New to the site, and new to dirt bikes

[Laurence]

Hey guys. was reading up on sprockets, and found this forum, figured it was a good place to be able to ask questions that I may have about my KX 250, it's a 03 i was told. Rims tell another story, but hey I don't care too much about that, it's a beast to ride, and keeps a constant smile on my face, even when i find myself face first over the handelbars.

So I have had to change a fair share on it, sort of thing you would have to expect when buying a older bike.  first i messed up was the handlebars, they where bended. So I swiched them out with a pair of Rental fat-bars, new grips and donuts. (ride wise they sit a little higher, but not much difference). Then I killed the front brake disc, hit that with a rock  , tiers needed changing, didn't come with handlebar protectors or a skidplate, last I figured that I would save the plastics that it came with so it looks all nice and clean, green when I sell it.

Now I have ordered new chain and sprockets. ended up with 14/48 (the thought is that I might have a little more control in tight woods)
Anyone got any insights?

Aside from the above I have fixed the usual stuff like changing coolant, and air filter.

SO I guess your thinking  by now, I was sort of naive going into this thinking it would be to much of an expense. Bike looks nice now, sort of the way I want it

[Laurence]

Tinypic vs iPhone :/ used a different site, this time it didn't auto rotate :

[TJXK]

You can do the powervalve mod if it's an 03:
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/706814-how-to-2003-kx-250-powervalve-mod/

I recommend these hand guards.
http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/ACERBIS-RALLY-PRO-XSTRONG-HAND-GUARDS
I have a set of black ones on my crf450r.  The main thing when shopping for them is to make sure they have the bar that connects to the end of your bars.  The ones that don't are only good for deflecting roost.

If you are mostly riding trails then you might want a flywheel weight.  It reduces the tendency to stall the motor.  My 03 has an 11 oz.  I can't say how it works without it because I bought it that way.

[Laurence]

Hey TJXK. Thank you for the tips.

I don't feel like I am at a level where I should be taking the engine apart, but i might just make that my winter project. We get heavy snowfall here in Sweden, so I might use the last part of the winter doing full maintenance on the bike.

I'll see what running 14/48 sprockets does for me, and think about getting someone to help me with the flywheel weight setup if I don't get the desired effect from changing the gear setup.

I just bought the hand guards that you can see on the image, was told that even thought they only really help against sticks punishing your knuckles, the guards that are mounted on both sides, have a tendancy to brake wrists. (I still come off my bike every time I ride)

However, thank you for taking the time and giving me some great tips.

[TJXK]

Don't be afraid of that mod.  All it requires of you is to take off a cover.  It's way easy.  Worst case scenario is you might have to by a gasket.

http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/oem-parts/KAWASAKI/2004/KX250/ENGINE-COVER%28S%29/SPRING_GOVERNOR/39129-0002

http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/oem-parts/KAWASAKI/2004/KX250/ENGINE-COVER%28S%29/GASKET%2CCLUTCH-COVER%2CIN/11061-1058

[Laurence]

So I have searched myself silly on youtube, I can't see which washer it is that I am suppose to switch with a thinner one, and also I am not wure about the dimensions of the new washer.

I'm either going to try to change the piston and have a look around the engine myself this winter, but I might just send iot to get serviced. (cost a crazy fortune here in Sweden thought) min. 5000 sek = 800 USD (ish).

I would really like to just go there and tell them to service it, pay them for it, but tag along and see what they are doing. (so i learn at the same time, and also make sure that they don't hustle me).

If anyone knows of any 101 videos for that kinda of thing it would be great. parts bandit (bikebandits youtube channel), has some great videos, the more home made one always leave out steps, which sort of annoys me seeing as I have no idea what those steps are :S

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my crazy newbie posts.

[TJXK]

You don't have to use a washer as a spacer, you can use the governor spring from an 04 kx250.  It's what I linked too in the reply above.  Just swap out the 03 spring for the 04.

Part #39129-0002

[Laurence]

Sorry, I must have misunderstood you / the article.
Great that that seems simple enough, will give it a try this winter 

Seeing as I have created this post, thought I might just ask here and see if you guys give better answers that the internet in general.

I have bought a new chain
http://www.24mx.se/kedja-twenty-520-x-ring/kawasaki-kx250-2003

I didn't buy a chainbraker and now I am kinda kicking myself for it. have been told by buddies that:
 A) I shouldn't use the clip that comes with the chain, that I should just link the chain by pushing the pin back through it
 B) if i don't have a chain breaker tool i would need a grinder.

Now does anyone know how to shorten this chain without a grinder or chain breaker?
Also do I use the clips or do I link them without. (read up on the matter and there seem to be mixed answers).

[kkvslayer]

I've never owned or used a chainbreaker,a few seconds with a grinder on the pins and it'll come right apart,just be sure you don't take too many links off.Not sure why your buddie says to not use the masterlink :?I have never had a master link fail on me,make sure the closed end of the clip is going forward and your good to go

[Laurence]

I ended up buying a chain breaker, cost me 100$, but I thought the rest of the guys might have use of it in the further seeing as noone had one themselves either.

As I said earlier in this post I am a noob, but I tok some screenshots from a friends GoPro, and wanted to share them with you







Had fun that day