Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different yrs

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
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Jpm1109
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Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different yrs

Post by Jpm1109 »

So I read that a KX500 fork from 95-04 is a direct bolt up for my 2001 KDX200. No Knurling required. So I'm on the hunt. However, I've only been able to find fork legs and triple tree separately. Do all the trees and legs crossover between all the aforementioned years? For example will an '04 tree fit legs from a '95 etc. If anyone has any wisdom to offer, thank you in advance.
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Re: Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different

Post by KDXGarage »

heck no. It is not that easy. :wink:


1997 - 2004 forks and clamps go together. 1991 - 1996 clamps (SETS OF CLAMPS) are the ID's of those years fork tubes.
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Jpm1109
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Re: Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different

Post by Jpm1109 »

Jason wrote:heck no. It is not that easy. :wink:


1997 - 2004 forks and clamps go together. 1991 - 1996 clamps (SETS OF CLAMPS) are the ID's of those years fork tubes.


Ok so if I stick to parts within 97-04, I'll be able to build a set that works? I knew "easy" was too good to be true. Lol
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Re: Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different

Post by KDXGarage »

Yes, 1997 - 2004. They are the equivalent of 1996 KX125 / KX250 forks.
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Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different yrs

Post by cornishwrecker220 »

1990 kx 125/250/500 ( G model ) KYB USD forks & clamps & stem fit straight on with no other work necessary , you can use the kdx front wheel & axel but not the front brake line or calliper , this needs to be off the 1990-94 kx.
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Re: Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different

Post by KDXGarage »

In the UK, what size tubes are 1990. I know Europe got the USD forks on KX in 1989, a year earlier than USA.

One cannot find 1990 springs without custom springs, so it is expensive to get a 1990 KX front end set up with the correct spring rates.
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Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different yrs

Post by cornishwrecker220 »

Off the top of my head I can't remember ( 41mm? ) but they made 2 different sizes ...1990 G ( which they produced for a very limited time ) & 1990 H ...the later had larger lower fork legs ...I know this because I had my forks rebuilt with genuine seals & bushings at my local Kawasaki service shop who ordered the latter , which didn't fit my forks !
I did read an article in Dirt Bike where they rebuilt a 1990 kx 250 ... The forks were sent off to Race Tech who fully rebuilt the forks using their own custom springs with a gold valve kit, I'm sure you could buy a pair of springs from them but at a cost ,
I'm running light weight fork oil in my forks which are still firm on the slow stuff but improve & feel plush when things speed up, unfortunately I seldom ride that fast over the rough stuff these days ...! :rolleyes:
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Re: Piecing together a KX500 fork with parts from different

Post by KDXGarage »

In the USA, 1989 was 46 mm conventional, 1990 was 41 mm USD and 1991 - 1995 KX125 / 1991 - 1995 KX250 / 1991 - 1996 KX500 were 43 mm.

Unfortunately, for most of the 43 mm forks, springs are hard to find. They either stopped making them or make them in just a couple of rates.
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