KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX250 / KX125 => Topic started by: zz3gmc on October 29, 2014, 04:12:39 PM
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Ive been keeping an eye out for a 86 KX250 for a while now. I bought one new at the end of 86 and converted it to race enduros with. I installed a wide ratio 4th and 5th gear and did the typical enduro mods. I raced it throughout the 87 season in enduros, harescrambles and even the Blackwater 100. I ended up trading it in in feb of 88 on a new 88 KX500. I never saw the bike again but always had a soft spot for it as it was my 1st, of many, converted MX'rs that I used for enduros. Fast forward 26 years to last sunday. I was at the Nesco Vintage Bike Show and Swapmeet (Hammonton NJ) selling stuff and looking around. I even had my 80 PE400 in the bike show. As I made my way down one row I ran into a friend of mine. As we were talking, I noticed a sad looking 85 or 86 KX sitting in back of a trailer. I walked over for a look. When I got up to it I couldnt believe what I was looking at! That sad looking KX was my old 250! It was in rough shape, plastics were badly weathered, the pipe was missing as was the rear wheel. Other than that it was all there. It still looked pretty much the same as when I traded it in! The engine was all there and not locked up. Needless to say I bought it back for $40! Ive been gathering parts for some time to build another one like it I never even thought that I would find my old bike by accident! I kept the original tank and shrouds from it and they are in near new condition! I sold it with a IMS tank. I cant wait to start the resto on it! Oh and my PE400 trophied also!
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Been restoring mine, well an 87 for the past few months...
Unfortunately, I've been chasing a hard starting/backfire problem. Messed with the floats this week and she's not starting now :-(
Spent lots of time on her only to have her looking good instead of running like it should.
(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/Final1_zpsd94eee4b.jpg)
dinky,
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Keep at it! You'll figure it out. I read that you replaced all the engine bearings, where did you get them? Im going to do the same thing with mine. Any good sources for parts? Im worried about the powervalves on mine, I remember replacing them when I had it the first time around. Hopefully they are still ok.
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As far as parts...I had a blow with that one.
I got all my parts from partzilla (genuine kawi parts).
I usually chat with them and they'll tell you if they can get the parts. You can also get part numbers from their website, and can find out what other models have that part number.
Oh on the power valves...there's someone here on this site that has an 87 like mine and he pulled the power valves out since he couldn't get them.....he's says he didn't really notice that much of a difference....not sure though.
And I followed the manual on what to grease and the kind of grease to use on power valves. I used Honda Moly 60 paste. A high temp grease. I bet the reason why the power valve break might be due to the grease used, and the maintenance interval.
dinky,
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The issue with the powervalves on the early KX/KDX's was the soft aluminum wearing out. That's part of the reason why finding powervalve parts for earlier Kawis is darn near impossible, everybody trashed them in no time. Thankfully, the went to steel on the later models, got over 10k miles on my original ones in one of my KX's. My hubby was so ecstatic to stumble upon his original '86 KX250, he ran over and told me that I had no choice in the matter, he was getting it! I wouldn't have stood in the way of love reunited of the KX kind anyway. The mere fact it was even on this earth and not recycled into a Prius was shocking enough!
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87 kx 250 runs hard with no power valves but the difference is the transition from cruise to band it just snaps into band its a bit hard to get used to but im their now lol. Now Im used to it and im rebuilding the cylinder and putting my new valves back in
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here is what you need for the 86 8-)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390867979947?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true
this dealer has lots of good stuff for older bikes like graphics, seats , numberplate backgrounds, seals, gaskets....
thats for dinky and ben:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-KX-250-KX250-1987-Pre-Cut-Rad-Decals-Graphics-Stickers/390948794603?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D8777328dd5da4717b7734e790d3156de%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20140122125356%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D390867979947&rt=nc
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Motopunk i did that with the 85 125 and then relised the aftermarket plastics are not the right shape so the stickers dont fit and arent close enough to make fit. Im afraid the 87 will be the same as the plastics on the 87 are not the original ones? Well I dont think they are they say Made in Italy My one original plastic rad shroud says made in Japan but it is trashed
(http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b501/ben_brown5/DSC00978_zps815dc443.jpg)
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here's an NOS shroud decal for the '87, right side...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-OEM-NL-NOS-Right-hand-radiator-shroud-emblem-1987-KX250-56014-1165-/171492813347?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27edc4aa23&vxp=mtr
and the tank/shroud decals for the '85 125...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-1985-KX125-TANK-DECALS-GRAPHICS-/360715231637?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fc4da195&vxp=mtr
and the side cover decals for the '85 125...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-1985-KX125-SIDE-COVER-DECALS-GRAPHICS-WICKED-TOUGH-THICKER-VERSION-/301090553819?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item461a653fdb&vxp=mtr
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yeah im not to stressed about it I can cut that out from the one I have got and the bike is going to be used in the bush single trails so they will get scratched up anyway thanx would cost heaps to buy them all original
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in the bush
haha....that's a wonderful place to be!! :lol:
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Motopunk i did that with the 85 125 and then relised the aftermarket plastics are not the right shape so the stickers dont fit and arent close enough to make fit. Im afraid the 87 will be the same as the plastics on the 87 are not the original ones? Well I dont think they are they say Made in Italy My one original plastic rad shroud says made in Japan but it is trashed
(http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b501/ben_brown5/DSC00978_zps815dc443.jpg)
ben for this replica parts you need a little bit talent in handcrafting... but the parts in your pic are looking very good for replicas ..
