MX fork longer than stock - what have y'all done?

Questions and comments about converting to beefier forks..
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David_L6
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MX fork longer than stock - what have y'all done?

Post by David_L6 »

I'm getting parts rounded up to install a set of CR 250 forks (I already have an extra set) onto a 2000 KDX 200. I think that RB Designs can install the KDX stem into the CR triple clamp so that should go pretty straight forward. My question is about the length of the forks. If I line up the axle holes the CR fork is ~ 1.5 inches longer than the KDX fork. That much sticking up above the top triple clamp would interfere with mounting the handle bars. Has anyone else run into that problem? If so, what did you do?

I'm thinking about sending my forks to MX-Tech and having them lowered 1.5 inches. Thoughts on that idea?
2000 KDX200 / 2002 CR250 / 2003 CR250 / 2008 TT-R230 / 2011 Brute Force 750 / 2012 Brute Force 750 EPS
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David_L6
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Post by David_L6 »

I just talked to Jeremy Wilke at MX-Tech about this project. Looks like it will simply be a matter of having them lower the ride height of the CR250 forks the amount that I need them lowered to match up with the KDX and they'll soften up the valving a little while they are in there so the ride won't be too harsh. Spring rate will be OK as is and a lot closer match for the stock rear shock than what comes from Kawasaki.
2000 KDX200 / 2002 CR250 / 2003 CR250 / 2008 TT-R230 / 2011 Brute Force 750 / 2012 Brute Force 750 EPS
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David_L6
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Post by David_L6 »

Just got done with all the measuring. Looks like I'll need to shorten the CR forks ~1.5" to keep the ride height the same as stock KDX. If that isn't quite enough I'll slide the forks up in the triple clamps a little to get the geometry right.

Talked to Ron Black this afternoon too. He doesn't know if this project will be big problem or not because he's never done this one before. I just need to send him the parts and let him see....

Looks like this project is going to go be pretty easy to pull off if Ron doesn't have any problems getting the KDX stem in the CR triple clamps. The main reason for me using CR250 parts is that I already have quite a few extra parts. We have two CR250s. If this swap goes off as easily as I'm hoping it will I'll recommend using CR250 parts as there are usually a ton of CR parts on eBay. A lot of them are over priced, some are reasonable, a few are good deals. For example, I bought 2004 forks and shock for our 2003 CR250 so we wouldn't have any down time rebuilding the '03 parts. Once I got the '04 parts back from having them rebuilt we just swapped out everything (that's why I have some extra parts).

I will be taking pictures as I go and posting info as I find out so that all of us will know what is involved.
2000 KDX200 / 2002 CR250 / 2003 CR250 / 2008 TT-R230 / 2011 Brute Force 750 / 2012 Brute Force 750 EPS
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Indawoods
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Post by Indawoods »

If anyone can do it... it's Ron. Let us know how it goes...
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