Author Topic: '79 KX250A5 with '79 KDX400 engine fitted ... KX400A5  (Read 41803 times)

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Offline FourstrokeForever

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #15 on: October 16, 2013, 08:21:30 am »
Looks like it came from the factory John. Very nice.
Arrogance.....A way of life for the those that having nothing further to learn.

Offline Speed

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #16 on: October 16, 2013, 11:36:39 am »
Looks great John.  Can't wait to hear what you think of how it rides.

Offline Speed

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #17 on: October 16, 2013, 11:39:24 am »
I forgot to say if you ever want to sell that complete front end.
I know a very good home for it.

Offline John Orchard

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #18 on: October 16, 2013, 02:52:47 pm »
Sorry Shane, the '84 front normally lives on my 'Pre 85' KX250A5.  I just put it on the 400 for the 'Pre 90' class at the Thumper-Cross meeting on Nov 2 & 3.
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Offline bishboy

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #19 on: October 16, 2013, 04:29:00 pm »
That looks great John, a relatively easy fit ;)  Inspiring me to get and do some work on my bikes  ::)

Offline Speed

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #20 on: October 16, 2013, 06:52:02 pm »
Sorry Shane, the '84 front normally lives on my 'Pre 85' KX250A5.  I just put it on the 400 for the 'Pre 90' class at the Thumper-Cross meeting on Nov 2 & 3.

All good mate.  If I pulled my finger out and had a look, I've probably got the bits.

Offline John Orchard

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #21 on: October 18, 2013, 09:36:42 pm »
Tested at The Farm today .....





It sure was different to the 250, I went 'one up' on the front sprocket, not enough, have to find a much smaller rear now.
Johnny O - Tahition_Red factory rider.

Offline FourstrokeForever

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #22 on: October 19, 2013, 09:04:58 am »
John Titman in QLD can make sprockets for you John. I've dealt with him and can honestly say that his service is very old school (as in first rate) and his prices are very reasonable.
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Offline Slakewell

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #23 on: October 19, 2013, 09:18:00 am »
I always wanted one of these and have been very tempted at times when Ive seen those KDX 400 going cheap.
Current bikes. KTM MC 250 77 Husky CR 360 77, Husky 82 420 Auto Bitsa XR 200 project. Dont need a pickle just need to ride my motorcickle

Offline Ktm181

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #24 on: October 24, 2013, 10:18:02 pm »
John Titman in QLD can make sprockets for you John. I've dealt with him and can honestly say that his service is very old school (as in first rate) and his prices are very reasonable.

i'll second that, Mr Titman isone of natures true gentlemen, old school for sure and does very good work, still on the tools too, good to see.

Kt.

Offline John Orchard

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #25 on: November 04, 2013, 10:03:22 am »
Well had my first outing at Lardner Park in Warragul on the weekend, it didn't go too bad,was running first in class until a crash in the last leg, ended-up third overall.

Our race was combined with the 'Pre 90' class, first race the KX was first home outright, beating a few water-cooled CR500's in the 'Pre 90' class!  Took a second overall in the second race too, with many 'Pre 90' bikes behind.

Next on the list of things to improve~ The wide ratio gearbox (lower first & second) does not work on the mx track, now have a KX420 gearbox coming for it.  I'll have to make a pipe for the bike; it had no top-end power, that combined with a wide-ratio box caused the bike to bog-down on the up-shifts if I didn't rev it into the gutless top-end.  I'll try it with the noise-deadening mesh ripped-out to see if that helps, failing that it may be a trip to GMC is on the cards.


Below, getting the jump on the CR500 that won all but one race (which the KX won :-) )

« Last Edit: November 27, 2013, 05:15:27 pm by John Orchard »
Johnny O - Tahition_Red factory rider.

Offline facthunt

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #26 on: November 06, 2013, 09:20:55 am »
PM sent re pipe.

Offline John Orchard

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Re: KX400 1979 FINISHED !!!
« Reply #27 on: November 22, 2013, 12:32:30 pm »
Ok now it's in 'Evo' form ready for 'Open class Evo'.

Fitted 250A5 front end with KDX400 triple-clamps with 10mm less offset and rubber mounted bar clamps.  Forks have new .46kg springs, 4mm preload, 15wt oil at 170mm and original top-out springs cut & ground to 50mm long.

Pipe now has the mesh ripped out, will test this weekend.

Rear shocks now have straight-rate 15 N/mm springs fitted, feels good, I want to fit the same to my 250A5's.






« Last Edit: November 25, 2013, 08:50:50 am by John Orchard »
Johnny O - Tahition_Red factory rider.

Offline Yamahaha

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Re: KX400 1979 updated
« Reply #28 on: November 22, 2013, 12:40:19 pm »
Look forward to seeing it on the grid evo all powers next year John, evo should be a bit more exciting in viper next year I have heard with the return of a few quick fellas. Looks better without the disc anyway!!
YZ 250 modern, YZ 125G, YZ 125E, IT 400D, IT 175G x 2, YZ 400F CR250re,  2012 yz450fse Service Honda CR500AF.   Viper #73

Offline John Orchard

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Re: KX400 1979 updated
« Reply #29 on: November 22, 2013, 12:46:12 pm »
Thanks Brendan  :-)  testing at the Farm this Sunday, coming?
Johnny O - Tahition_Red factory rider.