Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s

Greenguy
Profile picture for user Greenguy
Posts
128
Joined
9/1/2016
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Greenguy 3/25/2020 5:49pm
3/25/2020 5:49pm
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
1
DB97
Profile picture for user DB97
Posts
1179
Joined
7/28/2016
Location
Orlando, FL, USA
DB97 3/25/2020 5:52pm
3/25/2020 5:52pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
Ouch that sucks man. Was it the original crank?
bh
Profile picture for user bh
Posts
949
Joined
12/25/2016
Location
Piedmont, SC, USA
bh 3/25/2020 5:52pm
3/25/2020 5:52pm Edited Date/Time 3/25/2020 5:54pm
navalseabee wrote:
Just did a suspension service at 30 hrs. Fluid looked rough, came out black. The shock is kind of a pain with needing the Racetech needle...
Just did a suspension service at 30 hrs. Fluid looked rough, came out black. The shock is kind of a pain with needing the Racetech needle filler thing.
I got a Sdi Schrader valve bladder cap.
bh
Profile picture for user bh
Posts
949
Joined
12/25/2016
Location
Piedmont, SC, USA
bh 3/25/2020 5:55pm
3/25/2020 5:55pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
Dang, how fast are you? You hard on equipment?

The Shop

See All »
centralcalmx 3/25/2020 5:58pm
3/25/2020 5:58pm
Added a bike mat to help find the the friggin bolts I drop. Getting my A60 rims back tomorrow.
Also working hard on dropping some weight and put a .50 back in one leg. .52 was getting too firm.
Also took off the pro taper Fusion bars and went back to a fat bar bend I like more

4
Titan777
Profile picture for user Titan777
Posts
329
Joined
12/1/2018
Location
USA
Titan777 3/25/2020 6:00pm
3/25/2020 6:00pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
Wow. Sorry to hear that.
Any photos of the damage?
MX683
Profile picture for user MX683
Posts
46
Joined
1/25/2019
Location
Annandale, MN, USA
MX683 3/25/2020 7:50pm
3/25/2020 7:50pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
what kind of performance mods were done?
Greenguy
Profile picture for user Greenguy
Posts
128
Joined
9/1/2016
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Greenguy 3/25/2020 8:07pm
3/25/2020 8:07pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
DB97 wrote:
Ouch that sucks man. Was it the original crank?
Yeah original crank
Greenguy
Profile picture for user Greenguy
Posts
128
Joined
9/1/2016
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Greenguy 3/25/2020 8:10pm
3/25/2020 8:10pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
bh wrote:
Dang, how fast are you? You hard on equipment?
+50 expert, decent speed. Usually ride twice a week.
Greenguy
Profile picture for user Greenguy
Posts
128
Joined
9/1/2016
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Greenguy 3/25/2020 8:11pm
3/25/2020 8:11pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
MX683 wrote:
what kind of performance mods were done?
Stock motor. Pro Circuit pipe.
MX683
Profile picture for user MX683
Posts
46
Joined
1/25/2019
Location
Annandale, MN, USA
MX683 3/25/2020 8:11pm
3/25/2020 8:11pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
DB97 wrote:
Ouch that sucks man. Was it the original crank?
Greenguy wrote:
Yeah original crank
so.....no other mods at all?
MX683
Profile picture for user MX683
Posts
46
Joined
1/25/2019
Location
Annandale, MN, USA
MX683 3/25/2020 8:36pm
3/25/2020 8:36pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
MX683 wrote:
what kind of performance mods were done?
Greenguy wrote:
Stock motor. Pro Circuit pipe.
I have dealt with a lot of broken rods and after 5 broken rods I started asking questions. I was assuming that the cause was the crank or rod. I found out by asking the right people the right questions that the cause was the wrist pin getting too tight and snapping the smaller portion of the rod. By the time the engine cooled and was torn down, the pin was no longer sticking. So if the wrist pin was too tight (large diameter), mating surface was galled or the piston was getting too hot and transferring heat to the wrist pin that would cause the rod to snap.
1
Greenguy
Profile picture for user Greenguy
Posts
128
Joined
9/1/2016
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Greenguy 3/25/2020 9:19pm
3/25/2020 9:19pm
DB97 wrote:
Ouch that sucks man. Was it the original crank?
Greenguy wrote:
Yeah original crank
MX683 wrote:
so.....no other mods at all?
I put some Ti pegs yesterday. No, all stock but the PC pipe. I run about 25% race fuel with the green ignition coupler. It broke about 10mm above the crank.
OLDMOTO
Profile picture for user OLDMOTO
Posts
467
Joined
3/20/2019
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
OLDMOTO 3/25/2020 10:07pm
3/25/2020 10:07pm
Greenguy wrote:
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most...
Well at 125 hours today the rod broke in half and destroyed pretty much the entire engine. Cases, cylinder, counter balance, both transmission shafts and most gears. The head looks okay. Looking at parts today I did notice that Kawi has an updated crank part number.
Does the service book give a schedule for replacement of the rod and rebuilding the crankshaft? Does Kawasaki have a figure for how many hours it can be used safely?
DB97
Profile picture for user DB97
Posts
1179
Joined
7/28/2016
Location
Orlando, FL, USA
DB97 3/26/2020 3:40am
3/26/2020 3:40am
OLDMOTO wrote:
Does the service book give a schedule for replacement of the rod and rebuilding the crankshaft? Does Kawasaki have a figure for how many hours it...
Does the service book give a schedule for replacement of the rod and rebuilding the crankshaft? Does Kawasaki have a figure for how many hours it can be used safely?
The general rule that I go by is 50 for piston 100 for crank. I have a spare crank that I want to put a carillo rod on. I don't like using the pc piston on a stock crank worries me some.
1
Vet57
Profile picture for user Vet57
Posts
2532
Joined
12/13/2010
Location
BRO Town, MA, USA
Vet57 3/26/2020 5:03am
3/26/2020 5:03am
datkin128 wrote:
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need...
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need to ride it!
#hopethisviruspassessoon
Where did you acquire the grey frame tape? Thx
cody41
Profile picture for user cody41
Posts
518
Joined
4/25/2013
Location
Miami, FL, USA
cody41 3/26/2020 5:13am
3/26/2020 5:13am
OLDMOTO wrote:
Does the service book give a schedule for replacement of the rod and rebuilding the crankshaft? Does Kawasaki have a figure for how many hours it...
Does the service book give a schedule for replacement of the rod and rebuilding the crankshaft? Does Kawasaki have a figure for how many hours it can be used safely?
DB97 wrote:
The general rule that I go by is 50 for piston 100 for crank. I have a spare crank that I want to put a carillo...
The general rule that I go by is 50 for piston 100 for crank. I have a spare crank that I want to put a carillo rod on. I don't like using the pc piston on a stock crank worries me some.
X2 this is the golden rule for a 450.
datkin128
Profile picture for user datkin128
Posts
279
Joined
12/23/2015
Location
Lakewood, CO, USA
datkin128 3/26/2020 5:14am
3/26/2020 5:14am
datkin128 wrote:
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need...
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need to ride it!
#hopethisviruspassessoon
Vet57 wrote:
Where did you acquire the grey frame tape? Thx
I bought them from D’cor visuals. They are just big sheets I had to cut myself. I know there are ones out there that are pre-cut.

