Author Topic: 1989 KX250 Project?!? (Read 8744 times)

Cabmkr · « **on:** February 25, 2014, 12:59:03 am »

I just picked up an 89 KX250. My first Kawasaki dirt bike, and the newest bike I own these days.

Wondering what I should look for or look out for on this bike as I have no experience with the Kawi's. All my other bikes are air cooled Yamahas.

I have always liked Kawasaki Green!

Cheers

Ando · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2014, 06:22:57 am »

Look's like the US spec to me

Cabmkr · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2014, 07:18:49 am »

It should be a US or Canadian spec bike

Ktm181 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2014, 09:25:34 am »

Quote from: Cabmkr on February 25, 2014, 07:18:49 am

It should be a US or Canadian spec bike

well that'll be a good thing 'cause the standard 46mm conventional front forks were better than ours in Aus! Eddie Warren used to tell me that they were good enough to win on here STOCK standard! That's with Fast Eddie on it though!!!

Nice bike, make it good mechanically and go kick some arse!
Ando has a nice one by way.

K.

Nathan S · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2014, 09:07:30 pm »

They're pretty solid, despite what some Suzuki-loving half-kiwi, half pom weirdo might claim...

possible/likely problem areas are all typical 80s Kawi problem areas:
1. Frame cracks.
2. Slipping kick-starter.
3. Jammed/broken power valve.
4. Floppy footpegs and/or broken footpeg springs.

The forks will benefit from some Gold Valves if you are chasing performance. Like all older bikes, the stock springs (F&R) are far too soft.
My 88 KX250 benefited hugely from being jetted down, particularly on the pilot. Don't know if this is relevant for US fuel/altitudes, but worth looking into.
The 89 tank is a bit of a prized item, considering it is a one-year, one-model only part. The rest of the plastics are dead easy to get, considering they were the same as the 88~04 KX500.

GMC · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2014, 11:53:34 pm »

Looks in not too bad condition.

One problem I had with mine was the primary drive gear, they are held on with a circlip rather than a nut / bolt
This allowed the gear to rock back and forth on it's back lash and it eventually wore the splines on the crank and the gear.
I got some more life out of it by replacing the gear which reduced some of the backlash but it really needed the crank half replaced as well.
I bought mine in late 89 and used it till around 95 or 96

Cabmkr · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2014, 12:03:42 am »

Thanks for the info guys, I will have to check for frame cracks, the kick start gear was just replaced, Don't know about the power valve, what do I look for there. Or listen for? Foot pegs are good. The only real thing I as seeing wrong is the rear sub frame is tweaked to the right, otherwise it sits pretty level. The kick starter needs a bit of attention as the stopper (when open) is worn.

Likely what I will do is strip and repaint the frame, Clean, replace and repack all bearings and rebuild the suspension.

I will check the primary gear for sure too!

after seeing some photos looks like someone got excited with the black paint on the case covers.

Cabmkr

GMC · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2014, 12:11:07 am »

Kawasaki footpegs are notorious for wearing, they will oval the holes in the frame where the pin goes through.
If these are in good condition then it will probably be a low hour bike

Cabmkr · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2014, 02:04:49 am »

Quote

Kawasaki footpegs are notorious for wearing, they will oval the holes in the frame where the pin goes through.
If these are in good condition then it will probably be a low hour bike

Kinda like YZ rear brake pedel pivots. the three 81's i got they are all completly worn out and hitting the cases, rest of the bikes were quite worn also. The 80 I picked up the pivot was hardly worn and the motor was on the std piston

tony27 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2014, 06:59:49 am »

Quote from: Cabmkr on February 26, 2014, 02:04:49 am

Quote
Kawasaki footpegs are notorious for wearing, they will oval the holes in the frame where the pin goes through.
If these are in good condition then it will probably be a low hour bike

Kinda like YZ rear brake pedel pivots. the three 81's i got they are all completly worn out and hitting the cases, rest of the bikes were quite worn also. The 80 I picked up the pivot was hardly worn and the motor was on the std piston

I know what you mean about the YZ brake pedal pivots, bought a new footpeg hanger for mine to fix the problem & rebushed the pedal

Nice looking bike, the black engine covers don't look too bad. Has someone been using the bike for ice racing going off the studded tyres?

John Orchard · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2014, 10:04:14 am »

I've got 2 x complete '88 KX250's for sale if anyone wants em, was told they run when I bought them but haven't tried to start them, both have spark, one is low on comp and slips with the kick start gear. $3900 for the pair, only just bought them for $4600 but haven't got time to fix em up.

Cabmkr · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2014, 12:25:39 am »

Quote

I know what you mean about the YZ brake pedal pivots, bought a new footpeg hanger for mine to fix the problem & rebushed the pedal

Nice looking bike, the black engine covers don't look too bad. Has someone been using the bike for ice racing going off the studded tyres?

On the YZ I had the foot peg hanger skimmed back to round and rebushed the Pedal, as new now.

I am not exactly sure if the bike was used for the ice or was GOING to be used for the ice, it has all new studs, never used and either new or lightly used tires. Up here we usually wouldn't stub both sides of the tires. Maybe they were going to do a road course

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