KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX250 / KX125 => Topic started by: Slick_james on October 08, 2013, 12:34:20 PM

Title: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on October 08, 2013, 12:34:20 PM
Hello all, I'm new here and I havn't spent a whole lot of time with 2 strokes. Just a warning, I may need some advise!

So I had plans to put a 200 jug on this crappy old honda 185, but as I was on craigslist for parts I came across a 99 KX 250 that I ended up haggling for $175.
It's a bit of a mess, the kid blew the top end then pulled off the jug, clutch cover and discs, and left it outside uncovered for a year or so.
The crank is semi seized as well. I havn't split the case yet, so not sure if a bearing let go or its just rust.
Piston is toasted, deep grooves on the intake side.
The bucket the jug and all the other parts were in was exposed as well, and the jug is rusted pretty nasty.
Parts missing were the jug head, the pipe (did come with a pc factory sound and oem silencer) brake and clutch levers, and a few nuts and bolts.
Most of the plastics are cracked as well.
The frame and swingarm seem nice, no cracks or damage that I could see. Forks are in good shape as well as the rear shock, and none of the linkage is seized.
I'll try to post some pictures and updates for those interested!

Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: sandblaster on October 08, 2013, 12:41:14 PM
Hello Slick_james and welcome to the forum.
Yes, post some pics of what your starting with.
Questions?
Ask away but don't forget about the search feature.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on October 08, 2013, 01:16:35 PM
Sorry for the quality, had to use a cell phone.
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM00081_zpse3b0f4ca.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM00081_zpse3b0f4ca.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM00086_zpsef7daa87.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM00086_zpsef7daa87.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM00089_zps667e977b.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM00089_zps667e977b.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM00090_zps4113f377.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM00090_zps4113f377.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM00092_zpsab55cdb7.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM00092_zpsab55cdb7.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM00088_zpsf190d10a.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM00088_zpsf190d10a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: yeomans on October 08, 2013, 01:24:04 PM
Thats older than a 1999.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on October 08, 2013, 01:35:37 PM
Yeah that figures, they told me it was a 99... it doesn't surprise me. Ran the vin turns out its a 95....
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Pmcg on October 08, 2013, 01:39:54 PM
Im sure this is debatable but I would take a 95 any day.  I rode both and the 95 felt so much faster to me.  much better bottom to mid. 
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on October 08, 2013, 01:49:21 PM
Next time i won't be so quick to assume. Either way the bike it's self is in good overall shape, i'll take it for $175.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: sandblaster on October 08, 2013, 02:01:12 PM
i'll take it for $175.

Yeah, as many as you can get...  :lol:
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on October 08, 2013, 02:19:25 PM
Yeah, tell my father in law that... He insisted I not pay a cent over 100 for it.

Anyways, my plans are to do the woods thing... tame the hit and such.
I gotta buy or build a case splitter so it may be a few days before its opened up.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on October 12, 2013, 03:19:28 PM
 I got the case apart today. It looked awful...
Crank bearings were seized from rust, but crank looks good.
Transmission looks good, but there was sludge with metallic shavings in it... that normal?
A local shop here has a cylinder with a fresh sleeve and a piston kit for $300.
I had my cylinder looked at, it's stock bore.
Should I send mine off for replating or go for the sleeved one?
I've read about the sleeves splitting, what are your thoughts?

Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: KevinTwoStk on October 15, 2013, 07:16:06 AM
Plated cylinders are better able to transfer heat compared to sleeved cylinders. I would personally have it re-plated for that reason alone.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: motopunk on October 15, 2013, 08:00:19 AM
Plated cylinders are better able to transfer heat compared to sleeved cylinders. I would personally have it re-plated for that reason alone.


????  sleeved cylinders work as good as plated cylinders...  a slleeve is a good way, to bring an old long used cylinder back to live, if replating is no more doable after engine damages or simply to worn out cylinders.
i have a sleeved and a plated cylinder for my ´83 kx250  there is no diference in performance...  :-)
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on October 15, 2013, 09:11:20 AM
Plated cylinders are better able to transfer heat compared to sleeved cylinders. I would personally have it re-plated for that reason alone.


????  sleeved cylinders work as good as plated cylinders...  a slleeve is a good way, to bring an old long used cylinder back to live, if replating is no more doable after engine damages or simply to worn out cylinders.
i have a sleeved and a plated cylinder for my ´83 kx250  there is no diference in performance...  :-)

here's a topic that's been covered plenty of times...I've run both as well....but I'll stick with re-plating, for several reasons that I stated in another thread.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: bansheedave on October 15, 2013, 11:19:52 AM
If you go the replate route, pay the little extra and have them pull those studs. You may never be able to break them free. You might be able to, but I can see one breaking. You can exchange it also thew millennium technologies. That's where I  had mine replated.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on November 10, 2013, 03:33:19 PM
Hello again everyone, sorry it's been a bit.
So I've got the bike it's self ready to go :-D

Stripped the frame to metal and gave it some paint.
All bearings in the bike were still nice, hit them with fresh grease.