Pit Row

See All »
Zeke27G
Profile picture for user Zeke27G
Posts
1407
Joined
11/8/2011
Location
Ascot Park, CA, USA
Zeke27G 3/26/2020 6:36am
3/26/2020 6:36am Edited Date/Time 3/26/2020 6:37am
datkin128 wrote:
I bought them from D’cor visuals. They are just big sheets I had to cut myself. I know there are ones out there that are pre-cut.
My 2019 came with a light grey set from Throttle Syndicate, which aesthetically I liked very much. I can't find them on their website, but you can see them in their Kawasaki graphics kit page, so it would be worth a phone call. Although I will add that they only lasted a few ride days for me before they were getting pretty tattered. When I went to remove them, the tape glue remained in places and was it was a total pain in the ass to remove! For now, I'm not using any frame grip and haven't felt the need to go back and I like that I can clean the frame spars up with some Mr. Clean and fine scotch-brite and it looks tidy again!

https://throttlesyndicate.com/collections/kawasaki


D'Cor makes pre-cut style, but it took me a minute to find where to select "2019-2020 KX450".

https://www.dcorvisuals.com/product/kawasaki-grey-grip-tape/

https://www.dcorvisuals.com/product/kawasaki-green-grip-tape/


P3 doesn't specifically list them for 2019-2020 KX450, but I'd be willing to be they offer them, just haven't updated their website.

https://p3carbon.com/product-category/wp-covers/frame-guards/


Nihilo makes them, if you don't mind seeing their logo displayed across it.

https://nihiloconcepts.com/collections/grip/products/kawasaki-kxf-450-f…


And there are plenty of others out there...

https://www.coregrip.com/collections/four-piece-frame-grip-tape-sets/pr…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Attack-Graphics-Frame-Grip-Tape-KX-Green-Fits-…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Attack-Graphics-Frame-Grip-Tape-Black-Fits-Kaw…


https://jjwdesigns.com/shop?olsPage=products


Even for the Ozzie's!

