Now I have owned a klx 300 R and trashed the suspension on it within 6 months. Currently im riding a 2003 kx 250 and I have been interested in switching back to a plated trail friendly bike but the only downside I see with the klx 250 s after all the power mods Im going to need would be the suspension. I just dont think it will handle the abuse I want to throw at it and it will be a serious dog in the sand with its soft settings.

So my question is has anyone thrown some MX style forks and shocks on this bike yet? I was thinking about parting out my KX and keeping the suspension components to do this mod once I purchase the klx...anyone think I got a shot?

 

I think theres a guy on here KDXMike i think, I might be wrong. But somebody on here did it successfully as far as I know. I think its also posted on (Planet KLX) website. Hopefully someone will chime in for ya

 

http://www.planetklx.org/techtips/kx...-forkswap.html has details on the swap. You need to find forks with 43mm diameter to make it easy and fit the existing clamps. 93-97 KX forks fit. Then you get some spaces to reduce their length back to the same as the KLX ones.

 

You could use the forks from the KX but you would have to have the steering stem machined down to fit the KLX steering head bearing.
The KLX shock has its reservoir mounted at an angle that is not common. Check to see if the KX shock is built the same.

You would be ahead of the game and it would be easier to sell the KX and use the money to buy a set of used 43mm forks and get the KLX shock revalved.

By the way, that's my article on PlanetKLX.

Ride on
Brewster

 

The time has arrived, I either change my suspension or I change my bike.
Does anyone know if I can swap the front end of the KLX with a KX set up? I don't care about keeping any of the KLX parts, ie: speedo, brake caliper or wheel. Anyone have experience with this?

 

Depends on which KX front end you use.
43mm KX front end will bolt right in. The 46mm forks will need either some machine work to the steering stem or a different stem to fit the upper steering head bearing.

Ride on
Brewster

 

I'll assume then that the easiest bolt on would be the forks and clamps, wheel, mudguard brake caliper , line and master cylinder from a 93-97 KX (125/250)?

 

The 96 up to 01 are 46mm. The 94-95 are 43mm and basically the KLX "gen". Earlier & your going blue, different fork guards, maybe different brake etc.

 

Not quite, according to the information I have. 43mm forks from 91-95 KX125, KX250, 91-96KX500. Beyond those years, the KX came with the 46mm forks and would need the steering stem changed or machined. Some of that information is second hand so be sure to check before you buy.
Yes, the full assembly would be the easiest way to go.

Ride on
Brewster

 

Brewster, what's the main reason for using a 43mm KX fork instead of revalving the existing 43mm KLX fork? My thought would be that the KX fork isn't perfect in its performance and could probably use revalving just like the KLX fork. I could see the logic in going to a 46mm fork in terms of stiffness or such, but on that note, is the KLX worth that much trouble. Don't get me wrong. I love mine, but just heavily modding the existing fork with quality aftermarket valving seems to yield some surprisingly excellent results. With the Race Tech internals in my OEM KLX fork, it's almost night-and-day difference.

On the rear shock, I doubt there's much technological difference between many KX shocks and the KLX unit. Just a quality revalve would probably yield as much overall performance for the rear of the bike. Since the KLX250/300 both have very limiting main damping piston design in their front and rear units, it's really amazing how good the OEM units are when you replace that junk. The most comprehensive suspension discussion is usually on Thumpertalk, and I notice that most serious riders revalve the suspension units on even the highest end dirt bikes, regardless of price.