2007 KX250 retro build

9/5/2018 1:16pm
I feel like I'm the only one on the planet who had a 2006 KX250 and thought it was super smooth, almost mellow lol. Powertrain was...
I feel like I'm the only one on the planet who had a 2006 KX250 and thought it was super smooth, almost mellow lol. Powertrain was all stock except r304 silencer and setting the ignition air gap.

At least that's how I remember it, I haven't ridden it in 5.5 years. But shes coming out of hibernation in a couple weeks.
DJV804 wrote:
If thats how yours was, something was done to it without you knowing. The 05-07 was known for being a gnarly and hard hitting engine. So...
If thats how yours was, something was done to it without you knowing. The 05-07 was known for being a gnarly and hard hitting engine. So much so that they even had an optional head from kawi with lower compression to help with the Pinging and lessen the hit they had in the power.
I ordered my Phathead with a standard 07 compression head (same as the 06 fwiw), and a lower compression option that Luke made special for me. I have the standard compression head in it now and even with race gas heard a tiny bit of pinging. Before I take it back out I'm swapping to the lower compression insert. Bike is too violent ATM.
9/5/2018 1:18pm
Beeby wrote:
A friend in the UK is doing a build of this exact bike and is struggling to get parts. Do you mind sharing what sources you've...
A friend in the UK is doing a build of this exact bike and is struggling to get parts. Do you mind sharing what sources you've used to get parts please?
All OEM parts came from Partzilla. They had everything I needed - case set, new crankshaft assembly, clutch/generator covers... everything was there. They even had the case set sitting on their shelves.
ledger
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3669
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Location
USA
9/5/2018 3:21pm
Bike turned out fantastic, you def hit the mark with the Retro look, and love the yellow backgrounds. I own the 05 and 06, I haven't ridden in awhile but I agree that the 05-07's are a handful of power, a FWW is a MUST... IMO, getting the suspenders dialed is extremely important as well. I honestly think Kawasaki built these machine's with James Stewart in mind...Anyway, congrats on a very nice outcome.
2
9/5/2018 4:47pm
ledger wrote:
Bike turned out fantastic, you def hit the mark with the Retro look, and love the yellow backgrounds. I own the 05 and 06, I haven't...
Bike turned out fantastic, you def hit the mark with the Retro look, and love the yellow backgrounds. I own the 05 and 06, I haven't ridden in awhile but I agree that the 05-07's are a handful of power, a FWW is a MUST... IMO, getting the suspenders dialed is extremely important as well. I honestly think Kawasaki built these machine's with James Stewart in mind...Anyway, congrats on a very nice outcome.
IMO they knew they weren't gonna have a 450 ready but everyone else did. So, they built the fastest 250 motor they could get away with, so Bubba had a fighting chance.

I rode a basically brand new '16 YZ250 a few years ago, it felt so smooth and mellow compared to this 250. Just a whole different approach to engine building.

Will report back after I ride it with the lower compression Phathead insert.
1

The Shop

Markopolo400
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1426
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7/24/2012
Location
St. Paul-ish, MN, USA
9/5/2018 6:38pm
I feel like I'm the only one on the planet who had a 2006 KX250 and thought it was super smooth, almost mellow lol. Powertrain was...
I feel like I'm the only one on the planet who had a 2006 KX250 and thought it was super smooth, almost mellow lol. Powertrain was all stock except r304 silencer and setting the ignition air gap.

At least that's how I remember it, I haven't ridden it in 5.5 years. But shes coming out of hibernation in a couple weeks.
DJV804 wrote:
If thats how yours was, something was done to it without you knowing. The 05-07 was known for being a gnarly and hard hitting engine. So...
If thats how yours was, something was done to it without you knowing. The 05-07 was known for being a gnarly and hard hitting engine. So much so that they even had an optional head from kawi with lower compression to help with the Pinging and lessen the hit they had in the power.
Nope. I bought it with about 30mins of runtime on it 7.5 years ago. Im the only one who’s ever worked on the engine.
1
DJV804
Posts
435
Joined
2/1/2013
Location
Albertville, MN, USA
9/5/2018 6:40pm
I feel like I'm the only one on the planet who had a 2006 KX250 and thought it was super smooth, almost mellow lol. Powertrain was...
I feel like I'm the only one on the planet who had a 2006 KX250 and thought it was super smooth, almost mellow lol. Powertrain was all stock except r304 silencer and setting the ignition air gap.

