KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Aluminum Frame Conversion (AFC) => Topic started by: silviocross on November 17, 2012, 04:04:47 AM

Title: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on November 17, 2012, 04:04:47 AM
Hi guys, I was looking for infos about aluminum frame conversions, and I just discovered this amazing forum!
I'm a 22yo student from Italy, and I'm modifying a KX250F with a CR250 engine.

The project is almost at an advanced stage, but I'm studying at about 200km from the bike, so I hope to finish it during christmas holidays.
Here you can see a log of the building:
http://progettosilvio.co.nf/?lang=en&p=240 (http://progettosilvio.co.nf/?lang=en&p=240)

I'd like to post here all the updates on the bike. Every suggestion is highly suggested!
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: cmotodad on November 17, 2012, 05:01:58 AM
Looks like you are doing a great job. The 2000 CR250 motor is a very good motor too.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: kxpegger on November 17, 2012, 09:13:07 AM
Looking good! Whoever is doing the welding is doing a nice job!
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on November 26, 2012, 07:41:39 PM
Left radiator is almost completed.

It's 60mm shorter and 4mm thicker than the original one.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WwFfw4Wq0IQ/ULR6dv7yKMI/AAAAAAAADEk/0klVqOcKZnk/s635/Schermata%2520del%25202012-11-27%252009%253A30%253A15.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 09, 2012, 09:20:59 AM
This weekend I made the headmounts and the bottom brakets:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZqbdZDei_w/UMSLIHVWg-I/AAAAAAAADHQ/N3jUtF4t2Us/s640/12%2520-%25203.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTXJR_Aqdgo/UMSLIDeKeEI/AAAAAAAADHY/9y5J_VWImQs/s640/12%2520-%25204.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y4yuyi7409c/UMSLINTcCwI/AAAAAAAADHI/NhmsTwIsDfM/s640/12%2520-%25202.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XoHoglx1Wjg/UMSLIK66b_I/AAAAAAAADHA/Ed4odz-lfTg/s640/12%2520-%25201.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 20, 2012, 08:43:30 AM
Finally, I finished the welding phase, and after a complete wash the frame is finished!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AP_0tU1Ubrg/UNOCmDlDSKI/AAAAAAAADIo/e_4gn0iPc8M/s512/12%2520-%25205.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n4ZT2laht5c/UNOCmIGwshI/AAAAAAAADIg/TBWUXGhkID4/s640/12%2520-%25204.jpg)

Tomorrow there'll be much more news.. :mrgreen:
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Danger4u2 on December 20, 2012, 08:50:42 AM
That's coming along nice.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: kxpegger on December 20, 2012, 01:11:54 PM
This weekend I made the headmounts and the bottom brakets:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CZqbdZDei_w/UMSLIHVWg-I/AAAAAAAADHQ/N3jUtF4t2Us/s640/12%2520-%25203.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTXJR_Aqdgo/UMSLIDeKeEI/AAAAAAAADHY/9y5J_VWImQs/s640/12%2520-%25204.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y4yuyi7409c/UMSLINTcCwI/AAAAAAAADHI/NhmsTwIsDfM/s640/12%2520-%25202.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XoHoglx1Wjg/UMSLIK66b_I/AAAAAAAADHA/Ed4odz-lfTg/s640/12%2520-%25201.jpg)


Good design on the head stay! Engine can't rock forward or backward because of the triangle design. This takes a lot of the load off of the frame rails.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 20, 2012, 10:48:32 PM
Thanks a lot!
Lunch-time update:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dM_SrgnH1wc/UNRIfjG4uMI/AAAAAAAADKI/uEn8_haKGEM/s640/12%2520-%25205.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-80KTbAQyPb8/UNRIfgcHWeI/AAAAAAAADKc/VEk2WniXpYY/s640/12%2520-%25207.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J7PFqJ1YaO4/UNRIfrAq_WI/AAAAAAAADJ0/PGosiylUU00/s640/12%2520-%25203.jpg)

This morning I finished welding the pipe, I hope to polish it later:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W468XN8XRkA/UNRIfqfQK1I/AAAAAAAADJs/liMNBSPDG0U/s640/12%2520-%25202.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bf3Te0OeBzo/UNRIfoXh35I/AAAAAAAADJ8/4Q-I8r-6ZEs/s640/12%2520-%25204.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Danger4u2 on December 21, 2012, 12:12:58 AM
Should have said something, I didn't know your were going back together so soon.  I would have loaned you my magic tools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRqUZrVwCpw


No tools in this one just magic.

(http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/DrtBik/th_2008KX500AFreassemblypart2.jpg) (http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p102/DrtBik/2008KX500AFreassemblypart2.mp4)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on December 21, 2012, 01:40:41 AM
Should have said something, I didn't know your were going back together so soon.  I would have loaned you my magic tools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRqUZrVwCpw



hmmmm....gotta find a way to remove womens clothing with them there tools :-D
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 21, 2012, 04:19:40 AM
Should have said something, I didn't know your were going back together so soon.  I would have loaned you my magic tools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRqUZrVwCpw



hmmmm....gotta find a way to remove womens clothing with them there tools :-D

Ha ha, maybe you can use these, it's faster...

