84 kx125 suspension tips

DirtRider67
Profile picture for user DirtRider67
Posts
4
Joined
12/18/2015
Location
Murrieta, CA, USA
DirtRider67
Edited Date/Time 6/14/2017 11:00pm
I just picked up a 1984 kx125. This was the bike I dreamt about as a kid and I finally got it 30 some years later.

So, I have modern bikes and installed springs and valving for them. But, I have no clue where to start on this bike. The forks and shock are blown so need a rebuild. Any help would be greatly appreciated.



|
Beast666
Profile picture for user Beast666
Posts
682
Joined
8/13/2013
Location
Englewood, CO, USA
Beast666 12/18/2015 11:50pm
12/18/2015 11:50pm
The forks are simple basic damper rod design as long as the fork tubes are not nicked fresh seals, bushings and oil will fix them. there is no cartridge to bleed or shims to replace.

The shock is really not that different than a modern shock just depends on the shape of the internals. It may need a seal head and possibly a piston.

Race Tech does have parts for the older KX's so you may want to start there.
MaxPower
Profile picture for user MaxPower
Posts
2700
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
MaxPower 12/20/2015 8:14am
12/20/2015 8:14am
Thats a vauge question. The tips can vary from squirting a can of wd40 on the shock shaft to buying a new shock.
How much money are you willing to spend? Chances are you will be needing to have the cylinder plated on a old electrofusion cylinder and a crank
While you are waiting to get your cylinder back you may want to remove everything from the frame and add gussets to what looks like the weak points. All early KX unitraks were frame breakers.
PN27416
Profile picture for user PN27416
Posts
1081
Joined
6/12/2008
Location
Coopersburg, PA, USA
PN27416 12/20/2015 3:07pm
12/20/2015 3:07pm
Was just working on my recently required one also. Jumped on to ask about my shock and saw this thread. I say it's not the right one. Reservoir hose comes In straight with no dampening knob. I believe it should come in at 90 degrees with a dampening knob. Anyone agree?
Looks in nice shape dirt rider. Looks like it's the stock silencer, those are hard to come by. Your front brake hose should go inside the lower fork leg.

MaxPower
Profile picture for user MaxPower
Posts
2700
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
MaxPower 12/21/2015 6:38am
12/21/2015 6:38am
That kind looks like a Floater shock to me

The Shop

See All »
DirtRider67
Profile picture for user DirtRider67
Posts
4
Joined
12/18/2015
Location
Murrieta, CA, USA
DirtRider67 12/21/2015 1:07pm
12/21/2015 1:07pm
Thanks for the reply's...I plan on racing the bike with CalVmx and I want it to handle decent. I weigh about 180 so would assume that I will need new springs for my weight. I will start there along with a full rebuild on forks and shock. Getting the cylinder plated sounds like a good idea too. Thanks for the tips.
Matt Fisher 12/22/2015 1:31pm
12/22/2015 1:31pm
Race Tech should be at the top of your Christmas list, they have the ability to get those suspenders working really well.
Mixon848
Profile picture for user Mixon848
Posts
335
Joined
1/27/2011
Location
Oakley, CA, USA
Mixon848 2/8/2016 6:58pm
2/8/2016 6:58pm
PN27416 wrote:
Was just working on my recently required one also. Jumped on to ask about my shock and saw this thread. I say it's not the right...
Was just working on my recently required one also. Jumped on to ask about my shock and saw this thread. I say it's not the right one. Reservoir hose comes In straight with no dampening knob. I believe it should come in at 90 degrees with a dampening knob. Anyone agree?
Looks in nice shape dirt rider. Looks like it's the stock silencer, those are hard to come by. Your front brake hose should go inside the lower fork leg.

I have this same shock on the 1984 Kawasaki KX125 that I picked up.
DirtRider67
Profile picture for user DirtRider67
Posts
4
Joined
12/18/2015
Location
Murrieta, CA, USA
DirtRider67 6/14/2017 11:00pm
6/14/2017 11:00pm
Life happens! Hard to believe that it's been almost 2 years since I've posted this and have only rebuild the rear shock and then buried it behind my other bikes. UGH! Time to get back on this....So I rebuilt the rear shock with seal head kit and put 100lbs of nitrogen in it. I wasn't sure what the correct amount is. Does anyone know how much nitrogen the rear shock takes?
riv187
Profile picture for user riv187
Posts
546
Joined
2/1/2015
Location
Lakeland, FL, USA
riv187 6/21/2017 4:36pm
6/21/2017 4:36pm
Hi
My 1985 KX125 factory manual says range 142-213 psi. 142 is stock. As a rule when rebuilding most factory shocks I install 145-175 if setting unknown.
I hope you find the time and energy. The 84 KX125 is a amazingly fast bike,,Even a few seasons after 1984 it was still able to pull many newer bikes.
I raced 3 kx125s in that era,,a1983, and 2-1985s,,and reaffirm Maxpower...checking frame after blasting is minimum,,if not gusseting it as well. I broke steering head on the 1985, and side of frame by peg on 83...and I was "C" class.

Post a reply to: 84 kx125 suspension tips