http://elitedesignco.com.au/2019-2020-kawasaki-kx450-frame-grip-tape/
1
navalseabee
Profile picture for user navalseabee
Posts
1086
Joined
5/5/2011
Location
Virginia Beach, VA, USA
navalseabee 3/26/2020 6:56am
3/26/2020 6:56am
mxracer666 wrote:
30 hours for a maintenance shock oil change? That seems WAY overdue to me? I do 12-15 hours (exclusively moto) What intervals are you other guys...
30 hours for a maintenance shock oil change? That seems WAY overdue to me? I do 12-15 hours (exclusively moto) What intervals are you other guys doing?
It's probably a little long, I think FC reccomend 20 last time I sent something off to them. I'm no pro, I dont think extending 10 hours is going to be that detrimental to me.
Nate_Z
Profile picture for user Nate_Z
Posts
209
Joined
12/9/2018
Location
Prior Lake, MN, USA
Nate_Z 3/26/2020 7:08am
3/26/2020 7:08am
MX683 wrote:
what kind of performance mods were done?
Greenguy wrote:
Stock motor. Pro Circuit pipe.
MX683 wrote:
I have dealt with a lot of broken rods and after 5 broken rods I started asking questions. I was assuming that the cause was the...
I have dealt with a lot of broken rods and after 5 broken rods I started asking questions. I was assuming that the cause was the crank or rod. I found out by asking the right people the right questions that the cause was the wrist pin getting too tight and snapping the smaller portion of the rod. By the time the engine cooled and was torn down, the pin was no longer sticking. So if the wrist pin was too tight (large diameter), mating surface was galled or the piston was getting too hot and transferring heat to the wrist pin that would cause the rod to snap.
This is an interesting observation/learning...for the broken rods you have seen, were all of the wrist pins OEM or part of a replacement piston/wrist pin kit?

Also interesting is why would that change with more hours? Is there a coating that starts to wear? If the issue is thermal expansion of the wrist pin, that should be something that exists when new or aged...
DJ13
Profile picture for user DJ13
Posts
6
Joined
3/26/2020
Location
Madoc Ontario, CA
DJ13 3/26/2020 7:55am
3/26/2020 7:55am
Nice bike man! 👍🏼 Only complaint about the Kawi is that damn exhaust pipe.. I was looking at a 19 450 before I went and bought the 20 450 sxf.
MX683
Profile picture for user MX683
Posts
46
Joined
1/25/2019
Location
Annandale, MN, USA
MX683 3/26/2020 8:34am
3/26/2020 8:34am
Greenguy wrote:
Stock motor. Pro Circuit pipe.
MX683 wrote:
I have dealt with a lot of broken rods and after 5 broken rods I started asking questions. I was assuming that the cause was the...
I have dealt with a lot of broken rods and after 5 broken rods I started asking questions. I was assuming that the cause was the crank or rod. I found out by asking the right people the right questions that the cause was the wrist pin getting too tight and snapping the smaller portion of the rod. By the time the engine cooled and was torn down, the pin was no longer sticking. So if the wrist pin was too tight (large diameter), mating surface was galled or the piston was getting too hot and transferring heat to the wrist pin that would cause the rod to snap.
Nate_Z wrote:
This is an interesting observation/learning...for the broken rods you have seen, were all of the wrist pins OEM or part of a replacement piston/wrist pin kit...
This is an interesting observation/learning...for the broken rods you have seen, were all of the wrist pins OEM or part of a replacement piston/wrist pin kit?

Also interesting is why would that change with more hours? Is there a coating that starts to wear? If the issue is thermal expansion of the wrist pin, that should be something that exists when new or aged...
These were all oem wrist pins on 2010 thru 2012 kx250fs. I learned that it is important to have .001" clearance to rod with no bushing and .0005" to rod with a bushing. The bushings has lubricity where the rod with no bushing can smear the metal. If there isn't enough clearance, you can have 2 different riders, depending on how they run the throttle, one will heat things up and break the rod and the other will be fine. Many other things can contribute to heating up the wrist pin...such as aftermarket exhaust, gearing, mapping, fuel etc.The most reliable way to prevent this potential failure is to have the rod honed for the correct clearance. I bring my rods to a car race shop. I asked the tech there if he ever hones rods for wrist pin clearance and he said " only about 20 a day"
1
stax199
Profile picture for user stax199
Posts
157
Joined
3/7/2012
Location
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Fantasy
865th
stax199 3/27/2020 9:04am
3/27/2020 9:04am
datkin128 wrote:
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need...
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need to ride it!
#hopethisviruspassessoon
Hey D.. did you get the power clever thing from ARC? Interested in getting both levers even before I ride to avoid a snapped one. also where can we ride when everything is closed??
datkin128
Profile picture for user datkin128
Posts
279
Joined
12/23/2015
Location
Lakewood, CO, USA
datkin128 3/27/2020 9:21am
3/27/2020 9:21am
datkin128 wrote:
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need...
Because I have nothing else to do during #socialdistancing. I fixed my frame tape and added some ARC levers. Loving this bike!! Now I just need to ride it!
#hopethisviruspassessoon
stax199 wrote:
Hey D.. did you get the power clever thing from ARC? Interested in getting both levers even before I ride to avoid a snapped one. also...
Hey D.. did you get the power clever thing from ARC? Interested in getting both levers even before I ride to avoid a snapped one. also where can we ride when everything is closed??
I got the power lever for the clutch and the standard for the brake. Not even sure the power lever was necessary, but wanted to try it out Smile

