1997 KX250 Restoration - UPDATED

MadMatt579 3/11/2014 2:06am
3/11/2014 2:06am
Yeah, sounds good. I'll be going to the Frankston track on saturday morning with a mate on his 96 CR125. it will be the first ride on these bikes for both of us.

Are you in Melbourne?
Kawasaki_1996 3/11/2014 4:09am
3/11/2014 4:09am
Yep eastern subs!

Will try get down there in the morning...was supposed to have gone on Sunday but 'stuff' got in the way.
MadMatt579 3/11/2014 4:50am
3/11/2014 4:50am
Cool Aidan, I'll see ya there.
Kidkawie
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Kidkawie 3/11/2014 7:10am
3/11/2014 7:10am
Take lots of pics!

BTW, I had to paint my frame twice too, I feel your pain. lol

The Shop

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MadMatt579 3/15/2014 12:59am
3/15/2014 12:59am
EVO-MX sticker kits came in and they look fantastic. Frank is still fine tuning the seat covers, but the new gripper seat cover works great, heaps of grip. I think its easy to see that the kits are of excellent quality, I highly recommend them.

Well the bike ran great today, it still feels like a new bike! It definately doesnt have many hours on it as everything is still tight and functions perfectly. Im extremely happy with how its turned out and can't wait to race it.























smx94
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smx94 3/15/2014 4:45am
3/15/2014 4:45am
superb job sir,looks fantastic.has inspired me to get on with my own 97,dont have much to do on mine,as its still pretty much as new,would you be interested in selling the fmf pipe and shipping it across the pond to the u.k
NESC838
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NESC838 3/15/2014 7:15am
3/15/2014 7:15am
Bike looks amazing. Well done!
nine1seven
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nine1seven 3/15/2014 10:39am
3/15/2014 10:39am
That turned out awesome! I dig the graphics/seat cover. Mine is going to be pretty similar. I think you are missing a 1 in between the 9 and 7!

Great work!

DJ
Kawasaki_1996 3/15/2014 2:27pm
3/15/2014 2:27pm
That...looks...killer!

Bummed I couldn't get down for a look mate, glad it ran well. Hope to catch you at the track some time soon.
MadMatt579 3/15/2014 10:09pm
3/15/2014 10:09pm
Thanks for the comments guys.

Smx94, I'll hang on the the pipe. I plan on using the FMF when/if i do the factory 97 look in the future.

Haha, i'll pencil in a "1" for you DJ.

No probs, Aidan. i'll let you know next time im down there.


Im going to take a break for a while, but im alreay thinking about what bike to do next. After blowing up one 125 and riding my mates bike yesterday, i think im too heavy for one, which is too bad since ive got an Evo-mx 95 splitfire kit which would look great on a kx125. Would have to go with white rear plastics though.
Maybe a 93 - 96 CR250 (like everyone else) or a 00 YZ250???
2-Strokes_Only 3/16/2014 1:12pm
3/16/2014 1:12pm Edited Date/Time 3/16/2014 1:12pm
MadMatt579 wrote:
Thanks for the comments guys. Smx94, I'll hang on the the pipe. I plan on using the FMF when/if i do the factory 97 look in...
Thanks for the comments guys.

Smx94, I'll hang on the the pipe. I plan on using the FMF when/if i do the factory 97 look in the future.

Haha, i'll pencil in a "1" for you DJ.

No probs, Aidan. i'll let you know next time im down there.


Im going to take a break for a while, but im alreay thinking about what bike to do next. After blowing up one 125 and riding my mates bike yesterday, i think im too heavy for one, which is too bad since ive got an Evo-mx 95 splitfire kit which would look great on a kx125. Would have to go with white rear plastics though.
Maybe a 93 - 96 CR250 (like everyone else) or a 00 YZ250???
It turned out awesome! I always loved the SplitFire KXs






