('96-'98 RM fork upgrade to '07)

slipdog
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slipdog
Edited Date/Time 11/3/2019 7:04pm
I have a friend that would like to convert his '07 front end to the 49mm conventional setup and recall seeing you had done that to your old RM. Did you make the older clamps work in the newer frame or use the newer clamps with shims? If you went the shim route, do you recall the dimensions needed to make the upper and lower clamps work?

Any info would be appreciated.

*(Edited title)
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Digger29
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Digger29 5/22/2014 10:07am
5/22/2014 10:07am
I didn't use a shim. It was more like an aluminum spacer with a lip on the top so you could just drop it into the holes in the clamps and they would stay in place for you. The were cut in the back so they'd pinch the forks for you. Only use the 98 fork because they have upgraded and very modern internals and they work awesome & they have the least amount of fork hanging down below the axle. I'll try to find a close up pic of the clamp set up for you later on. Pete24 on here had the spacers made for me here locally in Ma and I'm sure that he could get you a set. They weren't cheap either. I think they cost me $100 but it beat trying to figure out to make the old style 98 clamps work. I didn't want to even attempt to make the 98 clamps work. First off the they looked ridiculous :-) and they had a solid bar mount.
Digger29
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Digger29 5/22/2014 10:20am
5/22/2014 10:20am Edited Date/Time 5/22/2014 10:27am
I can't find crap for photos of my RM with the conventional forks. Here is one crappy cell phone pic but if you can zoom in you'll be able to see the collars that were used in my stock clamps and also look how little of the fork hangs below the axle. The 96-97 forks had twice as much hanging below the axle and can certainly and did get caught in a deep rut.
pete24
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pete24 5/22/2014 11:25am
5/22/2014 11:25am
i got piks of the blueberry i can prolly get some collars made i need the ID of the top and bottom clamp you are using, i also have five sets of 98 forks, two sets are revalved by RG3 ill take any legit offer for them


Digger29
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Digger29 5/22/2014 11:32am
5/22/2014 11:32am
Did the twins stick you with all of those forks??? Great time on Monday! I rode til Hutch had to come out and get me off of the track at a little after 4pm saying that the ride day over. I did at least 125 laps on Monday and I was feeling big time on Tuesday and Wednesday :-) Had a blast and thanks again Pete :-)

The Shop

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slipdog
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slipdog 5/22/2014 12:10pm
5/22/2014 12:10pm Edited Date/Time 5/22/2014 12:10pm
Thanks for the info guys, my machinist that does my cranks for me should have no problem turning out spacers. I just wanted to check with someone who had done it before if he decides to go through with it.

I'll keep you in mind Pete, I got an '02 yz144 project in my garage that would be trick with some conventionals on it.
pete24
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pete24 5/22/2014 12:35pm
5/22/2014 12:35pm
i have the forks because i was going to put them on my 12 yz 250, and my 08 crf, and my 96 cr, but i never did anything
JBernard_401
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JBernard_401 5/22/2014 1:15pm
5/22/2014 1:15pm
pete24 wrote:
i got piks of the blueberry i can prolly get some collars made i need the ID of the top and bottom clamp you are using...
i got piks of the blueberry i can prolly get some collars made i need the ID of the top and bottom clamp you are using, i also have five sets of 98 forks, two sets are revalved by RG3 ill take any legit offer for them


that bike is so rad! NICE job!
Aceofspades 5/22/2014 7:31pm
5/22/2014 7:31pm
Digger29 wrote:
Did the twins stick you with all of those forks??? Great time on Monday! I rode til Hutch had to come out and get me off...
Did the twins stick you with all of those forks??? Great time on Monday! I rode til Hutch had to come out and get me off of the track at a little after 4pm saying that the ride day over. I did at least 125 laps on Monday and I was feeling big time on Tuesday and Wednesday :-) Had a blast and thanks again Pete :-)
Digger, the 96 forks were the only year with the underhang. In 97 they lost almost a full inch of underhang. Ive got a spare set of 49mm conventionals but the right leg compression adjuster on the fork cap is missing the adjustment screw! Id sell em for $50 plus shipping if anyone can use Em.
NorcalVet
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NorcalVet 5/22/2014 10:17pm
5/22/2014 10:17pm
Hey Digger;
-- can you give some feedback on those '98 forks
(because the 04+ showa's are pretty nice w/ a revalve --- feels like my rmz's)


---- hey Pete, what is a legit offer?

