zig06 said:

This is a good idea- Awesome job by the way! It looks so much newer/ nicer!!

Found a set of 2002 KYB's that was too good to pass up... BTW: My 1998 wheel worked PERFECTLY with the swap - I bought a 2001 wheel (that hasn't shown up yet) and the matching axle thinking I had to use it, but the 98 wheel and axle is a perfect swap to the newer forks.

Now I've gotta get new fork guards and put my graphics on... that, and maybe a 1 1/8" upper clamp to get rid of the risers that came with the triples...





Bye bye old stuff...



Yeah, I know the Showas are better overall, but until I can find a decent set that is reasonably priced, these will work just fine.

2002 KYBs were actually pretty good if you had them set up right, if what I was told is right. Same style as the up to 07 CR125s, and I still adore those forks for good all rounders stock. Those clamps do look pretty high, how about a measurement?

A spare front wheel can be a very good thing! Mount up a different tire for when it rains, or if it's sunny and the ground's hard, and you've got the best tire for either situation!

did the front caliper match up ok or did you have to get a new one??

98rm250_90cr500 said:

It was a 100% direct fit with the new forks.

The only things I needed for the swap were the clamps and forks - Aside from that, everything else from the 1998 swapped over 100%.

500XC said:

The oil level is set for my weight, but they still have the factory springs in them.

The bar risers have the 1 1/8" adapters on them which add about 1.5-2" of height to them. I will probably swap over to an actual ProTaper
upper clamp already setup for 1 1/8" bars.

Better pics:





Aside from new exhaust and black wheels (oh and new tires), its finally done. 'Course this winter it'll get torn down again to have the frame and swingarm powder coated.

I spoke too soon about the wheel - The 98 wheel with the axle/spacers offsets the wheel between the forks - I didn't see it before, but its about 1/2" too far towards the rotor.

I'll update when the new wheel arrives.

Hands down the nicest modification ive seen on a bike, PLUS its the same year bike i have! Ive always wondered if i could fit a 2001+ front fender with my 98 front # plate, but you took it to another level! Looks great! Once the powdercoat and black wheels are on its gonna be ridiculous. AIR FIVE!

Get the 01+ spacers and check that out.
Could be a simple fix.

500XC said:

I've got the new axle/spacers. I'll try that tomorrow.

I don't know if it's just me but it looks like your bike has a steeper head angle than 01 and up RM's.

I can't compare it to another RM, but it it feels about the same as any I've ever sat on - The pic may be misleading.

UPS delivered my 2001 front wheel today. The new wheel and the matching axle/spacers evened everything out and after pushing the caliper pistons in just a bit to accommodate the slightly wider rotor, it was a perfect fit. The 1998 caliper & mount work perfectly on the new forks with the 2001 wheel.

Now I've gotta get another tube and figure out how to NOT puncture it during the install - $12 wasted so far. Had to swap the tire from the 98 wheel to the 01.

Oh yeah - I pickup my ProTaper upper clamp (for 1 1/8 bars) and my new fork guards tomorrow... :D

bike looks nice but i liked it before!

I didn't dislike it before, but I just couldn't stand not being able to find graphics for it and the yellow shade was just all wrong for me...

Tonight I replaced the front tube (again) and got everything back together - 2001 wheel, axle and spacers on the 2002 KYB forks. I also picked up my ProTaper upper clamp to fit the fat bars. They are hopefully getting my lower fork guards tomorrow.

I _love_ the new rotor on there. Don't know why, its a stocker, but its sooo much better lookin' than the 96-00 rotors. :D ...and after it all, yes the 98 caliper bolted right up, and worked with the new forks/wheel w/o any issues. The thing I did find tho is the 2001-2002 (maybe other years) lower fork guards don't correctly support the brake line - You'll need the 04+ (I ordered 2006) lower fork guards that clamp the line at a higher position on the guards. Just an FYI for anyone wanting to upgrade.

Ok, the last one for a while - I think.

Got my new guards in today and put the graphics on them. They are '06 guards - This allowed me to use the brake line clamp in the correct location with my 1998 brake line.

Nice job!, not only does it look better (you did good with the graphics) but I bet that it makes you want to ride even more. And that's priceless in my book!

zig06 said:

Thanks - I can't wait to ride it again... Finally got new tires (first time with this bike) but its been too damn cold here to ride it lately. I'm getting prepared to brave the low temps next weekend and just go ride. :ride:

Its funny, but I don't even remember what it felt like riding it with the old plastics on it...

I'm at it again...

I've got an '06 complete front brake, '06 complete rear brake, and an '06 swing arm coming soon... Reasons for the parts... the front brake line on the '06 hopefully won't rub my number plate as bad as the '98 does.

I've heard both sides on the rear brake stuff, and some say they're all the same, and some say the 99+ are different than the prior years... It would appear to me that the newer years rear rotor is bigger than the pre-98. Maybe I'm wrong, but again, even if that isn't correct, I still can't find any aftermarket rear rotors for my dang 1998... So, hopefully, the 06 stuff will bolt on and allow me to run the matching year rotor...

As for the swingarm - I have no clue if it will work or not, but I got too good a deal to pass up - I thought if the 06 rear brake doesn't match up on the 98 swingarm, maybe I can make this one work - Plus, its the newer looking style, so bonus style points are always good...

The evolution continues... :banana::banana: