Ok I am taking the Hybrid Plunge

Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 06:40 pm Oct 23 2010

After reading for hours on end all of the hybrids on this forum, I decided to take the plunge! Just bought an 03 Kx 125 and I have an 03 KDX 220. The KX 125 I just bought has Race Tech Forks and rear shock. Can these be modified to accommodate a 190lbs rider or should I invest in KX 250 forks and rear shock? If I should go with KX 250 forks and shock what years should I look for that will work well with the 03 KX 125. Will I need new triple clamps to accommodate the KX 250 forks?

Thanks for the help!

Coop · Post by **Coop** » 06:50 pm Oct 23 2010

With proper springs front and rear, I think that suspension will be fine.

Good luck and post lots of pictures

Bouillion · Post by **Bouillion** » 07:36 pm Oct 23 2010

I used a stock O5 KX for my hybrid and I am right at 185lbs. Not sure what type of riding you are doing but, the suspension has worked fine for me in the woods and the one time I took it to the track?

Good luck with the build! I used an 02 KDX 220, it was like it was meant to be there![img

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Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 07:48 pm Oct 23 2010

Thanks for the quick replies. I will be using it for mostly woods riding, with a mixture of single track in west TN. Hoping to have it as plush as the KDX.

Tedh98 · Post by **Tedh98** » 08:23 pm Oct 23 2010

Make sure you double check p/n's before you buy something that isn't for an '03 KX. I know the swingarm, rear shock and linkage and some frame changes were unique to that year. There may be some other differences from '04 & '05, but those are the ones I'm familiar with.

Once you get it running, you might find you need a revalve or a spring change on that suspension, but you shouldn't need to get rid of the 125 parts and replace with 250 pieces.

Have fun!

Bouillion · Post by **Bouillion** » 06:17 am Oct 24 2010

Kman6287 wrote:Thanks for the quick replies. I will be using it for mostly woods riding, with a mixture of single track in west TN. Hoping to have it as plush as the KDX.

I did go to an 18" rear wheel after 2 rides in the woods, it was real squirrelly with the MX tire! I have a Wisco piston and Reed Force Valves. It is a wheelie monster in 2nd and 3rd.

Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 08:00 am Oct 24 2010

Did you use the 18inch wheel from the KDX or did you purchase a 18inch rim? My KDX 220 has the RB head and Carb mod so I think it should really give some great performance in the KX. From all of my reading on this site it looks like my Gnarly pipe will not work and will have to go to a PC pipe is that correct?

Bouillion · Post by **Bouillion** » 12:36 pm Oct 24 2010

Kman6287 wrote:Did you use the 18inch wheel from the KDX or did you purchase a 18inch rim? My KDX 220 has the RB head and Carb mod so I think it should really give some great performance in the KX. From all of my reading on this site it looks like my Gnarly pipe will not work and will have to go to a PC pipe is that correct?

I purchased an Excel 18" rim. I have a Gnarly on my 05 and although the clearance is tight, it works. Plus I think the reason its so tight is that my son fell on the KDX and bent it before we did the build.

Tedh98 · Post by **Tedh98** » 02:38 pm Oct 24 2010

The PC II pipe will fit without modifications. Any other pipe can be made to fit with cutting and denting.

Post by **scheckaet** » 03:22 pm Oct 24 2010

mine didn't fit any better than my fmf for my 02 hybrid. it lined up good but was 1-2 inches too short...

Tedh98 · Post by **Tedh98** » 03:47 pm Oct 24 2010

scheckaet wrote:mine didn't fit any better than my fmf for my 02 hybrid. it lined up good but was 1-2 inches too short...

Sounds like there is a difference between the '03+ and the '99-'02 bikes.

Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 02:39 pm Oct 25 2010

Here is before pics of my 03 KDX 220 and the newly acquired 03 KX 125. First time trying to load an image so hopefully it works. I won't begin the tear down of the KDX until after my last ride Thanksgiving weekend. I will however begin the tear down of KX to prep it for the new motor and parts.

After making the swing arm modifications would it be wise to have the swingarm powder coated and keep it as is?

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THill · Post by **THill** » 08:30 am Oct 31 2010

I'd just use some Scotch Brite to clean it up real good and add a little spray can clearcoat will keep it looking great...
Where in TN are you located ?
Nashville area here......

Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 05:52 pm Nov 01 2010

Thanks for the tip on using scotch brite. i am located just North of Memphis, wish I were in the Nashville area, as that is a nice area. Military brought me to Memphis otherwise it wouldn't not have been my choice.

Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 11:26 am Nov 05 2010

Looking to selling the engine from the KX and I noticed in some of the posts that folks recommended to list it on a go-cart site. Does anyone recommend a good go-cart sight and a ball park figure what it might be worth. It runs good, all gears work, clutch is sound and starts on the first kick or two. It also has the Athena cylinder and head. But that is all I know about it.

ihatefalling · Post by **ihatefalling** » 09:44 pm Nov 05 2010

THill wrote:I'd just use some Scotch Brite to clean it up real good and add a little spray can clearcoat will keep it looking great...
Where in TN are you located ?
Nashville area here......

HA...I think there are several TN riders on this site. I'm in Franklin. We need to all get together and ride one day.

SAPPER · Post by **SAPPER** » 02:03 pm Nov 07 2010

what year is the kx? and how much u askin for it?

Bouillion · Post by **Bouillion** » 06:36 pm Nov 07 2010

Kman6287 wrote:Looking to selling the engine from the KX and I noticed in some of the posts that folks recommended to list it on a go-cart site. Does anyone recommend a good go-cart sight and a ball park figure what it might be worth. It runs good, all gears work, clutch is sound and starts on the first kick or two. It also has the Athena cylinder and head. But that is all I know about it.

I sold mine on ebay for $950 and the guy paid an extra $400 to ship it to Singapore.

Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 10:37 am Dec 27 2010

Well I begun the tear down of the 2003 KX 125. It went fairly smoothly until I had to get the swing arm bolt out. It had some type of factory weld that was impacting the head of the swing arm bolt. I had to take a dremel tool to reduce the weld around the head. She is fully torn down and I pressed out all bearings...steering, swing arm,, shock, linkages, and wheel. However I broke a weld on the swing arm while trying to remove the bushings, should have supported it better. Found a replacement swingarm on ebay and hope to have it by the end of the week. I sent off forks and shock to have them overhauled, re-sprung for my weight and revalved for woods. Should get them back this week. Cut off the old motor mounts, tried at first to use the 4" angle grinder but it was difiicutlt to get the angle I needed to cut, used the dremel with a cut off wheel which worked fine. I then ground down the welds with the 4"grinder. See picture below of frame with mounts cut off and ground down. Next on the list is to begin the tear down of my 2003 KDX 220 to get the engine out. She was faithful and I am a bit reluctant to begin carving on her as that would be the point of no return!

<a href="http://s1095.photobucket.com/albums/i46 ... C00121.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i46 ... C00121.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>

Kman6287 · Post by **Kman6287** » 10:41 am Dec 27 2010

OK I a slightly "behind the power curve" on the picture uploads. Hopefully this one will work. Picture of the frame with mounts cut off and welds ground down

KDXRIDER.NET

KDXRIDER.NET

Ok I am taking the Hybrid Plunge

Ok I am taking the Hybrid Plunge

05 Hybrid

Rear Wheel

My 05 KX Motor