Another consideration when using either the spacers or heavier springs is that you cannot revalve or replace the rebound valve shims in the KLX forks to match the added spring tension.

Ride on
Brewster

 

Does anyone have suggestions on spacer size for a KLX300 spring put into a 06 KLX250S?

There's a 15mm difference which is .59". I ended up having spacers that were right around .75" total in the end.

Also, the springs are heavy for my weight since I plan on doing more jumps. They're .46 rate when I'm 180 pounds, as opposed to the .42 or .44 more commonly suggested.

Would I benefit from using even bigger spacers and having more preload? I notice even with the stiffer springs, the front end still drops when I brake the front... but this is just a simple garage test with engine off... haven't tried on actual ride yet.

 

I have 1/2 inch spacers and am going to try with them removed. My guess is you're going to want to try a few different sizes.

 

You can also try adding more fork oil to the forks. Besides the metal spring, you also have an air spring.

Ride on
Brewster

 

I believe I had 99 mm air above fork oil. What effect does more oil give? Makes springs even stiffer but less bottoming resistance?

 

The air has to compress when the forks compress. Similar to the combustion chamber in the engine, higher compression ratio is harder to kick over.

Ride on
Brewster

 

Hi joel
Could you describe how you made your custom spring spacers?
I'm thinking about doing it on my recently acquired 2007 KLX 250S
Mike

 

I used blue plumbing pipe, the coupling pipe is thinker/stronger than the tubing & I cut two matching 2inch lengths of the stuff. Measure the diameter of your forks & find a piece of connector tube slightly smaller....Voila!

I originally tried a pair of 1.25inch spacers & it just didn't make enough effect on the hard braking diving, so I jumped up to 2inch spacers a week later & that was much more noticeable.

 

Thanks Joel,
I believe I'll give that a try.