95 Honda CR250 forks and clamp swap

GeoffB33
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GeoffB33
Edited Date/Time 5/15/2018 6:55pm
Just bought a 95 CR250 and looking to get some newer forks and clamps for it. What are my options? I’ve heard that you have to do a few tricks to make any of the newer forks to fit. I’d be happy to keep the stock forks but I have found the stock triple clamp has the bars sitting in my lap and I want to move the bars forward.
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avmechanic
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avmechanic 5/10/2018 6:01pm
5/10/2018 6:01pm
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle and wheel or wheel hub as well. Grab some later Honda twin chambers and you can likely press your steering stem out and swap it into the lower clamp for a really simple fit. I installed a set of 01' Forks onto my 88' CR250 with AllBalls conversion bearings. The bars have offset clamps in forward position and I find the bars are in a perfect and modern position. They are similar to my fairly new KTM. Well worth the swap. Here is the All Balls site. https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

Greg

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quiknic
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quiknic 5/10/2018 7:59pm
5/10/2018 7:59pm
avmechanic wrote:
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle...
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle and wheel or wheel hub as well. Grab some later Honda twin chambers and you can likely press your steering stem out and swap it into the lower clamp for a really simple fit. I installed a set of 01' Forks onto my 88' CR250 with AllBalls conversion bearings. The bars have offset clamps in forward position and I find the bars are in a perfect and modern position. They are similar to my fairly new KTM. Well worth the swap. Here is the All Balls site. https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

Greg



X2. I have used the All Balls conversion for my 90 YZ250 to 2017 KYB SSS forks & Clamps from a YZ250F and the 2016 SFF forks from a CRF450R that I am putting on my 89 CR250.



My son is also finishing up his CRF450R SFF forks on his 89 CR250 as well using the All Balls kits.



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wfoyz250
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wfoyz250 5/11/2018 6:21am
5/11/2018 6:21am
my '95 has 2004 setup with APPLIED triples
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Justin517
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Justin517 5/12/2018 7:12am
5/12/2018 7:12am
I did the twin Chamber swap on my 94CR. I used the 94 stem in the 06 triples. Super easy, no spacers, or bearing kits needed.
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GeoffB33
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GeoffB33 5/13/2018 12:41am
5/13/2018 12:41am
avmechanic wrote:
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle...
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle and wheel or wheel hub as well. Grab some later Honda twin chambers and you can likely press your steering stem out and swap it into the lower clamp for a really simple fit. I installed a set of 01' Forks onto my 88' CR250 with AllBalls conversion bearings. The bars have offset clamps in forward position and I find the bars are in a perfect and modern position. They are similar to my fairly new KTM. Well worth the swap. Here is the All Balls site. https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

Greg

quiknic wrote:
X2. I have used the All Balls conversion for my 90 YZ250 to 2017 KYB SSS forks & Clamps from a YZ250F and the 2016 SFF...


X2. I have used the All Balls conversion for my 90 YZ250 to 2017 KYB SSS forks & Clamps from a YZ250F and the 2016 SFF forks from a CRF450R that I am putting on my 89 CR250.



My son is also finishing up his CRF450R SFF forks on his 89 CR250 as well using the All Balls kits.



Thanks everyone. So I have an option of using a set of 2016 YZ450 forks and clamps. Will the all balls kit work with them? I don’t quite understand how it works. Waiting to hear back from all balls as well but if you boys know about them then let me know. Thanks again. GB
avmechanic
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avmechanic 5/13/2018 7:28am
5/13/2018 7:28am
When you go to the All Balls conversion bearing site https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion and input your bike they do not have any Yamaha applications. Essentially the All Balls conversion bearings are just bearings that match the inner diameter with the stem of the fork triple clamps you want to fit and the outer diameter with the frame steering tube of your bike. They also include some shims to put under the bearings as many of the newer triple clamps have more length to the stem than the original fork clamps had. If they do not have a conversion bearing then you will need to modify or get a custom steering stem made for the combination you want to put together. Emig racing and likely some other machining businesses can do this. Typically that is not as cheap of an option as conversion bearings. While I think the Yamaha forks are an awesome fork I would likely choose something easier to swap. Good luck with it and keep us posted on the conversion.
Greg
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quiknic 5/13/2018 1:28pm
5/13/2018 1:28pm
avmechanic wrote:
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle...
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle and wheel or wheel hub as well. Grab some later Honda twin chambers and you can likely press your steering stem out and swap it into the lower clamp for a really simple fit. I installed a set of 01' Forks onto my 88' CR250 with AllBalls conversion bearings. The bars have offset clamps in forward position and I find the bars are in a perfect and modern position. They are similar to my fairly new KTM. Well worth the swap. Here is the All Balls site. https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

Greg

quiknic wrote:
X2. I have used the All Balls conversion for my 90 YZ250 to 2017 KYB SSS forks & Clamps from a YZ250F and the 2016 SFF...


X2. I have used the All Balls conversion for my 90 YZ250 to 2017 KYB SSS forks & Clamps from a YZ250F and the 2016 SFF forks from a CRF450R that I am putting on my 89 CR250.



