Hi everyone, I am a new member here. I'm hoping I can get some suggestions on updating the suspension on my old WR 430. I love this bike, but the forks have never really been the best part of it and I would like to find some appropriate aftermarket forks - and for that matter maybe a new rear shock as well. It might be alot of $ to put into this old bike, but I don't really know what is out there, or how to find something. Anyone done this already? any suggestions? Thanks!
Contact Drew Smith below: He is really good at getting your existing stuff dialed in. Does magic on vintage Husky's. http://www.werproducts.net
I have an 87 and 88 430 WR. 1) the stock forks are good but can be made to work better... Some guys use the RaceTech Gold Valve, I have not. 2) In 87 and 88, the Husky 430 CR and 500 CR had WP forks, some guys swap in a set of those. 3) Since WP forks work, some late 80's KTM forks should work. There may be other aftermarket forks that work.
88 CR430 forks.... real easy since everything fits and light years ahead of the right side up flexy forks they came with.... same era KTM forks will work but you will need the whole front end.... Call Ron Bishop Motorcycles in Escondido, CA.... I know when I sold them the biz they had 3-4 set of them there....
92 up to the late 2000s will fit if you swap triples and all...they will likely need revalved but you will then have adjustable forks. why on earth would you want to get rid of the factory ohlins shock in the back?? all it needs is sprung for your weight, get the correct sag and the rear will work great. drew is the guy to call for the rebuilding work..WER!
the only bummer about the later model stuff is you will need the whole front end.... wheel, caliper and all
very true. a good investment though if you really want to make the upgrade. if you are patient and a savvy shopper at all, it usually can be found cheaply.
WP = White Power. Owned by KTM. They make forks and shocks mostly for KTM. The WP forks I mentioned are more like modern forks (upside down) and were only used on CR Huskys There's a thread here on fork swaps and improvements for older Huskys. Read this: http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/husky-wr430-1987-fork-swap-question.20741/
The problem with the right side up forks is they flex causing binding.... no matter what valving or magic you do it wont solve that..... get a pair of 87-88 CR forks and its a 1 hour switch job.... The shop I sold had 3-4 working pairs in it....
Ron Bishop Motorcycles..... My uncle left behind a ton of parts when he passed... I know they are trying to sell the stuff... 90% from the 80s.... 740-747-1360 talk to Andrew or Bradley... Great guys.... they have the stuff spread around their garage.... lol
Just gave them a call. Talked to an British sounding fellow, real helpful. He's going to check his garage and call me tomorrow. We'll see... Thanks for the pointer, racemx904.
Oh yes I have done this however the wr 430 of 1987 has shorter suspension than say a 2004 wr250. It is probably more suitable to upgrade an xc or cr with the suspension length of the modern stuff. Suspension shops do lower/shorten suspension but unless you source components already shortened that will add to the cost. I tend to upgrade that 1998 wr125 in my avatar and as I further upgrade it move the last upgrade to something vintage. Currently I have a 1981 or 1982 frame with 2002 wr360 triple clamps and handlebar attachment, 1999 cr125 forks and the wheel, axle, and brake that came on the 1998wr125. The avatar picture has 2004 ktm stuff which needed to swap out the cups in the steering neck. It also has a ktm copy home made steering stop added to the frame. (20mm offset clamps) I suspect stuff off the Husqvarna showroom floor would work with a change of the cups, and attention to the seals unless things have changed since 2004 ktm. There has been a lot of this stuff over in the vintage section though not everyone has the same comment. You could search my posts with the key words cones and cups. One word of caution is the steering stops on your bike might contact the clamp near the pinch/squeeze point not somewhere real solid should you crash real hard the tube might not fare too well. Or a tab may be needed on the bike to contact lumps on the lower clamp. The two "upgrades" I listed here the offset of the clamp plus the offset of the axle add up real close to what was replaced. That is something to consider and an advantage with ktm stuff as quite a few from 14 to 22mm seem to have been used over the years on various 48mm upside down forks. The offset of the stock clamps say 82-84 with the rubber handlebar mounts is different than say the 1985-1988 with rigid handlebar mounts for the similar 40mm forks. At least what I have. Rear shock/spring assembly, I have a 1988 wr bike myself with a missing rubber bumper. Sure no one can suggest an upgrade instead of a repair?
im pretty happy with the original 87-88 forks, but its imperative to add some spring stiffness in them according to your weight and run about 500cc of atf. at least this works very well for me and is very plush is the woods and will handle most faster riding without any problems...they do flex and wear bushings dirtying the oil however. combine this with the proper rear spring again set for proper sag and the bike really starts to handle higher speeds great, handling step ups and step downs great. if i were to move away from the original 40mm forks i would for sure go with the newer showa or marzocchi inverted forks found on 90's and 00's huskies. get the triples and wheels to go with them and then you are ready to rock. its hard to find the 87-88 cr triples needed to use the wp and according to some tuners i called "a waste of time" compared to the previously mentioned oem equipment.
i guess something that is important.... what kind of riding are you doing? if you are going near an mx track then going the italian oem forks will be a smart move. i would start to maybe question the bike as i really think these models shine in the woods/enduro/desert compared to a track at this point
These people who say its a waste are probably trying to sell you the late model forks.... I have the 88 CR430 forks and they have good action and dont flex.... no adjustibility but you dont really need that anyhow....
