Forks

[Motorrad]

So Honestly.... Really....     Are new forks that much better?!


Than my "prepped" 91 blue leg forks...




Getting the itch to fabricate and tinker...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KX250F-KX450F-KX250-Front-Forks-Suspension-Triple-Tree_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5637583573QQitemZ370295715187QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[KXcam22]

Motorad,
 On my 92 I could not get the forks to be plush and not bottom.  To do that they needed internal revalving work.  I would say that the new forks ARE better.  My 07 forks are very nice stock.  Heck I put a CR250 front end on my wifes CRF230.  Makes an incredible difference and was a fun project. Cam.

[jfabmotorsports.com]

How did the 426 that you rode last week feel compared to the K5? I know thats what got you thinkin.  The 07 and up are DLC coated, slicker yet. All the Kx450's are cartage forks so the dampening oil does not get contaminated by dirt and bushing debris, better yet.

JFAB

[Dutch-K5 Fan]

I've ridden many hours on my uncle's 92 k5. First he had his stock forks changed by ?hlins, works good.
Later another stock(blue) set by www.technical-touch.com/. One of Europe's best suspension company's.
Worked even better than the ohlins rebuild forks, and the funny thing is they made it stock how the fork
would have come from the factory in 92!!!

Now he has 48mm Pure Ohlins forks on them, and that much and much better. Real smooth and progressif built up.
Only down side the offset wheel VS steeringstem is way of!!! on high speed it's now fun.
Maybe steering demper could work??

My AF has a kxf250 frame from 2007. And would say the forks works verry well in stock condition.
My oppinion is the newer the suspension the better.


Dutch

[Motorrad]

How did the 426 that you rode last week feel compared to the K5? I know thats what got you thinkin.  The 07 and up are DLC coated, slicker yet. All the Kx450's are cartage forks so the dampening oil does not get contaminated by dirt and bushing debris, better yet.

JFAB

you got it

but I like the geometry of the k5 for desert (new 450s are twitchy)

thinking I could have emig racing make me a clamp for a 04 k5 with new 450 holes.  New suspension. Old geometry.  

[jfabmotorsports.com]

I think they have the same offset. Someone else can conferm that in a min I'm sure. A simple stim change might be all it takes.

[Motorrad]

On the same note I wonder how far off mounting and valving is on the rear shock. (newer bigger better)

[Motorrad]

I think they have the same offset. Someone else can conferm that in a min I'm sure. A simple stim change might be all it takes.

The 06-08 kx450F is 24mm (I have read 24.5mm also) 
The 09 Kx450F is 23mm.

What was the K5 over the years in offset??




Also anyone have any fork diameter measurements (lower clamp mounting  and upper) off their 450's to share?


I also have wondered if they moved the fork spacing (distance between the forks) at all...


If we all measure somthing, we can work this out... there are enough of us with different bikes... This could be a very nice thing to do for those of us that prefer the geometry of the old steel frame, but want more modern suspension..

[DoldGuy]

And has anyone used different offsets what were the results. If you can post a before offset & after offset and what handling differences?

[BDI]

It's like comparing an atari 5200 to an X-box.

[Motorrad]

Okay..

04-08 kx forks

Any differance between the years?

Any differances between the 250 and 450 forks?

any of those years better than others?

[jfabmotorsports.com]

07 and up are DLC coated. Better for less stick.

[Dutch-K5 Fan]

The KXF 450 has dlc forks from 07 and for 05 to 10 use 48mm KYB.
The KXF 250 used 48mm KYB in 04 and 05, 47mm Showa from 06 and in 09 they got dlc coating.
And if I'm correct they are al dual chamberforks, not sure for the 04-05 kxf250's

Ofcourse DLC looks factory and has is plus points. But KYB USA use chroom tubes, S?lva what Cairoli used to become WorldChampion.

How modern suspension would you like to have Motorrad???


Dutch

[Danger4u2]

And has anyone used different offsets what were the results. If you can post a before offset & after offset and what handling differences?

I would like to know the answer to this question if someone could help.
I bought an Emig off set tripple clamp set and forks on craigslist Dallas, $125.
Have not installed yet.

[cbmoor]

Has anyone tried Racetech gold valves in there forks. I just bought a set and a set of springs for my weight for my 2001 kx5. The valves are home and just waiting for the springs has anyone else tried fitting them themselves and encountered any problems? And have you been happy with the results it looks a challege as never worked so indepth on the suspension before but the kit was cheap so giving it a go if its no good I would proberly like to change the yolks and fit the newer twin chamber forks.