My son is also finishing up his CRF450R SFF forks on his 89 CR250 as well using the All Balls kits.



GeoffB33 wrote:
Thanks everyone. So I have an option of using a set of 2016 YZ450 forks and clamps. Will the all balls kit work with them? I...
Thanks everyone. So I have an option of using a set of 2016 YZ450 forks and clamps. Will the all balls kit work with them? I don’t quite understand how it works. Waiting to hear back from all balls as well but if you boys know about them then let me know. Thanks again. GB
I would not use the 2016 YZ450F forks on the Honda because they are more than an inch longer. I had originally purchased a set of YZ250F forks to go on my 89 CR250 but found that it would not be a clean replacement and did not want the front end to be longer or use tall clamps to rig it to work. I ended up buying a set of 2016 SSF forks from a CRF450R as the total difference in length is less than a 1/4” and the CRF clamps are easy to make work. Just my .02
GeoffB33
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GeoffB33 5/13/2018 1:30pm
5/13/2018 1:30pm
Thanks legends for the info. I will keep searching then!
cmhall90usmc 5/15/2018 6:55pm
5/15/2018 6:55pm
Just get up to 2008 Honda forks and read up on the brakes and wheel spacers needed. If anyone gives you a hard time about shimming the lower clamp tell them factory Honda did it
tapped wide 37 2/11/2022 10:22am
2/11/2022 10:22am
I know I'm late on posting here but wanted to throw out my 2 cents. I looked at this thread alot cause I was doing a fork swap on my 95. After doing the swap from stock 1995 KYB to 2006 CRF250R Showa this what I figured out:
Showa's bolted right up to triples. Needed disk caliper spacer, wheel spacer, and axle from 06.
That's it, no steering stem swap, no stem bearings, no coke shims. Bike is a whole new animal. Will post pics once I figure how
3
artlza
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artlza 4/4/2023 2:57pm
4/4/2023 2:57pm
avmechanic wrote:
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle...
Use All Balls bearing conversion bearings to swap later Honda or any other brand bike forks and triple clamps. You will likely need the front axle and wheel or wheel hub as well. Grab some later Honda twin chambers and you can likely press your steering stem out and swap it into the lower clamp for a really simple fit. I installed a set of 01' Forks onto my 88' CR250 with AllBalls conversion bearings. The bars have offset clamps in forward position and I find the bars are in a perfect and modern position. They are similar to my fairly new KTM. Well worth the swap. Here is the All Balls site. https://www.allballsracing.com/index.php/forkconversion

Greg

hello very late on the topic however i have an 1989 honda 250 cr and i think you are the right one to ask about the forks conversion i do understand about the use of the all balls bearings ,could you elaborate more on the triple tree i do have a  complete front forks out of a 2001 honda 250 cr , please any advice will help thank you 

Shane_Garnas
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Shane_Garnas 4/5/2023 6:45am
4/5/2023 6:45am

9FD4E04E-3BA1-4CDA-82F2-8321C7A3461F

The 95 Cr250r was fairly easy to convert (simple bearing change), this is mine with a 2006 crf450 front end. Some of the earlier cr’s (I’m converting my 92 cr500 as well) are a little harder. Could not find a direct drop in upper bearing, but was able to find a bearing and spacer combo that worked. 

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stevie_d13
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stevie_d13 4/6/2023 5:14am
4/6/2023 5:14am

Or you could fit a set of our conversion clamps...

We do them with different stems for all the variations of head tube length, bearing size and nut threads.

No need to use conversion bearings and the lock-stops are in the right place for the steel frames as well.

 

image-20230406131016-1

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yota
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yota 4/7/2023 1:43pm
4/7/2023 1:43pm

l.jpg?VersionId=CqZ9yA8jlMUz

 

nathanholstein 8/22/2023 4:30am
8/22/2023 4:30am
stevie_d13 wrote:
Or you could fit a set of our conversion clamps... We do them with different stems for all the variations of head tube length, bearing size...

Or you could fit a set of our conversion clamps...

We do them with different stems for all the variations of head tube length, bearing size and nut threads.

No need to use conversion bearings and the lock-stops are in the right place for the steel frames as well.

 

image-20230406131016-1

What brand are these?
 

stevie_d13
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stevie_d13 8/22/2023 5:02am
8/22/2023 5:02am
nathanholstein wrote:

What brand are these?
 

Phil Denton Engineering. We do all sorts of trickery for the old school CR's.

 

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Huckster 8/25/2023 2:10am
8/25/2023 2:10am
tapped wide 37 wrote:
I know I'm late on posting here but wanted to throw out my 2 cents. I looked at this thread alot cause I was doing a...
I know I'm late on posting here but wanted to throw out my 2 cents. I looked at this thread alot cause I was doing a fork swap on my 95. After doing the swap from stock 1995 KYB to 2006 CRF250R Showa this what I figured out:
Showa's bolted right up to triples. Needed disk caliper spacer, wheel spacer, and axle from 06.
That's it, no steering stem swap, no stem bearings, no coke shims. Bike is a whole new animal. Will post pics once I figure how

I found a complete front end of a 2007 CRF250 that has RG3 clamps.  I want to put it in my 95 CR250.  Are you saying it should bolt right up or will I need the All Balls bearing kit?.

