1996 KAWASAKI KX125 find/build

johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo
Got this on a trade and thought about doing a restoration on it, the guy told me it was a 1996 KX 125 and looking through pics on google this looks to be true, I was wanting to do a splitfire build like others have done on here and wanted to get some of your thoughts. I am new on here and this is my first post so hopefully ill get some good input and information, thanks in advance

1
|

The Shop

See All »
labbe001
Profile picture for user labbe001
Posts
94
Joined
11/6/2015
Location
Alabaster, AL, USA
labbe001 6/7/2016 5:45pm
6/7/2016 5:45pm




Just finished a restoration on a 96 KX250. I've always liked these bikes since they first came out.
Bman_145
Profile picture for user Bman_145
Posts
895
Joined
12/30/2015
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
Bman_145 6/7/2016 5:50pm
6/7/2016 5:50pm
Once you enter the world of PC Splitfire bikes, prepare to spend some big dollars. The 96 team I think ran some of the chrome plastic, which might be hard to replicate.
https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/09/25/66043/s1200_Pro_Circuit_…
It might be easier to do the 97 PC Team look.

With the purple shrouds it looks like a 96 to me, but I cant read the vin that well to make sure. There is a good window where these bikes were basically the same so you could do a lot of different looks if you're not super picky about everything being correct.

johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/7/2016 6:38pm
6/7/2016 6:38pm
labbe001 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/06/07/138303/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/06/07/138304/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Just finished a restoration on a 96 KX250. I've always liked these bikes since they first came out.




Just finished a restoration on a 96 KX250. I've always liked these bikes since they first came out.
WOW thats nice and spotless Smile hope i can even get close to that well of a outcome
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/7/2016 6:46pm
6/7/2016 6:46pm
this is what I have found for Mickael Pichon's 96' PC Splitfire bike



Peatz12
Profile picture for user Peatz12
Posts
44
Joined
3/31/2014
Location
AU
Peatz12 6/8/2016 12:42am
6/8/2016 12:42am
Good luck with it! b-man is right the 96 pc bike had the crome shrouds, really hard to copy. I finished my 96 a couple of years ago, I always wanted this bike back in the day.

MadMatt579 6/8/2016 6:10am
6/8/2016 6:10am
Great bikes fellas....I think the stock 96 look is pretty good as it is. Personally i like the older splitfire looks like the 94 kit. The purple screams 90's. Ive got a 94 kx125 but I'll be doing a 95 kit for the ease and cheaper expense of the parts.

Here's my 97 kx250 i finished a few years ago.







johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/8/2016 12:44pm
6/8/2016 12:44pm
is this the 96 PC model?



Bman_145
Profile picture for user Bman_145
Posts
895
Joined
12/30/2015
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
Bman_145 6/8/2016 1:18pm
6/8/2016 1:18pm
Yep, and thats the same picture I linked in my first post.
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/8/2016 1:44pm
6/8/2016 1:44pm
Bman_145 wrote:
Yep, and thats the same picture I linked in my first post.
Any ideas where I can start looking for a seat cover and graphics like that? I have already been on Evo-mx.com,
another thread on here someone suggested http://vintagebikeads.com/
any nudges in the right direction will be appreciated
thanks for the replies
Bman_145
Profile picture for user Bman_145
Posts
895
Joined
12/30/2015
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
Bman_145 6/8/2016 2:07pm
6/8/2016 2:07pm
Did you email the guys at EVO? Their site only shows a small fraction of what they have and can do.

These guys have some pretty cool stuff and new items are listed all the time:
Dirk Timmer
Doc Wob
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/8/2016 2:52pm
6/8/2016 2:52pm
Bman_145 wrote:
Did you email the guys at EVO? Their site only shows a small fraction of what they have and can do. These guys have some pretty...
Did you email the guys at EVO? Their site only shows a small fraction of what they have and can do.

These guys have some pretty cool stuff and new items are listed all the time:
Dirk Timmer
Doc Wob
No i didn't but now i will, i just thought what was listed was all they had available
thanks for the links as well, the one guy is in the Netherlands lol
Bman_145
Profile picture for user Bman_145
Posts
895
Joined
12/30/2015
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
Bman_145 6/8/2016 2:55pm
6/8/2016 2:55pm
Yeah, the good stuff comes from all over the world. You'll have to buy internationally to get everything you'll need.
Pat327
Profile picture for user Pat327
Posts
686
Joined
2/18/2008
Location
USA
Pat327 6/9/2016 3:05pm
6/9/2016 3:05pm
If you're aiming for a perfect Pro Circuit replica, be prepared to spend years and thousands of dollars chasing down original parts from all over the world. The bike is also in pretty rough shape, and even getting it back up to spec (Pro Circuit replica or not) will burn a hole in your wallet. Just so you understand what you're getting yourself into.
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/12/2016 9:42am
6/12/2016 9:42am
I have been looking online for a rebuild kit for the 95-97 KX 125 and havent been successful so far, do they not make one for these years? I did find some for older and newer models just not those particular years, will another years kit work?
if there is a thread that discusses this just point me in the right direction, I know people dont wanna spoon feed others and i understand
thanks in advance

Pit Row

See All »
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/12/2016 3:56pm
6/12/2016 3:56pm
Bman_145 wrote:
Once you enter the world of PC Splitfire bikes, prepare to spend some big dollars. The 96 team I think ran some of the chrome plastic...
Once you enter the world of PC Splitfire bikes, prepare to spend some big dollars. The 96 team I think ran some of the chrome plastic, which might be hard to replicate.
https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/09/25/66043/s1200_Pro_Circuit_…
It might be easier to do the 97 PC Team look.

