95 KX to 95 KDX swap

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
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Indawoods
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95 KX to 95 KDX swap

Post by Indawoods »

It turns out that the 95 KX lower tree is a .20 larger hole than the 95 KDX stem. Had to be knurled, filed and knurled again to get a good tight fit.

So, expect some extra cost when you have this done. It cost me $55 to have them swapped out. I was not expecting that and they didn't take plastic.

They could tell I was pissed at the extra cost, so while I was driving around looking for a ATM, they called the guy that did it to get and explaination. He said the KX was extremely hard to get out and took a lot ef extra time going through heating and cooling cycles trying to get it to press out. Then the tolerance issues with the KDX stem to KX lowers.


It's done, and overall I'm happy..... OVERALL. :mrgreen:
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****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
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Post by fuzzy »

Wow, at least he could draw .2" out!!
'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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Post by Indawoods »

Upon closer inspection....

The machinist was a dumbass.

He pushed the stem through the wrong way. This is why it was so difficult. I checked the lowers and can't find any stress fractures but I paid for his ignorance.

On the other hand... the KDX one he did correctly.

I can tell he pushed it through the wrong way by the missing aluminum lip on the KX stem. It's not there and sheared off.

I really need to start doing this **** myself. :evil:
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****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
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Post by Indawoods »

Well... got them on and soft fitted.

They fit better than the 03's on my bike. Very balanced after using Phil's fabricated spacer (Thanks Phil!)

This conversion is going buttery smooth..... :cool:
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****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
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Post by Green Hornet »

Where is Phil. Anyone heard from him????
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Post by Indawoods »

He wrote me and said he moved and was working alot of overtime along with riding. He said when things slow down he will stop in.....
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****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
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Post by Green Hornet »

Vince-When he writes, let him know to drop me a line when he gets a chance. Thanks
"Growing Old is Mandatory, Growing Up is Optional"
2008 KLX450R
2008 DRZ400SM
2005 KDX 220R
1985 KDX 200A3
2005 KLX 125L (SONS)
2003 KTM 50SX Pro Jr
B Senior # 254/0092

http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/R ... fault.aspx
Thanks to my 2008 Sponsers:
Dunlop, SteelMX, Amsoil, Simpson, Pro Works Racing, Pro Moto Billet, SLAP Energy,Boyesen, Rhino Stands, SixSixOne/SunLine Moto for your support.
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Post by Colorado Mike »

Vince, I must have missed something. You're doing another bike? Where'd that one come from?

Anyway, I took my lowers to the dealer and they swapped the stems for $22.50 I thought that was a decent deal for a bike shop. The dude that did it has done it before and knew what he was doing.
Mike

Life's tough, it's even tougher if you're stupid.
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Post by Indawoods »

Well... here in the midwest... folks smoke alot of dope. And even though he did it last year for me after I gave him specific instructions... he funked it up. Turned out OK though.... just cost over twice the price. Last time he charged me $25. Guess he's getting low on weed.

Yeah... I bought a $500 95 KDX project and my brother traded me for my old 77 Triumph Bonneville back as long as I got the bike up to snuff.

So, I am doing everything I can to make it a very trail worthy bike since the Triumph is worth many times of what a KDX is.

Gotta love brothers! :supz:
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****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
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Post by Colorado Mike »

I hear you. Mine gave me an autographed Steve Largent Jersey for Christmas last year! (I used to live near Seattle) :supz:
Mike

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Post by skipro3 »

If that guy shoved the KX stem through that lower KX clamp wrong, then I would not use it. That thing was way too stressed, even if there is nothing obvious. The heat/cool cycle you mentioned could have crystalized the aluminum and make it very brittle. If it were me, I'd go back, point out his error, ask for a refund and cost of the clamp, then buy a new clamp and start all over. At the very least, a refund on the charge due.

I would not ride that bike with that clamp knowing that the stem was shoved out of it the wrong way. It's incredible that it didn't break.
Jerry

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Post by Green Hornet »

>|<>QBB<
skipro3 wrote:If that guy shoved the KX stem through that lower KX clamp wrong, then I would not use it. That thing was way too stressed, even if there is nothing obvious. The heat/cool cycle you mentioned could have crystalized the aluminum and make it very brittle. If it were me, I'd go back, point out his error, ask for a refund and cost of the clamp, then buy a new clamp and start all over. At the very least, a refund on the charge due.

I would not ride that bike with that clamp knowing that the stem was shoved out of it the wrong way. It's incredible that it didn't break.
Vince-Don't let your brother read this thread :grin:
"Growing Old is Mandatory, Growing Up is Optional"
2008 KLX450R
2008 DRZ400SM
2005 KDX 220R
1985 KDX 200A3
2005 KLX 125L (SONS)
2003 KTM 50SX Pro Jr
B Senior # 254/0092

http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Members/R ... fault.aspx
Thanks to my 2008 Sponsers:
Dunlop, SteelMX, Amsoil, Simpson, Pro Works Racing, Pro Moto Billet, SLAP Energy,Boyesen, Rhino Stands, SixSixOne/SunLine Moto for your support.
John W Read Jr
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Post by skipro3 »

Perhaps Vince doesn't think too highly of his bro and that's why he's not too concerned about the lower clamp. :blink:
Jerry

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Post by Indawoods »

Perhaps I took it to Caterpillar and had them run a stress test on it in the Met Lab and it checked out fine? :wink:
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****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
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Post by skipro3 »

Whew!!
Jerry

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Post by fuzzy »

Next time take a doob to the shop :wink:
'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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