Great question on the riding! Seems like Millville is open still with limited numbers unless they closed and I didn’t see that. It’s a very strange time!
Titan777
Profile picture for user Titan777
Posts
329
Joined
12/1/2018
Location
USA
Titan777 3/27/2020 7:41pm
3/27/2020 7:41pm
MX683 wrote:
These were all oem wrist pins on 2010 thru 2012 kx250fs. I learned that it is important to have .001" clearance to rod with no bushing...
These were all oem wrist pins on 2010 thru 2012 kx250fs. I learned that it is important to have .001" clearance to rod with no bushing and .0005" to rod with a bushing. The bushings has lubricity where the rod with no bushing can smear the metal. If there isn't enough clearance, you can have 2 different riders, depending on how they run the throttle, one will heat things up and break the rod and the other will be fine. Many other things can contribute to heating up the wrist pin...such as aftermarket exhaust, gearing, mapping, fuel etc.The most reliable way to prevent this potential failure is to have the rod honed for the correct clearance. I bring my rods to a car race shop. I asked the tech there if he ever hones rods for wrist pin clearance and he said " only about 20 a day"
So basically you can't post any photos of what you are claiming?
1
MX683
Profile picture for user MX683
Posts
46
Joined
1/25/2019
Location
Annandale, MN, USA
MX683 3/27/2020 8:06pm
3/27/2020 8:06pm
MX683 wrote:
These were all oem wrist pins on 2010 thru 2012 kx250fs. I learned that it is important to have .001" clearance to rod with no bushing...
These were all oem wrist pins on 2010 thru 2012 kx250fs. I learned that it is important to have .001" clearance to rod with no bushing and .0005" to rod with a bushing. The bushings has lubricity where the rod with no bushing can smear the metal. If there isn't enough clearance, you can have 2 different riders, depending on how they run the throttle, one will heat things up and break the rod and the other will be fine. Many other things can contribute to heating up the wrist pin...such as aftermarket exhaust, gearing, mapping, fuel etc.The most reliable way to prevent this potential failure is to have the rod honed for the correct clearance. I bring my rods to a car race shop. I asked the tech there if he ever hones rods for wrist pin clearance and he said " only about 20 a day"
Titan777 wrote:
So basically you can't post any photos of what you are claiming?
This is just my experience that I thought that I would share in case it helps somebody out. If you are close minded, then it sucks to be you.
4
Titan777
Profile picture for user Titan777
Posts
329
Joined
12/1/2018
Location
USA
Titan777 3/27/2020 9:23pm
3/27/2020 9:23pm
MX683 wrote:
This is just my experience that I thought that I would share in case it helps somebody out. If you are close minded, then it sucks...
This is just my experience that I thought that I would share in case it helps somebody out. If you are close minded, then it sucks to be you.
Why won't you post your KX broken rod and engine in pieces?
1
quadzrulebro 3/28/2020 6:13am
3/28/2020 6:13am
I’ll be picking up a brand new 2019 as soon as the trucking company drops it off. I have already purchased a TM Slide and Glide kit, and I know the stock chain and sprocket wear like butter, so I want to get a Dirt Tricks sprocket set on order along with an X-ring chain. I race +40 B and would prefer to use 3rd gear in as many corners as I can. What size rear sprocket do you recommend?
1
soggy
Profile picture for user soggy
Posts
8811
Joined
12/3/2018
Location
USA
soggy 3/28/2020 8:29am
3/28/2020 8:29am
MX683 wrote:
This is just my experience that I thought that I would share in case it helps somebody out. If you are close minded, then it sucks...
This is just my experience that I thought that I would share in case it helps somebody out. If you are close minded, then it sucks to be you.
Titan777 wrote:
Why won't you post your KX broken rod and engine in pieces?
chill dude, why do you think he is lying?
3

Post a reply to: Let's see/review those 2019 kx450s