Anybody own a 99-02 kx250?

Edited Date/Time 7/9/2015 9:52pm
I'm rebuilding a 2000 model and would like to see pics of others to get some ideas from. Any mods for these old bikes? Anybody?
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Denn700
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Shreveport, LA, USA
1/12/2015 6:59am
Do a replica of Chad Reed's 2001 GP bike.
jevyguy
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Mona, UT, USA
1/12/2015 8:43am


1/12/2015 9:10am Edited Date/Time 1/12/2015 9:11am
Anybody have an over bored kx of this model? My cylinder is sleeved and I was thinking of at least going to a 265. Worth it?

The Shop

Ted722
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1/12/2015 9:38am
I've had a lot of experience with KX's over the years. (88, 94, 98, and an '01). Great platform that had a couple areas to pay attention to. The frame and bolts were significantly beefed up for the '99-'02 era so you should be good there, but of course check to be sure.

Motor wise the stock '00 is a rocket. Good low, great midrange, and passable top end. If you're already planning on going into the motor, I would certainly look into an Eric Gorr kit. It's a straightforward "bolt" on. I quote the bolt on, because when I did my 310 I should have also balance the crank. When we went to the 327 (same piston as 310), but stroked it, we went ahead and balanced the crank using the new weight of the parts. ( We sent the rod, piston, etc. down to CrankWorks in AZ). With the crank balanced is was much smoother and a lot less vibration at the handlebar. I used Fastway? inserts on my bars when it was a 310, but it only helped a little.

I don't believe Eric does the 310 anymore. You really have to shave down the main / exhaust power valve flapper and it's prone to breaking. (had to replace mine 2 time in 2 1/2 years of having that config. I believe he has a 295, I'd jump on that one over the 265. (...even if you're not able to balance the crank...should be a little smoother compared to the 310)

Even, if you're not going to balance the crank. I would split the cases and check the tranny. On my '94, '98, and '01 the 3rd gear shift fork / gear expired after about 2 years of practice, off-road races, and mx races.

Keep in mind, when you overbore it it changes the powerband a little bit. I wouldn't expect more hp, but you get more torque early. For my off-road practice and racing it was perfect. For MX, it was a tiny step backward on perfectly groomed tracks, but on hard pack, chewed up surfaces it was easier to run a taller gear.

Hope this helps!!! I love Vital!! Smile
1/12/2015 10:08am
Ted722 wrote:
I've had a lot of experience with KX's over the years. (88, 94, 98, and an '01). Great platform that had a couple areas to pay...
I've had a lot of experience with KX's over the years. (88, 94, 98, and an '01). Great platform that had a couple areas to pay attention to. The frame and bolts were significantly beefed up for the '99-'02 era so you should be good there, but of course check to be sure.

Motor wise the stock '00 is a rocket. Good low, great midrange, and passable top end. If you're already planning on going into the motor, I would certainly look into an Eric Gorr kit. It's a straightforward "bolt" on. I quote the bolt on, because when I did my 310 I should have also balance the crank. When we went to the 327 (same piston as 310), but stroked it, we went ahead and balanced the crank using the new weight of the parts. ( We sent the rod, piston, etc. down to CrankWorks in AZ). With the crank balanced is was much smoother and a lot less vibration at the handlebar. I used Fastway? inserts on my bars when it was a 310, but it only helped a little.

I don't believe Eric does the 310 anymore. You really have to shave down the main / exhaust power valve flapper and it's prone to breaking. (had to replace mine 2 time in 2 1/2 years of having that config. I believe he has a 295, I'd jump on that one over the 265. (...even if you're not able to balance the crank...should be a little smoother compared to the 310)

Even, if you're not going to balance the crank. I would split the cases and check the tranny. On my '94, '98, and '01 the 3rd gear shift fork / gear expired after about 2 years of practice, off-road races, and mx races.

Keep in mind, when you overbore it it changes the powerband a little bit. I wouldn't expect more hp, but you get more torque early. For my off-road practice and racing it was perfect. For MX, it was a tiny step backward on perfectly groomed tracks, but on hard pack, chewed up surfaces it was easier to run a taller gear.