And for your next project, how about a first or second gen CR250? Wink
MadMatt579 3/16/2014 6:58pm
3/16/2014 6:58pm
Maybe a 2001 CR250, aren't they meant to have the best 250 engine ever built (according to Eric Gorr).
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CamP 3/16/2014 7:34pm
3/16/2014 7:34pm
The bike looks fantastic! A buddy of mine worked for Mitch back in '97, and hooked me up with a set of their splitfire riding gear, which I still have.
2-Strokes_Only 3/17/2014 10:38am
3/17/2014 10:38am
MadMatt579 wrote:
Maybe a 2001 CR250, aren't they meant to have the best 250 engine ever built (according to Eric Gorr).
Yeah, the 01' and the 97' have the best motors but the 00' has the best carb Tongue Cool
MadMatt579 5/1/2014 3:32am
5/1/2014 3:32am
Just bought a few more bits over the last few months. Thanks Paul for the ignition cover, that was big score as i havent seen any around for over a year now. And also a JD jetting kit which has worked well. Looking forward to the first race soon.














Motocross83 5/1/2014 9:12am
5/1/2014 9:12am
Really amazing work!
Kidkawie
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Kidkawie 5/1/2014 9:31am
5/1/2014 9:31am
Nice pickups Matt!

Those guards are exactly like my Polisport guards w/o the sticker.

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MadMatt579 5/14/2014 6:27am
5/14/2014 6:27am
Filed and mounted the magnesium PC covers.........nice bit of bling.

I re-valved the suspension to 2001 specs as the 97 specs were definitely on the soft side. Will take it out this weekend to see how she rides.




RyanLester761
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RyanLester761 5/14/2014 9:50am
5/14/2014 9:50am Edited Date/Time 5/14/2014 9:51am
MadMatt579 wrote:
I picked up the last two of them, im a hoarder too. I almost bought a 98 kx125, so i thought i'd make them twins. But...
I picked up the last two of them, im a hoarder too. I almost bought a 98 kx125, so i thought i'd make them twins.

But ive got a bit of a problem. I spent a heap of money on the 95 kx250, but since i found this 97 (which was a great year for the 250) thats the bike i want to keep. I thought of converting the 95 model into a 125, which would be awesome as thats the exact bike i had back in the day. But i cant find an engine to transplant in.

If anyone in Oz wants to swap a 250 engine for a 125, let me know.
I have a 1995 kx125 frame and bottom end, radiators, forks, swingarm, etc. Pretty much everything but the cylinder and exhaust. I'm considering getting it together one day but I might let some parts go if you're in need.

I'm in Sacramento, Ca USA
Kidkawie
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Kidkawie 5/14/2014 9:59am
5/14/2014 9:59am
Matt that's sick!
MadMatt579 5/23/2014 4:12am
5/23/2014 4:12am
Ryan,
I used this paint for the swingarm. i tried a few silvers but never found one i liked. Here's the original 97 swingarm colour for reference. Second last pic is the painted 95 swingarm.











Got my first race in 10 years this Sunday. The bike is all prepped and ready to go.
Ill get some more pics and try to get some video too.

Rovalova
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Rovalova 5/23/2014 4:54am
5/23/2014 4:54am Edited Date/Time 5/23/2014 5:23am
I used Sliver Metallic with a clear coat in the same brand as madmatt barely see where the graphic ends and paint starts also Asteroid Silver is perfect match for clamps and shock body
Rovalova
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Rovalova 5/23/2014 4:58am
5/23/2014 4:58am
RyanLester761
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RyanLester761 5/23/2014 6:13am
5/23/2014 6:13am
Those both look great! Thanks for the info guys.
MadMatt579 5/23/2014 8:42pm
5/23/2014 8:42pm
Thats a great match for 93/94, but in 95 they changed the colour. Here an original 95 swingarm.

Kidkawie
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Kidkawie 5/27/2014 8:22am
5/27/2014 8:22am
That original swingarm is what I was after with mine. I think the black primer darkens it a little. The OEM silver is called "Silver No. 35" changed from No 25 93 and older. I think Colorrite carries it.
Pat327
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Pat327 5/27/2014 11:20am
5/27/2014 11:20am
A clean original one for reference.



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