If you can shoot me an email/ pm

>>> might like to give a try, something different for when i freshen my 05 (play bike) up in a few months w/ a diff look


..... thanks
Digger29
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Digger29 5/23/2014 1:39pm
5/23/2014 1:39pm
RG3 told me when I sent them the 98 RM125/250 forks to be revalved that they have very modern internals and that the parts for them are readily available that the 96-97 forks were an older obsolete Showa design and to stay away from them because they'd be hard to even get springs for never mind parts for and they'd never be as good as the 98 forks. My 98 125 forks were unbelievable in the small stutter breaking break bumps and they were awesome on the long rough stuff straights They were awesome forks but I kept blowing forks seals & I then lucked into the set of 05 kit stuff which I had RG3 redo for me and I stuck with that stuff until I got my KTM.
Aceofspades 5/23/2014 3:23pm
5/23/2014 3:23pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2014 3:25pm
Digger29 wrote:
RG3 told me when I sent them the 98 RM125/250 forks to be revalved that they have very modern internals and that the parts for them...
RG3 told me when I sent them the 98 RM125/250 forks to be revalved that they have very modern internals and that the parts for them are readily available that the 96-97 forks were an older obsolete Showa design and to stay away from them because they'd be hard to even get springs for never mind parts for and they'd never be as good as the 98 forks. My 98 125 forks were unbelievable in the small stutter breaking break bumps and they were awesome on the long rough stuff straights They were awesome forks but I kept blowing forks seals & I then lucked into the set of 05 kit stuff which I had RG3 redo for me and I stuck with that stuff until I got my KTM.
Schematically theres only two very minor differences between the 97 amd 98 fork. In the 97 theres a two piece plastic collar that is one piece in the 98 fork. Thats about it. Is it the valve stacks that are so different? The 97 forks are vastly different thsn the 96 but I wasnt aware the 98 fork was that much better.
pete24
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pete24 5/23/2014 8:15pm
5/23/2014 8:15pm
i can get any springs i want for the 98 fork not so with 96,7
slipdog
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slipdog 5/23/2014 8:45pm
5/23/2014 8:45pm
pete24 wrote:
i can get any springs i want for the 98 fork not so with 96,7
'98 will accept Eibach's 971 (KX450 &250t, '10-'13 YZ450) and the '96 will accept Eibach's 974 (pre '07 KTM open cartridge 125t-450)
Aceofspades 5/24/2014 2:14am
5/24/2014 2:14am
pete24 wrote:
i can get any springs i want for the 98 fork not so with 96,7
slipdog wrote:
'98 will accept Eibach's 971 (KX450 &250t, '10-'13 YZ450) and the '96 will accept Eibach's 974 (pre '07 KTM open cartridge 125t-450)
Its weird that the 97 fork is apparently so different. Learned something new!
pete24
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pete24 5/24/2014 6:03am
5/24/2014 6:03am
pete24 wrote:
i can get any springs i want for the 98 fork not so with 96,7
slipdog wrote:
'98 will accept Eibach's 971 (KX450 &250t, '10-'13 YZ450) and the '96 will accept Eibach's 974 (pre '07 KTM open cartridge 125t-450)
thanks for the info i have a set of 96s on a 490 and now i can get them better set up
CR500Rider
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CR500Rider 7/1/2014 9:24am
7/1/2014 9:24am
Does anyone know if there is a way (externally) to differentiate between the 97' and the 98' fork?
Digger29
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Digger29 7/1/2014 9:56am
7/1/2014 9:56am
No there isn't any difference in them.

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CR500Rider
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CR500Rider 7/1/2014 2:20pm
7/1/2014 2:20pm
Digger29 wrote:
No there isn't any difference in them.
Besides bushings, springs and a few seals you're right. I have a spare set of 97'/98' forks and was hoping there was some way to tell without busting them apart.
quicken
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quicken 7/1/2014 3:48pm
7/1/2014 3:48pm Edited Date/Time 7/1/2014 3:49pm
Digger29 wrote:
No there isn't any difference in them.
CR500Rider wrote:
Besides bushings, springs and a few seals you're right. I have a spare set of 97'/98' forks and was hoping there was some way to tell...
Besides bushings, springs and a few seals you're right. I have a spare set of 97'/98' forks and was hoping there was some way to tell without busting them apart.
It's very easy to id. a '96-'98 fork

