400ex front end on an R

[Rosko]

Alright I'm new to this board and I know next to nothing about 250r's however i just bought an 86 stock frame and plan on building one little by little.

I've decided to use 400 ex spindles/hubs/rotors. I also want to use 400ex a-arms but I'm not sure on the length of them or the length of the shocks.

Maybe this is just a bad idea all together but I'm thinking Houser standard travel +3 a-arms. If using a 4+1 wheel offset will this be more than 50 inches wide?

Then what about shock length?

I'm not gonna race this just play around on it but I'm gonna set it up MX style and want it low and wide.

Any help or info is appreciated I already learned a ton just from reading other posts.

[250R-Dee]

My first question is why? If you are going to spend money you might as well get the 250R parts for your 250R frame.

400ex front brakes are nasty and it will cost at least $150 to get the adapters to use the 250R calipers on 400ex spindles.

Check the classifieds because there is a 250R Protrax setup available for $1000 right now. All you will need for the front end is shocks, hubs, rotors and calipers if you buy that setup.

[Rosko]

I found a good deal on the spindles hubs and rotors and theyre brand new so thats why I'm leaning that way. It also seems like theyre is alot more new 400ex stuff available than the 250r.

The protrax would be nice but probably a little overkill for what I'm gonna do.

[250R-Dee]

Do it right the first time!

There are plenty of aftermarket parts available for the 250R. You aren't looking in the right places.

Are you planning to use the subpar 400ex calipers or 250R calipers on the 400EX spindles? I have 400EX spindles on my 250R. Yes, I spent $150 for Baldwin adapters but I also got a set of Hardkor hubs with my 400EX spindles. In the end I got a good deal.

[Rosko]

arent the 400ex spindles stronger?

For the brakes I plan on either designing/building my own caliper (250r style) or if that doesnt work I can make the adapters. I'm a toolmaker by trade so I can make just about anything I want at work for free.

I just heard from a guy I work with that 400ex stuff is stronger and the spindles handle better.

So how come the right way is to use 250r stuff when you are not? Like I said I'm new to the 250r and I'm mostly just going by what i've read/heard.

[250R-Dee]

400EX spindles are aluminum and the 250R's a steel. There is a weight and bling factor difference but I do not think there is much of a strength difference since there is a gangload of HARD RIDDEN 250R sporting 17~20 year old factory 250R spindles.

I am using the right stuff. I bought the proper adapters to make 250R calipers work with 400EX spindles. I mainly wanted the Hardkor hubs but I got the hubs abd spindles for 1/5 the price of new Hardkor hubs. I also sold my 250R spindles to offset the price of purchasing the caliper adapters. :p

400EX parts are NOT stronger than 250R parts. The parts that do interchange are of the same strength!

Good luck with your parts search. Go to the classifieds section because you can find some good deals in there.

Another alternative: 450R spindles, calipers (2 piston like the 250R), rotors, hubs.

Ghetto fabrication will be needed to make 400EX a-arms work on a 250R. I know for a fact that 450R a-arms will not work on a 250R frame.

[bad01300ex]

My R has 400ex spindles and calipers, works great. You migh consider that.

[Rosko]

well i got 2 new 400ex rotors hubs and spindles for $210 all brand new in packaging so i guess ill give it a try.


TRX250RJapan-
I'm still confused by what you're saying. If you dont see an advantage with the spindles then why did spend the money for the brake adapters to use them? Unless you had the 86-87 spindles then the hardkor hubs would fit right?

[GOTFEAR]

my +3 standard travel came off a 400ex you just ad spacers on the top a-armes wher they bolt up on the frame

[GOTFEAR]

my +3 standard travel came off a 400ex you just ad spacers on the top a-armes wher they bolt up on the frame

[Rosko]

hey thanks thats good to know.

what shocks are you running btw?

[250R-Dee]

His sig says he is runing 17" Triple rates.

[Lonestar_R]

I think if I had it to do again...I would be buying 450R spindles hubs and calipers......when you can buy a spindle for around 75 bucks, hub 55 bucks and a caliper for about 60...now this is all per piece and from planet honda prices.....I think you can get them cheaper somewhere else......but you have 21st century componets with the great classic 250R....