A interesting dilemma

Discussion specific to the various air-cooled KDX models sold in the USA
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

As I have mentioned in a previous post I have two barn find KDX's a 85 air cooled 250 and a 91 200 water bucket, so the dilemma for me is which one to move on to fund the other, I have had some experience with early 2 stokes mx'ers late 70's and early 80's but the road trail bikes are new to me, neither has been run for years, the 250 has good comp and was apparently rebuilt but they could never get it to run right, the 200 is a bit soft, they both have complete plastics and nothing appears to be missing except for indicators and tool bags, any thoughts,suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated, I will post some pics soon as I have a spare and rare weekend off lol
Cheers jstcraig


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
knottyrope
Member
Posts: 25
Joined: 12:50 pm Apr 11 2017
Country: USA

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by knottyrope »

the 91 is going to have more power and better suspension

the 85 wont ever need a water pump or worry about radiator leaks
david
Member
Posts: 524
Joined: 08:30 pm Oct 10 2011
Country:
Location: Forney, TX

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by david »

91 is going to be easier to find parts for. These weren't designed as road bikes, they are woods bikes. The head light and tail light are only for safety when riding in dimly lit forests.
'81 KDX 175
'90 KDX 200
'07 Vulcan 2000 Classic LT (totaled 4/25/15)
'82 Honda GL500 (sold)
'96 ZXi 1100 JetSki
'98 STX 1100 JetSki
User avatar
Julien D
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 5858
Joined: 07:53 pm Nov 07 2008
Country: USA
Contact:

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by Julien D »

Yeah, I'd lean toward the E series as well. The 85, while a very cool old bike, is going to be much more problematic to source parts for.
Image
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by KDXGarage »

The newer one is going to be LESS DIFFICULT to find parts for.

david, he is in Australia, they may be a road legal AUS version, not just an off-road only version as was sold in the USA.

1983 - 1985 is the "A" "Pure enduro model"

1984 - 1985 is the "B" "Street legal enduro model based on KDX200-A"

...and that explains why in the USA, it skips from the "A" models to the "C" models... AND YOU GUESSED IT, from "C" to "E". :cool:
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

Thanks for the input, they were both used for mustering cattle on a station(ranch), yes in Australia they are road registrable, so OEM Kawasaki engine parts for the 85 will be difficult that's a shame I was leaning towards the air cooled.
Cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
KDX Geoff
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 156
Joined: 11:29 pm May 26 2013
Country:

A interesting dilemma

Post by KDX Geoff »

I've got a mate in Perth that might be a starter on the '85 250 if you wanted to move it on.
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

Thanks Geoff, I will check with the local dealer to see what gaskets and seal are available, if it's a bridge to far I will let you know


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
KDX Geoff
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 156
Joined: 11:29 pm May 26 2013
Country:

A interesting dilemma

Post by KDX Geoff »

You can get your part numbers from Partzilla and go looking on feebay.

The local dealer will be of little help on the 85.
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

Being new to this I have jst realised I do not know how to add pics ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by KDXGarage »

Those don't look real bad. I thought they might be worse with the way you had described them. :hmm:

EDIT: jstcraig, I combined your new picture thread into this one. I replied in the other one before reading this one. I thought maybe you were trying to put them here, so I did. Sorry for any confusion.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

All good champ, thanks for the assistance I'm sure I will get the hang of it eventually, looks like the inlet manifold is "rs" on the 250, started to clear some work space in the work nook


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
KDX Geoff
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 156
Joined: 11:29 pm May 26 2013
Country:

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by KDX Geoff »

jstcraig wrote:Image[img]https://uploads.tapatalk-


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's a pretty complete looking bike, I'd almost drive to Perth for it :grin:
david
Member
Posts: 524
Joined: 08:30 pm Oct 10 2011
Country:
Location: Forney, TX

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by david »

Those look pretty good. They should clean up nicely. Is that a metal tank on the '91?
'81 KDX 175
'90 KDX 200
'07 Vulcan 2000 Classic LT (totaled 4/25/15)
'82 Honda GL500 (sold)
'96 ZXi 1100 JetSki
'98 STX 1100 JetSki
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

Yes, looks fairly clean in side as well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

KDX Geoff wrote:
jstcraig wrote:Image[img]https://uploads.tapatalk-


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's a pretty complete looking bike, I'd almost drive to Perth for it :grin:
You never know Geoff it might be up for grabs lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
jstcraig
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 144
Joined: 03:01 am Oct 17 2014
Country: Australia
Location: Perth WA AUS T.

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by jstcraig »

KDX Geoff wrote:You can get your part numbers from Partzilla and go looking on feebay.

The local dealer will be of little help on the 85.
The dealer seemed fairly positive about bearings seals and gaskets but they might be overly optimistic from what everyone seems to be saying on the forum


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
david
Member
Posts: 524
Joined: 08:30 pm Oct 10 2011
Country:
Location: Forney, TX

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by david »

jstcraig wrote:Yes, looks fairly clean in side as well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Then that one for sure was a road legal bike. Some tires, fork seals, and a pressure washer bath and you will have a solid platform to start with.
'81 KDX 175
'90 KDX 200
'07 Vulcan 2000 Classic LT (totaled 4/25/15)
'82 Honda GL500 (sold)
'96 ZXi 1100 JetSki
'98 STX 1100 JetSki
KDX Geoff
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 156
Joined: 11:29 pm May 26 2013
Country:

Re: A interesting dilemma

Post by KDX Geoff »

jstcraig wrote:
KDX Geoff wrote:You can get your part numbers from Partzilla and go looking on feebay.

The local dealer will be of little help on the 85.
The dealer seemed fairly positive about bearings seals and gaskets but they might be overly optimistic from what everyone seems to be saying on the forum


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I get all my bearings and seals at the local bearing shop.

I take in a sample and walk out with new bearings/seals. Good prices too.
Post Reply