'96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
Post Reply
throttleout
Supporting Member
Posts: 49
Joined: 10:29 am Sep 16 2014
Country: United States
Location: Tn, USA

'96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by throttleout »

Would the forks off a '96 kx250 be desirable or better than 2000 kdx forks with gold valves?

If so, would it be an easy project? I know most go for '98 through '03 kx forks.

Thanks
2000 KDX 200
RB carb mod
FMF rev, power core
Race tech gold valves
User avatar
6 Riders
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 2124
Joined: 12:58 pm May 01 2013
Country: USA
Location: Washington
Contact:

Re: '96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by 6 Riders »

96 lx forks are better than stock kdx forks. Determining if its worth the cost to do the fork swap is a big variable. Are the forks in good shape? How much does the whole front end sell for? Can you get better forks for the same money?
You need to add up the cost of the conversion. Forks, rebuild, machining, wheel?, etc etc. My fork conversion was $500 when all is said and done. The forks where only $100. The rebuild and tuning was $350, with new springs.
I'd recommend looking for newer (2004+) Showa forks for the best bang for your $. The stem swap and upper clamp shim being the most difficult part of the swap, and model bike forks/frond end will work. Swap the stem and shim the top clamp and you're done with the hard work.
The biggest thing to know is to get the whole front end (if possible), this will save you time, frustration and money in the long run.


Sent from my KIW-L24 using Tapatalk
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
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:

Re: '96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by KDXGarage »

The lower clamp for 1996 KX125/ KX250 has a larger stem hole than the KDX. It is a not even close. Your stem would have to look like a Ruffles chip to MAYBE get it to work. The 1997 clamps will hold those 1996 forks.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

'96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by SS109 »

I ran '96 KX forks on my '90 KDX. Way better than stock KDX forks. The KDX stem will work in them but it might need to be knurled. Send it to Ron Black and he'll take care of it.
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:

Re: '96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by KDXGarage »

Knurled like a Ruffles chip, that is. 1996 has a really big stem hole.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
6 Riders
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 2124
Joined: 12:58 pm May 01 2013
Country: USA
Location: Washington
Contact:

Re: '96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by 6 Riders »

If the stem hole is really big, you can use a pressed shim. I had that done on my rm fork conversion. Instead of knurling, the stem is pressed in with a round shim.

Sent from my KIW-L24 using Tapatalk
newbbewb wrote:^what he said.
masterblaster wrote:Man 6 riders you rock.
*side note...I'm drunk, so try to read what I'm trying to say, instead of what I actually type
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Re: '96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by SS109 »

Jason wrote:Knurled like a Ruffles chip, that is. 1996 has a really big stem hole.
Does it matter? I know RB did it for me and it worked fine for as long as I had the bike and it is now on another member's bike without a problem.
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:

Re: '96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by KDXGarage »

I guess not. Sorry to Ruffle feathers. :grin:

Edit: oops. I forgot my smiley face.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
SS109
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5770
Joined: 05:11 am Aug 23 2009
Country: USA
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Contact:

Re: '96 KX250 forks desirable? Or better than kdx

Post by SS109 »

Jason wrote:I guess not. Sorry to Ruffle feathers.
No ruffled feathers. I thought you might know something I don't! :supz:
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
Post Reply