Early 250R Triples in 200X Neck

[RapidRick]

I've got a new project. I want to go "old school" 250R front end on a frame with a 200X neck.

What would you think the cleanest way to accomplish this would be?

[shortline10]

I've got a new project. I want to go "old school" 250R front end on a frame with a 200X neck.

What would you think the cleanest way to accomplish this would be?

The 83-84 250r front end goes right in a 200x if you use the 250r bearings . Gives you 9" front suspension . If you look threw your old mags and look at Curtis Sparks set up on his 200x that was the old school way to go . If your talking a 85-86 250r front end its to big IMO and looks out of proportion . Both my 200x's have 250r front ends on them .

[D-dub]

I know 81-82 R and 83-85 200x have the same steering stem with loose balls

[Yamaha_Rules69]

The 85 200x had the caged roller bearrings in the neck, like the 83-84 250R, and the 83-84 200x used loose bearrings. Doing the swap on the 83-84 200x with the loose balls would be tough, because they dont use the same tapered races for the bearrings to sit in. I tried to put 84 R forks on my 85 200x, and couldnt get it to "bolt right on" if I remember correctly, the steering stem in the neck was a little too long, and the bearrings on the R neck were slightly smaller and didnt fit right in the races of the X neck, and there was a LOT of play. I tried shiming the bearrings with various thickness washers to compensate for the slightly longer stem, but could not make up for the excessive play of the bearrings. It had over a 1/4 inch play, if not more.
Im not saying it cant be done, but I had a hard time, and said screw it. Im not sure if you have to swap the races inside the neck to 250R, or if they will fit right in. I didnt have the races on hand. I wish I knew what had to be done to get it to work. Maybe the 83 R used the exact same bearrings, stem and races as the 200x?
I know the 81-82 250R can swap with a 83-85 200x all day long. People do it all the time the the R, because they didnt have very good suspension, and the skinnier tire and better disc brake was a plus for most. Good luck!

[RapidRick]

I know the 81-82 250R can swap with a 83-85 200x all day long. People do it all the time the the R, because they didnt have very good suspension, and the skinnier tire and better disc brake was a plus for most. Good luck!

That's the swap I'm after. I've never owned an air cooler, so I didn't have that for back round knowledge. Thanks, I appreciate the help. Just need to find an early 250R front end now and a 185S rear fender and I'll be ready to roll.

The swap Shortline wrote about I've done several times also. Thanks for that information also