Kx 500 88 wheel with 89 or newer USD forks

[Sam1991]

Hi, this is my first post on here so go easy guys. I've recently bought a 88 kx 500 that's half way through being restored. The bikes come with brand new excel wheels and talon hubs. The 88 fork legs are a mess and have seen better days.

So is there anyway I can fit newer USD forks and still use the 88 excel front wheel ? Any modifications I can do to get the wheel to work with the stock forks ?
Thanks

[sandblaster]

The triple bearings are the same from the 83-04 so you could use any year forks as long as you get the matching triple clamp.
The problem is your 17mm front axle size which went to 20mm in 1994.
The other problem is your outside to outside bearing dimension which is 102mm.
You could use your front wheel up to 1993 but anything past 1988 would require new shorter wheel spacers.
Your next problem is your brake mounts, they won't work with anything newer.
You can find sizes and years here:
http://oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.shtml
Just scroll down and way to the right.

Basically, your way better off finding a complete front end.

So... you could get a new steering stem adapter and replace your entire front end with a 2014 KX450F front end .

As the saying goes, it's only money