OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Bike Talk => Topic started by: BAHNZY on January 26, 2009, 09:23:02 pm
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During my last trip to the States i picked up a set of WP4054 forks for the specific use in my 83 KX500.
The forks came from a guy in Arizona and he told me that he had bought them some years ago from a local pro that was sponsored by White Brothers back in the day and was told by the Pro that the forks had been used in a 85 CR500 and were supplied by White Brothers as an aftermarket fork, not a modified OEM set.
Fast forward to 2009 and the fitup has gone pretty smooth to the KX untill i get to the brake caliper. Due to the caliper design of the Kawasaki, there is not a hope in hell that it will fit. I have checked all the bikes from 1984 to 1990 that i thought used this fork and cannot find a caliper mount on any of these bikes that matches the one as listed below, I even checked the 85 CR500 caliper and to does not come close. I envisaged that i would have had to make a caliper bracket to mount it but the physical dimensions of the caliper will not allow it to come anywhere near fitting.
So the questions;
1. Is anyone aware what caliper WP would have configured their aftermarket forks for?
2. Given the pics below does anyone have an idea what caliper could be used?
Thanks, Bahnsy
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WP01.JPG)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WP03.JPG)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WP02.JPG)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WP04.JPG)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WP05.JPG)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WP06.JPG)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WP07.JPG)
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Bahnsy , you can call me tomorrow , I will have a look by then
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i can tell you that those white brothers stickers are late 80's. ive got 88 and 89 white brothers catalogues that show those forks so i will see if i can find any info/pics in there. the way i read the catalogues they were not 'universal' and they were sold for specific bikes as an aftermarket fitment so should have used calipers specific to the bike they were intended to fit on. White brothers were the importer/distributor at the time and were selling/servicing/setting up those forks so thats why they also fitted their own sticker on them.
HVA on bottom i reckon means husqvarna? what do you reckon?
they listed them for
Husqvarna
2 strokes -87-89 which was same forks as fitted to the 4strokes 88/89
then they had a set for 86 2 strokes and 86/87 4 strokes
that was out the 89 WB book
in the 88 catalogue they list..
CR/WR (87-88) & 88 4 strokes - says double piston caliper next to this description
CR/WR (86) & 86-87 4 strokes - says single piston caliper next to this description
have you looked at husqvarna calipers?
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Bahnsy..as these forks were used on ATK and KTMs, I reckon a Brembo or grimeca caliper (depending on the year model) from either of those bikes is the way to go. ATK parts are especially cheap. You should pay less than $50.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BREMBO-2-piston-Brake-Caliper-ATK-KTM-Husaberg-Aprillia_W0QQitemZ190280938714QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item190280938714&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A13%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BREMBO-2-piston-Brake-Caliper-ATK-KTM-Husaberg-Aprillia_W0QQitemZ190280938714QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item190280938714&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A13%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/atk91.gif)
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Yeh I was going to say KTM, although I am not 100%. I used to make the bump stops for them.
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Banshy,
Give us a measurement eye to eye of the caliper mounts, I will see if it's the same as the Huskies....maybe he meant an '85 CR500....Husky.
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Did '85 Huskys have WP4054 forks? I thought they used their own design back then. Still, my knowledge bank gets a tad hazy post '75 ;D
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No firko you are right '85 huskies still had the 41mm husqvarna forks with disc front end.
The usd forks Banshy has are and aftermarket set, fitted to an '85 cr500...just not sure if it's a husky cr500 or a honda cr 500.
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Guys,
Sorry guys I'm gunna play dumb. :-[
I "ASS-U-MEd" that when he referred to CR500 that he was talking about a Honda. Not till now did i think that it would have been a Husky. I am using the fact that the forks are aftermarket units and in combination with KTM who used them in 1984 that I will be o/k to use them on the 83 KX500 for Pre85
evo550,
I will check the measurements tonight and repost.
Firko,
What i am now concerned about is that double piston calipers, to the best of my knowledge (like the ones on the ATK) were not avaliable before 1985 and would not be legal for Pre85.
Walter,
Sorry ran out of time today. Will drop you a line tomorrow.
Thanks All,
Bahnsy
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Bahnsy these WP forks have been around since 82 but in limited numbers in the early days. They had 4054 non adjustable forks come out in 82.
Is it possible to change the caliper mount to the mount off another set of WP forks that accepts a single piston caliper?
are forks classed as consumable items the same as shocks?
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(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/wpbrakemount_1.jpg)
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Banshy,
I will check that against my '86 husky disc caliper, it's still "in transit" so it may take a few days....in the meantime if someone else has one feel free to step in.
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(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/wpbrakemount_1.jpg)
G'day Bahnsy, i have passed this pic onto a well known expert in this field to see what he can make of it.
it make take some time though. :D just having some fun mate.
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look like a ktm360 front end
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Hoony, you takin the piss - wouldn't believe you would do that!!! ;)
Caps,
She aint KTM. As best i can work out, these are the 3 x KTM brake configurations before they went to the 2 x piston Brembo (which is basically the one they still use today) and as you can see none of them come close.
EVO,
Keen to see what you have.
Bahnsy.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/1987KTMFork.gif)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/1988KTMFork.gif)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/1989KTMFork.gif)
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-1/1293707/WPRBFork.jpg)
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Bahnsy these WP forks have been around since 82 but in limited numbers in the early days. They had 4054 non adjustable forks come out in 82.
Is it possible to change the caliper mount to the mount off another set of WP forks that accepts a single piston caliper?
are forks classed as consumable items the same as shocks?
