Stem / Clamp alignment

JoKDX220r · Post by **JoKDX220r** » 07:28 am Jul 28 2009

I wonder if the Stem and Top clamp hole must be in perfect alignment ?

I have a kx 250 1997 forks set on my Kdx 220 2003 and noticed the stem is not centred with the top clamp hole...

Thanks.

Post by **Julien D** » 11:04 am Jul 28 2009

indeed it should be. You need some sort of shim/bushing/sleeve to take up the slack between the kdx stem and kx upper triple.

skythrasher · Post by **skythrasher** » 04:12 pm Jul 28 2009

You may have a bearing race that is not fully, or properly seated straight causing this misalignment.(That is if it is not straight in the steering tube. You will have to see if it is centered without the top clamp.) (Ok you know what the say about assuming, but here it goes anyway.)

I ASSUME that you have the fork tubes in the lower clamp and are trying to us them to locate the top clamp. Stop trying won't work. The clamps locate the forks not the other way around. Make sure the stem is straight and then properly bush the stem in the clamp to locate it properly. It will them locate the fork tubes properly.

Post by **Julien D** » 04:17 pm Jul 28 2009

skythrasher wrote:You may have a bearing race that is not fully, or properly seated straight causing this misalignment.(That is if it is not straight in the steering tube. You will have to see if it is centered without the top clamp.) (Ok you know what the say about assuming, but here it goes anyway.)

I ASSUME that you have the fork tubes in the lower clamp and are trying to us them to locate the top clamp. Stop trying won't work. The clamps locate the forks not the other way around. Make sure the stem is straight and then properly bush the stem in the clamp to locate it properly. It will them locate the fork tubes properly.

You are keeping in mind that the top clamp from a KX has a larger diameter hold for the stem than a KDX top clamp, yes? There needs to be something there to take up the extra space.

skythrasher · Post by **skythrasher** » 06:26 pm Jul 28 2009

juliend wrote:You are keeping in mind that the top clamp from a KX has a larger diameter hold for the stem than a KDX top clamp, yes? There needs to be something there to take up the extra space.

skythrasher wrote: Make sure the stem is straight and then properly bush the stem in the clamp to locate it properly. It will then locate the fork tubes properly.

island220 · Post by **island220** » 07:40 pm Jul 28 2009

.025 shim stock works

Post by **Julien D** » 05:48 am Jul 29 2009

skythrasher wrote:
juliend wrote:You are keeping in mind that the top clamp from a KX has a larger diameter hold for the stem than a KDX top clamp, yes? There needs to be something there to take up the extra space.

skythrasher wrote: Make sure the stem is straight and then properly bush the stem in the clamp to locate it properly. It will then locate the fork tubes properly.

skythrasher · Post by **skythrasher** » 01:07 pm Jul 29 2009

I like the beer can method. Kill 2 birds with one stone.

Post by **Julien D** » 01:37 pm Jul 29 2009

skythrasher wrote:I like the beer can method. Kill 2 birds with one stone.

Beer can?? Show me! I'm dealing with the same issue using an aftermarket yz250 top triple. I was able to use a piece of copper flashing bent around into a bushing shape. Fit's very snug, perfect even. I'd switch it out for beer can though just to say I used a beer can for my front end conversion :D.

J.

Post by **Indawoods** » 01:53 pm Jul 29 2009

I had a sleeve made.... works much better than shim stock. If you could find some copper pipe... that may even work.

JoKDX220r · Post by **JoKDX220r** » 03:54 pm Aug 02 2009

We made a bushing

and I followed skipro3's instructions
But its still really hard to tell if they are perfectly aligned...

firffighter · Post by **firffighter** » 05:57 pm Aug 02 2009

Check out the sticky on top of page. See if Ron Black will make you one. He made one for me and worked perfectly.

KDXRIDER.NET

KDXRIDER.NET

Stem / Clamp alignment

Stem / Clamp alignment