1984 KX250, the restoration "befores"

DrGreg
Profile picture for user DrGreg
Posts
68
Joined
1/7/2013
Location
Colleyville, TX US
DrGreg
Edited Date/Time 9/9/2019 7:31pm
I looked for one of these for a long time and actually found this one locally about a year ago. Other projects have finally wrapped up so I can now devote my attention to this one. I'm lousy at photographically documenting my builds as they progress but will try to do a better job with this one and share along the way . Soliciting advice and tips for things to address on the build, does anyone know if these had similar frame issues to the 1984 KX125 ? MaxPower posted a valuable Kawasaki Service Bulletin showing how and where to address the '84 KX125 frame. I'm wondering if I need to have my welder/fabricator address anything on this frame while it's torn down ?












2
|
ATKpilot99
Profile picture for user ATKpilot99
Posts
9806
Joined
4/13/2010
Location
Lake Geneva, WI US
ATKpilot99 4/18/2019 6:41am
4/18/2019 6:41am
Looks like a good starting point . I'll be watching this one.
mxracer106 4/18/2019 10:08am
4/18/2019 10:08am
As others can confirm, all of the 80’s and early 90’s KXs had weak frames, probably he reason they are harder to find. Not sure if there was a similar Service Bulletin for the 250 frames, but I would think your welder could do similar mods as was done on the 125s. I know that rear number plate/fender combo from 82-84 was a “love it or hate it” for most, but I think they are cool and stood out during that era. Great project you have there, looking forward to your progress! Oh, you restoring to race? Or garage queen?
MaxPower
Profile picture for user MaxPower
Posts
2646
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
NJ US
MaxPower 4/20/2019 8:27pm
4/20/2019 8:27pm
I couldn't find anything about strengthening the 83 125 frame. So I took a million pics before taking it apart. Once naked I gusseted anything that looked ridiculously weak points . And there was a lot on that bike.
I was so afraid that I had a gusset welded and powder coated in the way of the arc of the swingarm or something. Fortunately everything fit perfectly

The Shop

See All »
Wandell
Profile picture for user Wandell
Posts
7563
Joined
12/17/2008
Location
Cairo, GA US
Wandell 4/22/2019 11:26am
4/22/2019 11:26am
Nice! I always thought those were cool looking an unique.
Fox88
Profile picture for user Fox88
Posts
779
Joined
2/11/2012
Location
Galveston Island, TX US
Fantasy
22nd
Fox88 4/22/2019 2:13pm
4/22/2019 2:13pm
I find it strange that the 1982 KX80 had the rear fender number plate combo, but in '83 they went to a typical rear fender with updated side number plates (and much more, my '83 KX80 ripped!). However, the big bikes all stayed with the rear fender number plate for a few more years... Usually, the mini's are the last to get updated?
ATKpilot99
Profile picture for user ATKpilot99
Posts
9806
Joined
4/13/2010
Location
Lake Geneva, WI US
ATKpilot99 4/22/2019 4:33pm
4/22/2019 4:33pm Edited Date/Time 4/22/2019 4:33pm
Fox88 wrote:
I find it strange that the 1982 KX80 had the rear fender number plate combo, but in '83 they went to a typical rear fender with...
I find it strange that the 1982 KX80 had the rear fender number plate combo, but in '83 they went to a typical rear fender with updated side number plates (and much more, my '83 KX80 ripped!). However, the big bikes all stayed with the rear fender number plate for a few more years... Usually, the mini's are the last to get updated?
The KX 125 went to the standard rear fender in 84 the 250 followed in 85. I had an 82 250 way back when . Had a lot of fun on that bike.
mxer15
Profile picture for user mxer15
Posts
87
Joined
1/4/2019
Location
Lady Lake, FL US
mxer15 5/4/2019 11:56am
5/4/2019 11:56am
I actually rode one of those when they came out wow. I was a 125/250 expert doing pretty good in my class I had Suzukis well my friend had gone and we went riding, naturally I had to try it. It was but far the worst bike I have ever ridden, it had the powerband of a 125 but so much more power, god forbid you hit 2 bumps in a row the rear tire would suddenly be in front of you lol. 4th lap frame broke near the head stay if I remember correctly, the bike was toast with about a hour on it. Restore it just never ever ride it!
riv187
Profile picture for user riv187
Posts
527
Joined
2/1/2015
Location
Lakeland, FL US
riv187 5/7/2019 5:33pm
5/7/2019 5:33pm
Nice bike to restore. I have one as well to redo someday. The articles I found said the motor was a torquer. I have a dirtbike 250 shootout issue, and May 1984 Cycle test issue.
riv187
Profile picture for user riv187
Posts
527
Joined
2/1/2015
Location
Lakeland, FL US
riv187 9/6/2019 1:20pm
9/6/2019 1:20pm
DrGreg wrote:
I looked for one of these for a long time and actually found this one locally about a year ago. Other projects have finally wrapped up...
I looked for one of these for a long time and actually found this one locally about a year ago. Other projects have finally wrapped up so I can now devote my attention to this one. I'm lousy at photographically documenting my builds as they progress but will try to do a better job with this one and share along the way . Soliciting advice and tips for things to address on the build, does anyone know if these had similar frame issues to the 1984 KX125 ? MaxPower posted a valuable Kawasaki Service Bulletin showing how and where to address the '84 KX125 frame. I'm wondering if I need to have my welder/fabricator address anything on this frame while it's torn down ?












Hi, Have you worked on the KX any?Any updates?
MaxPower
Profile picture for user MaxPower
Posts
2646
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
NJ US
MaxPower 9/6/2019 4:52pm
9/6/2019 4:52pm
How about you Brian? You have a 84 KX250 and you haven't built it up to race yet? I'd rather race that than the RM because it's different
riv187
Profile picture for user riv187
Posts
527
Joined
2/1/2015
Location
Lakeland, FL US
riv187 9/9/2019 11:51am
9/9/2019 11:51am
MaxPower wrote:
How about you Brian? You have a 84 KX250 and you haven't built it up to race yet? I'd rather race that than the RM because...
How about you Brian? You have a 84 KX250 and you haven't built it up to race yet? I'd rather race that than the RM because it's different
Many irons in the fire. Keeping my stuff and friends going through season is time consuming,,then working on the barn building paint booth inside this summer, I injured my hand that required surgery and has me out for 2 more months.Hoping DrGreg can give me some inspiration!
MaxPower
Profile picture for user MaxPower
Posts
2646
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
NJ US
MaxPower 9/9/2019 7:31pm
9/9/2019 7:31pm
MaxPower wrote:
How about you Brian? You have a 84 KX250 and you haven't built it up to race yet? I'd rather race that than the RM because...
How about you Brian? You have a 84 KX250 and you haven't built it up to race yet? I'd rather race that than the RM because it's different
riv187 wrote:
Many irons in the fire. Keeping my stuff and friends going through season is time consuming,,then working on the barn building paint booth inside this summer...
Many irons in the fire. Keeping my stuff and friends going through season is time consuming,,then working on the barn building paint booth inside this summer, I injured my hand that required surgery and has me out for 2 more months.Hoping DrGreg can give me some inspiration!
I didn't know you hurt yourself and I forgot about the garage project. I get it,there are only so many hours . But that 84 kx is darn cool

Post a reply to: 1984 KX250, the restoration "befores"