RM fork guards on a KX

[MikeKX250]

I want to mount RM fork guards from an 01 on my 99 KX250. They offer a lot more protection and I like the way the clamp holds the back of the slider so the slider doesn`t get all scratched up going through the guide like the KX`s. Has anyone done this? have any tips?
Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeKX250]

I want to install RM fork guards on my 99 KX250, because they protect a lot more of the fork than the KX guards. I also like the way the clamp hooks into the back of the guard so the front of the guard doesn`t get all sratched up. I know that the 01 RM use the same fork as my 99KX. I picked up a pair of UFO guards that say they fit 99-03 RM`s, the problem is the top clamps aren`t big enough to fit around the KX tube. Are the 01RM and 99KX tubes the same diameter where the clamp mounts? They take the same seal, so I would think they would be the same.

 

[Camstyn]

The holes are different, I've looked into it, but if you manage to make it work let us know!
I just took the plastic guides off, I found that the fork guards are strong enough to not need them.

 

[MikeKX250]

The guard lines up with the bottom mounting holes fine, but the clamp is too small to fit around the tube. UFO has different part numbers for the 99-00rm and the 01-02rm. Acerbis uses one part number for 99-03. The UFO`s I bought from a local shop are part number 11-6543 and were marked for 99-03. After looking around on the internet the 11-6543 is for the 99-00 and the 11-7245 is for the 01-02. If I pick up a pair of the 11-7245 I wonder if they would fit around my KX tubes? If the 99KX and 01RM use the same seals and all other internals then shouldn`t the tubes be the same diameter?

 

[marcusgunby]

I think the outer o/d of the fork on the KX is larger than most.

 

[Wakisashi]

Does the fork guard fit the mounting bolt holes on the lower leg? Didn`t the `99,`00 RM250 have Showa forks , KYB `01 and after wasn`t it?

Several forks are the same when it comes to internals but still use different parts on the outside.

 

[MikeKX250]

I don`t know about the 99-00 but they did use KYB forks with the 01`s. I checked around, the UFO guards I bought were marked 99-03 but are really for the 99-00 RM`s. UFO has a different part number for the 01-02. I wonder if the guards for the 01-02 RM`s fit the KX forks any better?

 

[marcusgunby]

Just to get things straight in my mind:)
We are talking 250RM only here as the 125 uses showas.
The 01 RM250 upwards use KYB forks so i assume these are the ones.
has anyone any pics of the guards from a 01RM250 as i really dislike the guards on my 03KX125(these however use 48mm legs so maybe different again)

 

[MikeKX250]

It is the 01 RM250 that uses the KYB forks and shock. If you look at Bubba Stewarts, Erza Lusk`s and Ricky Carmichael`s old KX they have the RM fork protectors on them.

 

[Camstyn]

They actually have CR fork protectors on them, the forks that they use are completely 'works' and have different axle clamps/mounts on the bottoms of the inner tubes.

 

[kbob]

well guys the rm 250 from 2001-2003 use kayaba they are 46mm forks. the 99-2000rms use showa twin chamber forks I believe they were 50mm forks.I have had both sets they look the same and are the same part # in dennis kirk alot of the part s our innerchangeable from the kx's, cr 125 and rm250.I actualy put a set of suzuki seals in a 96cr 125 they fit perfect.the lower axle clamps look different on the cr probably is on the kx as wellbut if you still want to use them just dont use the clamp. The sliders our strong enough by themselves

 

[MikeKX250]

Thanks kbob, do you know if the outside diameter of the 01 RM 250 and 99 KX250 fork is the same? I know the internals are the same.

 

[Camstyn]

<SNIP>

doh! Sorry for the bad info

 

[MikeKX250]

Is the 46mm measured at the spot where the guide for the guard clamps? Or is that the size of the whole upper tube?

 

[Wakisashi]

46mm is the diameter of the lower tube.

 

[MikeKX250]

So does anyone know if the 01RM and 99KX fork are the same diameter where the guide clamps onto the fork at the seal housing?

 

[bscottr]

Mike,
As Cam suggested you really don't have to run the fork guides. Just make sure the guards don't rub on the fork and you are good to go.

I run Seal Savers, no fork guides and use the zip tie junction to keep the guide off the fork/seal saver. No problems. Here's a pic.

 

[marcusgunby]

Does the RM fork guards line up perfectly with the bolt holes on a KX fork leg-im a bit confused.Its the lower guards i would like to get rid of and replace with rm ones.

 

[Wakisashi]

I did some measuring on a `03 125 Suzuki ( no 250 in stock at the shop ) and the two front holes are close enough you could get those to work. The hole on the rear of the fork is much farther to the rear than the KX fork. If the 125 and 250 use the same guard I don`t see it being a bolt on swap. I will check the next 250 I get a look at.

 

[marcusgunby]

thanks,

 

[NEMX305]

2001 RM fork guards will fit 99 to 01 KX 125's and 250's. The clamp that wraps around the upper leg, fits the kx legs (same diameter). The bolt holes on the lower leg are the same, but you have to put about 1/8th inch spacers( washers) between the guard and the lower leg( 2 bolts that go through the front of guards only). The rear bolt that goes in the side you bolt up as you normally would. The reason for this is, if you just bolted it up with out the spacer, when the forks are bottomed out. You would bind up on the guard and break it. The lower leg castings are slightly different. I figured this out a year ago when I was racing an 01 RM250, and my brother was racing a 00 KX250. With the stock kx guards he was scratching his lower legs way too often.

 

[Wakisashi]

I have a set of RM guards on the way to try on my 2000 KX. The spacers sound right as the hole is farther to the rear on the RM. I will measure the tubes on my KX at the upper guide so we can compare to the newer 48mm forks.

 

[marcusgunby]

Thats great i will wait to order some until you get back to us:)

 

[MikeKX250]

I bought a set of UFO guards for the 99-03 RM they will bolt up fine with the spacers behind the front. The clamp is too small to fit around the tube though, I have somebody talking to the tech guys at UFO tomorrow to see if the clamps I got are wrong for the kit.

 

[marcusgunby]

I looked at a RM125 2003 today and i can see how the bottom ones will go on with some spacers.On the tops im wondering, if they are slightly small, could we use a bit of threaded rod (M5)bent slightly to bridge the gap and use a lock nut on each side.Or even a long M5 bolt bent slightly in the middle to make it fit the contour of the fork.Im really wanting to do this mod as once i have, i can fit a honda style hose better than on the KX guards.That setup looks horrible.