Shane_Garnas
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Shane_Garnas 8/25/2023 6:29am
8/25/2023 6:29am Edited Date/Time 8/25/2023 6:30am

63A2C6F7-E119-42BD-AE11-86B4EFC429C0Yes, I have rg3 clamps on mine now. Just requires a bearing change. The rg3 clamp does limit steering a little, but could trim steering stop if you needed sharper steering (I haven’t felt the need).

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Huckster
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Huckster 9/1/2023 3:55am
9/1/2023 3:55am

I had a local well respected suspension guy tell me that his set up for the 95 forks is really good and that the 04 forks I have would not be much different.  I have a friend with a 96 250 that had him do up his stock forks and he said they are great.  Any opinions?  I kind of like the idea of the 04 clamps opening up the cockpit a bit.   I have the All Balls bearings all set to convert the ‘04 set up.   Will the 95 wheel work with the 04 forks?  Sorry for so many questions. I am just really confused as to which way to go with this build.

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Shane_Garnas
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Shane_Garnas 9/2/2023 7:30am
9/2/2023 7:30am

I have no doubt the 95 forks can be made to work very well. I chose to use a more modern fork, that isn’t an open chamber design, and have been very happy. With proper set up and tuning, either way will work great. Absolutely one of my favorite bikes to ride, vintage or modern. 

Huckster
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Huckster 9/2/2023 5:19pm
9/2/2023 5:19pm
Shane_Garnas wrote:
I have no doubt the 95 forks can be made to work very well. I chose to use a more modern fork, that isn’t an open...

I have no doubt the 95 forks can be made to work very well. I chose to use a more modern fork, that isn’t an open chamber design, and have been very happy. With proper set up and tuning, either way will work great. Absolutely one of my favorite bikes to ride, vintage or modern. 

If I stay with the 95 forks would it be possible to use the top clamp off the 04 CRF450 if I is the top All Balls conversion bearing?

Shane_Garnas
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Shane_Garnas 9/2/2023 5:21pm
9/2/2023 5:21pm

No, I don’t believe the forks are the same diameter.

bradmx421 9/8/2023 5:39pm
9/8/2023 5:39pm

i have some CRF250 forks on my 93 CR250. I had an extra stock front end off a race bike, wheel, spacers, clamps, everything.

Only thing i had to do was swap the steering stem from my 93 to the new clamps and everything bolted right up.

Samblanco
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Samblanco 9/19/2023 7:59pm
9/19/2023 7:59pm
bradmx421 wrote:
i have some CRF250 forks on my 93 CR250. I had an extra stock front end off a race bike, wheel, spacers, clamps, everything. Only thing...

i have some CRF250 forks on my 93 CR250. I had an extra stock front end off a race bike, wheel, spacers, clamps, everything.

Only thing i had to do was swap the steering stem from my 93 to the new clamps and everything bolted right up.

What year crf forks did you use? I also have a 93

scottmurphy 1/28/2024 10:31pm
1/28/2024 10:31pm
quiknic wrote:
X2. I have used the All Balls conversion for my 90 YZ250 to 2017 KYB SSS forks & Clamps from a YZ250F and the 2016 SFF...


X2. I have used the All Balls conversion for my 90 YZ250 to 2017 KYB SSS forks & Clamps from a YZ250F and the 2016 SFF forks from a CRF450R that I am putting on my 89 CR250.



My son is also finishing up his CRF450R SFF forks on his 89 CR250 as well using the All Balls kits.



Hey mate what did you have to do to put the 2017 forks and clamps on the 1990 yz

sebastianer 6/18/2024 12:24pm
6/18/2024 12:24pm

I did just buy a cr250 1991 that needs alot of work and the stock forks are just done. what forks would be easiest and best to swap over ?

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daveyrides 7/15/2024 9:24pm
7/15/2024 9:24pm
sebastianer wrote:
I did just buy a cr250 1991 that needs alot of work and the stock forks are just done. what forks would be easiest and best...

I did just buy a cr250 1991 that needs alot of work and the stock forks are just done. what forks would be easiest and best to swap over ?

I’m currently in the middle of swapping a set of 06 crf 250 forks and triple clamps onto my 94 cr 250. The all balls conversion kit makes it easy for you to see what possible options you have in terms of what bearings they offer for select years of Honda bikes. On the website go to the fork conversion tab, and type in the model/year of what bike you have, and it will bring up a whole list different years and bikes. It shows all of the correct part numbers that can swap any year oem Honda 250f (and many 450 years) onto the old frame. Even the new bikes, but I found it easier and cheaper to find 04-08ish 250f four stroke parts. I literally bought the top bearing, put it in, slid the forks on and it worked perfect. 

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