As far as the motor goes I got the bearings and seals in the case and its
 ready for the tranny and crank. I May have a question about the output shaft.

Plastics are junk and only on so I can decided to go with green plastic or not.
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM001001_zps94daa5ac.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM001001_zps94daa5ac.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM001101_zpsdf00a6b4.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM001101_zpsdf00a6b4.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM001071_zps6b0cfa06.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM001071_zps6b0cfa06.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: ID KX500 on November 10, 2013, 03:50:18 PM
It's getting there! Good work
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on November 10, 2013, 03:55:41 PM
Question about the output shaft. My dad pulled the tranny and I didn't get to see how it came out.
I need to know how the needle bearing and c clips and everything go together, it's like i'm missing something.
Maybe a thrust washer or something.
My manual isn't much help. If anyone has a pic that would be great!
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Motorrad on November 10, 2013, 04:13:26 PM
Parts fich is your best friend. I'm shocked I haven't worn out service Honda's website over the years
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: sandblaster on November 10, 2013, 04:33:18 PM
(http://www.partzilla.com/images/diagrams/kawasaki/C16/C1623/E1361.png)
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on November 10, 2013, 04:45:58 PM
Thanks fellas I'm pretty sure I know where I went wrong. Will find out tomorrow.
Just successfully rebuilt a suzuki lt250r so my 2 stroke morale is high!
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on November 11, 2013, 01:03:13 PM
Sorry to jump off topic, but here is how that lt250 build went for me :-(
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/CAM001241_zps3c63e2b2.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/CAM001241_zps3c63e2b2.jpg.html)

Ran about 10 minutes, and as i was letting out the clutch on the first ride CLUNK.
Piston pin circlip popped off. Jug is thrashed too.
Why?
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: sandblaster on November 11, 2013, 01:49:15 PM
Ouch!
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on November 11, 2013, 02:13:39 PM
Indeed. The rain is coming, my favorite time to ride and we can't seem to get the pair of lt250s to cooperate.
I don't think kawi will let me down :-D
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on November 11, 2013, 02:27:57 PM
That reminds me, I might start a topic on putting a KX500 in a quadzilla frame we have  :-D
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: sandblaster on November 11, 2013, 02:29:26 PM
Love to see that project.
Incidentally, did you figure out what you ingested to eat that piston?
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on November 11, 2013, 02:31:19 PM
One of the wrist pin clips popped out.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 11, 2013, 03:12:56 PM
Sorry it's been a while guys! I've finally got the beast running.
Now I'm running into jetting issues, although It may just be the questionable gas my dad mixed.
Fired up and ran fairly good first day, pulling wheelies every chance it had, revved up and idled smooth.
Got on it today, let it warm up for 3 or 4 minutes. Took off and in about 500 feet it soaked the plug in oil.
Put in another plug I had laying here (B8es), and same thing. Wrong plug?
First thing i'm gonna try new gas and the correct plug and work from there.
I've never jetted a carb so I'm not sure what to look for. Tomorrow i'll pull it apart and check the jet sizes and needle.

I'm at 1000 feet, won't be going higher than 2500 feet.
Temps between 30-70
Fmf fatty pipe and a pc factory sound silencer.
Any advise would be cool!

Here she is now.
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/IMG_0614_zps8ae9e01a.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/IMG_0614_zps8ae9e01a.jpg.html)
(http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p702/slickjames187/IMG_0608_zpsaa9825d2.jpg) (http://s1347.photobucket.com/user/slickjames187/media/IMG_0608_zpsaa9825d2.jpg.html)


Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 11, 2013, 05:44:03 PM
Ok well i decided to pull the carb apart tonight, I just want to ride it already!

I forgot to mention the first day I rode it, all I had was a misaligned 99 PC works pipe.

The bike came with a pc factory sound silencer, so maybe it was jetted for that pipe?

I've now got a 94 fatty pipe (all I could find in town).

 

This is how it is:

42 Pilot

160 Main

NOZE needle

clip 3rd groove

air 1.5 turns

 

Fmf calls for

160 main

45 pilot

stock needle (my service manual is confusing me, shows only austrailian and european needles for L2 kx250s. Not sure what would apply.)

3rd groove

Air 1.5

 

any help would be much appreciated!
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: motopunk on December 12, 2013, 06:33:26 AM
you could look here for the right needles... european and us- bikes...

www.cmsnl.com   

.. in my sold 97 kx250 was the n3wf -needle . 45 pilot , 170 main , airscrew at 1,5 and complete dep-exhaust... was always a great powerful bike...
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 12, 2013, 09:15:45 AM
Well, i've tried everything I can and no luck. Fresh 91 with torco synthetic 32:1, it fouls a plug within a minute. I've tried leaning out the main and the air screw, it ran longer but not by much. Could maybe the float height be causing problems?
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: KevinTwoStk on December 12, 2013, 02:43:22 PM
The float inlet valve might be leaking, too, even if the float height is correct.

