UPDATING KX500 SUSPENSION.

[Sandblaster]

Excellent.
Another member who we built a engine for did 13 SSS Yami forks.
Can't wait to hear the news.
And post some pics of your bike.
We love pics

[moto939]

[moto939]

The fork spacing of the KX clamps is slightly narrower than the YZ clamps, so I'll have to fiddle with the wheel spacers a bit. Otherwise it should be a clean set up. More pics when I get it assembled.

[Sandblaster]

Beautiful

[D Bergstrom]

Here are a few pics of my fork swap. I picked up a 2000 KX500 about a month ago. I own a 2016 YZ450FX, so did some measuring and research before I even bought a 500 and learned that the Yamaha stuff is real close. I used a caliper to measure the diameter of both sets of forks, but since it is just a cheap Harbor Freight caliper, I doubt it is exact, but I figure the difference in measurements between the two forks should be pretty close. The top clamping area was on a difference of 0.01 mm, while the lower was 0.3 mm difference. Just used the stock KX triple clamps, and the YZ stuff slid right in, also used the front wheel and brake from the YZ. Haven't been able to take the KX out to the desert yet (need to rebuild the rear shock before I actually ride it) but the forks were pretty nice on the YZ, so hoping they will be just as nice on the KX.

Doug

[Sandblaster]

I have heard exactly what you described so great!
So, what are you going to do the the rear shock?
Stock rebuild or revalve?

[D Bergstrom]

Rear shock is getting rebuilt, revalved, and resprung. Going with a Race Tech gold valve, then I have a new seal head, bladder, and new bottom out bumper. Just need to find the time to get the shock off the bike and get it done.

Doug

[Sandblaster]

Perfect,
I'm running Race Tech on mine and it works great.

[moto939]

Doug and I seem to be following similar paths.

I have been wanting a 500 for a while, but Seans bike build finally got me off my duff and buy one. I found this nearly spotless '01 on Craigslist and after a 8 hour drive and seeing it, I couldn't give the owner money fast enough. Original tires, chain, sprockets, bars and grips, it definitely a legit low hour bike......if it had more than 5-6 tanks of gas thru it, I would be surprised. Good base to start with.







So I machined the top triple to fit a set of '09 YZ450 forks. Added a Yamaha wheel, caliper, rotor and a Honda m/c. Removed the stock green bars for a higher set of 7/8 Tag bars. I flipped the bar clamps around for more forward offset....it looks a little weird (gap to the front), but I assume that's ok to do.

The shock was leaking, so I sent it off to MX Tech for a rebuild. When it came back, I added a Yamaha TI spring and aluminum collars. Curious to get it out and see how it works/feels.

Emig racing still producing links?

[Sandblaster]

Wow! TI spring... When I first saw it I was wondering if that was what I was looking at.
Nice.
If you don't mind, what did it set you back?
On the bars and offset, there is no wrong way to do it.
Everyone has a different opinion so it's all about what you feel the most comfortable with and how you ride...
On the linkage arms, I'm not sure if they have them or not.
If they don't let me know and I'll put you on the wanted list.
We are getting some manufactured with KX Guru on them
And man... that bike is clean... Nice find..