2008 front forks

Apex · April 21st, 2009, 09:41 AM

1. Can these be swapped into the '07 and earlier models

2. If so, is there any benefit to the swap?

I found a set for dirt cheap. I was wanting to jump on them if they would improve the ride of the bike for street/track use.

I have heard of people saying the J shock swap is good. I found one of those, but I am not going to do anything with it until the front end is improved. If the forks are better on the '08 model, then I'll get them.

sometimesido · April 21st, 2009, 10:39 AM

hm, if the forks work for earlier models and use J shock in the back, that'd be nice!
haven't heard any body trying them.

if the price is good, buy it and try it?
if it doesn't fit, sell it for more than you paid for.

Apex · April 21st, 2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sometimesido

hm, if the forks work for earlier models and use J shock in the back, that'd be nice!
haven't heard any body trying them.

if the price is good, buy it and try it?
if it doesn't fit, sell it for more than you paid for.

I figured front forks would mean that I could piece together a 17" front wheel assembly, then move the rear to 17" and run nice and sticky tires.

sometimesido · April 21st, 2009, 01:15 PM

but it cost more

jonb08 · May 13th, 2009, 08:00 AM

Soooooo......????

Snake · May 13th, 2009, 08:45 AM

When you find out let us know. I would like to do the same.

Apex · May 13th, 2009, 02:41 PM

I did see some on ebay. I'm saving up a little here and there before I commit to purchasing them. I'd love to find a 250R around here to take demensions on to make sure. It is hard to get technical drawings of parts (like the ones to MAKE the items). So I'll have to measure them myself.

kkim · May 13th, 2009, 02:43 PM

just go to a dealer and start taking measurements. tell them you're researching your next bike purchase.... they'll leave you alone.

Snake · May 13th, 2009, 02:45 PM

^^^^not a bad idea.^^^^^^^^^^

Apex · May 13th, 2009, 02:46 PM

I have NEVER seen a 250 on the showroom floor there. They sell out way too quickly.

Snake · May 13th, 2009, 02:48 PM

There should be some at the South Central Rally. Bring a tape measure.

kkim · May 13th, 2009, 02:50 PM

hell... take some calipers... tell them you're a very anal owner!

speedgsx98 · May 13th, 2009, 03:30 PM

i believe the new 250r's are 37mm.

having trouble finding specs on the 88-07 version though

kkim · May 13th, 2009, 03:50 PM

I believe the pregen forks are 36mm.

Apex · May 13th, 2009, 04:12 PM

Well I'd also measure the triple tree to see if that is an exact bolt up or not. It sure beats machining the stock triple tree to accept the 37's.

That would be the easiest swap.

Quiks66 · May 13th, 2009, 10:26 PM

I've looked into swapping the new forks onto an older model 250 and the costs generally outweigh the benefits, especially for a street bike. You'll have better forks out of the box (stiffer, static rate IIRC) and a 17" rim up front, but you'll need the entire front end to do the swap. That means fork tubes, upper and lower triple clamps, axel/spacers, rim, fender and so on. Not to say that it can't be done, but it's not the way I would go unless I wrecked my front end and got a deal on a 08+ complete front end.

I still envy the tire choices for the 17"ers though...

kkim · May 13th, 2009, 10:29 PM

would you happen to know if the triple clamp would be a direct swap?

Quiks66 · May 14th, 2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

would you happen to know if the triple clamp would be a direct swap?

Don't know for sure but I'd say probably not. Old model has 36mm forks and new model has 37mm so you'd have to shim them at the very least. Not something I'd choose to do on such a vital part of the bike!

kkim · May 14th, 2009, 12:10 AM

I meant a direct swap of the new gen triple clamp/steering stem to the pregen frame.

Quiks66 · May 17th, 2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

I meant a direct swap of the new gen triple clamp/steering stem to the pregen frame.

It would be close, but might need different bearings/spacers to make it work. I'll do some looking around and let you know if I find anything.

ROADandTRACK · June 5th, 2009, 05:56 PM

New gen/old gen same bearings.

Direct swap, but you need everything from the new gen. Forks, wheel, axle etc.

You should also do the rear wheel swap, all you have to do for that is change the offset on the brake stay arm and mill the caliper hanger 13mm if I remember the spec right.