At least that's how I remember it, I haven't ridden it in 5.5 years. But shes coming out of hibernation in a couple weeks.
DJV804 wrote:
If thats how yours was, something was done to it without you knowing. The 05-07 was known for being a gnarly and hard hitting engine. So...
If thats how yours was, something was done to it without you knowing. The 05-07 was known for being a gnarly and hard hitting engine. So much so that they even had an optional head from kawi with lower compression to help with the Pinging and lessen the hit they had in the power.
Nope. I bought it with about 30mins of runtime on it 7.5 years ago. Im the only one who’s ever worked on the engine.
Then You sir, are a freak of nature. ? Smooth &a mellow have never been used to describe these bikes by anyone, anywhere else.
2
Markopolo400
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1426
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Location
St. Paul-ish, MN, USA
9/6/2018 9:01am
Well if you ever run into me at Meadow Valley come say hi and if I have it with me take it for a spin.

Then you can validate my level of insanity or not lol
DJV804
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435
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Location
Albertville, MN, USA
9/6/2018 11:41am
Well if you ever run into me at Meadow Valley come say hi and if I have it with me take it for a spin. Then...
Well if you ever run into me at Meadow Valley come say hi and if I have it with me take it for a spin.

Then you can validate my level of insanity or not lol
Where abouts in Wisconsin are you at? Probably not far from you. Haha
KDXGarage
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2561
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12/16/2010
Location
USA
9/11/2018 10:51am
I have a 2005 KX250 I bought new, as well as a 2007 YZ250 that I bought from a friend with 25 easy hours. The KX is NOT smooth. I have raced both on the same day for comparison several times.
3
Markopolo400
Posts
1426
Joined
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Location
St. Paul-ish, MN, USA
9/12/2018 7:24am
Well I guess I am crazy then lol
1
9/12/2018 8:39am
KDXGarage wrote:
I have a 2005 KX250 I bought new, as well as a 2007 YZ250 that I bought from a friend with 25 easy hours. The KX...
I have a 2005 KX250 I bought new, as well as a 2007 YZ250 that I bought from a friend with 25 easy hours. The KX is NOT smooth. I have raced both on the same day for comparison several times.
Next time I go ride I'll be taking our 05 kx along with my 05 yz because I want to know if the difference between the two is smaller than I think, or if that 05 kx is still as gnarly as I remember. I've ridden a few different years of yz's and they've always been super easy to ride and control, but my memories of riding that kawi are memories of a beast of a 250 that I had a hard time riding fast. Then again, it has been 6 years since I rode that kx.
9/12/2018 10:54am Edited Date/Time 9/12/2018 10:55am
KDXGarage wrote:
I have a 2005 KX250 I bought new, as well as a 2007 YZ250 that I bought from a friend with 25 easy hours. The KX...
I have a 2005 KX250 I bought new, as well as a 2007 YZ250 that I bought from a friend with 25 easy hours. The KX is NOT smooth. I have raced both on the same day for comparison several times.
I have an 11oz flywheel weight on this build and it's still one of the most violent 250 2T's I've ever ridden. I've owned 87, 92, 97, 99, and 02 KX250s. Spent a lot of time on 99 RM250 and a 14 YZ250.
KDXGarage
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2561
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Location
USA
9/12/2018 7:57pm
Mine were set up as:

KX
Works pipe
PC shorty silencer
VP U4.4

YZ
GYTR pipe
stock silencer
VP U4.4

A friend had a 2005 Suzuki RM250. That thing had a hit!
ghtwotwosix
Posts
83
Joined
1/11/2020
Location
Lehi, UT, USA
1/27/2020 8:08pm
Powder coating done. Also, seat is finished with a pretty trick cover that I haven't seen on a bike in a really long time. Will drop...
Powder coating done. Also, seat is finished with a pretty trick cover that I haven't seen on a bike in a really long time. Will drop that later in the build. Wink


Such a rad build man! I am in the process of doing one myself. Do you happen to know the specific color green used for the frame? I am looking to do the same color.
6/29/2020 12:18pm
Got tired of the harsh mid action in the forks, so I dropped them off at A1 Racing Suspension in ATL today. Can't wait to get them back to test.
1
7/1/2020 7:28am Edited Date/Time 7/1/2020 7:30am
A1 had forks apart today. Previous owner had .46 springs installed with a lot of preload, where stock is .44. Also they had ATF installed instead of fork fluid. Forks don't appear to have ever been revalved.

