White '88 Brought Back to Life

Discussion specific to the various air-cooled KDX models sold in the USA
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doctord23
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White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by doctord23 »

I bought this '88 White C-model cheap as a parts bike close to 10 years ago to join a thrashed '87 parts bike and a running '87 in the stable.
The white guy ran, but the plastics were pretty beat-up and it needed crank bearings.
I ended up using the top end parts and carb for my 87 (which I later sold) and sold the flywheel and CDI off of it for more than twice what I paid for the whole bike.
It sat without a top-end in my garage for years.
White plastics rarely come up for sale, but I have been slowly picking up some pieces as I came across them.
Recently, I finally snagged a white rear fender that had been over-sprayed with orange paint, a right side cover and also found a good deal on a flywheel.
That made me decide to bring this guy back from the dead.
Last weekend I split the cases and installed new crank bearings and seals. This weekend I finished putting it together with new gaskets, put the top end back on with new rings, rebuilt the rear suspension bearings and added an H-series carb and new air cleaner boot.

It's alive! but sill in need of some TLC.
Thought I would share the fun of resurrecting a rare and classic KDX.

Image
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
NV Rider
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by NV Rider »

Great! I've never seen a white '88 before.


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1981 KDX 250. Purchased February 2017. A work in progress
2010 Cervelo S1. I know, no engine, but it is a bike;-)
MaverickAus
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by MaverickAus »

Nice job :boogie:
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Tyl3r
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by Tyl3r »

Nice! Looks sweet! Are you going to scuff/polish the white plastics you have now?
05 KX220 Hybrid all decked out
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doctord23
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by doctord23 »

Tyl3r wrote:Nice! Looks sweet! Are you going to scuff/polish the white plastics you have now?
Yes. I have already started. The picture was right after initial test ride.
I'm also going to replace the blue overlays.
I'll post more pictures when I'm done.
It's going to remain a driver but deserves some newer tires and some cleanup.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by KDXGarage »

Congratulations on getting a white one going again.

Check the chain tension and the front brake hose goes on the inside.

Keep up the good work.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
bob_jones
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by bob_jones »

What do you mean you added an h series carb? Did the boots fit? How do you get to the idle screw and choke?
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by KDXGarage »

The stock carb on a 1988 KDX200 is a PWK35. It does have the flip lever on the choke, though. Airbox to carb boot and carb to engine boots are a little different.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
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doctord23
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by doctord23 »

bob_jones wrote:What do you mean you added an h series carb? Did the boots fit? How do you get to the idle screw and choke?
The '88 200 had a Kehin 35mm carb so the boots fit. The intake boot I used was from an '87. The '87 mikuni is slightly larger on the intake side but fits with a little additional tightening of the clamp.
As for the idle screw and choke, the stock '88 carb had a choke lever that can be accessed from the right side.
With the H-series carb, you can reach the choke but you have to loosen the airbox to get to the idle and mixture screws.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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Tyl3r
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by Tyl3r »

Cool man, I'm interested to see how they turn out.

I just saw a another white one on my local c-list:
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/6062821303.html

You are making me want to go look at it haha but I know I shouldn't.
05 KX220 Hybrid all decked out
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doctord23
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by doctord23 »

That one has the white plastics on a green frame.
Kind of a mix of both styles.
If he was closer to me, I'd trade him some green plastics for the white.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by bob_jones »

Oh OK now I understand. You remove/loosen stuff to get to the idle and air screws.
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doctord23
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White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by doctord23 »

bob_jones wrote:Oh OK now I understand. You remove/loosen stuff to get to the idle and air screws.
Not ideal, I know, but it's (2) 6mm bolts and loosen a clamp to pull the entire air cleaner box on the "C" models. Seat and side covers stay in place.
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by KDXGarage »

doctord23 wrote:
bob_jones wrote:Oh OK now I understand. You remove/loosen stuff to get to the idle and air screws.
Not ideal, I know, but it's (2) 6mm bolts and loosen a clamp to pull the entire air cleaner box on the "C" models. Seat and side covers stay in place.
BOOM!! Try that you liquid coolers!! :busted: :lol: :partyman: :mrgreen:
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
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doctord23
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White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by doctord23 »

Did some cleanup today. :cool:
New number plate backgrounds, new front brake pads, cleaned up the rims. A little steel wool and some touch-up paint
The white units had there own tank graphics. I'm thinking that those are going to be impossible to find.
May have to improvise.
Anyway, here's some pics.

Image
Image
Image
My Team Green:
2002 KX-KDX 220
2000 KDX 220
2003 KLX 300 DS
1988 White KDX 200C3
1984 KX500 (original owner)
1996 Honda Magna V4
2017 Honda Africa Twin DCT
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KDXGarage
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by KDXGarage »

Aw, man! That looks nice! :boogie:

The backgrounds look great. :supz:
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
thundermountain
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Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life

Post by thundermountain »

Just got my white '88 and its got a long way to go , I was thinking of graphics too can't wait to see what you come up with and yea finding plastics seems to be the hardest part to find.... no one has that right side panel !

EDITED by Jason to show picture within post (nice looking KDX!)

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