RM250 Showa RG3 Forks and Shock?

RMguy
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RMguy
Edited Date/Time 8/17/2021 3:32pm
Recently purchased these forks and rear shock for my 2007 RM250 and not entirely sure what I have here. They were advertised as rebuilt by RG3 and came off a 2004 RM250.

I took the forks apart to inspect the internals, check the bushings and replaced the oil in both chambers. I'm pretty green with suspension tear downs but didn't see any unusual wear. Also installed the forks and shock on my bike and everything works/fits as it should.

Couple observations:
-The lower fork tubes are 48mm and DLC coated. (47mm is standard?)
-Shock shaft is DLC coated and 16mm. (2005+ RMs are 18mm)
-Red anodized upper chamber but doesn't have any manufacturer or p/n stamped.
-Upper fork tube looks more like a WP tube. Doesn't have the groove for the wear ring BUT has a groove higher up (for a holeshot device?)

Any ideas what I have here or can anyone point me in the right direction for spare parts?

Thanks











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dang472
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dang472 8/17/2021 10:47am
8/17/2021 10:47am
Those are definitely the proper generation Suzuki twin chamber fork for the 04-08 RM250. I’ve never seen a set that wasn’t 47mm or A-kit 49mm. To me it seems like a B-kit 47mm fork with anodized lugs, DLC lowers and stripped OEM uppers. That groove is for the fork guard guide that clamps on OEM Suzuki tubes. The shock must be a stock 2004 model with a DLC shaft. 01-03 RM250s had KYB and the 05-08 had the larger 18mm shaft.
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 8/17/2021 11:13am
8/17/2021 11:13am
Only the 2004 rm250 had those fork caps/ base valves, 17mm across the flats from memory. Similar to the showas that came on the rm125.

In 05, they went to the bigger cartridge showas with a larger piston and 19mm across the flats base valve that was recessed into the fork cap.

All were 47mm fork tubes.

I can't remember, but maybe the crf450 showas around that time had similar anodizing on the cartridge?
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 8/17/2021 11:14am
8/17/2021 11:14am
The spring tube looks like it's from the rm250 showas, I think the Honda used a spring seat held onto the cartridge with a clip in a recess
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RMguy
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RMguy 8/17/2021 2:25pm
8/17/2021 2:25pm
Bruce372 wrote:
The spring tube looks like it's from the rm250 showas, I think the Honda used a spring seat held onto the cartridge with a clip in...
The spring tube looks like it's from the rm250 showas, I think the Honda used a spring seat held onto the cartridge with a clip in a recess
Thank you so much! I've been scrolling through google image searches of everything I can think of to search for.

Did some re-measuring of the lower fork tubes and consistently getting 47.7mm with a few spots near 48mm.

Any upgrades you would recommend for this set? I do have the stock 07 RM250 forks/shock that was rebuilt by FC a few years ago and valved for woods riding. Would like to keep this "new" set for MX.

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Bruce372
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Bruce372 8/17/2021 3:13pm
8/17/2021 3:13pm
Bruce372 wrote:
The spring tube looks like it's from the rm250 showas, I think the Honda used a spring seat held onto the cartridge with a clip in...
The spring tube looks like it's from the rm250 showas, I think the Honda used a spring seat held onto the cartridge with a clip in a recess
RMguy wrote:
Thank you so much! I've been scrolling through google image searches of everything I can think of to search for. Did some re-measuring of the lower...
Thank you so much! I've been scrolling through google image searches of everything I can think of to search for.

Did some re-measuring of the lower fork tubes and consistently getting 47.7mm with a few spots near 48mm.

Any upgrades you would recommend for this set? I do have the stock 07 RM250 forks/shock that was rebuilt by FC a few years ago and valved for woods riding. Would like to keep this "new" set for MX.

I think the 07 stuff would be better for MX given it will have the bigger pistons to be fair.... I dunno, its a lot of hassle to change out forks for riding different places.
RMguy
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RMguy 8/17/2021 3:32pm
8/17/2021 3:32pm
dang472 wrote:
Those are definitely the proper generation Suzuki twin chamber fork for the 04-08 RM250. I’ve never seen a set that wasn’t 47mm or A-kit 49mm. To...
Those are definitely the proper generation Suzuki twin chamber fork for the 04-08 RM250. I’ve never seen a set that wasn’t 47mm or A-kit 49mm. To me it seems like a B-kit 47mm fork with anodized lugs, DLC lowers and stripped OEM uppers. That groove is for the fork guard guide that clamps on OEM Suzuki tubes. The shock must be a stock 2004 model with a DLC shaft. 01-03 RM250s had KYB and the 05-08 had the larger 18mm shaft.
Thank you
PNWRider
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PNWRider 8/20/2021 9:06am
8/20/2021 9:06am
Bruce372 wrote:
The spring tube looks like it's from the rm250 showas, I think the Honda used a spring seat held onto the cartridge with a clip in...
The spring tube looks like it's from the rm250 showas, I think the Honda used a spring seat held onto the cartridge with a clip in a recess
Correct. CR/CRF had a short spring seat without the tube portion. FC used to offer ones with small holes for SX or bigger windows than stock for outdoors/slower riders.

Also, to my knowledge all Honda stuff was anodized brown/bronze (possibly Kashima?) for the outer cap/cartridge top.

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