1985 KDX 200 Questions!-Please Help

[KDXnoob1]

Hey all! Big fan of the site, been creeping TT for a while and heard about this site through that.
Anyways, I'm in the middle of rebuilding a 1983 KDX 200 with an '86 200 motor (Yay powervalve!).
No problems building the engine, however, my questions lie with suspension. I've read the various topics in the fork and suspension sections but none seem to be getting to the point of knowledge I'm looking into.

Basically I just want the bike to sit higher with more rigid and tough suspension for my weight 210-215lbs.

So here's the questions.
Forks: If I buy a new triple clamp to match the new forks, can I use just about any 250/500 dirtbike forks
If not, are there specific models and years of forks I should be looking for?

Rear Shock: Any models/years that will fit it from a newer model? Or instead of replacing is there a tougher spring that I can put in for my weight while I rebuild the stock shock?


Thanks for the input and advice.

Long live the KDX!

[dfeckel]

You probably won't find anyone who has done the swaps you're looking at, but with enough effort, anything can be made to work. I would try to find a stiffer spring for the shock rather than try to find another shock that fits. The KDX linkage/shock packaging is so different from modern bikes, especially with respect to the location of the remote reservoir, that I think finding a comparable length shock with a reservoir that doesn't hit somthing important will be tough.

Forks wise, anything should work if you have the right triples and can get the old KDX stem pressed into them. Should require just a few spacers to make everything work right.

Good luck!

[KDXGarage]

You can get custom springs made at cannonracecraft.com. You may be able to find a used spring from another bike to fit your shock. I would suggest NOT trying to install a different shock. You will totally throw off the geometry.

On the forks, you can get stiffer springs, but you may want to look into swapping to some newer model KDX forks / front end (disc brake!) or a KX front end. The newer forks will have larger diameter tubes and more readily available spring rates.

[KDXnoob1]

Thanks for the reply's guys. Yea I'm gonna keep the stock shock, just ordered a whole seal kit. As for the forks, I have a guy here who is selling KX 500 forks, rotor/brake/tire/triple clamp for $200. Don't know the year though. Thinking of grabbing those, any advice?

[KDXGarage]

Ask what year. Are they upside down forks??

[kawagumby]

I used yamaha triples (04) and forks on my 87 KDX. The 87 shares the same triple as the 84, I think, which has a bolt type connector on the top of the stem rather than a nut which was used from 89 on. So, what I did was use the stem from the E,H models (89 on) which worked perfectly. You can see how it came out in this forums's "My 87 KDX project" thread.

The KX500 triples AND stem should work - and the spring rate will be a lot closer to what you want.

[KDXnoob1]

Thanks kawagumby, I'll look into that. Jason- Yes, they are upside down forks. I'm not sure if I can afford them anyways at the moment anyways, but I'll keep trying. All my parts are on there way now so I'ts only a matter of time before I can put up a build thread.

Kawa- I'm gonna go look at your build right now, probably covers everything I'm looking for :)

Thanks all!

[Roadhazardguy]

If there USD forks then there at least 89+

Cool Idea I'll be waiting to see how you like the PV engine in the older bike. Did you ride the bike with the 85 engine?

[KDXnoob1]

Yea, When I got it the person had butchered the electrical and it wouldn't run. Picked up a spare motor with the electrical and swapped electrical to old motor, ran it a bit and decided the power valve is more fun. So I'm swapping it in. Can't wait to ride it!

Still waiting on a swingarm bearing kit though, FRP seems to be having problems getting it. :(

[zz3gmc]

Someone installed what looks like a 86 era KX shock with the remote reservoir on my 84 200. I havent torn into it yet to see if it was mounted correctly though.