fork diameter question

[harooch]

I am looking at the cheapest options for replacing forks on my 2010 honda crf450r (bent tubes). My bike (2010 honda crf450) comes with KYB 48 U forks. Can I simply use any KYB 48 U fork from any other bike? Do all KYB 48mm forks have the same upper leg diameters?

I found this chart on a forum from 2010:

Showa forks upper leg diameters measure 53.75mm and 59mm.
Kayaba forks upper leg diameters measure 55.7mm and 59mm.
WP forks upper leg diameters measure 53.8mm and 59.8mm.

the first number is the upper triple clamp diameter and the second number is the bottom triple clamp diameter. Do these numbers hold true for all years? I found a pair of 2005 Yammy YZ450 forks which are also KYB 48 U forks, for a good price. I'm just concerned that the 2005 KYBs won't fit in my 2010 Honda triple clamps, as I'm worried that KYB changed the upper leg diameters over the years. Anyone know where I can find a dimension chart for the upper leg diameters? I can't seem to find one anywhere! Thanks!

 

[M5-]

When I put forks on my CR500 there were quite a few sets of CRF forks on Ebay in the $200 - $300 range with triples. Go into Ebay motors, parts and accessories, motorcycle parts and do a search.

M5

 

[harooch]

thanks, but I've checked this. Unfortunately all the $200-$300 crf forks are from 2002-2008, and honda used Showa 47mm forks these years, which I don't believe will fit in my triple clamps. The Yamaha yz450 forks I'm looking at from 2005 are kyb48mm, I just don't know if kyb had multiple different upper leg dimensions that would differ between brands (i.e. yammy and honda) and between years (i.e. 2005 and 2010).

sorry, I see you say with triples. I'll check these out. Now need to figure out the compatibility of the triples from older forks with my bike! thanks.

 

[M5-]

Check out All Balls they have an online fork bearing converter which will tell you which forks can be used on your frame. In all likelihood you can get any year fork with the triples and just use an All Balls conversion bearing. Its one option. I used CRF triples on my CR500 steelie and had them machined out to take WP forks. All balls had the bearings.

M5

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

shim mods

I have built shims for forks to enable using top triple clamps that had a bigger diameter. I wouldn'd recommend this to someone hitting 60'ft triples, but for surer the average snobiker will not shove the forks up through the clamps.