The heavier springs helps explain some of the harsh feel for sure.

They should have forks ready to pick up today. They will have new .44 springs installed and a Race Tech Gold Valve kit.

7/1/2020 3:30pm Edited Date/Time 7/1/2020 3:38pm
A1 got my forks back to me today. New bushings and SKF seals, .44 springs, and updated valving (they didn't use gold valve after all).

If the weather holds I'm gonna test them out this weekend.


4
7/2/2020 3:47pm
Rode the KX around my old neighbor's property last week. It's in process of being bulldozed, will try to get more footage soon.

1
7/5/2020 8:07pm
Pic from the track today: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/07/04/436290/s1200_107089948_10157711249809067_8725710606816539562_o.jpg[/img]
Pic from the track today:


What track did you go out to? And how did it do?
7/5/2020 9:40pm
What track did you go out to? And how did it do?
I have jetting issues. I posted about that here: https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Tech-Help-Race-Shop,42/Jetting-help-for-…


Apart from the spooge the bike runs well and feels pretty crisp. It's easily the fastest 250 I've ever ridden. I hope I have a chance to ride a newer KTM/Hus two stroke to compare but mine is violent and so freaking fast.

Suspension felt pretty good, so much improved over the stock setup from before.


I was over at A Place To Ride/scrubn dirt in Monroe GA
7/6/2020 6:58am
I have jetting issues. I posted about that here: https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Tech-Help-Race-Shop,42/Jetting-help-for-2007-KX250,1378872 Apart from the spooge the bike runs well and feels pretty crisp. It's easily the fastest...
I have jetting issues. I posted about that here: https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Tech-Help-Race-Shop,42/Jetting-help-for-…


Apart from the spooge the bike runs well and feels pretty crisp. It's easily the fastest 250 I've ever ridden. I hope I have a chance to ride a newer KTM/Hus two stroke to compare but mine is violent and so freaking fast.

Suspension felt pretty good, so much improved over the stock setup from before.


I was over at A Place To Ride/scrubn dirt in Monroe GA
Awesome how was that track? I have heard it’s a super fast track and it’s only a couple hours away from us.
7/6/2020 8:49am
I'll DM you to keep this thread from changing topic. :-)
8/8/2020 7:10pm
Had a pretty awesome day riding. Also getting closer to fixing the nagging spooge issue (thread here).




1
8/8/2020 7:19pm
Working on getting this installed tonight.


1
8/9/2020 2:39pm Edited Date/Time 8/9/2020 2:40pm
Any suggestions other than bolting the front brake guide to the numberplate? Are there any aftermarket solutions that look good and don't attach the the numberplate?


12/23/2020 2:31pm
First time on bike today in over 3 months. Went to Monroe scrubn dirt. There were maybe like 10 people there including a couple minis. Three dudes were there on older KX big bikes, a couple 90s KX125s and a 90s KX250 all of them looked really good and clean. I fucked up and forgot to get a pic of all our bikes together. Haven't seen four two stroke KX big bikes at the same time in a long time.

If any of the dudes in that group were there shout out, let's ride again sometime. Track flows real good when you get a little more time on it.

Bike ran decent though I was on pump gas and it didn't have the same pull as the race gas I used over the summer. Had a little bogging in a couple soft sections just out of corners.
1
12/27/2020 5:26pm
Someone happened to be at Scrubn Dirt taking pics, so I finally have some of me riding this bike! Track was a little slick early on but tacked up pretty good by mid afternoon.











11
1/25/2021 12:21pm
Had an awesome ride at Scrubin Dirt last weekend. Bike felt pretty good, track was perfect.

2

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