2000 KX 250 Forks, how to make them work?

Try changing the oil in them first, but make sure you clean them out GOOD or your wasting your time with that as well. Sounds to me like your oil is baked if you have not changed it recently. Even though I think the KX forks need serious help, a simple oil change might make things better for you.

Shocknut, what is the best way to clean forks? Is it possible to do this without taking them apart?

Yes you can adjust the preload with it all together,I use a socket extension and a hammer.I have a 00 kx250,I weigh 185 .First off change that oil get a manual the kayaba's are pretty simple.The standard oil height is 90mm I am running a little higher 80mm to fight bottoming.Here is my setting .43 springs, 6 on the compression and I am flirting around with 13- 15 on the rebound If I set the compression on 8 they are plush for me,but It does not like over jumping or g-outs.That is why I am running in at six With 6 the small choppy stuff it is harsher,but I take it out on the rebound.I still don't like how it corners though I am very aggressive in the corners,but the front wants to knife in on me.I tried pulling the tubes down from 5mm to flush,but the front felt dead.Change that oil and fit yourself with some springs,then start gone crazy on the clickers. :thumb:

There is only one way to get them clean, and that's to tear them down. People advertising flush oil changes are only wasting your time and money. There is little value in that in my opinion. Once oil becomes contaminated it just multiplies on itself and degrades in a hurry, therefore dumping in clean oil and mixing with whatever amount of filth left in there is shortening your fluids life dramatically. You just cannot clean them out how you should without taking them apart.

What I mean by needing serious help is that they need a revalve to really work "good". Budget fixes are not going to replace that. Ask Marcus about removing the bladder and it's effects. Maybe thats something you might like to try as well.

Ahh the bladder removal trick-yes a good economical mod-the latest way i want to do this is to remove the seal ring on the outside of the damper assembly-if we removed the Restrictive barrier (large washer under the fork springs)it can stop the springs from spinning when they compress-not good.To remove the bladder you need to pull up the bottom collor then it has a small ring thats pulls down.

The mod works well at helping on large type braking bumps and sharp edge bumps.

The main problem with the KX fork is it (like the CR125) has no real midvalve lift.