Husky WR430 1987 - Fork Swap Question

[HuskyGreg]

I have a 1987 WR430 with the awful 40mm Husky forks and someone has a complete/very nice 1992 WR360 Showa front fork & wheel etc front end that I can grab for few hundred bucks. This Showa/complete wheel/brake front end is currently mounted on a 1987 CR430 so I am thinking the bearings and races must be same since we can see no stem work done to the CR430 bike. This would be a great upgrade but I am concerned about the fit. Anybody know about the fit? I have to upgrade these forks and have not heard of any good upgrades.

Also, anyone ever use the gold emulators for like $180? Please chime in with any other fork upgrade ideas so I do not miss any opprotunity to do this right. I am the orig owner and this is my daily rider for over 40 enduroes and more, it just will not stop.

 

[Husky37]

I have done a couple but both front ends were from KTM ( pair of extreme conventionals on my 84 500 and up side downs on my 85 500) which were essentially bolt on. If you do a search in the main topics there have been a couple of threads on fork swaps and also some in the Restoration Projects...

My advise would be to always go for the complete front end of the donor and talk to somebody who has already done it with the forks you want to use. If you are lucky with your choice you will not have to mod too much.... you might get way with a bearing swap..

Stu

 

[fran...k.]

40 enduros? Do you hour out before the gas stop? How many times have you changed out the busings in those forks? Does that one have that washer thing kind of triangular in cross section I find in the 1988 forks which is never like new upon changing the fluid? Kind of joking.
If you look at the curent avatir I use you see a 1982 frame with 2002 husky clamps and the 45 mm forks of the type used until they went to the 50mm ones perhaps around 2007 or so.

There is a search function on this site I have posted about fork swaps as have others.

Exactly how fussy you are about the length of the fork and the offset of the axle center from the steering tube might effect what you choose. Would you be willing to convert the rear of your bike to the xc suspention which would probably more closely match the length of modern forks to upgrade to? Otherwise you most likely will increase the rake with longer forks.
Those forks and wheel were on my 1998 wr 125 perhaps six months ago and now I have 2004 ktm on there. Those clamps have been there a little longer. The stem is close enough in length and the bearing races fit the frame. That is what I recomend (2004 and up ktm), many different offset triple clamps used on ebay to tune it if you don't guess right the first time. If you want to spend money forks can be professionally shortened to work well at the new length.

 

[steadydirt]

40 enduros? Do you hour out before the gas stop? How many times have you changed out the busings in those forks? Does that one have that washer thing kind of triangular in cross section I find in the 1988 forks which is never like new upon changing the fluid? Kind of joking.
If you look at the curent avatir I use you see a 1982 frame with 2002 husky clamps and the 45 mm forks of the type used until they went to the 50mm ones perhaps around 2007 or so.

There is a search function on this site I have posted about fork swaps as have others.

Exactly how fussy you are about the length of the fork and the offset of the axle center from the steering tube might effect what you choose. Would you be willing to convert the rear of your bike to the xc suspention which would probably more closely match the length of modern forks to upgrade to? Otherwise you most likely will increase the rake with longer forks.
Those forks and wheel were on my 1998 wr 125 perhaps six months ago and now I have 2004 ktm on there. Those clamps have been there a little longer. The stem is close enough in length and the bearing races fit the frame. That is what I recomend (2004 and up ktm), many different offset triple clamps used on ebay to tune it if you don't guess right the first time. If you want to spend money forks can be professionally shortened to work well at the new length.

I ended up with a set of KX125 forks on my '86 400.
Astounding improvement- amazingly the KX springs were perfect

 

[dfeckel]

A friend of mine has a 1986 or 1987 CR 500 Husky that has the complete front end of an early 2000s YZ 250 or 125. He said it was a perfect bolt-on match. No mods necessary to stem, frame or bearings.

 

[White Husky]

The '87 Husky forks aren't that bad if set up carefully, depending on your weight and speed. Might be worth refurbishing them before you spend money on a complete front end swap.

Otherwise I've heard good things about KTM forks and RM '96 to '98 forks. Do a search on here and you should find plenty of info.

Kind regards
Lucien.

 

[H link]

Find a set of WP forks off a 1987/88/89 430 & 500 CR Huskys, (E-Bay) All the parks are there and they fit! OEM! I have done this with my 430 XC's. I have been told the 1992/93/94 Showa's fit spot on as well. Good luck

 

['87 500XC]

Put 1987-1989 KTM 250SX WP 40/54 golds on it.

Also the same forks the CR Husky's used I believe.

 

[1Tuff500XC]

I've got both the Showa Twin Chamber 49mm 96-98 RM conventionals, and the 50mm WP 98-99 KTM conventionals. A whole lotta folks swear by both, as the most plush and tuneable for MX to enduro. I'm going to test each, on each of my Husky's. Should be alot of fun. There are quite a few upgrades available for these bikes.

 

['87 500XC]

I've got both the Showa Twin Chamber 49mm 96-98 RM conventionals, and the 50mm WP 98-99 KTM conventionals. A whole lotta folks swear by both, as the most plush and tuneable for MX to enduro. I'm going to test each, on each of my Husky's. Should be alot of fun. There are quite a few upgrades available for these bikes.

