OzVMX Forum

Marketplace => eBay Finds => Topic started by: Stevo17 on November 21, 2012, 01:14:34 pm

Title: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Stevo17 on November 21, 2012, 01:14:34 pm
Check out this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261124627802 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261124627802)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Tony T on November 21, 2012, 01:25:56 pm
Definitely a nice thing, but why would the front number plate and left sidecover be a different colour?
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: TM BILL on November 21, 2012, 01:26:25 pm
Theres been some talk on other forums about that bike , there is some sceptisism ( is that a real word  ??? ) about it being what he says it is  ???

Going by the plastics i can now assume that kwaka plasics fade with age not sun damage . If thats been in a crate for 30 yrs i cant see much sun getting in  :)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Stevo17 on November 21, 2012, 01:29:28 pm
Yeh I noticed the different colour plastics. The front plate looks much darker, I have seen NOS front plates come up for sale that are not discoloured - still a nice bike tho !
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Simo63 on November 21, 2012, 01:41:16 pm
Due to the fact that I'm not badly colour blind, I also noticed the different coloured plastics.  Not wanting to nit-pick but the paint on the frame doesn't look to have survived very well either .. looks to be failing in a number of places.

I guess if it's genuinely out of a crate 3 years ago (and making the assumption that the crate was stored in a dry place), then the only conclusion to be made is that they deteriorate without use or UV exposure.

And thinking that through, these bikes were race bikes not road bikes, built to be used (and abused) for a season and then replaced with the next best thing.  Maybe manufacturers didn't put too much thought into the longevity of paint and plastics, more likely they spent their money on bringing the latest race technology to the punter.  Makes sense if you think about it.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Davey Crocket on November 21, 2012, 01:43:47 pm
Imagine what you could make if you wrecked it?.....food for thought.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: TeeBone on November 21, 2012, 02:08:30 pm
A little bit of Devils Advocacy here, but why ONLY the number plate and LH side panel are discoloured?? Surely, if as surmised, these plastics will deteriorate without use or UV exposure, shouldn't they ALL be looking a tad tainted?  ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: smed on November 21, 2012, 03:20:11 pm
Whether or not it is genuine is debatable but it definately has been badly stored,As well as the plastics it has a rusty chain,tarnished fasteners & the lower fork legs clear coat or whatever the finish is peeling off,perhaps it came from Chernoble Kawasaki :D
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: JohnnyO on November 21, 2012, 03:27:19 pm
That's bizarre to have 2 plastic panels fade but not the rest. Maybe those panels were taken from the bike when new and not replaced till a later date with nos faded plastics?
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: GMC on November 21, 2012, 03:54:00 pm
The colour change is not all that bizarre for Kawasaki's.
That colour fade is normal for left hand KDX175 side covers.
Have yet to see a good L/H cover yet the other plastics are always good.

They must have been using a bad mix of plastic for some parts.

The weathered look also makes it more genuine to me, it would be nigh impossible to store a bike for that long and not have it deteriorate in some way.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: firko on November 21, 2012, 04:11:57 pm
The KX420 is nice but the sellers other bike is waaaay more interesting. Joel Smets 1997 title winning Husaberg.
                                     http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Husaberg-Factory-Husaburg-1997-World-Championship-winning-Joel-Smets-Factory-Husaburg-FC600-3-speed-/261124639669?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3ccc3dcbb5#v4-36 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Husaberg-Factory-Husaburg-1997-World-Championship-winning-Joel-Smets-Factory-Husaburg-FC600-3-speed-/261124639669?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3ccc3dcbb5#v4-36)       
                                     (http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/husa.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Doggy Digger on November 21, 2012, 04:39:12 pm
"Brand New ! 1981 Kawasaki KX420 A2 Brand New ! build for crate 3 years ago !"

Brand new; my arse.
It looks like shit to me ... I can see rust glowing through the "WD40-for-photo" on exhaust pipe.
Probably been stored in a basket case for 30 years, after first having
been caned when new.