The rear is EASY, it took about an hour. But you need to cut and weld the brake stay.

April 21st, 2009, 09:41 AM	#1
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	2008 front forks 1. Can these be swapped into the '07 and earlier models 2. If so, is there any benefit to the swap? I found a set for dirt cheap. I was wanting to jump on them if they would improve the ride of the bike for street/track use. I have heard of people saying the J shock swap is good. I found one of those, but I am not going to do anything with it until the front end is improved. If the forks are better on the '08 model, then I'll get them. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

April 21st, 2009, 10:39 AM	#2
sometimesido ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Norcross, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 250R Posts: 772 Blog Entries: 14	hm, if the forks work for earlier models and use J shock in the back, that'd be nice! haven't heard any body trying them. if the price is good, buy it and try it? if it doesn't fit, sell it for more than you paid for. __________________________________________________ my flickr™

April 21st, 2009, 01:15 PM	#4
sometimesido ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Norcross, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 250R Posts: 772 Blog Entries: 14	but it cost more __________________________________________________ my flickr™

May 13th, 2009, 02:41 PM	#7
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	I did see some on ebay. I'm saving up a little here and there before I commit to purchasing them. I'd love to find a 250R around here to take demensions on to make sure. It is hard to get technical drawings of parts (like the ones to MAKE the items). So I'll have to measure them myself. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

May 13th, 2009, 02:46 PM	#10
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	I have NEVER seen a 250 on the showroom floor there. They sell out way too quickly. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

May 13th, 2009, 08:00 AM	#5
jonb08 ninjette.org member Name: Jon Location: Long Island, NY Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 Posts: 91	Soooooo......????

May 13th, 2009, 08:45 AM	#6
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	When you find out let us know. I would like to do the same.

May 13th, 2009, 02:43 PM	#8
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	just go to a dealer and start taking measurements. tell them you're researching your next bike purchase.... they'll leave you alone.

May 13th, 2009, 02:45 PM	#9
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	^^^^not a bad idea.^^^^^^^^^^

May 13th, 2009, 02:48 PM	#11
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	There should be some at the South Central Rally. Bring a tape measure.

May 13th, 2009, 02:50 PM	#12
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	hell... take some calipers... tell them you're a very anal owner!

May 13th, 2009, 03:30 PM	#13
speedgsx98 ninjette.org member Name: Dave Location: San Diego Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 ninja 2002, 2008 ZX10-R Posts: 149	i believe the new 250r's are 37mm. having trouble finding specs on the 88-07 version though

May 13th, 2009, 04:12 PM	#15
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	Well I'd also measure the triple tree to see if that is an exact bolt up or not. It sure beats machining the stock triple tree to accept the 37's. That would be the easiest swap. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

May 13th, 2009, 10:26 PM	#16
Quiks66 ninjette.org member Name: Billy Location: Santa Barbara, CA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 Ninja 250, '87 FZ600 Posts: 21	I've looked into swapping the new forks onto an older model 250 and the costs generally outweigh the benefits, especially for a street bike. You'll have better forks out of the box (stiffer, static rate IIRC) and a 17" rim up front, but you'll need the entire front end to do the swap. That means fork tubes, upper and lower triple clamps, axel/spacers, rim, fender and so on. Not to say that it can't be done, but it's not the way I would go unless I wrecked my front end and got a deal on a 08+ complete front end. I still envy the tire choices for the 17"ers though...

May 13th, 2009, 10:29 PM	#17
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	would you happen to know if the triple clamp would be a direct swap?

May 14th, 2009, 12:10 AM	#19
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I meant a direct swap of the new gen triple clamp/steering stem to the pregen frame.

June 5th, 2009, 05:56 PM	#21
ROADandTRACK R&T Suspension Name: K Hertell Location: San Antonio, TEXAS Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Too many to list Posts: 175	New gen/old gen same bearings. Direct swap, but you need everything from the new gen. Forks, wheel, axle etc. You should also do the rear wheel swap, all you have to do for that is change the offset on the brake stay arm and mill the caliper hanger 13mm if I remember the spec right. The rear is EASY, it took about an hour. But you need to cut and weld the brake stay.