(http://cdn.pocketnow.com/html/portal/news/0000022771/x-ray.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 21, 2012, 04:37:12 AM
dinner-time update:

ignition coil mount:

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1EmgBzYt-3M/UNSXkVZal3I/AAAAAAAADK0/n1blhu1qbNU/s512/IMG_20121221_161243.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IFjmhVrfi0Y/UNSXzoCuLlI/AAAAAAAADK8/1z_jsjlvyeA/s640/IMG_20121221_170639.jpg)

this is the progress, atm:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-06ZleOvSglA/UNSYHQoNaZI/AAAAAAAADLE/dTSZnW5hmlA/s324/12%2520-%25201.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dpyOUgicZtA/UNSYHRLxi8I/AAAAAAAADLE/B-tYMw_gXY4/s324/12%2520-%25202.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oyPhPWwdhgk/UNSYHX-tMgI/AAAAAAAADLE/Yb7iCSsrIlA/s324/12%2520-%25204.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nzMtZDa0aAA/UNSYHd89NNI/AAAAAAAADMU/RntHodV_UdQ/s324/12%2520-%25206.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H1SkFdX2AQE/UNSYHbMmRYI/AAAAAAAADMU/VwQdBUw6rps/s324/12%2520-%252011.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 22, 2012, 05:39:40 AM
today we're here:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m2jr7BXbgjM/UNX74omfbZI/AAAAAAAADOg/1s7XHHuBprY/s640/IMG_20121222_160011.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-05iVaKZcy44/UNX74cVqlhI/AAAAAAAADOo/cUfiusrwSaA/s640/12%2520-%25204.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-78Vhq6DXWJg/UNX74egifeI/AAAAAAAADOk/j5UgeehWYBk/s640/12%2520-%25202.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QC6G_-BMxKY/UNX74dIUwQI/AAAAAAAADOc/3eygoiBRs8Q/s640/12%2520-%25201.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 23, 2012, 09:09:20 AM
So much work is needed yet, but tomorrow is time for a fist "debug" ride...

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SlRczTqNWDI/UNd-AQD_qRI/AAAAAAAADPY/OI0RgyIiNcA/s640/12%2520-%25201.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qzYs9W0P06M/UNd-AeSFglI/AAAAAAAADPc/REPL6JgxX8E/s640/12%2520-%25202.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dJ4Maes8ZrY/UNd-Aecz22I/AAAAAAAADPg/3k0zgdX3hNA/s640/12%2520-%25203.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ws-B87iSXVA/UNd-Ae4yuhI/AAAAAAAADPk/rwomka1SCd0/s640/12%2520-%25204.jpg)

Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: sandblaster on December 23, 2012, 09:13:30 AM
I can't wait to hear your post ride report  :-D
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on December 23, 2012, 09:14:22 AM
nice work....looks great!!..now,get polishing that pipe!!! :-D
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Danger4u2 on December 23, 2012, 09:24:33 AM
Get us some video when you get it dialed in, so we can hear it.
Looks like it will be fun.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: RoostDaddy on December 23, 2012, 11:13:52 PM
If that motor was complete with carb and electronics, I'm betting its a 2001 not 2000.  (The '01's came with the TMX carb)  Jetting was supposed to be a PITA so everyone was switching back to the 2000 carb. (PWK A/S)  Other than that the motors share the same components.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on December 26, 2012, 12:25:23 AM
Hi everyone, I'm back from the very first ride.

First turn.... straight ahead. Oh right, engine braking is missing!

THE BIKE:

It's the same old kawa, the same riding position, same frame geometries and suspensions, but it looks like pretty different (obviously).
The engine weights just few kilos less, but the bike gives a great handle feeling. Can't wait to try it in the air. :wink:
I still need to find the right suspension settings, but time will come.

THE ENGINE:

men, this is weird.  :-o

It has no bottom end, doesn't accept the upper gear so you always have to ride with the clutch in hand.
Essentially, it runs like a 125 with double the power. When the exhaust valve opens, the bike takes off.

For sure, my ride-style is still for 4 strokes and I've to change it for this new engine, but the powerband has to be smoothed, otherwise I can't ride it like I want.

So much work needed for better jetting it on the lower-end side (thanks RoostDaddy for the info about the carb, maybe I've to switch back too) and I've to short the final transmission a bit to reach the stk CR 250.
If this doesn't work, I'll have to try deeper changes.

But hey men, this is a pretty amazing bike! :mrgreen:
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: sandblaster on December 26, 2012, 02:46:14 AM
Thanks for the update!
Keep up the details.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on January 28, 2013, 06:51:32 AM
Hi guys, many updates since my last post here.

I checked the engine and found that the powervalve was blocked wide open. That's why that ON-OFF behaviour on the first ride.