Hope this helps!!! I love Vital!! Smile
Good info! The bike was bought in rusty heaps so disassembly is already finished. I've got the entire frame and suspension rebuilt so far. Engine will get lower first gear from a 96 and new crank, piston, and I'm even buying new engine cases. What I bought:progress so far



Adam43
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1/12/2015 10:27am
Stock up on rod bearings and learn to be a short shifter. These were not reliable bikes for serious MX racers.
Ted722
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1/12/2015 10:47am Edited Date/Time 1/12/2015 10:49am
Adam43 wrote:
Stock up on rod bearings and learn to be a short shifter. These were not reliable bikes for serious MX racers.
I beg to differ. Agreed 90's platform had some issues, mostly frame (although my '98 handled better than my '01). That history hurt the rep of Kawi going into their re-design of '99.

I ran Vet Int.(Mammoth, Oatfield, Hangtown..you name it in Norcal and D-36 off road (Clear Creek and Hollister) mostly and never had any issues other than normal maintenance. In my opinion 2 years on a 3rd gear is normal maintenance. Power valve design is good (and easy to clean), '99 thru '02 frame is beefy (I never or my friends with the same never had any frame issues).

In fact, if I was to pick an '01 today it would be a toss up between the YZ or KX. For MX, the KX for familiarity, the YZ for a more modern chassis and engine. If it was purely off-road, the KX hands down.

Ok, off the soapbox!
jeffro503
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1/12/2015 10:55am
I loved my 99' Kawi a lot. Tom Morgan had built the motor for me on this one. Awesome bike fr sure and it did everything right. Sold it around 2001? Was my last 2 stroke before I switched to the CRF450. I picked up a 2006 RM 250 a couple months ago though and have only gotten two rides on it......and love it.

jeffro503
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1/12/2015 10:57am
Adam43 wrote:
Stock up on rod bearings and learn to be a short shifter. These were not reliable bikes for serious MX racers.
Hmm??....I never had any issues with that on any of my Kawi's. Top end rebuilds only.
burn1986
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1/12/2015 11:00am Edited Date/Time 1/12/2015 11:15am
How much did you get it for Ace? What is up with the new front fender? it looks like its bent up in the front or mounted wrong.
Spydee
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1/12/2015 11:04am
1/12/2015 11:13am
Ted722 wrote:
I beg to differ. Agreed 90's platform had some issues, mostly frame (although my '98 handled better than my '01). That history hurt the rep of...
I beg to differ. Agreed 90's platform had some issues, mostly frame (although my '98 handled better than my '01). That history hurt the rep of Kawi going into their re-design of '99.

I ran Vet Int.(Mammoth, Oatfield, Hangtown..you name it in Norcal and D-36 off road (Clear Creek and Hollister) mostly and never had any issues other than normal maintenance. In my opinion 2 years on a 3rd gear is normal maintenance. Power valve design is good (and easy to clean), '99 thru '02 frame is beefy (I never or my friends with the same never had any frame issues).

In fact, if I was to pick an '01 today it would be a toss up between the YZ or KX. For MX, the KX for familiarity, the YZ for a more modern chassis and engine. If it was purely off-road, the KX hands down.

Ok, off the soapbox!
Yeah, I'm the very slowest of trail riders. No jumps, no super fast fire roads, no monster up hills. I'm as moderate as they get as far as riding goes. I'd say as long as I carefully reassemble the engine and use oem parts then I'll be fine as far as reliability.
scooter5002
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1/12/2015 11:30am
I had an '00, that motor was awesome. Rode the shit out of it for 2 seasons, had a ton of hours on it, had zero issues with anything. Keeping in mind that I weigh 260 in gear, that bike took a pounding, and never let me down. Would love to have that motor again.
1/12/2015 1:03pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2015 1:05pm
burn1986 wrote:
How much did you get it for Ace? What is up with the new front fender? it looks like its bent up in the front or...
How much did you get it for Ace? What is up with the new front fender? it looks like its bent up in the front or mounted wrong.
That is a sticker on the fender. It was part of the $20 complete graphics kit i got on ebay. Only the best for my builds lol. Got the bike for $200. All parts were with it though. Has a PRO Circuit Natural finish pipe and r304 silencer as well. The original motor ate a crank bearing. At the end of the month I'm placing my first order for parts. Probably get the new cases then next month crank and piston, then the next month all bearings and seals and clutch pack. By may it'll be ready to go. I will then, knowing me, try and find a 2002-2004 rm250 to trade it for lol.
1/12/2015 1:08pm
jeffro503 wrote:
I loved my 99' Kawi a lot. Tom Morgan had built the motor for me on this one. Awesome bike fr sure and it did everything...
I loved my 99' Kawi a lot. Tom Morgan had built the motor for me on this one. Awesome bike fr sure and it did everything right. Sold it around 2001? Was my last 2 stroke before I switched to the CRF450. I picked up a 2006 RM 250 a couple months ago though and have only gotten two rides on it......and love it.

