Fitting KYB shock onto 2018 & 2020 kx450

Yeti831
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Yeti831
What needs to be done to fit a kyb shock from a 2009 kx450 to a 2018 kx450f, and also a 2020?

Currently have an '18, but may upgrade to a newer model and want to keep my suspension.

Thanks, gang 👍
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mwssquad827
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mwssquad827 5/30/2020 10:42am
5/30/2020 10:42am
Measure eye to eye and compare if they are even close... it should be pretty close... then look at and if it’s different measure clevis..

I’m assuming you want to just bolt on not get crazy with the modification of the KYB...

Yeti831
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Yeti831 5/30/2020 10:46am
5/30/2020 10:46am
mwssquad827 wrote:
Measure eye to eye and compare if they are even close... it should be pretty close... then look at and if it’s different measure clevis.. I’m...
Measure eye to eye and compare if they are even close... it should be pretty close... then look at and if it’s different measure clevis..

I’m assuming you want to just bolt on not get crazy with the modification of the KYB...

Preferably, with as little modification as possible.

I can't find them but I remember seeing threads on the prior gen bikes. Haven't seen anything pop up for them on the newer bikes though.
mx317
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mx317 5/30/2020 11:52am
5/30/2020 11:52am
I used a 2012 on my 16 and it was a bolt on.
Yeti831
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Yeti831 5/30/2020 12:31pm
5/30/2020 12:31pm
mx317 wrote:
I used a 2012 on my 16 and it was a bolt on.
Oh nice. I figured there wasn't any difference from '08 or '09 up to '18.

So sounds like I'll be ok with my current ride once the shock arrives.

Still curious about the '19 and '20 models. I shouldn't have ridden one 😭

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mwssquad827
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mwssquad827 5/30/2020 12:55pm
5/30/2020 12:55pm
Ya might as well just try to bolt her up.... Hope it works out for ya👍🏻🤙🏻
dancolvin633
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dancolvin633 5/30/2020 2:22pm
5/30/2020 2:22pm
Not going to work. Old shock will
Not fit on the new chassis, unless you want to make a huge mess and start destroying the frame and air box
Yeti831
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Yeti831 5/30/2020 5:18pm
5/30/2020 5:18pm
dancolvin633 wrote:
Not going to work. Old shock will Not fit on the new chassis, unless you want to make a huge mess and start destroying the frame...
Not going to work. Old shock will
Not fit on the new chassis, unless you want to make a huge mess and start destroying the frame and air box
So if I upgrade to a newer frame, better off just selling it with the bike?
dancolvin633
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dancolvin633 5/30/2020 9:13pm
5/30/2020 9:13pm
dancolvin633 wrote:
Not going to work. Old shock will Not fit on the new chassis, unless you want to make a huge mess and start destroying the frame...
Not going to work. Old shock will
Not fit on the new chassis, unless you want to make a huge mess and start destroying the frame and air box
Yeti831 wrote:
So if I upgrade to a newer frame, better off just selling it with the bike?
If it were me I’d sell the suspension separate and put the stock stuff on the bike... you will get more out of it that way.
dmm698
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dmm698 6/2/2020 11:26am
6/2/2020 11:26am
I dont know what KYB shock you're talking about but i'm assuming its a "kit" style shock if you have such a hard on to hang onto it.

06-18 is the same as far as physical fitment goes.

06-18 Showa KIT/ works body will not fit on the new frame without some clearancing, and so much so shops like PC have just been retrofitting all the kit internals into the production body. 19/20 shock is also shorter. Stock the 19-20 come with the larger comp adjuster like showa kit shocks. I have a 06-18 kit body sitting at my house because all the guts are in my stock 19 body.

You could run the KYB forks on the 19-20 but you'd need to use the older front hub as the 19-20 axle is larger DIA. Not worth it IMO as the stock 49mm showas are just as good if not better than the works KYB IMO, they are essentially kit forks from the manufacturer for most intents and purposes.

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