triple clamps

[bebite]

Does anyone know if the triple clamps off the 86 kdx will fit the 1989 kdx?

[Kipsy]

I tried something similar. They fit, except the fork offset was different (slightly shortening the wheelbase), the bars were solid-mounted on the 89 instead of the 86-88 rubber mounts, and the headlight mounting points in the lower triple were different - the two bolt holes were set more widely than those of the 86-88. Also, the 89 lower triple is a gullwing design while the 86-88 is straight across. This difference was irrelevant in my case. So, yes, it would fit the frame and bike if you don't mind mounting the headlight differently and having slightly different handling. I scrapped the idea myself.

For you, though, there is an important difference that will be a problem - the gullwing issue. The 89 KDX forks will not properly fit the 86 triple. 86 forks fit 89 triples, but not the other way around. The fork lowers on the 89 forks are taller and will make contact with the 86 triple on full-compression. I THINK if you run with no fork boots and have the 89 tubes lowered as much as possible in the triple you MIGHT be OK, but you could still make contact if you bottom the fork hard.

I tried putting 89 forks in 88 triples once and it was way too close for my comfort and I didn't want to lose all my adjust-ability of moving the forks up and down. Plus I wanted to run fork boots. So I got the 89 triples to run the 89 forks, discovered the headlight and offset issue, and scrapped the whole idea.

So...... to answer your question, yes, they will fit. But you might not want to do it. Let us know if you try it and if it works out. I'm working off memory here and I might have figured something wrong when I was doing this 7 years ago.

[KDXGarage]

Wow! Awesome answer. Thanks for sharing.

[bebite]

Tx for the detailed reply Kipsy. Too bad the offset is different.....if it was the same one could use the 86 top triple clamp with the 89 lower clamp. I was just looking at this to enable mounting 1 1/8" bars

[Chuck78]

Generally, people upgrade the 89-92 bikes to the 95-06 triple clamps for the better bar position and rubber mounted bar clamps.

[bebite]

Tx Chuck78. I'll look on ebay

[Chuck78]

Tx Chuck78. I'll look on ebay

You should be able to find someone on eBay for very cheap. Just keep in mind that the rubber cones for the vibration isolators are different between the KDX and KX model triples, despite them looking identical. There's a slight difference in the height of them I believe.

[bebite]

I got some 95 kdx triple clamps and mounted them on the bike and installed my 1 1/8 Protaper EVO bars. Much better. Not a huge difference in measurements but the bars are now further forward and provides more room.