1999-2003 front wheel bearings are different in a couple of ways. They have a smaller ID, same OD, but they have are narrower (thinner/shallower) as well if I remember correctly. So you would need new spacers regardless. So if you go the 99-03 bearings route, you will need to source or make an inner spacer to fit the new axle and the bearing inner faces.
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Phil
(New bike pending...)
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