1988 cartridge fork for kx250

bad juju
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bad juju
is it true that the 1987 kx250 had a fork option that replaced the internals of the 87 fork with the "cartridge kit" that was stock in 1988. having a hard time getting fork springs for the 88 fork as the top tube it smaller in diameter i.d., not allowing the race tech triple rate springs to fit. i think the 87 fork has a larger i.d. diameter on the top tube. thanks.
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Phantom347 3/21/2022 1:26pm
3/21/2022 1:26pm
Yes.

Kawasaki offered a Cartridge Fork Kit for the 1987 KXs, I have this on my '87 KX 250.

Both '87 and '88 KXs came with 43mm (OD) Forks.

I have a hard time believing the 1988 fork tubes are so thick the springs won't fit inside ... there is some wiggle room.

Have you actually tried them?

Progressive lists the same Fork Spring Kit 11-1143MX for '83 to '87 KX 125 / 250 / 500 and '88 KX 500, but doesn't list the '88 KX 125 or 250. But, the '88s have the same fork legs, just different triple clamps on the 125.

Progressive also lists the same Fork Spring Kit 11-1143MX for '83 to '88 Honda CR 125 / 250 / 480 / 500. Fork Springs are dimensional parts.

Have Race Tech measure the OD of their '87 spring and compare that to the measured OD of your current '88 springs and the measured ID of your fork legs.

Phantom
sandman768
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sandman768 3/22/2022 5:36am
3/22/2022 5:36am
Not sure if it’s a direct bolt on, but I would look for a set of 89 forks to bolt on…The 89 forks were awesome…
450exc115
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450exc115 3/22/2022 6:14am
3/22/2022 6:14am
sandman768 wrote:
Not sure if it’s a direct bolt on, but I would look for a set of 89 forks to bolt on…The 89 forks were awesome…
89 were 46mm and they found there way on to some RMs also. You'd need clamps to make it work, but yes awesome forks.

I'm a bit surprised they don't fit as I have the 88 Yamaha cartridge forks on my 86 YZ250 and the RT springs dropped right in.
bad juju
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bad juju 3/23/2022 9:12pm
3/23/2022 9:12pm
I tried the RT triple rate springs from my cr250. no go, the id of the 88 kx fork is def smaller. i also found a thread that listed the mxa test of the "87" kit. the kit came with the tube as well as the cartridge kit. I seem to have found the answer. I have a set of "89" forks only though.

The Shop

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Phantom347 3/25/2022 6:33am
3/25/2022 6:33am
Were the CR 250 forks 43mm OD?

Phantom
bad juju
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bad juju 3/25/2022 10:13am
3/25/2022 10:13am
Phantom347 wrote:
Were the CR 250 forks 43mm OD?

Phantom
Yes. Same as the kx fork. Its the ID on the kx fork that is smaller.
TTperra
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TTperra 3/31/2022 10:01pm
3/31/2022 10:01pm
bad juju wrote:
Yes. Same as the kx fork. Its the ID on the kx fork that is smaller.
Measure the stock springs
Eibach have dimensions in their catalog (they list 88 KX as N/A) and se what is close
Guess Race tech can help also, if they have dimensions

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