Posts: 614
Joined: 10/25/2018
Location: Houston, TX USA
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I remember listening to Tyler Bowers in a interview saying Yamaha KYB SSS forks would bolt directly up.
Has anyone done or tried this mod? What year models?
Im assuming its the 10-18 YZ450 forks.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Joined: 7/25/2009
Location: Nor Cal, CA USA
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'09-'12 KX450 forks bolt directly up to the '13-'17 KX450
(edit: I think '07- '08 as well, but for sure the '06 are the crappy 1st year KYB like the '05 YZ)
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Joined: 10/25/2018
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Thanks for the reply but only interested in the kyb sss Yamaha forks. I have multiple forks for different years and models. Its time for a new 450. I am no longer brand loyal, i just buy whats on sale. This year its between Kawasaki and Suzuki. Trying to figure out what will work. If nothing i currently have fits the decision is easy.... its Suzuki.
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Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: TN, USA
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The 09-12 KX450 forks are the same forks as the SSS forks, just valving differences. I had a set of 10 forks on my 2017 and they were done by Enzo. Awesome forks! Listen to Slipdog.
Take it to the limit, one more time!
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Location: League City, TX USA
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Joined: 8/1/2017
Location: Alamogordo, NM USA
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I think what he is asking is would the Yamaha KYB forks bolt right up to the newer Kawi for example yamaha lugs, brake hanger, axle all that stuff directly bolting up to the Kawi Chassis? No Doubt a kawi set up KYB SSS from years past would bolt up to the new Kawi chassis, but it sounds like he has multiple Yamaha KYB sets therefor he may need Kawi lugs, axle, appropriate clamp size becuase his new bike will come with 49mm clamps. Therfor it may not be a "direct bolt on" like mentioned. Those in the know would know more than me about all this but thats what I get from the OP question. For instance will a 2018 Showa 49mm Spring fork off a CRF directly bolt on to the 2018 RMZ? Same fork.....but no cause different lugs required for the stock wheels and brakes might get lucky but I dont know all the cross referencing
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The clamps are not 49mm that is the tube size. My 16 KX450F had 49mm Showa TAC forks and the KYB 48mm forks bolted right up. There are some Yamaha forks that have the same diameter upper tubes, but I'm not sure what years.
Take it to the limit, one more time!
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Location: Alamogordo, NM USA
Right my apologies that’s not what I meant of course the clamps aren’t 49mm just was referencing that particular bikes fork/clamp combo. It came out weird. Usually the dealbreaker is the lugs for the “direct” bolt on
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Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
All 2005-2015 48mm KYB SSS forks have 59.0mm lower clamp.
2005-14 2 strokes: Upper 56.0mm.
2005-09 YZ450F: Upper 56.0
2005-12 YZ250F: Upper 56.0
2010-15 YZ450F: Upper 54.0.
2013-15 YZ250F: Upper 54.0
2006-2012 KX450F: Upper 54.0
I believe in 2016 it changed again but could be wrong on this. Someone might be able to add to the list above. Cheers
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I wouldn't bother trying to get a YZ fork to fit because the KX450 KYB is an SSS, just doesn't use Yamaha/MXAs SSS buzzword. Same fork. 2010+ is what you want because there's an update to the midvalve. They'll bolt right up.
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Location: Houston, TX USA
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Location: Nor Cal, CA USA
In a sense, it is a bit comical that everyone raves about the "YZ" SSS forks when the KX was first to use the plastic spring seat and leaf spring type mid valve. It took Yamaha 8 more years to finally update to the leaf spring mid on the '18 450 and '19 250f
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Location: Lafayette, CO USA
My buddy is riding a 2017 kx450 with yz sss forks on it. He needed to get wheel/axle and front brake from yz to match the forks.. He needed to her it revalved to match the ride charactristics of kx compared to yz
