KDXRIDER.NET

So I just swooped up a 87 kdx200 from a buddy for $250. Front forks are toast but I've got a lin on a 04 kx complete front to swap on.

Problem left is the dog bone in the rear suspension is toast. the bottom bushing/bearing where it connects to the swing arm is junk and I can't for the life of me find a rebuild kit. Is it something I can replace with a brass bushing I can make myself?

Otherwise I'm contemplating pulling it off with the cantilever and shock then fine a different shock and build a new mount so it's like a KTM. Am I crazy?

A brass bushing will get destroyed in no time. Those bearings were never cheap even in the late 80s.

Perhaps you can find one at a bearing store or maybe find s used link on ebay with useable bearings.

Ok, looks like I'm going the custom route.

Thanks

I think your best bet (rather than trying to turn it into a KTM rear end) would be to press the old bearing out and figure out what size you need. You can buy pretty much any bearing in existence as long as you know the ID, OD, and length required. I've ordered bearings from McMaster Carr in the past with good results:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#bearings/=159okzy

Just because you can't find a stock replacement doesn't mean the bearing doesn't exist. It just means nobody stocks it for that intended purpose anymore. For a given size, they come in all different types and load ratings. For suspension bearings, you want something with a fairly high load rating and really good seals, but it doesn't need to be rated for a very high RPM (since suspension bearings never actually spin).

Ok thanks I'll keep that in mind. Still doesn't deter me from custom work. I still need to figure out a rear disk brake swap as well.

It's a heim bearing.

I made custom bearings for my '87. Work and last pretty good. I made them greaseable

Got any pictures of that replacement doggone with grease fittings?

I just finished restoring mine from ground up, keep looking on eBay for the rear suspension pieces, I've seen some UniTrak's on there. Pop out the old bearings, match them up at a shop, press them in and your good to go. No custom work and then putting stress in different ways on the suspension that is was never intended.
http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 83#p180346

Not sure how accurate this is but here is Kawa's part number and bikes you can find them on. Got the info from the Tecate website.


part # 59266-1056
Model (10):
KDX200-C1 (KDX200) (1986)
KDX200-C2 (KDX200) (1987)
KDX200-C3 (KDX200) (1988)
KX125-D1 (KX125) (1985)
KX250-D1 (KX250) (1985)
KX250-D2 (KX250) (1986)
KX500-B1 (KX500) (1985)
KX500-B2 (KX500) (1986)
KXT250-B1 (Tecate) (1986)
KXT250-B2 (Tecate) (1987

Has anyone ordered the heim bearings from a bearing company by size? I need to replace mine and was wondering if anyone had any luck matching one of the bearings up by size? If so which bearing company was used and do you have dimensions of what size bearing to order? Thanks in advance for any info

I have an 86 kdx 200 and an 86kx250. The rear swingarms and suspension look almost identical. The only real difference being the kx is 1 inch longer, different adjusters and rear disk. Im going to find out if you can just swap the swingarm/brakes/and rear wheel from the kx to the kdx.

Thanks for the info on the kx swingarm being similar. By the looks of it All Balls offers a rebuild kit for the listing for the kx models and it looks like it includes the bearings for the dog bone which should be same as the Kdx. Here's a link http://www.allballsracing.com/27-1106.html. I might order one and see or I might contact all bills and see if the will sell the bearings separate. The complete kit is on eBay for $70. I'll post again if this works out.

I bought a swingarm bearing kit for my kdx, cant remember if it came with the dogbone bushing or not though.

Wow! Aftermarket bearings that are spherical. Thanks for pointing that out.

I will have to check the OEM parts numbers for match up.

The two link bearings and upper shock bearing are the same as the 1986 - 1988 KDX200.

So I found the All Balls KX linkage kit on eBay for $55 so I couldn't resist and ordered it. Today it showed up and definitely has the dog bone bearings. I haven't installed them yet but don't see why they wouldn't fit seeing the kx and Kdx share the same oem partnumber for the dog bone.

Great price on that. I think the OEM shock bearing is $80.