With the purple shrouds it looks like a 96 to me, but I cant read the vin that well to make sure. There is a good window where these bikes were basically the same so you could do a lot of different looks if you're not super picky about everything being correct.

looks like the VIN is JKAKXRK17TA014520
Bman_145
Profile picture for user Bman_145
Posts
895
Joined
12/30/2015
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
Bman_145 6/13/2016 8:04pm
6/13/2016 8:04pm
It's a '96 with that vin


As for the Wrench Rabbit rebuild kit, it looks Ike they don't do them for this bike. I checked the oem parts and it looks like you can still get anything you'll need. It might cost more, but I like oem stuff.
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/13/2016 8:26pm
6/13/2016 8:26pm
Bman_145 wrote:
It's a '96 with that vin [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/06/13/139028/s1200_image.jpg[/img] As for the Wrench Rabbit rebuild kit, it looks Ike they don't do them for this bike. I checked...
It's a '96 with that vin


As for the Wrench Rabbit rebuild kit, it looks Ike they don't do them for this bike. I checked the oem parts and it looks like you can still get anything you'll need. It might cost more, but I like oem stuff.
thanks for the info, just placed an order for the Boyesen rad valve for this (RAD-11D) as my intake manifold was shot and been looking all over just to see what parts are available, figured their would be a strong aftermarket for these older bikes but it seem like hit and miss
Bman_145
Profile picture for user Bman_145
Posts
895
Joined
12/30/2015
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
Bman_145 6/13/2016 8:50pm
6/13/2016 8:50pm
There are a lot of good guys on here with the more exotic parts you might be after. Post wanted ads here and maybe in the bazaar. For the normal stuff you should be fine. Ebay is a huge resource for these builds but you need to live on there to nab the best stuff before its gone.

I think the first thing on your build is to get the motor sorted, except for the outer covers, and then once that's done you can decide what look you are going for. I know there are black plastics and graphics out there for the 97 look. The chrome look will a very tough one to pull off. Stock 96 can be done, but the purple stuff can take time to find. (My friend is doing a 250 and I helped on the searching)

Good luck with it all, these things always take more time than you think and make sure you have fun doing it!

johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/21/2016 8:46pm
6/21/2016 8:46pm


slowly getting it apart
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/21/2016 8:53pm
6/21/2016 8:53pm
although I did get stuck at the swingarm nut, video I watched said its 22mm, wont fit, looked it up on parts and says its 16mm (92015-1316) http://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b23f2f8700223e478ca… (way too small) a 24mm socket wont fit in the hole...... 23mm? maybe lol, I dont have a 23mm socket so thats why i havent tried yet



johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 6/21/2016 8:58pm
6/21/2016 8:58pm
I also found two cracks on the rear mono shock mounting bracket, looks like its bolted on but I havent been able to find anybody parting one out so i can just get that part, I think I may be able to weld it



Bman_145
Profile picture for user Bman_145
Posts
895
Joined
12/30/2015
Location
Nor Cal, CA, USA
Bman_145 6/21/2016 9:26pm
6/21/2016 9:26pm Edited Date/Time 6/21/2016 9:30pm
Pretty sure it is a 22mm. I know its not a 23. I have a 21,22,24 set that I used on my friends 96 250. Just need the right socket and make sure all the crap is out of there and that the nut isnt rounded over. As for the shock, unless you know what you're doing, I wouldnt mess with that part. It's a lot more involved that just threading a new end on. Just get a good used complete shock on ebay.
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 7/4/2016 9:29am
7/4/2016 9:29am Edited Date/Time 7/4/2016 9:31am



OK, i could not for the life of me was able to get a socket on the swing arm nut so i just ordered another one and drilled this one out (9/16 was the magic drill bit size), as you can see in the pic the nut was bigger than the original, I have no idea how someone was able to tighten this unless they used a special thin walled socket
johnny-bravo
Profile picture for user johnny-bravo
Posts
30
Joined
6/7/2016
Location
Waverly, WV, USA
johnny-bravo 7/4/2016 9:37am
7/4/2016 9:37am


this is the end that I drilled out (no more threads), you can see where it starts to taper towards where the threads were, this had maybe 1/8" of play back and forth so it was a good thing as I had to replace it anyways

Post a reply to: 1996 KAWASAKI KX125 find/build