Hmmm.  Apparently I'm feeling a little snippy today!
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Davey Crocket on November 21, 2012, 04:42:17 pm
Now your talking, has a 99 seat on it and 98 type grahics....be interesting if he has the proof of it being the geniune article...Ill look harder. The future of VMX fellas. ;D
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: jerry on November 21, 2012, 04:56:36 pm
I'm with you Rog! That pipe looks suss. I'm grumpy too after waking up from night shift. Cheers Jerry
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Slakewell on November 21, 2012, 05:34:58 pm
A couple of things.
he says built from the create 3 years ago. So the plastic has had time to fade. Its in the UK so it maybe different from our model?
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Doc on November 21, 2012, 05:44:56 pm
The KX420 had a rectangular front plate with vents at the bottom. Assembly from the original crate only required the fitting of the handlebars/controls and wheels. Surely if only 3 years ago the 'original' owner would have some photographic proof.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: TM BILL on November 21, 2012, 07:02:08 pm
The KX420 had a rectangular front plate with vents at the bottom. Assembly from the original crate only required the fitting of the handlebars/controls and wheels. Surely if only 3 years ago the 'original' owner would have some photographic proof.

Doc your dead right  ;D its a fraud mister
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: bigk on November 21, 2012, 07:42:12 pm
That is not a Smets Berg, just a production bike,
K
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: GMC on November 21, 2012, 08:10:38 pm
The KX420 had a rectangular front plate with vents at the bottom. Assembly from the original crate only required the fitting of the handlebars/controls and wheels. Surely if only 3 years ago the 'original' owner would have some photographic proof.

Doc your dead right  ;D its a fraud mister

You sure about the plate??
All I could find on the web were oval plates

(http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa365/flattracker/Copyofeaster2011024.jpg)

Your right about photo's though, if he dragged it out of a crate after all those years you'd reckon he would have taken some photo's first.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Stevo17 on November 21, 2012, 08:18:17 pm
I am pretty sure the 80 model had a round plate and the 81 had the rectangle plate
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: ola_martin on November 21, 2012, 10:13:08 pm
That is not a Smets Berg, just a production bike,
K
+1
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: firko on November 21, 2012, 10:34:20 pm
Quote
That is not a Smets Berg, just a production bike,
K
So...with the misrepresented Husaberg added to the dodgy "new" KX420 it looks as if Arizona Mike may have opened a branch in Derbyshire, UK. ::)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Doc on November 21, 2012, 11:11:47 pm
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6149/6034793157_aefa38edbc_z.jpg)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: BAHNZY on November 21, 2012, 11:36:08 pm
The KX420 is nice but the sellers other bike is waaaay more interesting. Joel Smets 1997 title winning Husaberg.
                                     http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Husaberg-Factory-Husaburg-1997-World-Championship-winning-Joel-Smets-Factory-Husaburg-FC600-3-speed-/261124639669?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3ccc3dcbb5#v4-36 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Husaberg-Factory-Husaburg-1997-World-Championship-winning-Joel-Smets-Factory-Husaburg-FC600-3-speed-/261124639669?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3ccc3dcbb5#v4-36)       
                                     (http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/husa.jpg)

Advises its a 1997 Berg when it's a 1999 model. Look close and you'll see it has PDS rear suspension. 1997 & 1998 has rising rate linkage rear ends. In 1997 Smetts used USD 40mm WP's or gold nitrated 50mm WP extremes. In 1997 (for the most part) Joel's bikes had yellow frames.

So what is the bike for sale?
It appears to be a 1999 FC Smets replica special edition. Husaberg built them to commentate the 1998 world championship. I have one myself and all the items described were standard on that model, ie;
3 speed gear box
51mm factory conventiional front forks (actually 50mm but measured 50.9mm)
factory white power rear shock (standard)
factory wheels (nothing factory about those wheels)
SPES exhaust (strait out of the accessory catalogue)
billet cams (they weren't billet, but were a special grind)
etc etc (other than the chain guide, can't see anything else modified)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: maico police on November 22, 2012, 07:32:41 am
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6149/6034793157_aefa38edbc_z.jpg)

Is that a Euro or American ad.(I realize this bike is in the UK). I'm sure ours had oval front plates.
Stan S should know. He sold 'em.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Maicoman on November 22, 2012, 07:48:22 am
I am pretty sure the 80 model had a round plate and the 81 had the rectangle plate

