95 honda cr125 with newer front end ?

Honda lover 707
Edited Date/Time 2/12/2015 10:55pm
I was thinking about getting a newer front end for my cr125 because of the tiny forks (43mm) and no rubber mounted bar clamps (I have a bad wrist). Has anyone done this? My neighbor has a front end from a 02 crf450 and I think I'm gonna make him an offer. I know I'm going to have to use the 450 front wheel,clamps,forks and steering stem and prolly the brake system. Any advice would be greatly appreciated , thanks
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Cola22
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Cola22 1/20/2014 3:58pm
1/20/2014 3:58pm
I think you would be able to get a way with it, but like you said if you change one thing be ready to change the whole thing. Also there will be a lot of trail and error with it.
mxgreg85
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mxgreg85 1/20/2014 4:51pm
1/20/2014 4:51pm
I would caution against this. If you swapped everything out like you're prepared to do, you could probably make it work, but those forks are sprung and valved to work for a 450. Assuming you'd be leaving the stock 125 shock on there, would be tough to make it feel balanced. Rubber mounted is nice but won't be a miracle for a bad wrist. If you do have to swap out everything you mention, it would not be a ton more money to get yourself a 10 year newer bike which would have you much further ahead. However, I understand the need to tinker- if you decide to go ahead with it, hope it works out well, let us know.
Honda lover 707 1/20/2014 6:21pm
1/20/2014 6:21pm
Yeah it's is risky but my friend is gonna let me have the whole front end for a song. I would love to get my hands on a set of ohlins but this is my poor man's solution haha . I really want it to work but if it doesn't , then I have a 2001 cr125 that I could do this too. Either way , the forks on both bikes suck although the 95 does have the tiny forks and needs this mod more than my 01. I also just got a shock off a 97 with the stock spring on it , so I'm going to try to do something with the front end. The whole reason I'm doing this is because my stock forks are actually ruined. The internals were disconnected for who nows long to the cap and ruined the dampening rods. I will keep updated on what I will do.
scooter5002
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scooter5002 1/21/2014 2:25am
1/21/2014 2:25am
What you want to do is not impossible, or even a bad idea, but a few things to consider. I put a front end off of an 07 450 Zook onto my 93 CR250, the whole enchilada, I chose the RM because I knew the geometry in the whole assembly would be close to what the 93 had. As in offset in the triple clamp and fork lugs, so the handling wouldn't be ruined. You need to consider this, because I'd guess your 125 is a razor sharp handling machine. The front end you want to use has a 24 mil offset, so you should measure the offset on the stock 125 clamp first. You could turn this bike into an ill handling pig in a heartbeat, even though the forks themselves are a huge upgrade. You also need to know the steering stem likely won't even be close, so there's that to consider. The one in my Zook needed a little turned off the bottom stop collar to make it fit, I think about an 1/8 inch on the lathe. When all was said and done, it's almost like that setup came in that bike. I don't know that you'll be so lucky. The stops in the triple clamps were in a different spot as well, but still worked. Not saying you can't or shouldn't do this, just know it's something that's not quite as simple as you may think. Good luck.

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Tracktor
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Tracktor 1/21/2014 11:20am
1/21/2014 11:20am
I have done it on my '96. I have 06 CR450 forks.. You will need -97 Cr125 or 96 Cr250 lower clamps, Axle & spacers to match the forks. You will need to shim the lower clamps with two layers of pop can aluminum. Pretty much any upper clamp will work but you may need to adapt for number plate. You will also need to re-spring.............It's pretty easy. Hit up Camp on here with questions he is the guru........
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Honda lover 707 1/21/2014 4:37pm
1/21/2014 4:37pm
Thanks for the input guys. I can't wait to get theses forks but sadly I am poor like most mechanics haha. And I need to wait until I get my taxes back. I feel alot better doing this knowing that I'm not crazy and other people have done it.
pcpa91
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pcpa91 1/17/2015 3:46pm
1/17/2015 3:46pm
Hi guys.. I have a CR 125 1997 and i have a CRF 2014 front fender and number plate to put. My question is.. Which most recent rear fender i can put? Anyone can help me? Thanks
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Blackcap145 2/12/2015 10:55pm
2/12/2015 10:55pm
I think you would be able to get a way with it, but like you said if you change one thing be ready to change the whole thing. Also there will be a lot of trail and error with it.
reesecox.254
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reesecox.254 1/18/2026 6:36pm
1/18/2026 6:36pm Edited Date/Time 1/18/2026 6:48pm
Tracktor wrote:
I have done it on my '96. I have 06 CR450 forks.. You will need -97 Cr125 or 96 Cr250 lower clamps, Axle & spacers to...
I have done it on my '96. I have 06 CR450 forks.. You will need -97 Cr125 or 96 Cr250 lower clamps, Axle & spacers to match the forks. You will need to shim the lower clamps with two layers of pop can aluminum. Pretty much any upper clamp will work but you may need to adapt for number plate. You will also need to re-spring.............It's pretty easy. Hit up Camp on here with questions he is the guru........