Wasnt sure about 82. Pretty well confirmed they were on OEM equipment in late 1983 and avalaible in 1984 as an aftermarket fork. The non adjustable forks stayed that way untill 1986/87 when they got adjustments. Someone may want to correct me on that, but that is what i have been able to find via limited research.
Changing the bottom part of the fork leg is an option, but as i have to get a caliper anyway, i might as well get the caliper that fits this fork leg and save the $. In any case i reckon i would struggle to get a lower section without buying a complete fork set. Before i bought these forks, most of the wreckers and people in the know want $800 plus for a bare fork set and another $250 for a set of triple clamps. By the time you service the forks, fit new plastic guards your looking at $1500. Can get them at a reasonable price in USA but the freight is a killer given the size and weight. This set i bought back in my check in luggage.
Have checked the rule book and to be honest i can't find the area that relates to shock absorbers being consumables. Other descriptions are given but not consumables or an interpretation close to it.
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Rod,
My suggestion would be to email Thor Lawson and attach the photo's and sketch,
you can contact him through his website;
http://ltthor.home.comcast.net/~ltthor/forsale.html
or email him directly
Thor Lawson <[email protected]>
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still going to be cheaper than these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FOX-FACTORY-FRONT-FORK_W0QQitemZ300289110918QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item300289110918&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
ouch! :o
yeah Thor is a top bloke, he has some of my stuff at the moment and is always willing to bend over backwards to help.
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still going to be cheaper than these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FOX-FACTORY-FRONT-FORK_W0QQitemZ300289110918QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item300289110918&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
ouch! :o
yeah Thor is a top bloke, he has some of my stuff at the moment and is always willing to bend over backwards to help.
I can garauntee you they are not the last NOS set of Fox Factory Forx in the World.... ;)
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people use all sorts of tactics like that. i saw some one trying to sell a NOS RM 250 T reed valve for about $300 and they said it was the last one in australia.... well i bought a NOS one for $60
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Bahnsy have alook here.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/honda-tech/test-your-powers-of-observation-30390
Andy Viper #70
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rod wouldnt you have to adapt a kx or cr disc and caliper
for it to be legal ktm went disc in 85 didnt they ???
the 84 ktm had usd forks and twin leading drum
interesting to see the progress ;D
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For VIPER i dont think anyone would care to much. For an Aussie title it would be a whole different ball game. The first, and most prefered option, is to use all the KX5 parts. I may yet do this by milling the fork to do this. The second option is to find the correct caliper to fit the fork and simply ride the bike. The third and least considered option is to go with any caliper that can be modified to do the job.
As the forks are the same construction as the 84 KTM, i will use that as my argument along with the fact that these forks are not OEM rather aftermarket items, same as the situation for Simons USD.
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ahh question i have a set of these forks with the red ktm calpier on them (picture on the first page) are the pre 85 legal
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ahh question i have a set of these forks with the red ktm calpier on them (picture on the first page) are the pre 85 legal
I'm not a scrutineer, but i would think that if the forks have adjustment, then no. The adjustable units forks were only avalaible from 87 (or therabouts) In the case of the forks that i have, it took me 2 years to find them because i specifically wanted to use them in Pre85. Have seen plenty in wreckers but they are all of the adjustable type.
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yeh i picked up a ktm 350 for $400 and the forks were on it
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They look exactly like the forks on my 89 Cagiva wmx125 and have almost the same code on the caps. HVA5 means they are of a Husvqarna year 1987, and 49-86 means they were built on 49th week in 1986. But I believe Husqvarna didn't have WP forks in 87, but maybe left over stock in late 88 when they were Cagiva's??
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did anyone find the fork decals for the 4054s or interested in helping make a few sets. I am using them on my RM500, with matching WP shock.
Interesting NOS Fox Forx didn't reach reserve at $2300...I have seen them for USD 3200 on one web site.
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Zorroz, the ones Bahnsey has are aftermarket WP fork's specifically for that Husqvarna and not OEM and fitted to Husqvarna from the factory. That was good you could tell us what the numbers ment.
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Interesting NOS Fox Forx didn't reach reserve at $2300...I have seen them for USD 3200 on one web site.
Thats AU$5000 Fark :o I am about to peel a set out of a box for my '80 CR/ME 125 , might be better off just flogging them ??? once they are bolted on they are never going to be NOS ever again :-\
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Zorroz, the ones Bahnsey has are aftermarket WP fork's specifically for that Husqvarna and not OEM and fitted to Husqvarna from the factory. That was good you could tell use what the numbers ment.
Thats interesting cause the forks on my WMX125 aren't the original either and the only difference in the number is mine have '48 86' stamped, built one month earlier. Mine must have been swapped over by someone in its life.
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Thats AU$5000 Fark :o I am about to peel a set out of a box for my '80 CR/ME 125 , might be better off just flogging them ??? once they are bolted on they are never going to be NOS ever again :-\
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yep but they are not much use sitting in the box...... I would keep the packaging though ;)
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Banshy,
just took delivery of my '86 250 xc
Have checked the caliper measurements and the mounts on it are only 60mm center to center, it runs a single piston brembo unit, I don't know if husky went to a dual piston set up on the cr's in '87/'88 or not, that's one for the husky anoracks to answer.
2hrs later....... just had a look at the manual that came with the bike, which is for an '87 model and it clearly show's a twin pot caliper front brake, with the mounting bolt's much wider than mine.....I'd say that's what it came from.
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350125179999&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem= (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350125179999&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=)
I wonder if this is the caliper that might be the right one.
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could be it. going back to the catalogue i think any of these should be right
CR/WR (87-88) & 88 4 strokes - with double piston caliper (and probably XC aswell)
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That's the one, although shit of a photo for your purposes, could email him and ask for measurements of mounting bolts.