1990 Kx500 fork swap questions?

[fishineitor]

Hi everyone!

New to the the kx500 world, after deep diving on the forum searching for info about kx500 fork swaps i fear to say i only have more questions and doubts . My bike: 1990 kx500... whats the easiest  and cheapest ( if possible) fork swap for my 1990? for what i have researched so far its the only year with the 41mm forks.. wich newer triple clamps fit my year? what rout would you recomend? do kx250 triple clamps fit the kx500? do the 97-04 kx500 clamps fit my 1990? . There is alot of info in this forum just not clear enough for my specific bike year.

To sum up my doubts..what is the easiest and cheapest way to swap some modern forks on my 1990?


thanks from a confused newbie.

[KXDINO]

Just get the 97 to 04 k5 clamps ,they should bolt straight on they didnt change the frame, heaps of forks fit these , they even bolt on kdx 200 h series . There even a company in australia ez3 that will make any clamp with any off set you like , we have a set on a kx450 19 which has a set of kx450 14 air fork on it while we wait for a fork part to arrive , even a 97 kx250 front end slides straight in to 19 to 21 kx450 clamps , when you do it you need the forks and front wheel makes things easier, some models clamps like kx250 97 onwards have different length stems and bigger top bearings so stay away from them .but they can be made to fit.Summary get the 97 to 04 k5 clamps and fit kx450 forks and wheel 13 and onward and i say some of the earlier ones might go straight on as well , but you still need to check spring rate and change the valving to suit the k5 90 model rear shock or you could end up with a unbalanced bike.

[fishineitor]

Thanks for the reply! Ive been searching for the 97-04 triple clamps on ebay wiht no succes any suggestions were to find them?

[KXDINO]

Its getting to the stage were parts are hard to get as they are worn out , thrown out or lost ,and the manufacturer did not make a real lot to begin with in the end in most cases you have to buy a new set or have them custom made .Luckily there are some great people out there making all soughts of parts for these older models , so start stocking up for the future.

[joko]

Does anyone know of any manufacturers making aftermarket clamps for the 97-04 kx500?
I’ve tried applied, ride, profit hit, but no luck

[sandblaster]

Emig racing

http://www.emigracing.com/kx500.html

[KXDINO]

EZ3 in australia , any clamp , any off set you want , custom.

[fishineitor]

Do  other triple clamps  fit the 1990  kx500 besides the newer kx500 ones?  is there a relatively easy complete fork and clamp swap from other newer  dirt bikes ( yz, rm etc) I know all balls have a conversion chart but it does mention that its  only for the bearing sizes.. im worried about stem sizes , offset , etc.. 

Thanks 

[motorman455]

Emig racing sells a stem to convert the new kx clamps to fit the kx500. Thats how i did mine. I did have to weld a stop to the frame for the different new style stops though

[fishineitor]

Emig racing sells a stem to convert the new kx clamps to fit the kx500. Thats how i did mine. I did have to weld a stop to the frame for the different new style stops though

I think  im going that rout thanks for the tip!! .... how does the bike feel with this type of swap ?? any geometry-handling weird issues?


Thnks!

[motorman455]

I don't notice anything odd about my new style triple clamps and Emig stem. I also have an underbar steering damper and newer style forks. I love the setup. 

[fishineitor]

Hi!

Are the blue forks on the kx500 interchangeable/direct swap with the blue forks on the kx250 of the same years?? im looking for a good pair of blue forks now.

Thanks!