'89 KX125

RM400Pinger
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RM400Pinger
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 4:08am
I recently purchased this '89 KX125 and plan to soon begin the tear down. Are there any known issues that I should be on the lookout for during the process?

Also, does anyone know of any upside-down forks from another bike that would be a fairly simple swap? Thanks!



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CamP
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CamP 12/30/2010 12:40pm
12/30/2010 12:40pm
The 46mm forks on the '89 KX's were the best conventional forks ever made. They were better than most upside forks until the twin chamber forks came out.
newmann
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newmann 12/30/2010 1:10pm
12/30/2010 1:10pm
Those 89 model forks were quite desirable during the first few years of the upside down forks. I remember more than one perimeter framed KX running them. Good stuff, keep them on there.
RM400Pinger
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RM400Pinger 12/30/2010 1:29pm
12/30/2010 1:29pm Edited Date/Time 12/30/2010 1:30pm
Thanks for the info! I have ridden the bike but it was just to try it out so I couldn't really tell how good they were. I will just leave them on there then. Thanks again!

casedit
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casedit 12/31/2010 8:14am
12/31/2010 8:14am
I had an 89 bought new in 89.. it was plagued with jetting issues.. the trick back then was to file 1.5mm off the choke tower and get it polished.. i sent mine out to TUF racing back in the day

The Shop

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user760a
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user760a 12/31/2010 5:25pm
12/31/2010 5:25pm
man if I could just go back and ride the 89 kx125 again...good times
Boarddesign
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Boarddesign 1/1/2011 9:36am
1/1/2011 9:36am
I got one new when they came out, liked it a lot and had no jetting issues. I lived at sea level in Wa. Later that year I got a RM 125 and thought I was faster on it... Good thing I worked at a dealership (Paulsons) cuz I would blow that thing up every weekend it seemed. Should have stuck with the KX. I traded them both for a '91 CR.. best thing I ever did!
ThePipe
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ThePipe 1/2/2011 5:09pm
1/2/2011 5:09pm
Keep the forks on it
Great Forks Great Bike
RM400Pinger
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RM400Pinger 1/6/2011 5:20am
1/6/2011 5:20am
Thanks for the replies. Are there any aftermarket foot pegs available for this bike? I have looked and all I am finding are ones for the '89 KX500 which appear to mount differently. Also, does anyone make a graphics kit for it besides the facftory. The OEM ones are super expensive. Thanks again!
newmann
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newmann 1/6/2011 7:10am
1/6/2011 7:10am
Try One Eighty decals. He's made up some one off stuff for me before. If not, I'm sure DeCal Works probably can still print those up, PD441 here on Vital works there.
MCfan4life
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MCfan4life 1/15/2011 5:29am
1/15/2011 5:29am
RM400Pinger wrote:
I recently purchased this '89 KX125 and plan to soon begin the tear down. Are there any known issues that I should be on the lookout...
I recently purchased this '89 KX125 and plan to soon begin the tear down. Are there any known issues that I should be on the lookout for during the process?

Also, does anyone know of any upside-down forks from another bike that would be a fairly simple swap? Thanks!



That's in good condition for an '89.

Sounds like you're going to stick with the standard forks but if you seriously wanted to go USD then the 89 KX's were released in Australia with USD forks. Like this:



Actually I think Japan and Europe also got the USD forks. It was just the US that got conventional forks but it sounds like they were the better option...
RM400Pinger
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RM400Pinger 1/15/2011 6:05am
1/15/2011 6:05am
Thanks for the info. I have seen that pic but couldn't figure out why that bike had the upside-down forks and every other pic has had the conventional ones. Makes sense that it was from overseas. It'd be cool to find a set but probably next to impossible here in the states...

I've sent the frame and subframe to the powdercoaters so it's moving along. I'll post some pics once I get them back.
drmarkr
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drmarkr 1/16/2011 5:06pm
1/16/2011 5:06pm
We had a nice one out at the ride day last Friday.....very nice.