That's tasteful as hell. I love a clean graphic look. Here's reeds gp bike by the way.

1/12/2015 1:20pm
I gotta say I love the seating position and tank/seat junction on this bike. I'd always heard kx's were cramped but to my 6'1 long ass legs this bike is a lot roomier than my 97 rm250 or my 02 Kdx200.





rbigair40
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1/12/2015 1:32pm
i have forfs and a shock off a 01 some kid brought them to me to put seals in ,i did and he sold his bike so i got stuck with them ....he had a parts bike that he took its supension off and put on his bike ...$200 if you need them they are ready to bolt on .
TJ 755
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1/12/2015 1:34pm
My 01'. I liked my 98 better but this one felt skinnier/ lighter.
Ted722
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1/12/2015 2:23pm
Decided to refresh the '01 KX327 in about '05. Knowing the tranny needed refreshing anyway, we put a complete '04 KX250 transmission in it because I liked the gear ratios better. The bike was an absolute sleeper and stone reliable. Definitely used a little softer spring rate for off-road (.43 front / 5.0 rear) with some JN Innovations suspension revalve and a Scott's stabilizer. I sold it to a friend so he could have a Green sticker bike as I had this urge to upgrade...got another Green sticker bike and it's an absolute blast to ride. '01 CR500 2-stroke. Smile Scares the crap out of me sometimes, but I like it (put the Scott's on it too and it likes it).

OK, quiz!!

Couple pics from back in the day. Me and the results. What year? (...btw, check the results, there's some "decent" names in there)

I was close to making the Main (2 spots) in Junior 250, but crashed hard in Pismo showing off over a big jump 2 weeks prior. The shoulder was a "little" banged up!! Sad



mattu521
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1/12/2015 2:47pm


1/12/2015 3:52pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2015 3:53pm
rbigair40 wrote:
i have forfs and a shock off a 01 some kid brought them to me to put seals in ,i did and he sold his bike...
i have forfs and a shock off a 01 some kid brought them to me to put seals in ,i did and he sold his bike so i got stuck with them ....he had a parts bike that he took its supension off and put on his bike ...$200 if you need them they are ready to bolt on .
If u still have it in a month or two I definitely want the shock. I put another pair of forks on it already due to two broken axle pinch bolts. Pic of shock?
1/12/2015 3:56pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2015 3:58pm
Glamis flyer



or Ronnie Mack replica would be my vote
mxaaron
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1/12/2015 5:12pm Edited Date/Time 1/12/2015 5:17pm
Still can't get it right!
mxaaron
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1/12/2015 5:16pm
Jeffro, love your bike. Heres mine from 99!

NorcalVet
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Nor-cal, CA, USA
1/12/2015 6:23pm
Ted722 wrote:
Decided to refresh the '01 KX327 in about '05. Knowing the tranny needed refreshing anyway, we put a complete '04 KX250 transmission in it because I...
Decided to refresh the '01 KX327 in about '05. Knowing the tranny needed refreshing anyway, we put a complete '04 KX250 transmission in it because I liked the gear ratios better. The bike was an absolute sleeper and stone reliable. Definitely used a little softer spring rate for off-road (.43 front / 5.0 rear) with some JN Innovations suspension revalve and a Scott's stabilizer. I sold it to a friend so he could have a Green sticker bike as I had this urge to upgrade...got another Green sticker bike and it's an absolute blast to ride. '01 CR500 2-stroke. Smile Scares the crap out of me sometimes, but I like it (put the Scott's on it too and it likes it).