You might have a problem with a weak coil, or another similar ignition problem.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: motopunk on December 13, 2013, 03:45:39 AM
wrong or worn float height valve would be draining gas out of the lower carb tube all the time... or just to less gas comes to the engine .

 had you touched the engine???  maybe you have bad crank seals and the engine is soaking oil all the time... so you could never jet it right, if this problem exists ...

statorplate installed to the right mark??
also take a look to the reeds, but i think the problem are bad crank seals..
which spark plugs do you use??  i had never problems with ngk br8eg ..

Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 13, 2013, 05:01:49 AM
All the seals in the bottom end are new, put it together myself. Exhaust doesn't smell like tranny oil. I'm using b8es plugs, i've tried the br8eg with same results.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: motopunk on December 13, 2013, 07:03:53 AM
than change your premix.. to 40:1 ... which 2 stroke-oil do you use?? 
best you can get is motul 800... 


and you should also try another ignition coil... sometimes sits the devil there ... it sparks at low rpms , like turning the kicker by hand , but then the engine runs like scrab... 

and if this also brings no result, you have to find out that the coils on the statorplate are working correctly... 
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 13, 2013, 03:16:58 PM
I got it! I thought it was wet fouling the plug because there was a bit of oil on them, but i was wrong. Turns out some crap was blocking the petcock causing it to starve out faster than the float could fill!
It runs good! Seems to pack all the punch in the mids, bottom isn't bad, and it gets flat up top... Thats fine by me.

I put all the jetting back to stock and ran a plug test, chocolate.
I'll get some videos out on the lakebed when I can!
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: motopunk on December 13, 2013, 09:26:02 PM
sounds, that is now time to have some fun with the bike...  8-)
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 14, 2013, 04:38:40 AM
Indeed. The biggest 2 stroke on 2 wheels i've ridden up until now was a wore out 77 YZ125, so this bike is a bit intimidating.
I already broke it, sheared the flywheel key off  :-D
Good thing I spend money at cycle salvage, they are starting to just give me the little random stuff.

This was just a quick run around the loop getting a feel for the bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF5QSR_vtrw
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on December 14, 2013, 05:23:32 AM
it sounds good....looks like you need to spend some time routing your cables correctly though.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 14, 2013, 05:25:00 AM
Thats actually what I'm going to do right now, any tips? The pics in my book arent too helpful.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on December 14, 2013, 05:27:40 AM
I noticed the throttle cable wants to be under and behind the front brake line.
get a couple good picks posted of how everything is now....and we can guide you from there.


EDIT...there are threads with pics on routing here too...just have to search for them
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 14, 2013, 05:29:42 AM
Ok let me go get the tank and seat off and i'll snap a few. Never knew cable routing could be so tricky, there is just no room for error on these.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: motopunk on December 14, 2013, 05:35:05 AM
engine sounds realy powerful...   :-D  

the key is sheared, because the flywheel was not tight enough mounted...  

biggest 2stroke i´ve rode is an eml sidecar with the 685cc zabel-engine (same engine is in the maico 700.. ) but i like riding on 2 wheels more ... 8-)
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 14, 2013, 05:50:15 AM
Yeah the flywheel nut that was on there had some messed up threads, got a new one and hit it with loctite.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Slick_james on December 14, 2013, 05:52:43 AM
I've ridden 2 stroke quads (we have 2 LT250R's) but a hundred pounds lighter makes a huge difference in acceleration. I was almost riding on the tank to keep the front wheel on the ground.
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: motopunk on December 14, 2013, 06:06:49 AM
I've ridden 2 stroke quads (we have 2 LT250R's) but a hundred pounds lighter makes a huge difference in acceleration. I was almost riding on the tank to keep the front wheel on the ground.


 :-D :-D :-D...  thats what i have to do on my 500 ..i love this kind of power...  riding 250 is always easy fun ..
Title: Re: 95 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: Goat on December 29, 2013, 08:33:38 AM
Good job. Runs awesome! It makes me want a 250 again :P

On a side note... I put a 91 kdx200 engine in a 87 lt250 frame and a 87 KX500 engine in a 85 lt250 frame. Both are extremely fun. kdx tops out around 60-65 and k5 tops out around 85-90. Build thread on kdx is in kx frankensteins section. Haven't put up the build thread for the k5 yet.
Title: Re: 99 KX 250 Basket Case Build
Post by: queen of spodes on January 01, 2014, 02:33:54 PM
Im sure this is debatable but I would take a 95 any day.  I rode both and the 95 felt so much faster to me.  much better bottom to mid. 

I've owned 97, 99 and 02 KX250 and also rode a '87, to go back a few years.

To me the 97 had the biggest mid range hit.  The 99 was mellower.. snappy, not slow, just not as fast as the 97.   I didn't feel much difference between the 99 and 02.   The 87 had a narrow mid-range powerband compared to the modern versions.