OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Kawasaki => Topic started by: bishboy on October 31, 2013, 10:49:16 am
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I've got a KLX250 rolling frame (or I will soon when I put it back together) and I am deciding what engine to put in it.
I was going to go the KDX400 route but I've now got a YZ465 project so I don't need another open class evo bike, I was thinking an A5 KX engine but as these are like hens teeth, maybe an early KDX250 engine would work?
I was also thinking of maybe a four stroke engine, XL350 with big bore kit, XL500 or one of the XT/TT range.
I'm thinking the KDX250 would be the easiest and cheapest option?
I want to keep it evo legal and I don't really want to start cutting and adjusting the frame to fit an engine.
Thoughts and opinions welcome :)
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I know that there are examples with XR200 (2V) XR250 (79-82) and XR/L500 (79-81) Hondas, one I saw recently had a TT250(2V) Yamaha and all looked as though not much frame fiddling went on.
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250 honda 4 stroke with big bore= nice power, nice handling
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I've got a TS185A engine you can have for $200, comes with frame & rear wheel. The KLX frame won't know what hit it with a light & powerful engine in it ! Plus it has a coils to charge the battery and run lights.
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KDX 250 wouldn't be EVO legal as the engine was never used in a twin shock model.
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KDX 250 wouldn't be EVO legal as the engine was never used in a twin shock model.
KDX250A1 ('80) was twin-shock. The next one, the B1 ('81) was same engine but Unitrak.
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Plus the KDX250 A1 & B1 are vertually KX250 A5 engines.
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I think I'll use the KDX engine, just easier to try to fit and cheaper to rebuild than a four stroke.
Anyone got a KDX250 engine laying around??
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I think I'll use the KDX engine, just easier to try to fit and cheaper to rebuild than a four stroke.
Anyone got a KDX250 engine laying around??
I've got a real good one .. but it's in a bike so unless you want to buy the whole thing, probably not what you are after ;)
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I've got a mate that's got one with a TT350 motor out to 420 in it and its a rocket ship, it goes and handles great, surprised the hell out of me.
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Did Australia get any A1 or B1 KDX250's? The C1 on had a different clutch release I thought. You would know John. I just wouldn't want anyone to go to the trouble of fitting an 83-85 type KDX and find it isn't EVO.
Cheers, Grahame
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To tell you the truth Grahame, I didn't even know that Kawasaki Australia brought in any KDX250's, of any model, back in the day I was one-eyed mx lol
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I have a KX400 engine but have been thinking of doing the same thing as I have 4 KLX's gathering dust. Not sure whether to do it or sell the engine :-\
Stan.
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I wouldn't put anything too heavy or too powerful in. I think it would take a large edge off the rolling chassis performance. The bike is built really light. A 250 Honda engine of some sort should work well. Don't know if the later counterbalancer engine would fit; there must be a shedload around and they are concurrent.
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Hmmm I've been thinking about this, I think I'd be interested in finding a KLX rolling chassis and puting in the TS185 engine that I have, perfect combination of light weight, good power, compact engine, reliable engine, cheap to maintain/repair.
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Hmmm I've been thinking about this, I think I'd be interested in finding a KLX rolling chassis and puting in the TS185 engine that I have, perfect combination of light weight, good power, compact engine, reliable engine, cheap to maintain/repair.
I think that would be a great combination, John. They are a great little motor, strong and easy to get going quick. Jens Olsen here in Wollongong knows all the tricks and is happy to share the knowledge, I'm sure.
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You could run into trouble with the KDX 250 engine as I think they where a center port engine and KLX frame is single down tube version...I think.
edit: just checked google images and it is so...
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You could always put a KLX motor in it and just have a fun bike to ride!!
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Before I would even suggest what motor ...... I was going to ask what you will be using it for ? That would/could make a huge difference in the outcome.
As Geoff said, what's wrong with the original motor. The KLX250/KL250 lumps are not exactly hard to get.
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Er it's stretched 200 lump with very very suspect cam oiling.
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The cam oiling issue takes minutes to sort out !
Even better if you opt for the megacycle cam route. The needle roller conversion is so perfect. Or, the later KL250 & KLX250 C had a roller bearing on the outer. again plentiful. The motor is never going to win in the power stakes, but if sorted right is a dependable solid lump that will take loads of abuse.
Mine did two days and 150 odd miles a couple of weekends ago. Never missed a beat, and 52 mpg to boot. I had better results in enduro's back in the early 80's with this than on bigger and so called "better" bikes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dhW7s9HQJu4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dhW7s9HQJu4)
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I'm looking to build a mxer and that's why I was keen on the 79 KX or 80 KDX engines, light and powerful and cheaper to build than a four stroke. I thought the 80 KDX is a single down tube frame and side port engine?
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1980 kdx 250
(http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag23/kdxGeoff/KGrHqYOKi4E6jKQR3CkBOtzLQOsw60_58_zps995b5ab9.jpg) (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/kdxGeoff/media/KGrHqYOKi4E6jKQR3CkBOtzLQOsw60_58_zps995b5ab9.jpg.html)
(http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag23/kdxGeoff/KGrHqQOKm8E6HjLB-ZlBOty-IIpQ60_58_zpscb4a27ce.jpg) (http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/kdxGeoff/media/KGrHqQOKm8E6HjLB-ZlBOty-IIpQ60_58_zpscb4a27ce.jpg.html)
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The problem with KX or KDX engines will be finding parts, those guys that currently have them snap up anything that appears.
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Just go for the top shelf and use the mighty Big Horn donk.
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Yes I like the engine but it takes more than minutes to fix it really well. I have one engine with the roller cam and another with a phosphor bronze bush in place of the large cam journal.
Even after that's been fixed it still lubes the cam journals via internal drillings in the cam itself, which is far from ideal. Oh and the clutch often vibrates hideously from cold. It was mentioned in old test reports. Apparently they took it apart and found nothing too.!
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I've got hold of a 79 KX250 engine that is supposed to be in good condition, seller also had an extra barrel and piston, so I grabbed that as well. Just have to wait for it to get here. :D
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Got a klx250 rolling chassis.
Trying to work out what donk to put in it........XL350 ?......XL500 ?......anyone done this ??......suggestions ?
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Follow "Paulsky" thread in 'KLX a shared disease'
http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=102.195
Picture of Paul's KLX with an XL350 donk installed.
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt197/Paulsky990/F4AA16B4-D7D0-4EB4-B49A-B91A31D9D06F-803-0000011035441C7C.jpg (http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt197/Paulsky990/F4AA16B4-D7D0-4EB4-B49A-B91A31D9D06F-803-0000011035441C7C.jpg)
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Here's a couple on here for sale
http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=31951.0 (http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=31951.0)
http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=31550.0 (http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=31550.0)
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I'm with Grouty on this one. Get a roller bearing head KLX engine, put a cam and decent exhaust on it and you have a good solid engine with good useable power. Sweet.
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I have a KLX with XL 350 out to 400cc for sale finished run and raced
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Ph 0418 787073
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I have one for sale with the roller bearing head now on ebay.