Does XR 250 front end fit XL250?

[Peter ChadwickMember]

I have an 82 mod XL250 with drum brakes & have my eyes on a 85 XR250 with disc brake front end, Im wondering if it is possible to fit the XR forks. I haven’t measured up the fork diameter, if they are different maybe change triple clamps? . Also there may be an issue with speedo cable incompatability.
The XR is in a sad state & is not worth bringing back to life.
Any one had experience in this area?

[GregMember]

You have to change the triple clamps mate. You will need to run the XR front wheel and if you do tha and use the XR speedo cable you should be fine.

I can’t remember if the triple clamps went straight in the one I did years ago I am sure they did I changed the bearings but I think cause the others were rooted. Maybe I fitted a spacer ?? I will try and get hold of old mate but it can be done

TB

[Peter ChadwickMember]

Thanks that was quick!
The guy next door wanted me to rebuild the motor for him, but on the weekend he siezed it, so now he is going to buy another bike. He only paid $800 for it with rego so I will see how much he wants for it.

[drewMember]

maybe look at fitting the XL engine into the XR frame.

my bro has an XL and XR frame around that year. he thought the same as you. but the XR has slightly less rake on the forks.

are we correct in thinking that a bike with less rake would handle better than a bike with a longer rake?

also i cannot remember if the XR has a disc rear.

just a thought.

[Matt BakerMember]

If you are racing Finke a long rake would be better (more stability at high speed), if your racing singles a shorter rake will make it turn in easier.

Its an XR/XL 250 I don’t think the handling v rake angle is gonna worry him too much.

[GregMember]

xy-transit wrote:

are we correct in thinking that a bike with less rake would handle better than a bike with a longer rake?

.

LC is right

Less rake steeper angle steer better but more likely to be more nervous at speed longer rake more stable at speed won’t turn in as well is the general rule.

Have heard blokes like Ballard and Grabham say how well XR 250’s steered and yet were still stable. The XL will have a longer rake as such as it was more road oriented.

Years ago I rode a CR 250 (actually a WMW 250) and it was a late 80’s 89 I think, it was the time that super cross was hitting it straps thus everything was super cross orientated including the CR. It had a wicked steep rake setup to turn a 2nd gear berm on a indoor track. It would turn on greased limo with a slick tyre incredible steering but as soon as you got into 4th gear the thing would shake it’s head something shocking! Used to joke that it suffered head shake whilst tied the trailer :laugh: :laugh: There was no such things as steering dampers then.

Things have changed now days we have better suspension, dampers etc I know run my forks thru the clamps of my XR around 15mm, it steers real sharp but if I back the damper off I get arm pump and it shakes it’s head

TB

[Peter ChadwickMember]

I think I will stick with the XL & swap the front end, I understand that it won’t make that much difference but Im unstable enough already plus the XR has had a hard life.
I once fitted a XT600 motor in a TZR250 (because I enjoy a challenge) that was enough engine swapping for me.

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