Just looking through my KX 125 A6 parts manual it lists oval and rectangular number plate for 1980. I'm guessing same rule applies for the 250 and 420. Depending on the market to which the bike is released would dictate which optioned plate would go on the bike.
   I agree with all your comments regarding how the bike has or has not held up over the years and for the asking price I wouldn't want faded plastics or paint missing off the frame. Funny stuff with those plastics. I've got Nos sidecovers that are still green as the day they were produced and yet my airbox lid and number plate has gone the same way as this 420.
    I know Takagi made the tanks for all the Jap manufacturers but I'm not sure about the rest of the plastics. I would suspect all were made in house by Kawasaki or they came from a different batch ???
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: TM BILL on November 22, 2012, 08:37:33 am
I am pretty sure the 80 model had a round plate and the 81 had the rectangle plate

Just looking through my KX 125 A6 parts manual it lists oval and rectangular number plate for 1980. I'm guessing same rule applies for the 250 and 420. Depending on the market to which the bike is released would dictate which optioned plate would go on the bike.
   I agree with all your comments regarding how the bike has or has not held up over the years and for the asking price I wouldn't want faded plastics or paint missing off the frame. Funny stuff with those plastics. I've got Nos sidecovers that are still green as the day they were produced and yet my airbox lid and number plate has gone the same way as this 420.
    I know Takagi made the tanks for all the Jap manufacturers but I'm not sure about the rest of the plastics. I would suspect all were made in house by Kawasaki or they came from a different batch ???

That would be right , Australias MA the only country in the world to make riders fit square number boards , and the japs produce a bike with a square number board and send it every where but Aussie  ::)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: madmxrestorer on November 22, 2012, 08:51:03 am
Hi guys , the only things i can see wrong with this bike is the front fender and the front plate . i have been collecting NOS parts to restore all KX's for 1980 -81 and i cannot source the original front fenders (they have deeper valley at the front between the ribs) and the NOS plastics are hit and miss with color change though , try finding NOS fork boots. This may be the real deal ,  some parts may have been  taken and then replaced. I bought a first model CRF450 in a crate and it was used for parts and then they were replaced later. The money is probably a bit high, but if i count for the time i have been sourcing parts and the $ for parts and if your a die hard Kwaka man then hit the buy it now button and enjoy your ebay purchase before some one else does. The old bike shine is a bit of a worry though. Just one more thing if any one has a KX125 1981 and 1982 for sale around Mebourne and Gippsland area i would be interested for the right price ,cheers
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: John Orchard on November 22, 2012, 10:02:18 am
I am pretty sure the 80 model had a round plate and the 81 had the rectangle plate

Just looking through my KX 125 A6 parts manual it lists oval and rectangular number plate for 1980. I'm guessing same rule applies for the 250 and 420. Depending on the market to which the bike is released would dictate which optioned plate would go on the bike.
   I agree with all your comments regarding how the bike has or has not held up over the years and for the asking price I wouldn't want faded plastics or paint missing off the frame. Funny stuff with those plastics. I've got Nos sidecovers that are still green as the day they were produced and yet my airbox lid and number plate has gone the same way as this 420.
    I know Takagi made the tanks for all the Jap manufacturers but I'm not sure about the rest of the plastics. I would suspect all were made in house by Kawasaki or they came from a different batch ???

That would be right , Australias MA the only country in the world to make riders fit square number boards , and the japs produce a bike with a square number board and send it every where but Aussie  ::)


Are you saying that I can use square number board?  ;-)  If I get your approval I will start looking for a square one now.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: TM BILL on November 22, 2012, 10:12:34 am
Jammer i offered you the real deal in the other thread  ;)

I know in the day in Australia you had to run those ridiculous big arsed things but in all the years i have folled VMX in Aussie i cant remember to many people reviving that particular piece of Aussie MX history  ;D