I can vouch that the 98-99 KTM conventionals are extremely good forks. I've ridden KTM's with those forks and it's one of if not the single best front end I've ever ridden. I'm seriously contemplating putting that front end on my 2002 KTM 200exc.

 

[fran...k.]

Were the 98-99 conventional forks on ktm different than the ones which came on Husky in 1998? Sometimes getting the seals to work out with these swaps is more problematic than the bearings. I had my 45 mm ones from a 1998 125 worked on and the guy said there were anodized parts inside that weren't anodized on the ktm versions. Probably you are talking about the 50mm versions (which may well have come on larger displacement huskies) but I disagree with the internet sentiment. How do the bushings hold up on the 50 mm ones? Not good on the 45mm ones from my experience. If the lower clamp isn't straight across and it bends up on a lot of more modern conventional set ups the steering stops on the husky frame won't work and you must weld on a tab or do something else. It wouldn't suprise me at all if you took the whole front end including the races in the frame from a 2012 husky they would fit.

 

['87 500XC]

Were the 98-99 conventional forks on ktm different than the ones which came on Husky in 1998? Sometimes getting the seals to work out with these swaps is more problematic than the bearings. I had my 45 mm ones from a 1998 125 worked on and the guy said there were anodized parts inside that weren't anodized on the ktm versions. Probably you are talking about the 50mm versions (which may well have come on larger displacement huskies) but I disagree with the internet sentiment. How do the bushings hold up on the 50 mm ones? Not good on the 45mm ones from my experience. If the lower clamp isn't straight across and it bends up on a lot of more modern conventional set ups the steering stops on the husky frame won't work and you must weld on a tab or do something else. It wouldn't suprise me at all if you took the whole front end including the races in the frame from a 2012 husky they would fit.

I'll start off my saying the WP forks on the KTM where WP extreme 50mm. The KTM forks I think you're thinking of that had trouble and alot of flex where the marzocchi magnum 45mm forks. The WP forks on the 1998-1999 KTMs have no issues that are worth talking about and I know a few people that have been running with them since new and haven't had one issue. The difference between the 2 forks is amazing and 5mm is quite a bit when it comes to forks. Yes the 50's had some flex but all conventionals do.

As far as I know Husky didn't use KTM's WP extreme 50.

If you're going to do a swap you need the triple clamps for the forks, I think that's why you are having issues. You can't just throw some WP forks into the bike with stock trees and think it's going to work. Any time you do something like swap a front end it takes work and custom fab. That's the name of the game, it's not a direct bolt up with no issues.

 

[jimspac]

You may just might want to start with Race Tech emulators in the stock forks with some updated progressive springs. I do know from my own experiments I was able to put a 1988 KX250 front end on a Husqvarna WO frame and only had to get a bearing from an All ballz set for the bottom that has a 30mm stem diameter. The bearing actually nested properly into the lower bearing race from the Husqvarna supplied bearings. The neck lengths are within .020" of each other so you can use forks and triples from many Kawasakis and Suzukis as the necks on those remained similiar from the late 70's into the 90's

 

['87 500XC]

You may just might want to start with Race Tech emulators in the sock forks with some updated progressive springs. I do know from my own experiments I was able to put a 1988 KX250 front end on a Husqvarna WO frame and only had to get a bearing from an All ballz set for the bottom that has a 30mm stem diameter. The bearing actually nested properly into the lower bearing race from the Husqvarna supplied bearings. The neck lengths are within .020" of each other so you can use forks and triples from many Kawasakis and Suzukis as the necks on those remained similiar from the late 70's into the 90's

Out of curiosity, are the 1988 KX forks that much better than husky forks especially the WP 40/54 upside down forks used on late model Huskys?

 

[HuskyGreg]

Keep the discussion coming. Right now I am still contemplating my options of either the Showa front end off a 92 WR360 or I think I just found an entire front end off an 87 CR430 (WP forks). The CR430 WPs should be a direct bolt on for sure and the 92 Showa will hopefully be confirmed as a bolt on too in the next few days (the Showa's are actually on an 87 CR430 being parted out). My bike is an 87 WR430 with conventional Husky forks.

 

[scoott]

Keep the discussion coming. Right now I am still contemplating my options of either the Showa front end off a 92 WR360 or I think I just found an entire front end off an 87 CR430 (WP forks). The CR430 WPs should be a direct bolt on for sure and the 92 Showa will hopefully be confirmed as a bolt on too in the next few days (the Showa's are actually on an 87 CR430 being parted out). My bike is an 87 WR430 with conventional Husky forks.

