Picked up a free dirt bike....

[adventureduo]

yes FREE!

1988 Kawasaki KDX200... don't know if it runs, there's no fuel in the tank. Been sitting for at least 5-7 years... green sticker shows 2003.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7892/76311049149767814179782.jpg

It's going to be my little project down the road. Something fun to tinker on and ride on local mtn forest roads.

Im excited. I'd love to get a street plate/light kit for it.. but i heard its almost impossible here in CA now to jump through the hoops.

[Chas Stricker]

Free is always good. My riding buddy sold his XR600 a few years back and bought a KDX because of bad knees. He loves the bike. He had.....now I can't remember who...rebuild the suspension and engine. It trail rides really well. He can also still walk when he's done. Enjoy the build.
Chas

[cruiseroutfit]

Can't beat that :cool:

Hopefully some fresh fuel and spark, clean up the air filter and she's back in business! If your truly interested in getting it plates, a trip to Utah and a local addy will seal the deal :D Though just recently we added turn signals to the list of needed bike components. Basically headlight, tail/brake combo, turn signals, mirror and horn.

[KEENO]

:)The KDX200 was a sweet little ride in it's day! Almost had a cult following among enduro riders... Great Bike!

KEENO

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I'd love to get a street plate/light kit for it.. but i heard its almost impossible here in CA now to jump through the hoops.

Don't give up so soon...my cousin has been "converting" his bikes to dual sports for years with Baja kits. He lives in San Jose and seems not to have many problems.

Looking forward to your build. I have a Yami WR250r and am looking to ride on mountain trails and fire roads. We have an old cabin in Green Valley Lake and there is a FS road that runs on over to Fawnskin...I've always wanted to ride it. See you in the locals.

[adventureduo]

Just got back from Malcom Smith.... the place is still in business! Malcom was actually there too!

Picked up some oil so i can see if she'll fire..

Also, Can-Am trikes were there giving free test rides! Too bad i was in shorts and sandals!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/3016427243_bf0627dbee.jpg

[adventureduo]

It's a runner! Ignore the fat dude with funny clothing in the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7TriejWP0c

[dms1]

Hey, Dave, good job on the KDX200, long live 2 strokes.

P.S. Get a new rear tire on that thing, looks bald.

[R_Lefebvre]

Cool. I had a Yamaha DT200R a few years back. Basically the same deal as that bike, only it was street legal from the factory. I just don't like the power delivery of 2 strokes, so I sold it and got my WR250.

But a free beater bike is great.

[Funrover]

Very cool!

[BigAl]

COngrats on the new ride. My buddy had a 90 KDX 200, he put a pipe on it and I think some larger jets. It would run with my stock 91 RM250 pretty well. Is my monitor fuzzy or is that back tire completely bald?

[ntsqd]

Rear tire looks to have been a sand paddle that someone rode to extinction.

[adventureduo]

P.S. Get a new rear tire on that thing, looks bald.

It's a worn down paddle LOL

Makes for a fun ride in the concrete jungle :D

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

E-Haaaaaaaaa...ride 'em cowboy!:roost: Good luck with the reincarnation. Free is goooooood.

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Hey- right on Dave! The KDX200 was my first big-boy's bike... fun ride, and you can't beat free!

[adventureduo]

I should of never taken that free bike dang it! I've rode it twice and now im looking at other bikes like the KLR650 :(

[ntsqd]

I see small bikes kind of like a .22LR rifle. You shoot it a bit and you start looking at bigger, more powerful calibers. After having your shoulder beat up by those bigger, more powerful calibers for a while you find that for just plinking only the .22LR's are making the trip. Then you have a lot of $$$ tied up in something that rarely gets used. BT, DT & learned from it. I think. :sombrero:

[EMrider]

Congrats. The KDX200 is an amazingly simple and reliable bike. Not surprised it fired up after sitting for so long.


I see small bikes kind of like a .22LR rifle. You shoot it a bit and you start looking at bigger, more powerful calibers. After having your shoulder beat up by those bigger, more powerful calibers for a while you find that for just plinking only the .22LR's are making the trip. Then you have a lot of $$$ tied up in something that rarely gets used. BT, DT & learned from it. I think. :sombrero:

That was exactly my experience. For offroad and non-highway dualsporting, a 250cc bike meets my needs just fine.

[adventureduo]

Ok, so im listening to you guys. Im keeping the bike and riding it for now. If i fall in love, and i know i will... i'll get something else later. But for now.. im sticking with it and making it new again. Here's my list from working on it a bit tonight..

Air Filter
Front Fender Plastic
Side Fender Plastic
Headlight and # Plate
New Grips
New Handlebars (these look bent slightly)
Rear Tire
Front Tire (depends how bad this one is, looks fine/not cracked)
New Fuel Lines from Carb/tank area (one leaks, mine as well do them all)

Tonight i cleaned the bike more and tried to find the fuel leak from under the tranny.
It's one of the 3 clear hoses and i don't know which so i'll just replace all.
Also i checked the electrical with my meter. Good to go, the stator is putting out 12
volts. All lines for the headlight, rear lights and a 3rd (im thinking
for the odometer?) are showing power. So that's good. Also i noticed tonight the
mechanical cable coming from the hub for the tripometer... thats' good, its still there and
in great shape, just duct taped to the fork up high. I also adjusted the rear brake tonight.
Seems 10x better than before. May need to re-do both front and rear brakes.

Should i get a new chain?

So all in all im in for a couple hundred.... not too bad. And i found a OEM tripometer on Ebay so hopefully i can find another when it comes time. Wish i had money right now, i'd be ordering all these parts tonight!

[ntsqd]

A new chain will prolong the life of the sprockets. Assuming they're not toast too. I wouldn't bother with anything that isn't an O-ring chain. MISF still chain waxes the snot out of his o-ring chains and had me do it to mine as well. I give it spray every once in a while. Cleaner in the dirt than oily type lubes, but not quite as good at rust prevention.

[Oni]

Hey Dave

I think you'll have to clean the carb out. The fuel coming out the hose is probably due to a stuck valve seat assembly or bad float. All the jets are probably all gummed up too.

Check Baja Designs for dual sport kits. I have one on my plated XR400. :bike_rider:

[Cruiser]

Look up Jeff Freddette,, He was and still is the man when it comes to the KDX 200.. Has new and used parts and info you can only find from Him.. He competed on the KDX its entire production range.. I had a 1983 with a 240 kit.. way fun.. aslo had a 87 and a 91..
great bikes..

[Cruiser]

Here,,http://www.shopfrpoffroad.com/index.htm

[adventureduo]

Cruiser, awesome stuff.. i checked out his website a while back.. im totally buying some items off him.

Now im worried about how much it could cost to register this bike?.. the green tag is from 2003 and i didn't get any paperwork with the bike. It's not stolen, the owner past away and it was in a business partners custody.