Obviously in pre 85 and pre 90 a condensed version became the norm  :)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: firko on November 22, 2012, 10:45:54 am
Quote
I know in the day in Australia you had to run those ridiculous big arsed things but in all the years i have folled VMX in Aussie i cant remember to many people reviving that particular piece of Aussie MX history 
AUSSIE VMX HISTORY 101: The square number plate rule was still in force when we approached MNSW for the Sup Regs for the first VMX meet at Amaroo Park in 1988. When the eligibility rules were submitted I'd included the allowance for oval number plates and after some serious opposition from Wendy Corrigan and others within the heirachy, they finally agreed to allow oval plates for classic motocross only. It was a victory for the little guys over stupidity.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Rodpack on November 22, 2012, 11:20:43 am
This bike looks the same as a NOS KX420 that was on UK ebay in 2004, right down to the different colour plastics. It may be the same bike 'cause it sold in the original auction. I saved the pictures from the 2004 listing because I was thinking about buying it at the time. It was a lot cheaper then the current asking price. About KX plastics being different shades, I've got several NOS frontplates and they held their original colour. Airbox covers for some reason do discolour but usually only because of airfilter oil. The left hand numberplate is the part that always seems to be a slightly different green. I've picked up 3 NOS ones of those and all have been a different shade to the other plastics.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Marc.com on November 22, 2012, 12:03:26 pm
When the eligibility rules were submitted I'd included the allowance for oval number plates and after some serious opposition from Wendy Corrigan and others within the heirachy, they finally agreed to allow oval plates for classic motocross only. It was a victory for the little guys.

Were you also allowed to wear Nylon riding pants, I heard they were dangerous ::)

Anyways back to the 420, kind of like them, I think watching the Trevor Williams on the SR back in the day gave me a case of the I want its.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: mainline on November 22, 2012, 01:01:06 pm
I reckon it's legit, just because it spent 20+ yrs in a box doesn't mean it should look brand new when it's opened. I doubt it was stored in a humidity-controlled environment.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: JohnnyO on November 22, 2012, 02:28:18 pm
1980 KX250
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc374/JohnnyO31/Vintage%20mx%20bikes/KX250.jpg)

1981 KX250
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc374/JohnnyO31/Vintage%20mx%20bikes/KX250001.jpg)
Looking at these original brochures shows the KX in question has a '80 model front plate fitted which kind of backs my theory that the 2 dicoloured plastics have been fitted at a later date to replace the originals that were taken or damaged from new.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: GMC on November 22, 2012, 03:23:50 pm
The sickly green plastics must have been from a bad batch in 80/81.
Haven’t noticed it on other years but it was common to certain parts.
Air filter oil wouldn’t change anything.
I imagine they had several plastic injection moulding machines, maybe a large one for front and rear guards and a smaller one for side plates. Whatever, there must have been one dodgy operator that must have put the mix in wrong.
It’s not a sunlight fading thing, sunlight fading turns parts white and only the part exposed.
These plastics lose the original green with age and they turn into Montesa vomit green.


The swapping of parts makes sense too.
I knew a guy in 85 that bought 2 new KX 250’s, one to race and the other was just a parts bike to snaffle bits from and replace later.
He intended the second bike to be his fresh race bike half way through the year.
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Andrew L on November 22, 2012, 05:38:46 pm
another one here

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kawasaki-KX420-/130807245367?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item1e74b82a37 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kawasaki-KX420-/130807245367?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item1e74b82a37)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: Maicoman on November 22, 2012, 09:07:25 pm
Further to the discussion just looking at my parts book which is for an A7 KX 125 not A6 as I earlier stated but printed Aug. 22 1980, the accessories page lists

Part# 58029-1008-21 PLATE-NUMBER, F. BLACK (ROUND PLATE) SPEC CODE AL, UK
AL= All Market, UK= United Kingdom

Part# 58029A-1009-6W PLATE-NUMBER, L. GREEN (SQUARE PLATE) SPEC CODE CN, US
CN= Canada, US= United States

So therefore the square plate is US and Canada only but a round plate can also be used. I guess the quality control level in those days varied from day to day :)
Title: Re: New KX420 - sweet as !
Post by: holeshot buddy on November 22, 2012, 10:17:36 pm
i had a close look at this bike when i was at farleigh castle
it does look unused and i would say plastics were replaced because of damaged ones
and the bike has sat around for a while wouldnt take much to make it mint ;)