I raced an 87 430cr back when it was new. Still have/ race assorted Huskies from 83 250xc, 83 500cr, 86 510tx, 82 430xc, 84 500wr.
The 87 430 cr WP fork was terrible. To fx it, I had st racing, ( became race tech) go through it.It was costly and involved adding remote reservoirs to the top to control cavitation on multiple hits. Yes, the WP's did not flex, but their action was poor. The Husky forks flexed, but do work well with the correct Race Tech emulator, stiffer springs, and heavy oil. )
Keep in mind the WR has shorter suspension than the XC or MX. If you don't change the back end, it will turn like a tuna boat . ( Not in a good way)

If you want to upgrade, go newer, lots newer. I have the 50mm WP's on my 510, ( with modern KTM disc) and 2004 Ohlins( KTM disc also) on my 82 430 xc. Suspension AND brakes, what a concept.

And I race them all against modern bikes in 6 to 24 hr team races.

Scott

 

[jimspac]

Out of curiosity, are the 1988 KX forks that much better than husky forks especially the WP 40/54 upside down forks used on late model Huskys?

They are 43mm tubes and are setup for disc brake as well as having compression and rebound damping adjustment capability and the steering stems are compatible with the kayaba upside down forks as well. The sliders are still low enough under the front axle if you do not want unbalanced front end height on older models. My modded Kawa front end also mates perfectly on a 1978 ML frame but is too high in front for me. I do not know about better but the forks from somewhat later model Kawasakis, Suzukis, and Yamahas are all kayaba and cost much less than used White Power. Race Tech supports them as well

 

[HuskyGreg]

I raced an 87 430cr back when it was new. Still have/ race assorted Huskies from 83 250xc, 83 500cr, 86 510tx, 82 430xc, 84 500wr.
The 87 430 cr WP fork was terrible. To fx it, I had st racing, ( became race tech) go through it.It was costly and involved adding remote reservoirs to the top to control cavitation on multiple hits. Yes, the WP's did not flex, but their action was poor. The Husky forks flexed, but do work well with the correct Race Tech emulator, stiffer springs, and heavy oil. )
Keep in mind the WR has shorter suspension than the XC or MX. If you don't change the back end, it will turn like a tuna boat . ( Not in a good way)

If you want to upgrade, go newer, lots newer. I have the 50mm WP's on my 510, ( with modern KTM disc) and 2004 Ohlins( KTM disc also) on my 82 430 xc. Suspension AND brakes, what a concept.

And I race them all against modern bikes in 6 to 24 hr team races.

Scott

If I do not change the back end on my 87 WR430 can I slide the WP forks up 1 or 2 inches to avoid the tuna boat turning syndrome (or will they hit my handlebar and prevent me from sliding them up)? Or will my rake still be way out even if I can slide them up. I suspect I will have the same issue with the 92 WR360 Showa front end too.

You mentioned the Race Tech emulators which are still available on the Husky national parts site for like $180 but I have no experience with them or if the install and set up are PITA. Your thoughts here? Any shop you might suggest for the emul install if I get cold feet for the emulator conversion? And run what weight oil with them for my enduro stuff? I am determined to upgrade the front suspension on this bike. All opinions are welcome so I can evaluate the options.

 

[scoott]

Emulator install is a piece of cake on the 87-88 fork.

You DO NOT HAVE TO DRILL OUT 87-88 DAMPER RODS as the generic instructions say. I use a piece of schedule 40 1 1/4"/ pvc just long enough to fit over the damping rod and the emulator fits in the top of it. Shorten the spring preload spacer the amount of the pvc + emulator, refill with 15 to 20 wt oil. The oil weight actually controls rebound, not compression.

The one thing to watch out is Race Tech sells the smaller emulator that fits the 35mm fork as appropriate for the 40mm,...it isn't. The next bigger emulator is the one to use, it JUST fits the bore of the fork tube and snugly fits into the pvc. No seperate adaPTER NEEDED.

 

[HuskyGreg]

Emulator install is a piece of cake on the 87-88 fork.

You DO NOT HAVE TO DRILL OUT 87-88 DAMPER RODS as the generic instructions say. I use a piece of schedule 40 1 1/4"/ pvc just long enough to fit over the damping rod and the emulator fits in the top of it. Shorten the spring preload spacer the amount of the pvc + emulator, refill with 15 to 20 wt oil. The oil weight actually controls rebound, not compression.

The one thing to watch out is Race Tech sells the smaller emulator that fits the 35mm fork as appropriate for the 40mm,...it isn't. The next bigger emulator is the one to use, it JUST fits the bore of the fork tube and snugly fits into the pvc. No seperate adaPTER NEEDED.

Scott - thanks for the feedback on the fork fix I need to do. You have me seriously considering the emulator vs longer forks that may create some rake and handling issues... It sounds like I could do emulators and new bushings and be better off for sure. I will certainly have more install Qs later but I do not believe my 87 WR430 has any preload on top of the springs (I have added a 1 inch pvc section to boost the springs though) so I am not 100% certain on your shorten the preload comment unless I cut the spring top shorter. Also you say the emulator fits into the pvc. Does it sit in the pvc or sit on the shoulder of the pvc end? And if you know the part # for the correct 40mm part it would be great as I do not want to get the smaller 35mm one like you said. Will look at Race Tech and the Husky national sites for part numbers too. And stiffer springs - who sells springs for my old 87? Or can I get by on the OEMs with 15-20 wt oil.

thanks Greg in Atl