MK1 Steering Stem

[mtx200]

Hi

Actually I do not own an CRM 250 as they were not sold here in Germany but I've got a MTX 200 in very good condition. Unfortunately the suspension doesn't cope with the engine. Therefore I would like to fit the yokes of an MK1 together with the forks. To do some measuring I would need the length of the steering stem. Both the lenght from top down to bottom as well as from the lower edge of the adjustment thread to the bottom. Could anyone tell me those measurements?

Cheers.

[fallenmikethebike]

If you can wait a while the resident MK1 expert will answer your query.
If your in a hurry have a look in the FAQ section, I'm sure it'll be covered in there.
Mike

[mtx200]

No problem. An answer from the expert would be much appreciated.

[knackeredMk1]

I am in the process of fitting a pair of XR250 forks on to an MTX 125 frame. (41mm conventional XR250 forks have better damping, springing and some adjustment compared with 41mm Mk1 CRM forks). You have to take the stem out of the MTX forks and fit this into the new yokes. Unfortunately the MTX stem is welded onto the yokes.

Expert

[fallenmikethebike]

Well, guru
Mike

[mtx200]

I also thought about a pair of XR250 forks as I've already read in the forum that they fit the MK1 yokes straight on. But I also think even the CRM forks would be a massive improvement compared with the tiny 35mm forks of the MTX.

I guess an individual machined steering stem with the measurements of the MTX stem fitted into the CRM yokes would probably be the ideal solution.

@knackeredMk1: When you have fitted the XR forks how are you going to raise the rear end in order to keep the geometry balanced? I wonder if the swing arm of a mid 80s XR250 could be modified without too much work so that it'll fit the MTX frame. A longer wheelbase could balance the geometry quite well, I think. As far as I know the swing arm of an '87 XR600R fits plug & play but unfortunately the mounting for the linkage is in the center of the swing arm.
It would be really nice if you could take some pictures of the conversion.

Some impressions: http://s137.photobucket.com/user/sambdk ... t=3&page=1 (Not my MTX )

Cheers.

[knackeredMk1]

I've got the swing arm, shock and linkage off an early nineties (disk brake) XR250 that needs some machining to fit. Also the shock linkage mounting points on the frame need to be moved and the top shock mount. Got all the bits but finding the time and space (can't swing a mouse in the garage at the moment) are problems.

Threw away the yokes from the 125 as I had another idea for fitting the forks but now need to get another lower yoke to get a stem to fit to the XR yokes.

[mtx200]

Does the MK1's stem have the same length as the stem of a '84 XR250?

http://s106.photobucket.com/user/chuck4 ... 8.jpg.html

If so, I would just have to get a custom-made bearing for the lower end of the stem...

Cheers.

[mtx200]

Hi,

After more than two years I've finally managed to finish my project .

Basically I've changed the entire suspension on my little MTX200 - well it's not really 'little' anymore .

Here's a picture:



Now the suspension actually does what it's supposed to do and it rides really great . The handling off-road has been improved a lot.

Cheers.

[fallenmikethebike]

And, the "Pukka Pie award" goes toooooo, our man in Germany. Nice job, that looks like the bike Honda should have made.
Mike.

[mtx200]

Thank you Mike, I really appreciate that .

Yeah exactly, that's what we wanted to achieve with our conversion - a MTX200 as it should have been made back in 1983. I'm sure this could have been a real competitor for all the Yamaha ITs, Suzuki PEs and Kawasaki KDXs.

[knackeredMk1]

Nice job!

That's what I intended my 125 to look like but I baulked at the changes to make the XR swingarm fit the MTX frame.

Still got all the parts to do it .................