03 450 forks on a 00 426...

[Zique]

Can it be done. I've heard of a 426 to 450 conversion in regards to the front forks and was wondering what all that took. I need to replace my front fork tubes and can only find a bunch of 450 forks around. I can't afford brand new, so if I can get the used 450's and convert, that may be benefitial. Thanks in advance!

[RAGDOLL MX]

ill take a look on my microsfiche and see what needed to be done, but from what i can remember you would have to change the upper and lower triples, ill have to see if the bearings and races will line up. I ll check when i get to the shop today.

[Zique]

Cool. Thanks.

[GreenKLX]

I'm pretty sure that the '03 forks bolt right up with out any mods. Both are 46mm, and all of the clamps for the yz's say they fit through '03.

[Zique]

Are you sure? I thought the went up to 48mm w/ the 450's? The upper tube is different part numbers in the OEM search.

Funny thing, the 03 125 and the 00 426 are the same part # though? That doesn't seem quite right to me though. Aren't 125's a lot shorter bikes? I've never personally been on one (obviously), but it seems it would be set-up a lot differently since the bike is lighter and smaller.

[RAGDOLL MX]

Ok here is what I found, the part #s for the 00-426

TUBE OUTER (RIGHT) (5JG1)

5HD-23136-L0-00

CROWN, HANDLE (5JG1)

5HC-23435-11-00 (replaces 5HC-23435-10-00)

------------------------------------------------------------

now for the 03 450

TUBE, OUTER (RIGHT)

5TA-23136-L0-00

CROWN, HANDLE

5TA-23435-00-00

---------------------------------------------------------------

now i know it only looks like part #s, but you have to realize that if the part #s are different, then that means something has changed. Now I could say that if the entire triple and forks were used with the proper race and bearings, I would say it is a definate yes it could work.

if your going to pull the forks off of a 03 and slide them into the triple of the 00, you might have issues. (not confirmed, i have not tried it, nor do i know anyone who has)

Ill ask one of my Tecs on wednesday when I get back to work, and see what they say.

[GreenKLX]

They went to 48mm's in '04. Look at this thread

[RCannon]

Look at the aftermarket upper and lower triple clamps. Most companies show the same upper and lower clamp fitting anythign from 98-03. This includes the YZF's and the YZ's. The factory would give the part a new number if the color changed. The upper tube diameter was sligtly different in 97.

[Zique]

They went to 48mm's in '04. Look at this thread

Ah. Thanks buddy. That thread helps in a lot more than the original question as well. ?

[Zique]

Are lengths different from the 125's to the 450's? Reason I ask is that a fellow in the next town over is selling parts off his son's 03 125. I might could get a good set of replacements. His son is about my weight and they had it all revalved and such for him.

[grayracer513]

He might be your weight, but his bike is 40-50 pounds lighter, so the springs would be wrong. The valving might work if re-sprung, but you don't know. I'm not certain as to length.

However, the '03 450, or any earlier model fork, back to 2000 at least, should slide into your clamps.

[Zique]

That's what I was worried about. Thanks gray!