The custom radiator arrived:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HFcLFIX-P4Q/UPBq0tm4sHI/AAAAAAAADSg/oEBWpsVTRQA/s512/13%2520-%25201.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Wj1Ko19dolc/UPBq0r-6FBI/AAAAAAAADSM/ClqmmLHTmp8/s408/13%2520-%25203.jpg)

Then I bought a BR8ECM spark plug, 10mm shorter than a standard one to have much clearance with the tank:

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tz-6zVRkFo8/UPBq0lUrl1I/AAAAAAAADSM/DTu3_YGkxhE/s408/13%2520-%25202.jpg)

Lastly, I designed the new graphics, here you can see a preview:

(http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/68455_10200607435974849_184445981_n.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on January 28, 2013, 07:03:02 AM
Very nice...who did the radiators if you don't mind me asking?...and price?
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on January 28, 2013, 07:24:02 AM
Very nice...who did the radiators if you don't mind me asking?...and price?

Radiators has been made by winner racing (http://www.winnerracing.com/index.html), it's a chinese factory but the quality is great.
They asked me 60$ for a std radiator, and 85$ for my custom one.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on January 28, 2013, 07:29:42 AM
d**n that's cheap....big question here....how well do they fit/line-up??
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on January 28, 2013, 07:37:33 AM
I just bought the custom one so I can't tell for standard replacements, but mine is really perfect, every dimension correspond with those I gave them. In my opinion they're really good.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on January 28, 2013, 07:39:18 AM
ok...thank you.
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on February 01, 2013, 12:27:23 AM
Refurbish a 10 years old engine is quite easy:

1 - remove the all Honda signatures
2 - sand clutch cover, waterpump and powervalve cover:

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dZ-P0l-e7T4/UQvAAA4kWWI/AAAAAAAADUc/4nGy87TjZ8o/s400/13%2520-%25201.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d03NFKiP3Z0/UQvAAD-pREI/AAAAAAAADUc/Fe5m_zK3VeM/s400/13%2520-%25202.jpg)

3 - powder coat them

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YzhXC92D2sE/UQvAABapGKI/AAAAAAAADUc/7D5yzfLu_M0/s400/13%2520-%25203.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on February 16, 2013, 10:00:24 PM
Step by step I’m going forward, many details are missing yet but it looks promising..

put the monster energy decals, they said.....  :roll:

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i9iyGqoCBZg/USCus14sIwI/AAAAAAAADZk/rsAt7oItynQ/s640/13%2520-%25201.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRbjPhhYagM/USCus_OrTII/AAAAAAAADZw/ySxTKRTqmqs/s640/13%2520-%25203.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gxOp9db8aBc/USCus2NMnQI/AAAAAAAADaU/XD6bowgvAfo/s640/13%2520-%25207.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q4nSd2tDCsc/USCus-NcSsI/AAAAAAAADas/s51II6Zo_8g/s640/13%2520-%252010.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WKaRHPyR2qI/USCus4QZGtI/AAAAAAAADa4/tBU5diLU8Hg/s640/13%2520-%252011.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--zLgzLm7XmM/USCuswjsEGI/AAAAAAAADbQ/hYmQt5PctDU/s640/13%2520-%252013.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wBC-GPF2PBQ/USCuszVKocI/AAAAAAAADZY/fqZPpUQvgsY/s640/IMG_20130217_110746.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TmtvpvACLz4/USCusyycQHI/AAAAAAAADZc/d3dzGSEC6rU/s640/IMG_20130217_110819.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JF7ZOyIt_Uw/USCus6x3rzI/AAAAAAAADaI/22h5hedWtcM/s640/13%2520-%25206.jpg)













Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: silviocross on February 23, 2013, 09:05:44 PM
Still missing the radiator guards, but it's ready!!

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VvPIiKnigcg/USkCoZ05uPI/AAAAAAAADe0/W85uNRRmOK0/s827/IMG_3282.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FZFk8kvNASc/USkCqrRTScI/AAAAAAAADfE/4q-XawCpalc/s828/IMG_3285_6_7.JPEG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3sYT9W7j2VQ/USkC5ORWTFI/AAAAAAAADfU/84-3epNGcFE/s828/IMG_3287_8_9.JPEG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bGooLRYnyfU/USkC3xQaSyI/AAAAAAAADfM/fwV2aa3ujZU/s551/IMG_3288_9_9.JPEG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--pzuD-pqoHI/USkDJAlgA4I/AAAAAAAADfk/oK_VOx8Dan0/s827/IMG_3291.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Uh0sO1xdZz8/USkDjOGwiEI/AAAAAAAADgE/KQ7fdUBxmxM/s827/IMG_3297.JPG)

 :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: sandblaster on February 24, 2013, 02:44:43 AM
Looks very good.
Now we need some pics showing some air time  :-D
Title: Re: New KX250AF build
Post by: ID KX500 on February 24, 2013, 04:57:53 AM
Nice looking bike.

Makes me think about how quick the Japanese manufactures were to shelf a good thing like the 2 stroke. Now the Euro manufactures pretty much have the 300cc market and I'm guessing decent sales numbers. There is a type of riding and racing where the 2 stroke is superior to the thumpers.