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31
Joined
11/3/2021
Location
Ludington, MI
US
djp48
11/5/2021 9:15am
11/5/2021 9:15am
Edited Date/Time
11/12/2021 11:04am
I have a 2004 Kx 125 and I'm in the market for some wheels and a suspension overhaul/revalve. Before I decide which wheelset to go with I need some help sorting out the suspension details.
What I am debating on is getting into the newer generation of fork body which involves swapping triple clamps. I understand the stop has to be modified.
Is there anything else of concern just with the swapping of triple clamps? I don't want some janky cobbled up front end.
I'm looking at 13-18 kx250f applied racing triple clamps mainly because they offer a wide variety of offset including what is stock to my bike. How concerned should I be with the offset? Should I consider changing it? The bike seems to handle well enough although I've only rode it 3 times. (New to me)
Lastly, am I missing something here? Is there a better way to get into the newer gen fork or is it going to mess up geometry some where else? I.e. front axle, fork length, bottoming?
I like nice stuff, I don't mind spending a little money. My suspension needs springs and valve job being it is not set for my weight or abilities. Its an 04 so everything is a little battle scared (fork tubes) but overall the bike is pretty nice. Going to hang on to the bike for a while.
Thank you for any positive input, Dan.
What I am debating on is getting into the newer generation of fork body which involves swapping triple clamps. I understand the stop has to be modified.
Is there anything else of concern just with the swapping of triple clamps? I don't want some janky cobbled up front end.
I'm looking at 13-18 kx250f applied racing triple clamps mainly because they offer a wide variety of offset including what is stock to my bike. How concerned should I be with the offset? Should I consider changing it? The bike seems to handle well enough although I've only rode it 3 times. (New to me)
Lastly, am I missing something here? Is there a better way to get into the newer gen fork or is it going to mess up geometry some where else? I.e. front axle, fork length, bottoming?
I like nice stuff, I don't mind spending a little money. My suspension needs springs and valve job being it is not set for my weight or abilities. Its an 04 so everything is a little battle scared (fork tubes) but overall the bike is pretty nice. Going to hang on to the bike for a while.
Thank you for any positive input, Dan.
As far as clamps it kind of depends what you want do, I have current 250f/450 Pro Circuit clamps that are 23.5 offset and it seems to like that. The more modern forks have better holdup than your stock ones do so it seems to like a little less offset, or maybe it’s just my style/preference.
Another big swap worth doing imo is getting a different shock adjuster from technical touch that has high and low speed. It makes the shock work substantially better. Don’t waste your time trying to retrofit a different shock into the bike, people do it and it works but it’s not the best way to do it.
By lug offset do you mean the mounting point for the front axle?
What years are the older dual spring kx450 forks you speak of?
With the clamp offset is more offset more vertical?
By current clamps what years clamp are you running and are you aware of any differences in fitment between model years?
Where there any surprises with the clamp swap or is it direct other than the steering stop?
Thank you on the tip for the rear shock The rear shock was next on my list for research. That is awesome and I'll definitely look into the adjuster. Also appreciate the tip on the hold up for the forks.
I have Showa a-kit forks on mine and specific PC clamps for the Showa a-kit fork(not bored out production clamps) so they aren’t a specific year, just 23mm offset and for the kxf.
Lug offset is the centerline of forks to the parallel center line of the axle. To my knowledge that hasn’t changed on the Kx/kxf bikes at all.
Triple clamp offset is the fork centerline to the parallel steering post center line. You’re essentially making the chassis longer or shorter, then sliding your forks up or down in the clamp with change your steering angle and weight in the front of the bike.
The Shop
I'm going to get in touch with some triple clamp manufacturers and see if they have any input on the clamp offset and any other changes in dimensions between model years.
Trying to decide whether to go with air (tac) or spring (aoss)
I'll probably stay away from the sff spring fork.
Have to also see if there are any changes in fork length to consider.
Don't know much about the air forks. I like the idea of the weight savings but see a lot of people have issues with tuning and some say they are great.
Either way I go I'm going to do a revalve.
Thanks for the input.
Do you know what offset and name brand triple clamps?
Where you able to just put your stock brake rotors on the 250f wheels and good to go? Is the pattern for the rear sprocket the same?
Thanks
As far as I can tell you need to decide what fork your running, 250, 450 and year. Then make sure you are getting the clamp for that year and model fork?
Cool with the wheels. Something definitely to consider.
Front wheel the 99-05 kx125 has the old p/n, anything 4-stroke 06+ will bolt up but you’ll need the axle and wheel spacers from 06+ as well as a brake disc.
Oem rotor size was 250 I believe up through 2016 so you won’t need a caliper bracket unless you wanna do a larger rotor(which I would recommend anyway if you’re going through the trouble).
2019-2022 and 21-22 kxf front wheels won’t fit, unless you get that year of forks or have the lugs bored out. They have a larger diameter axle.
How about the upper tube diameters? Just trying to figure out what may have changed as far as triple clamps go. Probably the same issue to address as far as the steering stop goes.
I understand the bore for the lugs has changed and I assume you would need to use the current front axle, spacers hub and possibly front brake mounting brackets.
What other issues might be foreseen?
Imo if you’re gonna spend the money for that new of stuff just find some 2-3 years old a-kit forks. However Anything newer is a step up from the stock ones.
No matter the year, you don’t need caliper brackets, just corresponding axle and triple clamp. don’t overthink this. It’s really not that complicated and there’s probably 100+ threads on here how to do it if something hangs you up
My fork is à 2011 kxf, clamps for 2011 kxf ( wheels and brake ans wheels kx 250 )
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With a lot of research and help from members on this sight I believe I have a game plan.
It will be a while before I get parts gathered to make this happen but will try to update everyone interested on how the conversion goes.
Post a reply to: 2004 kx 125 Triple clamp/ Fork Swap