Author Topic: Swapping RM Forks  (Read 11326 times)

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Offline motopunk

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #15 on: December 04, 2013, 03:50:42 PM »
one of my friends had installed the 98- suzuki rm250-forks in his 87 cr500 ..

and here waits my new project  wp extreme 50 forks from a 99 husaberg 501 for my 87 kx ...


 


actually installed is the 89/90 41mm usd- fork, that the bike came with as i bought it in spring2013.
 the upper clamps are fortunally same size like the husaberg clamps with 50mm so i need only bushings for the lower clamps.that minimize the problem with steering stem , bearings and so on.front axle is also same size like older kx-wheels before 1993. i have also the brembo caliper , so i only need some modified spacers and a 260mm oversize brake disc for the kx-wheel. (ktm and husaberg use 260mm discs since the mid 90´s)
is an easy thing... 

but before i can do this is i have my hospital project. thats my actual look after nose surgery on friday 29 for clearing my breathing problems..

big 2 stroke bikes are weapons for real men, who don´t fear death or devil. ;O)
´83 kx250, ´87 kx250 (with 360 big bore), 87 kx500, ´93 kx500 sfc

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Offline motopunk

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #16 on: December 04, 2013, 04:00:03 PM »
All the guys running the 49s out here are using spacers. One of them is a AA enduro rider and ISDE vet. There is even one guy that swears buy 88 43mm CR forks and runs them on his 2010 KTM, also a ex AA and ISDE vet. His spacers are HUGE!
This is good to hear.  It gives me a bit more confidence that the spacers will be plenty safe.

enginerd, whats up?  i can remember that you wanted to swap the 46mm fork of your ´89kx250 into the kx500...  thats very easy and made in only one hour, without removing the front wheels. bearings are same size, same brake frontwheel and so on...  8-)
big 2 stroke bikes are weapons for real men, who don´t fear death or devil. ;O)
´83 kx250, ´87 kx250 (with 360 big bore), 87 kx500, ´93 kx500 sfc

---  www.der-motopunk.de.tl  ---

Offline sandblaster

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #17 on: December 04, 2013, 05:18:02 PM »
I love bike projects  :-)
I hate hospital projects  :x
Heal fast my friend...
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline Enginerd

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #18 on: December 05, 2013, 05:27:47 AM »
Enginerd, whats up?  I can remember that you wanted to swap the 46mm fork of your ´89 KX250 into the KX500...  thats very easy and made in only one hour, without removing the front wheels. bearings are same size, same brake frontwheel and so on...  8-)
You have a good memory! I do have a complete 1989 KX250 front end with the 46mm KYB forks. This will be a direct swap, like you said. I like this idea because it would be so simple.  However, I also have a complete 1996 RM125 front end with 49mm Showa forks as well. These would probably be better forks, but not as easy a swap. I just don't know which way to go. I've also been talking with Sandblaster about adapting a late model KX250F front end into the old K5. I have too many choices!  :-D

Offline motopunk

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #19 on: December 05, 2013, 11:29:09 AM »
I love bike projects  :-)
I hate hospital projects  :x
Heal fast my friend...
 

thanks mike  :-D  ..but now are my breathing problems gone forever.  :mrgreen:
big 2 stroke bikes are weapons for real men, who don´t fear death or devil. ;O)
´83 kx250, ´87 kx250 (with 360 big bore), 87 kx500, ´93 kx500 sfc

---  www.der-motopunk.de.tl  ---

Offline motopunk

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #20 on: December 05, 2013, 11:45:39 AM »
Enginerd, whats up?  I can remember that you wanted to swap the 46mm fork of your ´89 KX250 into the KX500...  thats very easy and made in only one hour, without removing the front wheels. bearings are same size, same brake frontwheel and so on...  8-)
You have a good memory! I do have a complete 1989 KX250 front end with the 46mm KYB forks. This will be a direct swap, like you said. I like this idea because it would be so simple.  However, I also have a complete 1996 RM125 front end with 49mm Showa forks as well. These would probably be better forks, but not as easy a swap. I just don't know which way to go. I've also been talking with Sandblaster about adapting a late model KX250F front end into the old K5. I have too many choices!  :-D

my memories are legendary...  :wink: 

which fork is actually in your kx500? i think it is the 41mm usd-kayaba.

my opinion is first always start with the easiest things... you should start with the 89  46mm fork swap to the k5 and maybe you need harder springs because of the additional engine weight of the 500 against the 250... 
test the performance on a ride and then you have the option to swap the fork back in the 250 and try the next thing.

i cant wait to here how it performs...  :-D

and i also shuffle my feet till the time comes for my fork project, but health comes first, so i have to wait and ride my playstation sx-races...  8-)
big 2 stroke bikes are weapons for real men, who don´t fear death or devil. ;O)
´83 kx250, ´87 kx250 (with 360 big bore), 87 kx500, ´93 kx500 sfc

---  www.der-motopunk.de.tl  ---

Offline Enginerd

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #21 on: December 05, 2013, 04:06:26 PM »
Which fork is actually in your KX500? I think it is the 41mm usd-kayaba.
That is correct, sir!  :wink:


My opinion is first always start with the easiest things... you should start with the 89  46mm fork swap to the k5 and maybe you need harder springs because of the additional engine weight of the 500 against the 250... 
test the performance on a ride and then you have the option to swap the fork back in the 250 and try the next thing.

I cant wait to hear how it performs...  :-D
The 46mm KYB conventional swap would definitely be easiest. The forks need a rebuild, and probably heavier springs since I weigh 230lb. Perhaps in the spring.  :-D

Offline motopunk

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Re: Swapping RM Forks
« Reply #22 on: December 05, 2013, 11:43:43 PM »
 :-D... i remembered the pics of your bikes...

now i cant wait to see some ride results ..   :wink: 
you can test it first at trails to feel the diferent balance in the front end

i think the seals could be the same like the 46mm usd kayaba.
big 2 stroke bikes are weapons for real men, who don´t fear death or devil. ;O)
´83 kx250, ´87 kx250 (with 360 big bore), 87 kx500, ´93 kx500 sfc

---  www.der-motopunk.de.tl  ---