250R front end on 250SX... Pros? Cons?

[Xhumeka]

Hi guys...

Every since I picked up a beater 250SX earlier this year, I've wanted to re-do the front end. It is VERY hard to turn - it really fights with you and wants to go straight.

Picture # 1: Something obviously damaged the front end at one point (i have a feeling someone ran into a tree). First of all, the tank is dented on the front left - looks exactly like a fork imprint to me!

Picture #2: Either the bottom triple clamp is from another machine, or it was somehow distorted/bent. It's hard to see in this picture, but I made a basic drawing in the bottom right of the picture to show what the clamp looks like head-on. My '86 has a straight bottom clamp, and I can only assume the 85 should be the same.

Picture #3: Notice the very different fork angles from my 86 to my 85.

So anyhow, for whatever reason my front end is extremely whack! I have lots of '84 250R parts, so I was thinking of putting a 250R front end on. Have others done this, and does it handle at least as well as the 250sx stock front end?

This machine is ultimately going to be for my wife to ride, and even I have a hard time turning this thing! Something needs to change before she'll ride it much!

[Chillian]

Yup somebody diffently whacked something along the life of the machine. I have never seen or heard of anyone putting a 250r front end on one, I'm pretty sure but am sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong, but the 250r front end does not fit on a sx, the steering stem size is larger. However a 200x front end does fit. I have that mod on mine. If your fork tubes arn't bent you may just want to replace the triple tree assy to get the correct rake back. Running the diffrent fron end(200x) the machine will track better and change the handling slightly. It does however give a better ride. You have to use a bit more body english to control it, with the narrower front end on it. I have a couple triple tree's laying around if you want to go that way, or you can just upgrade to a 200x front end.