Initial test of 6 month build

Discussion specific to the 1995 - 2006 KDX200 (H Series) and 1995 - 2005 KDX220R (A Series) models sold in the USA
Post Reply
freeindeed
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 04:46 am Dec 27 2017
Country: USA
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Initial test of 6 month build

Post by freeindeed »

On June 16th I finished a 6 month build, (part 1 anyway.) 2001 KDX220.
Then June 19th I headed up north, out of the twin cities rain & lack of riding areas, for testing and break in.
I settled on Huntersville state forest for the day.

Image

1st test ride:
Using (one gallon) Bel Ray mineral two stroke oil and 40:1 for break in, put on the choke and kicked about 5 times before starting. Warmed it up 3 minutes in idle while continually blipping the throttle. Then rode slowiy for another 2 minutes in 1st gear while bilpping the throttle. Then Rode for a total of 13 minutes while continually blipping and chopping the throttle. (varying engine RPM greatly)

Observations: It ran OK at low and middle RPM's but ran rough at higher RPM's. I considered it a successful 1st ride.

Then let the bike cool for 1 hour 45 minutes.

Image

2nd test ride:
Started 1st kick, I think, but then had problems with it revving real high while idling, pinging and then dying after 13 minutes. While pushing it 1.3 miles back to base I had all sorts of theories on what the problem could be. (The problem apparently was the fuel pointer needed to be set on Reserve, so I effectively ran out of gas!)

Observations: Disasterous 2nd ride, thankfully just operator error. It sure was good excercise though (pushing it back).

Let the bike sit for another 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Image

3rd test ride:
While resting from the 1.3 mile push, while pondering packing up & heading home, praying and thinking , it occurred to me the problem could be it ran out of gas and needed to be switched to reserve. So I put the lever on reserve and tried again.
This time it started fine and ran very good. Low and middle RPM ran clean. Not sure about wide open (probably runs a little rough there) but I was still in break in mode of continually varying the RPM. I ran it for about 35 minutes and then it died. This time it was clear that I ran out of gas. So I pushed it another 1.3 miles back to base camp.
(It takes skill to run out of gas twice....in one day!)

Observations: Ran very good. Good low end and mid range power. But one gallon fuel only went about 13 miles! Clutch lever is a one or two fingers pull and not needed when shifting. I don't think I missed a shift. Suspension (.42 fork springs & revalved & rebuilt rear shock with a 5.2-5.6 rear spring) seemed plenty stiff for whoops. Bike seems tall (with a tall seat combined with stiffer suspension)
Image
Last edited by freeindeed on 08:52 pm Jun 20 2018, edited 18 times in total.
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: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by KDXGarage »

Sharp!

Do check the chain tension. It looks a little much.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
freeindeed
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 04:46 am Dec 27 2017
Country: USA
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Re: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by freeindeed »

Jason wrote:Sharp!

Do check the chain tension. It looks a little much.
Yes, for sure will tighten the chain. Also plan to top off the coolant & add water wetter, change the transmission fluid a 2nd time, maybe turn the air screw out to 1 1/2 or 2 turns (currently at 1 turn), and check spark plug condition.
John_S
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 875
Joined: 06:59 am Jan 27 2017
Country: US
Location: Florida

Re: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by John_S »

Your bike looks nice. Congratulations on the build coming together.
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: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by KDXGarage »

VERY sharp!

What brand pipe guard is that?
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
oldmxer95
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 57
Joined: 10:35 pm May 16 2018
Country: USA
Location: Wenatchee, WA

Re: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by oldmxer95 »

I was wondering the same thing about the pipe guard.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
95 KDX 200H, 98 KX250-K5, 84 KX125-C1(Project), 21 Husqvarna FX350
If it doesn't burn dead dinosaurs, then it must be someone else's hobby. :kick:
freeindeed
Member
Posts: 71
Joined: 04:46 am Dec 27 2017
Country: USA
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Re: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by freeindeed »

Jason wrote:VERY sharp!

What brand pipe guard is that?
I looked hard for a pipe guard and thought I would have to settle for a aluminum spinely type guard.
So I talked to Jeff Fredette and ended up with the guard you see. It is made of fiberglass and
seems to be very tough. Its about 3/32nds to 1/8" thick. It is made to fit beautifully on a FMF gnarley woods pipe.
He believes many of the expensive "carbon fiber" guards sold to off road riders, actually have fiberglass underneath them for strength.
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: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by KDXGarage »

Cool. He is still making them. I had not heard about them in a good while.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
VTMTcowboy
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 580
Joined: 07:50 pm May 26 2017
Country: USA

Re: Initial test of 6 month build

Post by VTMTcowboy »

Awesome bike and great break in review! Good to hear your honesty too haha. Enjoy.
1997 KDX 220
2004 KDX 200
Post Reply