i have shown only parts for the 250... 125 is a story of its own... the 86 125 for example is very close to the 87 kx250 and 500
if you wanna look for replica plastics, do it here : www.nightmare-racing.com ... he has quite everything for the kx from 1974- 1990...
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Well I dont think they are they say Made in Italy My one original plastic rad shroud says made in Japan but it is trashed
(http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b501/ben_brown5/DSC00978_zps815dc443.jpg)
I ordered a full set of 87 KX 250 plastics from UFO...made in Italy.
Most likely the "made in Italy one is from UFO"
dinky,
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here is what you need for the 86 8-)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390867979947?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true
this dealer has lots of good stuff for older bikes like graphics, seats , numberplate backgrounds, seals, gaskets....
thats for dinky and ben:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-KX-250-KX250-1987-Pre-Cut-Rad-Decals-Graphics-Stickers/390948794603?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D8777328dd5da4717b7734e790d3156de%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20140122125356%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D390867979947&rt=nc
I thought the radiator stickers were 2 pieces...1 was the Kawasaki lettering with 250, and then the blue & white stripes.
Are the radiator stickers OEM a 1 piece sticker?
dinky,
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I thought the radiator stickers were 2 pieces...1 was the Kawasaki lettering with 250, and then the blue & white stripes.
dinky,
that is correct...that's how they come OEM, in 2 pieces...have a look at a Kawie parts fiche...the "250" part# is 56014-1119
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I actually have the original tank and shrouds from the 86. They only had a couple of rides on them before I swapped on a large capacity IMS tank with blue TUF Racing radiator shrouds. It still had the IMS tank on it and the remains of the TUF shrouds when I found it! The original tank and shrouds were put in a box and forgotten. I found them 8 years ago when we moved so they remained in near excellent condition along with the original decals. Ill have to post a pic later. I wish the rest of the bike stayed in good condition! Im going to rebuild it similar to how I had it set up but add a Tecate stator for working lights this time. I also have a nos KDX digital clock/odo and headlight that will make it onto it as well as a NOS green Acerbis Baja rear fender. I would like to find some reasonably priced nos side panels if not i will go the DC Plastics or Nightmare racing route.
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not side plates, but some pretty pricey nos shrouds...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-KX250-KX500-1986-NOS-OEM-Radiator-Shroud-49089-5009-6W-49089-5010-6W-/231383102724?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35df81f504&vxp=mtr
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/Fb0AAOSwrx5UXLt9/$_57.JPG)
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I actually have the original tank and shrouds from the 86. They only had a couple of rides on them before I swapped on a large capacity IMS tank with blue TUF Racing radiator shrouds. It still had the IMS tank on it and the remains of the TUF shrouds when I found it! The original tank and shrouds were put in a box and forgotten. I found them 8 years ago when we moved so they remained in near excellent condition along with the original decals. Ill have to post a pic later. I wish the rest of the bike stayed in good condition! Im going to rebuild it similar to how I had it set up but add a Tecate stator for working lights this time. I also have a nos KDX digital clock/odo and headlight that will make it onto it as well as a NOS green Acerbis Baja rear fender. I would like to find some reasonably priced nos side panels if not i will go the DC Plastics or Nightmare racing route.
i love stories like yours... and you are the only one who gives his old bike the original tank and decals back that you have taken 28 years ago... show some pics of the actual condition of the bike..
for the plastics that you need, try to find good used ones, if you dont want nightmare or dc ...
alternate look at mayer-plastics (they made also the colored parts for team tuf as far as i know. in blue, purple and orange over the years) ... ufo in italy produces only 87 and newer, but real good quality, much better than acerbis ...
...and for dinky: the oem stickers were very very thin and not very strong against scratches or high-pressure-steam-cleaners. they would also produced by tecnosel in belgium as very thick version...
the decals by evo-mx are made in thick version and as one part to cover the naked plastic and so its easier to set them in the right place... :wink:
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the decals by evo-mx are made in thick version and as one part to cover the naked plastic and so its easier to set them in the right place... :wink:
I myself have to disagree....I just cut my brand new EVO graphics up to match how the OEM's are cut.....WAY easier to install...and gives it a much "cleaner look.
