Shouldda Asked

mikezolin · Post by **mikezolin** » 05:08 pm Apr 02 2006

This has to be the most useful and informative KDX site in exsitance. Been lurking here for a while and this is my first post so please don't say STFU like they do on some other forums.

I have a 1996 KDX200 that is the funnest bike I've eber ridden. 46 yrs old and just got back into the desert racing/hare scramble thing after 30 years off raisnig five kids. Anyways.............

One of my kids has a 1996 KX125 which needs both top and bottom end rebuilt so we decide to just upgrade him to a newer bike and I find myself with a pair of '96 USD forks and a set of Applied Racing triple clamps. After reading all the stuff here about the conversion I decide I'm gonna go for it.

Just tore both bikes apart, ready to head for the machine shop tomorrow for press out, possible knurling, press in, etc.........

BUT...now I'm reading some posts relating to leveling the bike. I didn't do any measurements before recklessly taking off both front ends. Is an axle to top TC measurement going to give the the correct geometry or do I need to put everything back together again and take additional measurements? I don't want to screw this up!

Advice from those who have "lived and learned" from this conversion would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks for all the informative posts..Sounds like an RB carb is next on the list.

Post by **Indawoods** » 05:25 pm Apr 02 2006

Hey Mike ...welcome to the site!

I think after you get the KX frontend on the bike, there will be about a 1" greater difference in height compared to the KDX's frontend. It is pretty easily rectified by dropping the forks in the trees by an additional 1" than stock would be. Ergonomically it should be fine. You can see what I mean here....

skipro3 · Post by **skipro3** » 11:51 pm Apr 02 2006

I've got '96 forks on my bike and there was no issue with ride height or leveling. They should work fine. I would recommend flush and filling the oil while they are off he bike though.

Also, Welcome!!!!

m0rie · Post by **m0rie** » 09:26 am Apr 03 2006

Welcome!

skipro3 · Post by **skipro3** » 10:09 am Apr 03 2006

BTW, what's STFU stand for?

mikezolin · Post by **mikezolin** » 10:10 am Apr 03 2006

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. Ordered new stem bearings from Dennis Kirk yesterday (just to be sure) and they should be here by Wednesday. Since I have the entire KX front end, wheel and all, I'm thinking this will be a pretty straightforward project. Hope to have a weekend ride report for ya'll.

mikezolin · Post by **mikezolin** » 10:15 am Apr 03 2006

On Mototalk they always say "STFU NEWBIE" to new subscribers - guess it's a tradition there ?????? Pretty sure it means Shut the F$%k Up.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » 11:38 am Apr 03 2006

mike, what kind of terrian do you ride? I have 97 kx forks and i want to know if you ride stuff like i ride.

Welcome to the forums, some may say i am annoying

Post by **Indawoods** » 12:44 pm Apr 03 2006

Mike,
You may want to cancel that order for stem bearings and go to your dealer and buy OEM's.

Why? 'cause the bearings are sealed on the bottom of the OEM bearings unlike aftermarket. Makes a big difference in longevity.

mikezolin · Post by **mikezolin** » 12:30 pm Apr 06 2006

Inda - The bearings that are on the stem now are OEM and in perfect shape (the previous owner was smart enough to install a grease zirc fitting so the entire stem cavity was full of grease). So based on your advice I'm just gonna reuse them. Dropped the clamps off at the machine shop this morning and he will have the job done this afternoon. I'll post the "knurl needed" results to the poll thread once I pick them up. Looks like I'm gonna be riding with new forks this weekend

Ryan - I ride mostly desert and single track with LOTS of rocks. These are from a typical AMRA race.

http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/modules. ... _album.php

canyncarvr · Post by **canyncarvr** » 12:27 pm Apr 18 2006

Too little, too late...but...

My forks are over the top by a good 1/2". My bike is 'level' as it was before. I DID check it to start with, so I know it's right now.

But...I'm using Devol 114mm pull rods, too. That dropped the seat heighth something a bit less than 3/8" as I recall.

Reusing the OEM bearings should be fine, the bottom having been removed by pressing out the stem. It's reusing the bearing if you have removed the bearing without pressing the stem that would make it iffy...cuz you gotta do some prying, pounding to get an installed lower bearing off.

I've cut mine off! Didn't want to mess with multiple stem pressings just to change a bearing.

KDX200Kev · Post by **KDX200Kev** » 11:59 pm May 04 2006

This is what I did.

http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2172

Green Hornet · Post by **Green Hornet** » 07:48 am May 05 2006

I have mine (FORKS) about 3/4 inch raised in Upper TT. It equals approx. 1/2 inch between KX & KDX. But makes a HUGE IMPROVEMENT all over

canyncarvr · Post by **canyncarvr** » 05:02 pm May 17 2006

What happened to the 'new forks this weekend' part?

Where's the ride report?

mikezolin · Post by **mikezolin** » 12:10 pm May 18 2006

Ride report is right here Sir....... http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... highlight=

Since the conversion I had the front end revaled and resprung with NOST SST valves and race-tech springs and had the shock revalved and resprung by NOST as well. It's like completely different bike.

Raced in 3 races so far with mixed results.

Took 3rd (out of 7 in my class) at the Whiplash race in Mexico in April.

The 2 AMRA races were a different story. AMRA races are mostly very rough single track type stuff and I struggle there. Took 18th out of 28 in the 40+C class in Prescott and 18th out of 22 at the Cherry Creek Dual Euro Scramble in Young AZ last weekend.

Next race is another Whiplash race in Page, AZ on the 28th.

canyncarvr · Post by **canyncarvr** » 03:13 pm May 18 2006

Thanks for the pointer!!

(you didn't expect me to actually be able to find it myself, did'ja? If you did, you obviously have NOT lurked here long enough!!

)

Thanks!

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Shouldda Asked

Shouldda Asked