XT500 best way to do a budget vmx setup?

[DJPresto]

While rebuilding other projects I thought of setting up my 1980 XT500 to ride some local club vmx days.
I have a set of the earlier non-leading axle forks to put on if I want to ride Pre78 class or the standard 1980 forks.
The motor is already rebuilt.
Skies the limit with chassis and suspension I guess so....

I'm just wondering what ppl suggestion to set it up on the cheapish side without spending too much (I'm looking at this for the fun factor not to win)?

[LWC82PE]

I am not so sure if you can simply put non leading axle forks on it to make it into a 77 model. Normally backwards engineering like that is not accepted but just for some club days it might be ok? The frames have different steering angles too not sure on exact model when they changed though. A steel DR400/500/SP500  swingarm is going to be a 'cheap' upgrade, anything else alloy is going to be a few $100. YZ forks are common modification. It really depends on how serious you are, how much $ and time you have and how good you want it to end up. Some guys use stock swingarm and forks and then just fit decent shocks and set the forks up a bit better and thats it, and then others go all out with different swingarms, forks, triple clamps, sometimes de-raking the frame etc and really do quite a lot.
I think the general rule is for 'cheap' you wont get quality. There are a number of set ups and parts i could suggest but i dont think they could be in the 'cheap' category. What is cheap to someone may be expensive to you so its a little hard to make real suggestions at the moment. I would work out a budget on how much you want to spend on front and rear suspension and then go from there.

[DJPresto]

I'm pretty certain that with early triple clamps and forks it will get through scrutineering.

Do the Dr400/500 swingarms bolt straight in? 

[LWC82PE]

Nothing other than original yam is going to be 'straight bolt on' You may have to fiddle around with spacers and things to make sure sprockets and stuff line up, but nothing too complicated. In my personal opinion for me i class any swingarm as 'straight bolt on' up until i have to modify the shock mounts or make the swingarm narrower at the pivot so it physically fits in the frame, but for some people if they have to make a bush or change a pivot bearing size then that makes it not  a 'straight bolt on' each person feels differently as to what is straight bolt on and what isn't.

You can see it (DR swingarm fitment)  been done on the XT500.co forum here http://www.xt500.co/billy-the-kit-t2346.html

SP500 swingarm is the same is same as the DR's. Some people don't know that. they are often for sale cheap on US ebay. I have seen the DR ones for well over $100 but then you can get same arm from a SP500 for $50 or less if you hunt around/wait a bit. So yeah don't overlook the SP500 s/arm that's for sure.

Have a look around on the internet at what other guys have done. Theres loads of examples out there.

[DJPresto]

I will thanks

[TT5 Matt]

yz125d/e forks are a cheap upgrade/replacement to your stock G model forks with 9/9.5 inches of travel and air valves fitted,after that you can go to 38mm yz250/400d/e forks with a change of tripple clamps needed for 10/10.5 inches of travel.for swingers well klx250 units share the same measure from the pivit to the bottom shock mount and are 1.5 inches longer then stock.they need a top hat bush made up as different size pivit bolt and the axle spacer needs a washer to correct the chain alignment aswell as the klx chain guide

[crash n bern]

What year was the KLX swingarm?

[LWC82PE]

1979-82/83?. i have a sales brochure for a C1 model but not sure if its 82 or 83 model?

[crash n bern]

1979-82/83?. i have a sales brochure for a C1 model but not sure if its 82 or 83 model?

Won't be eligible for pre '78. DG made a chromoly swingarm for a TT500, pretty rare though.

[500Fool]

Why not just ride the standard bike?

[mick25]

Why not just ride the standard bike?

Agree , one of my tt500s I race in pre 78 is in near  stanard form yes it's a hand full,
I just ride it and leave it at that .
That's the way it was made back in the day just my opinion through...