2003 KX Fork?

[bebite]

I purchased a set of used forks which I was told came from a 2003 KX250 but I'm wondering if this is correct. The ones I have seen have a hex protruding from the cap (like a nut) The forks I have have a recess. The code on the lower leg is MENL. I tried googling this but couldn't find anything. If anyone has info on what these are or can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. Also, I bought these as I was/am considering installing these on a 1990 kdx200 but these forks are quite a bit longer (about 1 1/2") than the original forks. This measurement is from the axle to the top of the upper clamp. I've read some of the posts on fork conversion and I've seen other people use the 2003 kx forks and wonder how they get around keeping the same geometry.

[KDXGarage]

Can you post a picture?

Look on eBay at multiple listings of 2003 forks to see if they are the same.

[Chuck78]

To run forks that much longer on a KDX, you really should have them internally lowered 1/2" to 7/8", with some different Race Tech or Cannon Racecraft springs, always have them revalved for woods riding or your primary terrain of choice, slide the triples down over the tubes additionally to lower the ride height, paying close attention to how much travel remains on the chrome tubes vs the clearance between the top of the fresh tire knobs vs the front fender mounting bolts, and then perhaps run a taller rear tire to correct the remaining ride height difference so that it doesn't steer & handle like a dirt chopper.

Got photos from the purchase, eBay perhaps??? Photos are critical as well as the diameter of the chrome tubes and any casting markings on the undersides of the triple clamps. Axle lug and top cap photos as well.

[bebite]

Here are a few pictures of the fork I have. At the moment all I have is the forks. No triple clamps or wheel.

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thumbnail_IMG_4586.jpg (58.5 KiB) Viewed 11210 times

thumbnail_IMG_4585.jpg (85.47 KiB) Viewed 11210 times

[bebite]

Oh the chrome sliders are 48mm

[KDXGarage]

That is not 2003. EDIT: Are they from KYB? The caps look like KYB. Yamaha?

[bebite]

When I bought them I was told they were off a 2003 KX250. But who knows????? Thats what I'm trying to find out. I googled that MENL code but could not come up with anything. I'll see if I can email KYB and find out

[KDXGarage]

Look at 2005 and newer YZ125 and YZ250 forks on eBay to see the caps. Someone will show the bottom part with the letters. The cap looks like that. I have a 2005 KX250 and a 2007 YZ250. They are not from a KX 2-stroke.

[SS109]

'03 KX250 did come with KYB forks as my riding buddy rode and raced one for years. Can't remember for sure what they looked like, as he sold the bike back in '18, but that looks right to me.

[KDXGarage]

Congratulations. You almost stumped me. Thank you for the challenge. I think they are from a 2009 Honda CRF450R.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145853554143

[Chuck78]

Good sleuthing, KDXGarage!

I knew they were closed chamber forks by the removable quick change base valve at the top, and compression adjusters on top vs bottom. Didn't know what make/model at all though!

Interesting as usual when a manufacturer uses KYB on one model, and then uses Showa on the larger or smaller version of the same model in the same year! The CRF250R & 250X that year use Showa... '19-'23 KX250F/ KX250X use KYB, '24 version 250's & '19-'24 KX450F/KX450X use Showa!!!
01-08 RM125 = Showa, 01-04 RM250 = KYB (05-08 RM250 = Showa).

[KDXGarage]

Thanks. It took a minute.
2006 KX250F was when Kawasaki went to Showa on the MX bikes since at least the early 80's.

Chuck78, here is you a question to ponder:

My first KDX came stock with Showa forks. Which KDX was it?

[bebite]

Tx for that. They sure look like the ones I have. Now I just have to figure out if I can mount these on the KDX.

[bufftester]

Bearings aren't an issue. Bottom Bearing is the same between 09 CR450r and 1990 KDX. Upper bearing CRF inner diameter is 30mm vs the KDX at 25mm. If the CRF stem is about the same length as the KDX you could use a complete CRF triple and just change the upper bearing. If the CRF stem is too long or too short then you would need to press out the KDX stem from its lower clamp, press out the CRF stem from it lower, and then press the KDX stem into the CRF lower triple. All of that is documented in the Fork Conversion Forum as it is the same process regardless of the donor bike make.

[bebite]

My googling shows the 2009 CRF's used 47mm Showas???? A friend of mine has a 2017 Yamaha YZ. I'll do a comparison.

[Chuck78]

My googling shows the 2009 CRF's used 47mm Showas???? A friend of mine has a 2017 Yamaha YZ. I'll do a comparison.

A lot of manufacturers used Showa and KYB simultaneously, between 250F & 450F versions of the same model line... 2019-2023 KX250F/KX250X used KYB, 2019-2024 KX450F / KX450X use Showa, as does 2024 KX250F.... Same goes for early 250F/450F Kawasaki and Suzuki and Honda models

[KDXGarage]

2009 CRF450R

https://www.cycleworld.com/2008/09/08/2 ... irst-look/

"An interesting note is that Honda has switched from its familiar Showa suspension to KYB for both front and rear. The shock has a body exclusive to Honda; it is a short and stubby, which helps with both exhaust clearance and access to the spring-preload adjuster. The 48mm inverted fork is Honda-spec and uses the popular Kayaba Air-Oil-Separated (AOS) internals."

"Your googling" is the reason we are all still in this thread a week later. :-) It's 2009 CRF450R (not X, not 250, etc.) Look on eBay at the 2009 CRF450R forks. It has MENL-L on them.

[bebite]

I looked at those pictures again on ebay. I had looked at them but had not seen the code but I see said the blind man. My apologies and thank you.

[KDXGarage]

...to his deaf daughter. I was just ribbing you on that. I did find one bit of info by searching "MENL-L" in quotes, which led me to the pictures on eBay. I don't get much luck when searching the general web for parts details. I am glad we got it figured out.

[bebite]

I also found something else out that I didnt know through this......Apparently the KYB AOS fork which this is, is the same as the KYB SSS. The "AOS" was KYB's name for the fork while Yamaha used the same fork and slightly different valving and called it SSS