Forks.

lm thinking about ugrading my forks on my 1986 XC500.

lm thinking/hopeing a 87 triple tree assy from a CR500, will this bolt 'straight up' to a 86 frame?

l have no clue about the evolution of upside down forks. ls there any years/evolutions to avoid? Are the tops where the triples clamp a standard size?

l mainly ride fast on gravel roads with washboard surface, river bottoms etc, not much tight n twisty.

Cheers All.

The WP triple clamp that was used from 87-91 will. That had the WP 4054 upside down fork. That fork was also used by KTM and ATK of the same years. My brother put a set on his 86 Cr 250 and talk about a night and day change. I have the same fork on my 87 430 Cr, it's a really nice fork, way better then the Husky fork of 86. And it bolts right up

Guy

Thanks Guy!

Don't those forks have issues with cracking around the part which holds the axle? Or is that something else in that era?

You should be able to find a bunch of stuff about fork swap using the search feature.

Fran

I think you would be happier upgrading to the 87-88 conventional fork and MAYBE putting Race Tech emulators in those. The 87-91 WP fork was not as good as the conventionals for off-road.I desert raced a 87 430CR back in the day. Very disapointed in the forks. Ended up having race tech redo them, which involved revolving and adding cannisters plumbed to the top of the fork to combat pumping the oil out on whoops.They were stiffer and more precise, but much harsher ride.

The 87-88 conventionals have teflon bushings, bottoming cones, and rudimentary valving. They lack on taking the big hits, but work better on choppy offroad type terrain.And they bolt right up.

I run a 87 conventional Husky fork with stiffer springs, emulators with stiffest spring, 15wt oil at 6" , on my 83 500cr Husky. I race it off-road in an air-cooled class. Holds it own against modern bikes.

Thanks Scott