Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Discussion specific to the various air-cooled KDX models sold in the USA
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NV Rider
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Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by NV Rider »

Does anyone know what model year my recently purchased KDX 250 is?

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1981 KDX 250. Purchased February 2017. A work in progress
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by bufftester »

Its an 80-84. Specific year you can get by checking the VIN number, I believe the 10th digit is the year indicator IIRC
NV Rider
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by NV Rider »

Thank you! Where do I find the VIN?
It was advertised as an `85, but since there is no such thing, I guessed without knowing anything about it that it was an `84. However, I purchased a new air-filter for it that is labeled KDX 250 1984 and it does not fit. The one that would fit would be round. I`m starting to lean towards 81 or 82, but I really have no idea...which is why I`m here, to learn from you guys ;-)
1981 KDX 250. Purchased February 2017. A work in progress
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by KDXGarage »

I will guess 1981. I think 1980 was dual shock. 1982 maybe had white letters on seat.

VIN's are on the head tube, behind the headlight.
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by mtbfree »

Yep, it's an '81. That was the last year with the round air filter that has one bolt hole through the center. I have an '82 and it has the oblong filter with two bolt holes. Otherwise, the '81 and '82 are nearly the same. The side covers are slightly different as well. Here's a pic of my '82:
Image
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by KDXGarage »

Did 82 come with green letters on the seat cover? Is that the original seat?

Thanks for letting him know which year it is.
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by NV Rider »

Thank you guys. It`s good to know for certain I have an `81. Anyone need an air filter for an `84? lol...I have a seat cover on its in the mail way so I guess I`ll have to get another one of those as well.
1981 KDX 250. Purchased February 2017. A work in progress
2010 Cervelo S1. I know, no engine, but it is a bike;-)
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by NV Rider »

mtbfree wrote:Yep, it's an '81. That was the last year with the round air filter that has one bolt hole through the center. I have an '82 and it has the oblong filter with two bolt holes. Otherwise, the '81 and '82 are nearly the same. The side covers are slightly different as well. Here's a pic of my '82:
Image

NIce bike! I see the difference in the side covers.
1981 KDX 250. Purchased February 2017. A work in progress
2010 Cervelo S1. I know, no engine, but it is a bike;-)
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by mtbfree »

Jason wrote:Did 82 come with green letters on the seat cover? Is that the original seat?

Thanks for letting him know which year it is.
I'm pretty sure '81 and '82 both had the letters on the seat. The seat on mine is the original as far as I know. '83 and '84 have different lettering for the kdx logo.

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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by KDXGarage »

It may be that the coloring is different on the KDX175? It has got me confused.

I know what you mean on the block lettering on the later ones. My 1985 KDX80 seat was like that.
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Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by mtbfree »

As best I can tell, here is a rundown of the early 80's KDX 250's. I've noted some of the things that are different, but there are other slight differences as well.

1980: KDX250-A Dual shock, round headlight, white seat lettering
Image

1981: KDX250-B Round headlight, triangular side covers, green seat lettering
Image

1982: KDX250-B Round headlight, L-shaped side covers, green seat lettering
Image

1983: KDX250-C Round headlight, elongated side covers, block lettering on the seat (not sure if the turn signals were standard equipment or just certain markets)
Image

1984: KDX250-C Square headlight, otherwise the same as '83, no turn signals
Image
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by KDXGarage »

Great post! AWESOME. Thank you.
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Re: Just bought this KDX 250. 198?...what year is is?

Post by NV Rider »

Very helpful!! Thank you!!


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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;-)
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