Dirt bike forks

Hobbes · Posted: August 4, 2009, 3:45 pm Post subject: Dirt bike forks

I think some people have done this, but I've never heard it discussed in depth.

Thinking about getting some 35mm dirt bike forks, along with matching 21" skinny wheel and drum hub, and putting them in the xs650 triple trees. I think this would look good on my rigid project.

The only dilemmas I can see with this would be 1) that the new forks may need to be shortened to get the proper ride height, not a huge issue, and 2) that the xs650 triple will space the fork tubes a different distance apart than they may normally be, requiring axle spacers to be made.

If you've done this, please let me know what was involved and what forks you used. There's a fork size cross reference here that lists all old jap bikes with 35mm forks: www.ohiocaferacers.com...eSizes.pdf

My ebay surfing so far has turned up some viable ke175 components for dirt cheap, should work according to the chart.

Thanks.

Shannon60 · Posted: August 8, 2009, 1:55 am Post subject: Re: Dirt bike forks

I think that you also may need to think about the fact that not to many dirt bikes weigh as much as an xs650. so you may want to do some research on fork springs also.

xsleo · Posted: August 8, 2009, 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Dirt bike forks

A dirt bike may weigh less, but not many street bikes come off 20 to 30 foot jumps.

Shannon60 · Posted: August 8, 2009, 5:23 pm Post subject: Re: Dirt bike forks

Ok let's think about this just take a think.
35 mm forks. When is the last time someone successfully landed a 20 foot double with them? 1980? Ever heard of sag? What happens when all the extra travel unsprings?

Just use your head.
And maybe not listen to someone and their "yeah buts". Someone that like to post just to keep their picture on the bottom of the home page for the most posts. Watch out for yeah butts and just think about what your doing!

Srinath · Posted: October 10, 2009, 11:33 pm Post subject: Re: Dirt bike forks

I have fitted dirt forks and rims etc on a street bike.
picasaweb.google.com/s...opperBike#

The way I did it and there are reasons why ...
They forks are 12 inches longer than stock, so They will need to be stiffer. I picked 43mm form 38 stock.
The KX250 84 one I pulled fit on that bike wihtout making custom triples, but its triples hit the tank, hard, and it also was too high and the side stand had to be 6 inches longer or it will not sit on it.
I raked it 9 degrees and found that the axle had to run behind the legs or it was unrideable. I swapped it that way and its a blast now.

On a bike as tall and as heavy as an XS that much rake is near about suicide as is the length and the ride height. Raking it has to be done @ the neck unless the bike is very light which that savage is.
35mm - why ? longer OK fine, but that will flex more.
I'd rake a xs only @ the frame, and not at the triple and if I do, yea I't run dirt forks that are larger dia and run 21 inch wheel and etc etc.
Cool.
Srinath.

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650