Thanks Workspilot.

dlowe102
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dlowe102 2/27/2011 5:37pm
2/27/2011 5:37pm
I raced one in 95-97 very solid bike.
RM400Pinger
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RM400Pinger 4/4/2011 4:37pm
4/4/2011 4:37pm Edited Date/Time 4/4/2011 4:41pm
Well, it's been a while but, here is the progress I have made so far. Only a few things left to do like install the clutch and throttle cables, chain, front sprocket and the front wheel.

Beginning the teardown


Newly powdercoated frame


Subframe, swingarm and triple trees


Rear caliper before my homemade soda blaster


After - worked pretty well I think...


Reassembly begins












Marshall Dillon 4/4/2011 5:33pm
4/4/2011 5:33pm
beautiful machine, my friend. love the 89 KX tiddler...always have.
Bryan_Wanke
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Bryan_Wanke 4/4/2011 5:44pm
4/4/2011 5:44pm
Awsome Job how did you make the soda blaster?
Wandell
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Wandell 4/4/2011 8:15pm
4/4/2011 8:15pm
Looking good! Keep us updated.

Pit Row

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lumpy790
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lumpy790 4/4/2011 9:45pm
4/4/2011 9:45pm
I have some new OEM parts for your 89 plus a used radiator, stock pipe and maybe the F & R caliper/lines/master cylinder.

berniepiet
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berniepiet 4/5/2011 6:48pm
4/5/2011 6:48pm
lumpy790 wrote:
I have some new OEM parts for your 89 plus a used radiator, stock pipe and maybe the F & R caliper/lines/master cylinder. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/lumpy790/Kaw%20parts/OEMKITS.jpg[/IMG]
I have some new OEM parts for your 89 plus a used radiator, stock pipe and maybe the F & R caliper/lines/master cylinder.

I have a 1989 KX 125 I am restoring. I could use some of those. PM me with details.

Thanks!!!
lumpy790
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lumpy790 4/6/2011 7:07am
4/6/2011 7:07am
Let me know what parts your looking for with description and Kawasaki part number. We currently do not make the radiator hoses but if there is demand we will. Demand = 3 sets pre-sold + a sample set to make the molds.

You can Email me at info@MotoHose.com
burn1986
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burn1986 4/6/2011 11:47am
4/6/2011 11:47am
Nice! I wanted one of those when they came out. Was broke at the time. Nothin like an older bike that looks new.
RM400Pinger
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RM400Pinger 4/17/2011 5:45pm
4/17/2011 5:45pm
I finished the bike this weekend, just need to decide on decals/graphics since the originals are no longer available. The bike runs and rides great, now I just need to get it dirty!

Wandell
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Wandell 4/17/2011 7:36pm
4/17/2011 7:36pm
Looks great!!
queen of spodes 4/19/2011 10:45am
4/19/2011 10:45am
Very envious of your KX.. I had a '85 and '86 that I loved. If I could ever find another here in Atlanta....
Pat327
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Pat327 4/19/2011 5:13pm
4/19/2011 5:13pm
Looks great! Always liked the look of those bikes.
chase383
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chase383 4/20/2011 10:48am
4/20/2011 10:48am
Bike looks great. The chain looks rather tight though... just sayin..
Post a ride report once you get some time on it!!
660Dunlop 4/20/2011 11:02am
4/20/2011 11:02am
Crankcase leaks were a problem with that era of kx 125. They used a glue instead of a gasket. Check your plug.
kxrider22
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Sharon, PA US
kxrider22 5/1/2011 4:51pm
5/1/2011 4:51pm
lumpy790 wrote:
I have some new OEM parts for your 89 plus a used radiator, stock pipe and maybe the F & R caliper/lines/master cylinder. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/lumpy790/Kaw%20parts/OEMKITS.jpg[/IMG]
I have some new OEM parts for your 89 plus a used radiator, stock pipe and maybe the F & R caliper/lines/master cylinder.

do you know what years the kx250 kick starter lever will fit on a 89kx250? thanks
lumpy790
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lumpy790 5/6/2011 6:24am
5/6/2011 6:24am
All of the parts were sold.

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