200ES Suspension Upgrade

[BurkC]

I need somone's advise on this project. I am trying to upgrade the front suspension on a 83 ATC 200E. I bought a nice fork off a 1984 ATC 200S (attached) Obviously I needed a new axle so I found one from a 1985 ATC 250ES. When I went to screw it in it was 1/2" too long? Any ideas on why.

I don't want to scrap the project yet, but I might have to if I keep running into problems.

Thanks

BC

[smokeyhonda]

I think you may have lots of company. I have had the same problem and it seems like most forks sold on ebay are without the axle. So, you need the axle off the year and model that your forks are from. Look at a clymer manual and find all the years and models that used your fork setup. then you know what to buy. I would try to get the hub and spacer with the axle. If buying things poses a problem then get a stack of washers, it's what I wound up doing on my swap.

[83200e]

I think the forks for the 200s are shorter than the ones on the red. Have you checked yet?

[BurkC]

Haven't checked the length. I don't think that will be as big a deal as the axle.

BC

[4cylinders]

hey, why not take the axle to a machine shop and get it shortened? or send it to howdy to get shortened? that's what I would do.

[MTS]

just shorten it with a hack-saw:)just thred a nut onto the axel bolt then mark the lenghth you need and cut then take the nut off, putting the nut on makes it easier to get the threds right cuze it will take any burrs off when you threed it off.

[BurkC]

That might just work. Let me look at it tomorrow.

Thanks dude

BC

[Howdy]

hey, why not take the axle to a machine shop and get it shortened? or send it to howdy to get shortened? that's what I would do.

Different models used different widths of axles. The 250es is the widest one. the 350x is the shortest one ( I think ).
I am pretty sure ( 99.99% ) I have the correct axle you need at the shop. I wouldn't machine the other axle you have because you never know when those will become hard to find. ;)

Axles that fit a 200s: 84-86 200s and the 1983 185s. ;)
Howdy

[BurkC]

Thanks howdy

Look and see if you have an axle for an 84 200S. I am pretty sure that is the fork I have. I think it is the only year thet the axle was "trailing" the fork, correct?

Burk

[Howdy]

Thanks howdy

Look and see if you have an axle for an 84 200S. I am pretty sure that is the fork I have. I think it is the only year thet the axle was "trailing" the fork, correct?

Burk

Actually the 83 185s and all the 200s's used a trailing axle set up.
Howdy

[BurkC]

Cool, let me know if you find one inb your shop and I will "eBay" the one I have for the '85 250ES

Burk

[BurkC]

I am selling the axle off the 85 250ES since it won't work on this 200S fork. I have it on eBay here is the lisitng.

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-22703-9746-0?uid=5226680&site=100&ver=LC080104B&lk=ViewItem&Item=4518292152

Thanks for all of your help.

Burk