I am at the point of getting a front end together for my 00 KX500 build. My choices are the original KX500 OEM or a 01 Honda CR125 front end. I have done some research on the two forks and found that they are both roughly the same KYB fork except for dampening internals. Outer and inner tubes are the same and will direct swap into the OEM KX500 triple. Both forks run the same seal and dust wiper kits. As for what is the difference between the two its the dampening system for the CR125 adds a bladder system to help with midstroke. The bladders though weren't set up well from the factory and are harsh in the midstroke because of it. A few remedies for the harsh midstroke when the fork is on a CR125 is there is some kind of mod that can be done to overcome the bladder issue, I believe parts from a newer cr125 fork can be swapped in, or the bladder can be taken out and the whole shock re valved which I believe would make the shock more similar to the KX500 OEM KYB. What I am trying to do is pick which fork to use that would be the easiest to tune in for MX riding. On the one hand maybe the OEM CR125 fork may be fine as a straight swap since the KX500 is heavier. On the other hand if the CR125 fork is gonna be a hassle of modding and re valving to in the end just create something similar to a OEM KX500 KYB then what would be the point of messing with it.
Also too into this decision:
The OEM KX500 fork has definitely seen lots of use over the years though is in good condition. The CR125 fork is nice with only around 50 hours on it total since new.
Either fork I pick I will be using the CR125 front brake as it fits both forks.
Should I pick one fork over the other? or should I maybe build one fork from the two? Has anyone ridden a 97-04 KX500 with a 00-01 CR125 fork?
