KLX's - a shared disease

[HVA61]

Hey Grouty

That is a very nice looking KLX youv'e got there.
I like the Yellow number plates on the rear , if you reduce the the overall diameter by approx. %30 thay will look super. (Thats what we do on the earlier Huskys.

How good does it go compared to a standard 250 KLX.

Cheers

Rob

[grouty]

Thanks Rob.
Yes, I agree the side plates could be smaller, but those are the standard available here (UK). They are the same as the ones fiited to my 78 390WR. If you know of someone selling smaller ones I would like to know.
As for performance .... not sure yet. It's smoother and revvier than before. But not quite run in yet. I aim to use it in anger in the next week or so. Maybe then I will decide if it's been worth it. A session on a rolling road would probably help. I am sure both the cam timing (nightmare) and the mixture can be tweeked. The air box is the major issue. As deep water is envisaged, drilling holes in the box is not really on the cards.
Trouble is, after riding the Husky lately, I really want the KLX to be as good. That isn't going to happen !

[HVA61]

Your Welcome , that is a top looking bike and hope it continues to go well for you.

I know what you mean  when you mention the 78 390 husky as we have a very good example of the model and its an absolute pleasure to ride.

We generally trim down the oval number plates in the workshop.

If you PM me your email address i will send you a photo of our  78 390 auto with the reduce number plates fitted to the rear guard. Really looks the goods and is a bit more user friendly to the standard version of fixings etc.  i have a little trouble from time to time posting images on this site.

[JohnnyO]

It would also be interesting to measure the KLX/KL barrel to see if there is enough meat to machine out and fit a KLF liner. I suspect not as Kawasaki would probably gone that route if they could.

I don't see why not. I big bored my KLX in the day. There was a 290 (292?) option and a 170 (?) option. I went the 290 option and for this one I had to have the cases machined to accept the bigger liner.
One draw back with mine was I reckon the oil passage ended up to close to the bore.
If I had my time again I would move that oil passage further out.

Back in 1980 i bored my KLX to 300cc using 1/4 of a 1200cc road bike big bore kit. A new sleeve was fitted and the cases bored, it went heaps better but constantly broke gearboxes with the extra grunt.
I got sick of it breaking and moved it on but it was a great bike to ride, even did a few MX meetings on it.

[firko]

Back in 1980 i bored my KLX to 300cc using 1/4 of a 1200cc road bike big bore kit

Bingo! That reminds me.......
I've got one last well used Venolia piston and rings that was made for a 1275 big bore kit in my old Z1-R Kawa drag bike. I've sold the other three over the last 20 years to KLX owners. The only downside with this one is that it's a 14:1 methanol piston and it's got a 1c sized chunk missing from the skirt, so it'll need a bit of surgery. I vaguely recall that it gives 320cc or therabouts and that the oil line needs to be run externally. I'll give it to anyone who wants it for the cost of a cold schooner .

[sa63]

Well Paulsky you dont muck around. looking forward to your report.

I have just finished a motor using MTC 262 cc piston + 1 1/2" pipe. klt roller bearing head, ports matched etc. and klx muffler gutted to a straight through 35 mm core to match the header..
standard klt cam in the KZ 200 trim Sounds great, sounds MEAN !!! standard jetting was ok maybe a tad rich..

BUT after a 45mins run in a mate and I (weigh the same) had roll on 2nd gear drags using a rattly old 83' model xr 200 that I can kick start with my my hand...

GUESS which was faster!

The xr flogged the pants off the KLX !!!

Anyway this one is super original, 9600 km, for the missus/ kids just want it to go mildly better.
Somwhat tempted to send the extra cam I have to Waggets so I can at least say I tried it with a 350 thou lift cam... SLAP get real..

Hmmm!

Now, the extra roller I got with this one and the spare xr 200 motor I have, powroll stroker kit.....

[JohnnyO]

Sean along with the 300 kit i put a 34 Mikuni round slide on it on methanol and took the baffle out of the std pipe and it absolutely hammered. Only problem was the glass gearbox..

[justanothercgrader]

Hi Guy's,

I read these posts with baited breath, these KLX,s look so trick, and lots of build up information too.
Are they really that slow that an XR200 will pass them?

Mark

[cloggy]

 Put it this way.
It's a great woods bike. Faster than me anyway!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSWBTeAguTU&playnext=1&list=PLE3A55090EFD319F6&feature=results_main

[grouty]

Mark, you are right. In stock form they really are that slow 
But, they handle so well that they can be kept pinned for longer into corners (you need to !).

Mine is now very happy with the 270 conversion and a megacycle cam. Been out trailing it here in the uk for the last few weeks and it is perfect.
Shows up a great many new bikes up the steep wet polished rock we have where I live.

[cloggy]

  Perfect balance, loads of soft suspension, heavy flywheels and not much power make it super easy to ride on slimy rock.  I did a lot of the Beacons on the kill switch as the throttle kept sticking, that's another thing they were known for and a result of it being a parts bin special, it really needs both throttle cables. The tank rubs the carb.

[farmer58za]

Saw this bike go at the [very muddy] Syringa VMX meet a couple of weeks ago. Put's all it's power to the ground. Very impressive - got some good finishes.

Well done Paulsky!

Regards
David

It's done, 412 cc, megacycle cam and a flatslide carb, gonna run it on Wed, let you guys know how it goes

[farmer58za]

Nice looking bike Grouty
I cut  these number plates from a couple of yellow safety signs, bought at the local builders merchant and zip tied them in place.
 http://s215.beta.photobucket.com/user/farmer58za/media/127-2715_IMG.jpg.html

Will you be riding in the ISDT Centenary event in August? I have contacted the organisers but not got too much info back yet.

Regards
David

 

Thanks Rob.
Yes, I agree the side plates could be smaller, but those are the standard available here (UK). They are the same as the ones fiited to my 78 390WR. If you know of someone selling smaller ones I would like to know.
As for performance .... not sure yet. It's smoother and revvier than before. But not quite run in yet. I aim to use it in anger in the next week or so. Maybe then I will decide if it's been worth it. A session on a rolling road would probably help. I am sure both the cam timing (nightmare) and the mixture can be tweeked. The air box is the major issue. As deep water is envisaged, drilling holes in the box is not really on the cards.
Trouble is, after riding the Husky lately, I really want the KLX to be as good. That isn't going to happen !

[grouty]

Will you be riding in the ISDT Centenary event in August? I have contacted the organisers but not got too much info back yet.

Regards
David

 Yes, will (all being well) be riding the ISDT Centenary. I guess there won't be much info out until the new year.
My plan is to take two bikes and give them both a run out. I know it is a non-competitive event, but I am hoping there will be some decent riding and not too much tarmac work.

[grouty]

I have given the KLX a couple of short run outs in the last few weeks. But had a good ride out yesterday (all day). We have had some severe flooding down here in SW England. The wife also bought me a Gopro for my birthday just before christmas.
If the link to the vids come out, great. If not ......

http://youtu.be/ky6snCBSVUI

http://youtu.be/4RQuTQpQlqM