goes.I had a 1995 KDX 200 a few bikes ago and loved it.Should have kept it. I recently got a 1984 KDX 200 and I want to put a disk brake front end on it. I've been reading that a KX 500 front end will go straight on all years. Does this include my 84? Will a 95 or newer front end go on as well? I loved the stock front end on my 95 as I weigh 130 soaking wet and every other dirt bike I've had has been too stiff stock.With all the swaps on this forum, does anyone want to sell me their stocker...? Also, its different hearing a KDX with no KIPS rattle! Thanks in advance...
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by KDXGarage »

Sweet! Welcome to the forum.

Measure your head tube height, then compare it to the 1995 head tube height. It has been years since I measured, but I want to say it is around 188mm (180-something??).

I would measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the triple tree, though. The longer travel may include longer distances there, throwing off the geometry.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
taco jeff
Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 09:11 pm May 19 2012
Country:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by taco jeff »

I measured and it looks to be about 180mm. My forks are 41 inches end to end and it's about 25+1/4" from the front axle to the bottom of the bottom triple clamp with about 5mm of tube out the top of the top clamp. 1984 specs show fork travel at 10.2 inches.I suppose I should see if all KDX's use the same head bearings..
dfeckel
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 644
Joined: 07:46 am Nov 09 2009
Country:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by dfeckel »

The '86-88 forks are the same diameter as all the newer KDX forks. If your '84 is also the same, then you can just slide the newer KDX forks into your stock triples.
David Eckel
taco jeff
Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 09:11 pm May 19 2012
Country:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by taco jeff »

The forks on my '84 are 38mm. I'm guessing newer forks are bigger?
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by SS109 »

Yes, newer forks are bigger. 43mm.
Youtube Channel: WildAzzRacing
AZ State Parks & Trails OHV Ambassador - Trail Riders of Southern AZ
Current KDX: '98 KDX220
Old KDX: '90 KDX200 -White/Blue
'11 GasGas EC250R
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by KDXGarage »

Yes, you would need the triple clamps, besides the complete front brake system and wheel (basically a front end swap, not a fork swap).
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
taco jeff
Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 09:11 pm May 19 2012
Country:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by taco jeff »

Well I found some good info at allballsracing. I put in 1984 KDX 200 and I got the products they carry for my bike. They have the steering head bearings and also cross reference all the bikes that the bearings will fit, regardless of make or model. So the same bearings fit '83 to '06 KDX 200's and KX 500's from '83 to '04 plus everything from Yamaha FZ1's to Victory cruisers and many more.So that makes it easy to find possible combinations of front ends that don't need knurling or serious machine work. So now I'll just start watching ebay and C-list ... :grin:
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by KDXGarage »

All those other brands and fittings won't have the same head tube height. Just go with the KDX or KX front end. Consider the weight difference as well. What you have now is probably a bit lighter than a KX USD front end, for example.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
taco jeff
Member
Posts: 6
Joined: 09:11 pm May 19 2012
Country:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by taco jeff »

I'm mostly looking for a disc brake for the front. I've done a CR125 USD front end onto an XR 200 and an CR 125 standard onto a TT 250. Both needed a spacer or "stack-o-washers" but both turned out great. Any ideas on a front end that would be a "balanced" match for the rear(not too heavy or a handling killer)?Maybe a '86'-89 front? Were the KDX USD forks any good? They didn't seem to last long as a factory option.
gREEn7o0
Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 12:44 am Aug 20 2012
Country:

1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by gREEn7o0 »

Hey guys, total newb here. But after reading this thread I think I have my answer, I just want to confirm..
I have an '84 KDX200 and am looking to do a front end conversion in the near future, to make front brake parts more readily available. I found a triple tree and forks from a '96 KDX200 for sale and just wanted to confirm that this will fit my bike?
User avatar
kawagumby
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 927
Joined: 10:09 am Nov 30 2006
Country:
Location: California

Re: 1984/ 1995+ fork swap?

Post by kawagumby »

I bet the 84 is the same as the 86 kdx...if so.... I used the triple stem from an H model (95 and up) on my C model (86-88) and it worked fine...it was just a bit longer (like a quarter inch or so, as I remember) but bearings are the same. The E model (89-94) also uses the same stem as the H model but with different triples.
1994 KDX200, Beta 200rr, yz125, yz250, kx100 modded for adult, gasgas contact 250.
Post Reply