OK, quiz!!

Couple pics from back in the day. Me and the results. What year? (...btw, check the results, there's some "decent" names in there)

I was close to making the Main (2 spots) in Junior 250, but crashed hard in Pismo showing off over a big jump 2 weeks prior. The shoulder was a "little" banged up!! Sad



Hey Ted don't you have to work on one of your smokers
125,250, or that 5 hundy

Or come by and work on my RM Wink

I'll break out some cold ones or 2!!
RU racing Oatfield in Feb?

* cool pic
Gukamonster
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1/12/2015 7:15pm
Former Canadian pro Darcy Lange raced these back in 2000, and if you went to the Kawasaki truck you would see 3 of them with his number on it. That was what was required to get through practice and 2 motos at a Canadian national. Ricky somehow won on it outdoors, but his teamates John Dowd and Larry Ward hated the bike and had very below average years on it.

Besides the grenade of an engine, the rest of the bike was built with a lot of second-rate cheap crap (clutch plates, reeds, the pencil eraser handle bar mounts, mushy brakes, and the frame would easily crack).

Puttings low hours on it might be fine, but if you ride it often for a year at anything above D-class speed - it's getting pushed off the track.
1/12/2015 7:29pm
I don't know where you guys get some of this stuff. I've had damn near every KX250 since 96' and I've never heard of the problems you guys are mentioning. Let alone keep spares for it. lol Come to think of it, I have never seen a KX with a broken frame, ever, nowhere.
Ted722
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Sacramento, CA, USA
1/12/2015 7:59pm
Ted722 wrote:
Decided to refresh the '01 KX327 in about '05. Knowing the tranny needed refreshing anyway, we put a complete '04 KX250 transmission in it because I...
Decided to refresh the '01 KX327 in about '05. Knowing the tranny needed refreshing anyway, we put a complete '04 KX250 transmission in it because I liked the gear ratios better. The bike was an absolute sleeper and stone reliable. Definitely used a little softer spring rate for off-road (.43 front / 5.0 rear) with some JN Innovations suspension revalve and a Scott's stabilizer. I sold it to a friend so he could have a Green sticker bike as I had this urge to upgrade...got another Green sticker bike and it's an absolute blast to ride. '01 CR500 2-stroke. Smile Scares the crap out of me sometimes, but I like it (put the Scott's on it too and it likes it).

OK, quiz!!

Couple pics from back in the day. Me and the results. What year? (...btw, check the results, there's some "decent" names in there)

I was close to making the Main (2 spots) in Junior 250, but crashed hard in Pismo showing off over a big jump 2 weeks prior. The shoulder was a "little" banged up!! Sad



NorcalVet wrote:
Hey Ted don't you have to work on one of your smokers 125,250, or that 5 hundy Or come by and work on my RM ;)...
Hey Ted don't you have to work on one of your smokers
125,250, or that 5 hundy

Or come by and work on my RM Wink

I'll break out some cold ones or 2!!
RU racing Oatfield in Feb?

* cool pic
NorCal that '05 RM250 is pretty much perfect off the showroom floor, you might just be a needle (or clip position) and 1 or 2 size main jet size away (since you're running race gas) away from absolute perfection. No problem. I'm running a stock needle (clip 2) and pilot and a 170 main on my '06...let's start there.

Did you see who won 250 Int. In the results from Mammoth. Definitely a who's who in the results. Was cool to watch O'Mara and Johnson in the Pro's.

Took the '05 YZ125 to Prairie City on Sunday (OHV), more than a few 450 riders were wondering what the hell is this thing behind me. Kinda had the Barcia throttle technique going on.

I "might" race on the 7th. A racer's way of saying yep. But, probably only for Sunday...no practice Sat.
Crush
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Sydney, AU
1/12/2015 8:06pm
Pretty hard to beat this look. Chad Watts also said this was the trickest bike he worked on for RC.

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