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PostPosted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:49 pm 
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Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:41 am
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Hey folks I have a project in mind that I'm leaning towards using an Elsinore 125 fork set up on it. I'll keep the project under my hat for now.. But I was just wondering to myself that most of the early ones I've seen pics haven't got a fork brace but I see several of the early elsinore (1974-ish), on ebay, and some of them have the two threaded bosses on both sliders where one could put a fork brace on. Like this for example:


Shozbot it won't let me post an ebay example link but you guys/gals could just key in "125 elsinore forks" and you'll see some there for sure..


...so what gives? Are these elsinore forks or not? I haven't seen a pic of a single early elsinore 125 running a fork brace but yet several of the forks for them on ebay have what seems to be a provision to run a brace. Can someone , oh guru's of the south country, enlighten and fill me in on what I'm missing here? Check out the pics, Be cool, freeze'
ps. holy smoke sorry about the size pics but I guess you'll see what I'm talking about a little easier nom lol. -fb


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 4:53 am 
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Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:10 pm
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Location: Connecticut, USA
The MT125 and MR175 forks have two threaded bosses per slider. The CR125M forks have one on the LH side only, for the front brake cable.

Ray

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'74 CR125M (175cc), '75 MR175, '82 RM250Z, '08 YZ250F, '14 Zero FX electric, '14 Zero MX electric, '18 Alta MXR electric


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:49 am 
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Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:41 am
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Thanks Ray for your reply. I guess the sellers aren't representing very accurately, hmmm.
Can you recommend a decent vintage hydraulic fork in the 125cc range that can be built rather sturdily (somewhat robust for the smallish-size) for an on/off road application? I think the steel front mounted fender' types are a possibility as I can use the mounts for a fork brace. I weigh about 185 geared up. Any suggestions, Sir? Thanks a ton, John


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 6:31 pm 
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Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:10 pm
Posts: 1010
Location: Connecticut, USA
I'm using '79 XR185 forks (8" travel) on my MR, which dropped right in & work much better than the earlier forks. They have at least 4" more engagement too, so I doubt you'll want or need a fork brace with them. They show up on eBay from time to time.

Ray

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'74 CR125M (175cc), '75 MR175, '82 RM250Z, '08 YZ250F, '14 Zero FX electric, '14 Zero MX electric, '18 Alta MXR electric


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 7:15 pm 
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Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:41 am
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Hey thanks Ray. So what exactly necessitates a fork brace I wonder? My bike will be 50-50 on road and off road.. does that influence using (or not) a brace?
I would like to just use an early 125 Elsinore fork but they can't be fitted with a brace thus my dilemma:( -freeze'


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 1:56 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:51 pm
Posts: 136
Location: Gilbert, AZ
In the old days I only put Fork braces on my flat track and TT racers or a bike with very flimsy Forks, usually pre 73 bikes and those are usually Enduro bikes converted and my 1979 Honda XR500 with a 23" front tire.

My opinion, don't overthink this and don't use a brace unless your secret NASA project is super heavy. ;)

Oh, I should also mention those mounts were usually there for a front fender mount. Some smart person (or marketing guru) designed this as a retrofit upgrade. I took mine off as soon as I got home after after riding in red clay. *eek*

Rick


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PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 5:06 pm 
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Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:41 am
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Cool rick, lol too:) Nasa? Maybe Home Depot, lol. At any rate as I mentioned I'll be 1/2 on road and 1/2 off.. Hmm I wonder what I can come up with..? I've been looking at the xl125 forks too and they are dimentionally identical- i.e. 31mm'ish diameter tubes and 13" long sliders etc. Which are the more beefier I wonder xl125 or cr125m Elsinore? The thing is the 1/2 on road with offroad forks maybe a tad stiffer setup is best even if it's just a couple of fender mount holes. Any more thoughts? Anyone? Or recommends and stuff. Be cool, frezerburn


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PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2017 1:08 am 
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Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:41 am
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I've got enough info now thanks to you all I appreciate it.
One other thought to ask is which fork is more heavy duty- the 125 Elsinore or the xl125? The lengths and dimensions are identical as far as I have been able to find through researching online. 13" sliders and right around 31mm diameter tubes and 32" lenght overall, etc. Does anyone have any input to throw in here which is beefier or does well with modification or are they basicly the same exact thing? Be cool, freezerburn


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PostPosted: Tue May 02, 2017 1:08 am 
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Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:41 am
Posts: 6
I've got enough info now thanks to you all I appreciate it.
One other thought to ask is which fork is more heavy duty- the 125 Elsinore or the xl125? The lengths and dimensions are identical as far as I have been able to find through researching online. 13" sliders and right around 31mm diameter tubes and 32" lenght overall, etc. Does anyone have any input to throw in here which is beefier or does well with modification or are they basicly the same exact thing? Be cool, freezerburn


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