1st pic is an nos '2000 decal I have...
(http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/foxx4afoxx2/IMG_0070_zpsbac9a477.jpg)
(http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/foxx4afoxx2/IMG_0109_zps9034f0cf.jpg)
(http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/foxx4afoxx2/IMG_0110_zpsa16ca8a0.jpg)
I cut both and installed these in 10 minutes a couple weeks ago. :wink:
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Those are some nice shrouds! Mine are almost as nice, theres some scuffing from the couple of rides before switching the tank and shrouds. Come to think of it, I think im going to pick up a aftermarket set so the originals dont get messed up because I will race this bike again!
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I will race this bike again!
when can we see some pics of the old beast? :-D
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Back in 87
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/thumper4str/lissaphonetill10_26_2014227_zps1b21bfb0.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/thumper4str/media/lissaphonetill10_26_2014227_zps1b21bfb0.jpg.html)
Now
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/thumper4str/lissaphonetill10_26_2014229_zps9abea55c.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/thumper4str/media/lissaphonetill10_26_2014229_zps9abea55c.jpg.html)
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In action at a harescramble.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/thumper4str/PERobsNovasomebikesandcritters184.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/thumper4str/media/PERobsNovasomebikesandcritters184.jpg.html)
Delaware National Enduro 87
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/thumper4str/PERobsNovasomebikesandcritters187.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/thumper4str/media/PERobsNovasomebikesandcritters187.jpg.html)
Shortly after I bought it
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/thumper4str/PERobsNovasomebikesandcritters186.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/thumper4str/media/PERobsNovasomebikesandcritters186.jpg.html)
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foxxy... on your own bike you can do, what you want to do... we are all free people... :wink:
nice pics of the old lady in action... but sad to see what happens to her over the years... and she has turned into white colour :-o
the ims tank is still in useable shape. you can re-green it carefully with a heatgun..the heat is melting the surface and brings the green back... i tested it with an old 87 rear-fender that looked similar to your 86 plastics . in the next time i will colour the fender in yamaha-blue and install to my 87 instead of the 2003-fender that is actually there...
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foxxy... on your own bike you can do, what you want to do... we are all free people... :wink:
Jeeze, all I did was disagree with you, and stated the easiest way...
didn't mean to ruffle your panties....chin up, you'll live.
zz3
that thing looked sweet when you had it all done up!...I didn't think Delaware was big enough to park a semi trailer in, let alone hold an enduro.
That'll be a fun resto project.
Here's a few NOS parts if you haven't already seen them...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1312.R1.TR8.TRC4.A0.H0.X1986+Kawasaki&_nkw=1986+kawasaki+kx250+nos&_sacat=10063
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found this basket case, although it looks mostly trashed, for $135 it would be good for spare parts...this shouldn't be too far from you either :-)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-Kawasaki-KX250-2-Stroke-Parts-Project-Bike-No-Motor-No-Title/251663245936?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27538%26meid%3D59aa05093270482a86620534085ccc1e%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D11353%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D361111967251&rt=nc
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/K48AAOSwfcVUKs8J/$_57.JPG)
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Back in 87
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/thumper4str/lissaphonetill10_26_2014227_zps1b21bfb0.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/thumper4str/media/lissaphonetill10_26_2014227_zps1b21bfb0.jpg.html)
Now
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/thumper4str/lissaphonetill10_26_2014229_zps9abea55c.jpg) (http://s9.photobucket.com/user/thumper4str/media/lissaphonetill10_26_2014229_zps9abea55c.jpg.html)
How did you power the headlight :?
And those parts are about 27 miles from me....but I don't needs them :-(
dinky,
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And those parts are about 27 miles from me....but I don't needs them :-(
dinky,
didn't realize you were a NJ guy....you and zz3gmc must live close to each other too.
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And those parts are about 27 miles from me....but I don't needs them :-(
dinky,
didn't realize you were a NJ guy....you and zz3gmc must live close to each other too.
Yep...good ole NJ..
And my bike "should" be ready next year so I'll be looking for places and people to ride with :-D
dinky,
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Im near JB Ft Dix/Maguire. I saw those parts a few weeks ago. Pretty much a mix of parts. The forks aren't KX forks, the pipe is all hacked up, as in 2 pieces! I almost went and picked them up but the wife noticed a bunch of issues with them. Got a great wife here! I was hoping to have it together sometime next year but it will have to go on hold for a bit. Still going to keep gathering parts.
Dinky, I used a battery to work the lights for the races that required them to work.
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yeah, I had a feeling it was mostly trash...oh well...I'll keep my eyes open for other/better stuff for ya.