1987 CR125 forks or 1989 CR125 forks

1986, 87, 88 Honda CR, 43mm conventional forks are possibly some of the best forks EVER to fitted to a production motorcycle!! 125, 250 and 500, they were all pretty much the same. Slightly different valving and spring rates but no big differences between them. They were WAY better than the 89 USD units, which are possibly the WORST forks ever fitted to production motorcycle! In fact, I'd say they were better than anything fitted right up to the late 90's maybe even later. Obviously, having forks worked on, set up, re-valved etc makes a massive difference. But in "stock" form, those 43mm's are hard to beat.

One of our friends raced at British champion ship level during the late 80's and reckons that the 87's were THE best, then the 86's then the 88's. But he says the differences are very small.

Stevie

I fitted a pair of the 87 CR250 forks to my RM465 and they live up to the hype. The front end is now as good if not better than the rear.

Why not try them both?

So long as you got the same spring rates (we use Eibach springs in all ours) and oil in both sets swapping them out between motos or prectise sessions isn't to hard.

I'm not syre you'll really be able to tell which was which to be honest.

Stevie

I'd use whichever set are in the best condition physically, i.e. tubes, sliders bushes, chroming, then re-build that set. Away you go! Oh and if you find them pop in a set of Mugen rebound adjustable internals.