1987 Kawasaki KX250 low-key restore

This is the way:

This is about as good as it's gonna get with mostly stock setup. Braided steel hose, new caliper bled with fresh fluid. 

For anyone looking, the 87 KX125/250/500 caliper was also used in the 1987-2004 KLR650. The KLR guys (bless their hearts) found a way to use an SV650 two piston caliper with a bigger rotor. It requires an oversize disc and different mounting bracket. It was too much for this old bike, so I went with a more budget friendly fix. 

For anyone looking, the 87 and 88 KX125/250/500 front caliper was also used in the 1987-2004 KLR650. The KLR guys (bless their hearts) found a way to use an SV650 two piston caliper with a bigger rotor. It requires an oversize disc and different mounting bracket. It was too much for this old bike, so I went with a more budget friendly fix. 

As of Dec 2023, you can still get brand new calipers for the 87 KX250 and 87-04 KLR650 on Ebay for around $50. Their construction is good, the mounting bracket is a touch thicker than Kawasaki's OEM part. The only main difference is the caliper is bare metal vs painted black for the '87 KX models. 

Testing ignition coils tonight. The old one consistantly measured weird in one of the resistance tests, so I'm gonna put the new one on and work from there. 

Just ordered a used original factory service manual for this bike, couldn't locate the one I had a few years ago. Stuff is so easily lost/misplaced during moves.

I hope they have test parameters for the CDI and/or stator. I'd like to rule out issues with those before I start it again.

Holy heck, I just took the bike out for a test ride not expecting anything. The new ignition coil completely fixed the bogging I mentioned before. The bike pulls VERY hard now, maybe a few ticks below my KTM 250SX.

WOW.

I listed the bike on ebay this morning but am having second thoughts lol

Just confirming that the bike rips now, for a 87 model anyway. Engine sounds crisp.

very brief ride vid through the backyard 

さようなら🫡💚💙😢