Hello from Maine.
Posted: 06:19 am Jul 01 2005
Greeting all!
First off, great site! It’s nice to find such a vast resource of information in one place. Compared to other sites the attitude and freedom to post is a welcome relief.
I just got back into the offroad bike scene after a 15 year hiatus. This past fall I purchased a Suzuki JR50 for my then 6 yr old son and a basket case Suzuki DS80 as a winter project for the two of us. Next up was the search for an inexpensive trail bike for myself. My last bike was an 84 YZ125. I knew I didn’t want another high strung MX bike for trail riding. Nor did I want an older (slower) 4 stroke. I spent a number of years drag racing snowmobiles in the grass, snow and on the ice. During that time I spent many hours and $$$ in the shop, dyno rooms and out on the strip searching for that sometimes elusive “little bit more”. Being familiar with 2 strokes my search was narrowed down to a 2 stroke only. I asked around and did a bunch of research and the one bike that seemed to do it all was the KDX.
I decided to start with an older model KDX. I wanted to keep the costs down and take a wait and see approach to re-entering the sport at the ripe young age of 43.
I found an 89KDX in decent shape for winter price of $900 (it was -17f the day I picked it up). Over the long snowy winter I fixed up the KDX a bit. I pulled the motor, replaced the piston, rings, wristpin and cage bearing, just because! Put in Boyeson Power reeds gutted the stock pipe. I also replaced any suspect suspension bearings.
Once spring hit, well, it rained and rained and rained some more. So what’s a guy to do but spend more quality time in the garage? So I picked up a 90KX250 parts bike and started swapping parts around. The bike had a complete front end in good condition right down to the tire. So I swapped it into the KDX. The 90 is a direct bolt in. I know the 90 forks are not as nice as the newer 96 (Jason could offer more here) and up KX’s, but it was still an upgrade and it’s nice to have the rebound adjustments. BTW, the older KX kick starter is also a direct bolt on, knuckle and all.
Well, the weather finally broke and I’ve got to spend some time on the trails. I’m real happy with my purchase and have also talked two of my brother-in-laws into buying bikes! I’m still in the process of ironing out the jetting. CC seems to be the resident jetting guru so I’ve taken his advice and I am real close with a 6.5 slide, 155 main, 42 pilot, AS 1.75 and a CEL #3 needle. I also have a DEK and CEK that I’m going to play with this weekend.
Anyhow, I just wanted to introduce myself and say great job on the site!
-Mike
First off, great site! It’s nice to find such a vast resource of information in one place. Compared to other sites the attitude and freedom to post is a welcome relief.
I just got back into the offroad bike scene after a 15 year hiatus. This past fall I purchased a Suzuki JR50 for my then 6 yr old son and a basket case Suzuki DS80 as a winter project for the two of us. Next up was the search for an inexpensive trail bike for myself. My last bike was an 84 YZ125. I knew I didn’t want another high strung MX bike for trail riding. Nor did I want an older (slower) 4 stroke. I spent a number of years drag racing snowmobiles in the grass, snow and on the ice. During that time I spent many hours and $$$ in the shop, dyno rooms and out on the strip searching for that sometimes elusive “little bit more”. Being familiar with 2 strokes my search was narrowed down to a 2 stroke only. I asked around and did a bunch of research and the one bike that seemed to do it all was the KDX.
I decided to start with an older model KDX. I wanted to keep the costs down and take a wait and see approach to re-entering the sport at the ripe young age of 43.
I found an 89KDX in decent shape for winter price of $900 (it was -17f the day I picked it up). Over the long snowy winter I fixed up the KDX a bit. I pulled the motor, replaced the piston, rings, wristpin and cage bearing, just because! Put in Boyeson Power reeds gutted the stock pipe. I also replaced any suspect suspension bearings.
Once spring hit, well, it rained and rained and rained some more. So what’s a guy to do but spend more quality time in the garage? So I picked up a 90KX250 parts bike and started swapping parts around. The bike had a complete front end in good condition right down to the tire. So I swapped it into the KDX. The 90 is a direct bolt in. I know the 90 forks are not as nice as the newer 96 (Jason could offer more here) and up KX’s, but it was still an upgrade and it’s nice to have the rebound adjustments. BTW, the older KX kick starter is also a direct bolt on, knuckle and all.
Well, the weather finally broke and I’ve got to spend some time on the trails. I’m real happy with my purchase and have also talked two of my brother-in-laws into buying bikes! I’m still in the process of ironing out the jetting. CC seems to be the resident jetting guru so I’ve taken his advice and I am real close with a 6.5 slide, 155 main, 42 pilot, AS 1.75 and a CEL #3 needle. I also have a DEK and CEK that I’m going to play with this weekend.
Anyhow, I just wanted to introduce myself and say great job on the site!
-Mike