'96 had more lower overhang and a hexagon cap

'97 had less (than '96)lower overhang and a hexagon cap

'98 had less(than '96) lower overhang and the more current slotted cap



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Aceofspades 7/3/2014 12:04am
7/3/2014 12:04am
Why do I see so many 49mm fork caps with the comp. Adjuster screw broken off? Usually one is missing on every rm of that series ive seen in person (4 including mine)?
OldMechanik
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OldMechanik 7/3/2014 9:53pm
7/3/2014 9:53pm
Helpful and interesting thread....thanks for all the great posts guys!
TwoSmokeforLyfe 7/3/2014 10:31pm
7/3/2014 10:31pm
I'm sorry to barge in on your thread but I'm really seeking Digger29's advice on my '03 rm 250!
I don't know of any other way to get a hold of him :p

I saw one of your posts on a thread about racing all kinds of rm's and I really think the person I've been looking to talk to!
You said something about running a different needle in the '03 rm 250 and also I saw you mentioned modifying the squishband.

In your opinion, how should I go about getting my '03 250 to be an awesome performing woods/mx bike?
Thanks so much for your help and I've already emailed you previous I just now realize you might not check cause it goes straight to your email.
OldMechanik
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OldMechanik 7/4/2014 6:44am
7/4/2014 6:44am
Mine is an 03 also....horrible carburation in my opinion.

I'm using an NECJ needle, 165 main, 45 pilot, 45 power jet and a 7.0 slide with a 32:1 mix of 93 gas. It's still a bit rich in the mid throttle range but it does run pretty well. I'm at sea level to a couple hundred feet.

I'm anxious to read Digger's reply.
Digger29
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Digger29 7/4/2014 6:44am
7/4/2014 6:44am
TwoSmokeforLyfe wrote:
I'm sorry to barge in on your thread but I'm really seeking Digger29's advice on my '03 rm 250! I don't know of any other way...
I'm sorry to barge in on your thread but I'm really seeking Digger29's advice on my '03 rm 250!
I don't know of any other way to get a hold of him :p

I saw one of your posts on a thread about racing all kinds of rm's and I really think the person I've been looking to talk to!
You said something about running a different needle in the '03 rm 250 and also I saw you mentioned modifying the squishband.

In your opinion, how should I go about getting my '03 250 to be an awesome performing woods/mx bike?
Thanks so much for your help and I've already emailed you previous I just now realize you might not check cause it goes straight to your email.
Call me at 508 243 1232 and I'll try and answer any questions that you may have about setting up your 03. Mike
TwoSmokeforLyfe 7/4/2014 6:51am
7/4/2014 6:51am
@OldMechanik which clip position are you running on the NECJ?
I'm currently running 162 main, 45 pilot, 7.0 slide, 50 Power, 2nd slot on N8RH (Stock needle)
I run 93 octane too mixed at 32:1 with Castor 927. I tried Klotz R50 at the beginning of this season just didn't care for it.
OldMechanik
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OldMechanik 7/4/2014 1:40pm
7/4/2014 1:40pm
It's all the way down....clip is in the top slot. Someone had this carb all mixed up when I got the bike and I'm still ttrying to get it right.
RyanLester761
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RyanLester761 7/27/2016 8:06am
7/27/2016 8:06am
I have a question about this conventional swap. I did this swap to my '05 YZ125 using the Yamaha clamps with shims. Is there risk of bottoming the dust seals against bottom clamp? I noticed the RM clamps are angled up to allow more travel. Does anyone know the advertised travel of the '97 Suzuki forks? If I add enough oil to the forks, will it reduce the risk of bottoming? Or should I just use the RM clamps (since I have them). I would need to press out the stem and figure out a front number plate etc.
Digger29
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Digger29 7/27/2016 4:02pm
7/27/2016 4:02pm
RyanLester761 wrote:
I have a question about this conventional swap. I did this swap to my '05 YZ125 using the Yamaha clamps with shims. Is there risk of...
I have a question about this conventional swap. I did this swap to my '05 YZ125 using the Yamaha clamps with shims. Is there risk of bottoming the dust seals against bottom clamp? I noticed the RM clamps are angled up to allow more travel. Does anyone know the advertised travel of the '97 Suzuki forks? If I add enough oil to the forks, will it reduce the risk of bottoming? Or should I just use the RM clamps (since I have them). I would need to press out the stem and figure out a front number plate etc.
Pete24 should know because he installed a few prs of them on our friends YZ125s and 250's.

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