To revive an old thread, I’ve got a 95 cr125 I’m working on restoring. 
Happened to get a hold of a whole front end off an 06 crf450 for dirt cheap. 
Is there any way to make the clamps off the 06 work? I’m not above taking some material off the steering stops if that’s all it takes. But if that changes offset too much, looks like I’d need to buy clamps off on a 97 125? 
If anyone has done this recently and made it work I’d appreciate some insight. Or if it’s even worth the upgrade from stock. Thanks 

sandman768
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sandman768 1/19/2026 5:07am
1/19/2026 5:07am

The firks on a 125 are nit as critical as 250/500 bikes….as others have noted, the clamp offset needs to be close to what the 125 already has or you will have an ill handling bike. What is yiur end game with the bike? Occasional riding/ racing I would assume….The aluminum frame clamps will not fit the steelie frames without frame stop mods and possibly a stem swap. Pretty sure PDE in UK makes specific clamps for the 47mm forks. It will be expensive, as you will need to swap everything, but definitely a major improvement, also much better brake options. You will also have to have the 450 forks sprung & valved for a 125, along with your rear shock to match the forks. Getting the stock clamps bored could also be an option if there is enough material on the stock clamps..I have a 96 Cr250 with the 47mm fork conversion, 100% worth it for this bike…I also have a 93 Cr125, that I kept stock forks on, just installed stiffer springs, Race Tech gold valves….I ride that bike a decent amount, the forks are nowhere near modern forks but they are totally ridable on most tracks……now…what I have been really thinking about is grafting a set of KTM Aer forks and front wheel/ brake setup on my 125…. The adjustment of the air, lite weight and excellent front brakes would definitely be worth it…. And picking up a set of the Aer”s would be fairly ez..photo for those who like photo’sIMG 7786 1

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motomind00132 1/24/2026 2:05pm
1/24/2026 2:05pm
Tracktor wrote:
I have done it on my '96. I have 06 CR450 forks.. You will need -97 Cr125 or 96 Cr250 lower clamps, Axle & spacers to...
I have done it on my '96. I have 06 CR450 forks.. You will need -97 Cr125 or 96 Cr250 lower clamps, Axle & spacers to match the forks. You will need to shim the lower clamps with two layers of pop can aluminum. Pretty much any upper clamp will work but you may need to adapt for number plate. You will also need to re-spring.............It's pretty easy. Hit up Camp on here with questions he is the guru........
reesecox.254 wrote:
To revive an old thread, I’ve got a 95 cr125 I’m working on restoring. Happened to get a hold of a whole front end off an 06...

To revive an old thread, I’ve got a 95 cr125 I’m working on restoring. 
Happened to get a hold of a whole front end off an 06 crf450 for dirt cheap. 
Is there any way to make the clamps off the 06 work? I’m not above taking some material off the steering stops if that’s all it takes. But if that changes offset too much, looks like I’d need to buy clamps off on a 97 125? 
If anyone has done this recently and made it work I’d appreciate some insight. Or if it’s even worth the upgrade from stock. Thanks 

If you have the original forks I strongly recommend you give MX Tech a call and get one of their lucky kits for your forks to drop in that way you're able to have modern suspension technology dampening valving all that fun stuff with the upper and lower tubes that were designed to work with the chassis. One thing I've learned over the years is when you mix and match the uppers and lowers to bikes that they weren't designed for sometimes you you start chasing a better feeling that you're not going to get because the fork tubes are either stiffer and more rigid or softer they have different Flex characteristics so it's 1100 bucks 1,200 bucks for the kit believe it comes with springs as well they're not hard doing stall and it gives you the OEM Forks with modern technology

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