Upside down forks in EVO

[Slakewell]

Are they legal?
I have some non cartridge upside forks with drum front brake.

[suzuki27]

Heretic! Burn them I say.

[Nathan S]

Depends on how you define the "must be OEM" line - but there's nothing in the rules that specifically prohibit them.

Personally, I take the approach that no EVO bike was originally fitted with USDs*, so they've clearly come from a non-Evo bike and therefore should not be allowed.
Then again, I'm a boring old stick in th e mud who thinks that CR480 forks and twin leader brakes shouldn't be allowed in Evo either.



*OK, OK: Honda Z50 - if you want to run Z50 forks on your race bike, then go right ahead.

[BAHNZY]

Are they legal?
I have some non cartridge upside forks with drum front brake.

This is an easy one - NOPE

Its a difficult (although defendable) argument to have them fitted to a Pre85 bike.

[LWC82PE]

Exactly, in no way are they legal or should be legal in EVO. The only way you can really have them in pre 85 is if they are Simons or WP's off a 84 model KTM (or proof that you have an aftermarket set that was available to be purchased before dec 31 1984) Anything else is bending the rules.

*edit there were some very early Ohlins USD forks that possibly can be used in pre 85, they are very rare and would have to come from an ex works bike if your lucky. Not many made, only a few euro works riders had them.

[Marc.com]

The only way you can really have them in pre 85 is if they are Simons or WP's off a 84 model KTM (or proof that you have an aftermarket set that was available to be purchased before dec 31 1984)

I would grab a set of Simons UDX for pre 85, Evo its pretty clear forget it.

Some forks like CR480 or RM500 are as good as the early upside downers anyway, but you may not always get away with those.

[LWC82PE]

Exactly marc, i agree

[Slakewell]

The irony is if I fitted 84 YZ front end and brake no one would care , But I do have an 84 KTM front end ( upside down ) and people care, the fact is they probably don't work as well as a good YZ front end anyways.