KX125 A6-A7 frame differences

[tzeggy14]

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I am about to begin restoration of a 1980 KX125-A6.

I seem to remember that Kawasaki improved the (A7) '81 model frame over the previous (A6) 1980 unit due to frame breakage issues.
(I actually saw a KX420-A6 snap in half at Yerriyong, Nowra in 1980 one time!)

What exactly did they do to the '81 frame?
Obviously they improved the bracing around the headstock, but exactly what did they do?
Got any pictures?

I want to fabricate similar bracing for my A6 frame before I strip/painting.

cheers,
Greg

[Nathan S]

I'll take some pics of my A7 when I get a chance.
Its previously broken/cracked the downtube, right below the bracing, so whatever they did to the A7s, it wasn't enough...

[Grunter215]

Isn't the A6/A7 basically the same,they changed frame for '82 B models.The 250 got strenghtened for '82.

[GMC]

Isn't the A6/A7 basically the same,

It would seem so
Part # = 32002-5458
Part Description = FRAME,COMPLETE
Model Count = 2
KX125-A6 80 125 KX125 MOTOCROSS
KX125-A7 81 125 KX125 MOTOCROSS

But with 2 other frame options it would seem they had some update frames to fix the problems

Part # = 32002-1194
Part Description = FRAME,COMPLETE,32002-5458
Model Count = 2
KX125-A6 80 125 KX125 MOTOCROSS
KX125-A7 81 125 KX125 MOTOCROSS


Part # = 32002-1114
Part Description = FRAME,32002-5458
Model Count = 1
KX125-A6 80 125 KX125 MOTOCROSS

[tzeggy14]

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Thanks for the quick feedback/input guys!

Isn't the A6/A7 basically the same,

Yep, (testing my memory here) apart from alloy footpegs, different cylinder (no bridged exhaust port), different exhaust, alloy brake hub levers, green fork gaiters, green "KX" on the seat, and I think it may have had alloy engine mounts too.
.... oh, and I thought a strengthened frame, but maybe I'm wrong on that!

I owned/raced both from new back in the day and they would have to be my all-time favourite bikes out of the 50 odd I've owned since!
I LOVE 'em and can't wait to get this A6 finished!

Yeah, I see what you mean about the part numbers Kiwi215 ..... but I have learnt that you can't always believe everything part numbers seem to be telling you.
I researched TZ (roadracing) Yamahas extensively a few years back and found that they (Yamaha at least) changed parts between models and within models mid-season and occasionally didn't bother changing the part numbers!

I'll take some pics of my A7 when I get a chance.

Thanks Nathan!

Cheers,
Greg

[Nathan S]

Finally:





And because I had the camera out, here's some KDX175 pics for comparision:

[maicoman]

Good pics there Nathan. I have a 125A6 as well. I must have a look at my frame and check for any cracks. Would be good to see some more of the 125's restored. I saw a few 250's and 420's at CD7 but no 125's. Some parts are a little hard to come by like most KX's are they are around if you look hard enough.

I've had mine in the shed for 10 years or more and is on the to do list. I got it off a young bloke that came into work. He saw I had a Thumpernats shirt on and asked if I was into bikes. Sure I said. He tells me he's got a KX125 and that he must get $60 for it. I was trying not look excited and played down my enthusiasm. Went and picked it up and even found an IT250 motor laying in the long grass and snapped that up for an extra $20. The bike is a about 99% complete and a real good base for a project.

Will be good to see the progress on yours tzeggy14. Please keep us informed with plenty of pics.

[tzeggy14]

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Thanks Nathan!

My restoration is a while off yet Brooksie.
Finances aren't real healthy both now and in the forseeable future!

Anyway, I've got to (finally) finish off the RM125X I almost completed about 4 years ago first!
I need to track down a CDI unit for it somewhere.
I'm a bit wary of buying one off fleaBay in case it gets here and doesn't work.

[maicoman]

Yeh I know the feeling. I have a stack of bikes to restore but finances are always the issue. I bought alot of Nos stuff for mine off the guy who used to own Liverpool bike wreckers back when it was on the Hume Hwy. He had Nos complete seat assemblies for $40. I only grabbed 1, wish I had taken the lot. I've got a really nice set of original plastics to go on aswell. I know Nightmare racing does them but I like to use original as much as possible.
Good luck with the project.

[tzeggy14]

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Ok, I've compared my A6 freme to your photos Nathan (sorry about the delay!).

I took a couple of photos of it and now my bloody camera won't upload the shots for some reason! 

At a glance it appears that the only visual difference is the long brace up under the main downtube has, what appear to be, extra triangular plates welded onto it's outside up at the top.

On mine it is just the one piece, without the extra bits.

If I can sort this camera out I'll post a photo.

Greg

[Rossvickicampbell]

tzeggy - I don't know whether it was because they came out just in the prime of my racing time but I loved the look of the 125X - thats a nice bike!

[tzeggy14]

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tzeggy - I don't know whether it was because they came out just in the prime of my racing time but I loved the look of the 125X - thats a nice bike!

Thanks Ross!

You know, I may have to sell it to fund the KX125 restoration, which would be a shame!

[tzeggy14]

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Ok, sorted the camera out.....



I know what I'll be doing straight after I strip the paint off the frame ......
........Welding two triangular pieces of steel onto it, making it, effectively, an A7 frame!
(Just gotta make sure I research chromemoly steel welding before I do.)

I reckon we've solved this mystery now....
The A6 and A7 had the same part number for their frames, but Kawasaki actually added extra bracing on the A7 to (hopefully) eliminate the frame breakage issues they had with the '80 model!

I'm 95% convinced of this, all I need is to see one or two more A7 models with these extra plates and I'll be totally convinced.

Thanks for the input guys! (What a fantastic forum!)

Greg