KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
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carts69
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KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by carts69 »

Hi, Just located 1994 kx 500 forks & yokes complete, rather than stem pressing etc from other kx models would these be a direct fit onto my KDX220R 1999. Sure i have read this somewhere but would like it confirmed prior to purchase, will these bolt straight up without the trouble of swapping bits over, also what other parts would i need from the 500, caliper/brake line/mudguard? Thanks in advance.
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Re: KX500 forks

Post by Slick_Nick »

Will bolt right up. Need entire KX front end.
'00 KDX 220R
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Re: KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by carts69 »

very quick reply thanks! does the other pieces need to be from a 500 or can they be taken from a 125/250 and later model, only asking as not seeing many 500 lately , would a late 90s 125/250 caliper & mudguard & front wheel fit the 500 forks? Thanks.
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Re: KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by Julien D »

The best way to answer those specific questions is to look the part you are interested in up on a parts fiche, and then compare to the kx5 to see if the numbers match. If so, you're in luck. If not, keep shopping. A couple places, like cheapcycleparts.com for instance, offer a nifty fitment link so you can see all bikes a particular part was used on.
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KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by KDXGarage »

Yep. It will bolt up. Try to get the whole front end.

Look on www.kawasaki.com under parts microfiche and see which other models came with the same caliper, hose, master cylinder, etc. and get on eBay for not just 1994 KX500, but the other models, too.
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KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by rbates9 »

I do not know if this is of any help but when I did the fork swap on my 2000 KDX to a 2000 KX 250 I used the KDX brake system and the part numbers are not the same. At all. But the parts fit perfectly. The brake pads even are interchangeable but have different part numbers. The part number cross reference is good for exact fit parts but not for what can fit.
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Re: KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by carts69 »

Thanks guys... iv'e got my eye on 1994 as their are no others available at this time complete with yokes, iv'e also seen calipers available & mudguards etc for this year bike, so if the price is right.. i will buy these & bolt them straight on & shop for the other bits afterwards. Thanks for the advice, greatly received! One last question, is the bearing easy enough to tap off & replace?
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Re: KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by Julien D »

I'm not sure I'd call it "easy", but it's not too difficult. The lower bearing is a press fit, so getting the old one off can represent a challenge.
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Re: KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by carts69 »

Ok, Thanks for your advice!
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Re: KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by Julien D »

A little heat goes a long way, and some even have to cut the cage off the bearing, remove the rollers, and score the inner race before it comes off. With some creativity, it's not too difficult. If the lower race is still in tact once you get it off, it's perfect to use for seating the new bearing at the bottom of the stem.
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KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by dude541 »

i was watching some 94 kx 500 forks here in the uk,but they went for more than what i was prepared to pay!
plus i have recently rebuilt my standards,and i am very happy with them.

the kx500 forks should bolt straight in,bearing sizes are exactly the same as the 220,you will need a kx front wheel & spindle (various kx models have the same part number) but the front brake caliper is the exact same part number as the kdx caliper,so should bolt straight on.
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KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by kneekicker »

So do you need the trees for this swap?

If the KX500 forks are 43mm will they not work on stock KDX trees?
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KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by tommyd »

kneekicker wrote:So do you need the trees for this swap?

If the KX500 forks are 43mm will they not work on stock KDX trees?
Will not work...
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Re: KX500 forks.. direct swap??

Post by KDXGarage »

The outer tubes of USD forks are where the forks clamp. They are larger than the 43mm inner tubes.
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