Posts
249
Joined
1/21/2020
Location
Forest Lake, MN
US
Fantasy
1297th
Edited Date/Time
2/27/2020 6:00am
First time posting here after lurking like most. Lots of great bike builds here. Thought I would share mine. Keep in mind, this is weekend warrior +30 C vet bike. Mostly open motocross practice and D23 hare scrambles, not a garage queen. A new bike isn't in the financial budget this year, so that's why the refresh. So no high end titanium or works parts here. Sorry if rebuilding a 5 year old MX bike is over done. Save your time and stop reading now.
On with the subject matter here, 2014 KTM 250 SX. I bought it fall of 2015 after trading my KTM supermoto straight up with a guy on craigslist. I'm the third owner, no idea original hours on the bike. Assume one full race season by a local MX'r. Already had suspension setup, and some aftermarket bits, like radiator braces, lowering link, tusk wheel set. Previous owner claims full engine rebuild prior, yada, yada.
Here she is after I originally spruced her up:
Always wanted the frame powder coated orange, so time for tear down.
Frame was getting pretty rough, worse under the frame guards.
On with the subject matter here, 2014 KTM 250 SX. I bought it fall of 2015 after trading my KTM supermoto straight up with a guy on craigslist. I'm the third owner, no idea original hours on the bike. Assume one full race season by a local MX'r. Already had suspension setup, and some aftermarket bits, like radiator braces, lowering link, tusk wheel set. Previous owner claims full engine rebuild prior, yada, yada.
Here she is after I originally spruced her up:
Always wanted the frame powder coated orange, so time for tear down.
Frame was getting pretty rough, worse under the frame guards.
I love before and after photos, so satisfying.
I like when you come home to find moto goodies on your door step.
Sad part is, half of the hours are just from last year. Either way hope to ride more. I've added and replaced parts over the years. Flywheel weight, FMF pipe and silencer, had the suspension setup for me, etc.
Now back together she goes...
Of course new steering stem bearings were installed. Cleaned and greased the swingarm and linkage bearings. Replacing all the wearables. Looks like original countershaft cover. The other chain sliders were replaced by previous owner. Old vs new
Even with such low hours (?) It's interesting to see how stuff wears out so fast on these machines. I imagine the previous owner has 40 hours on it plus my 28, if i had to guess.
On to the rear brake caliper. I always wondered what was up with the caliper piston...
New brake caliper piston, o-rings, pads, and brake hardware.
The Shop
I added the top clamp from a newer bike to my 14 150SX and it helped a lot with the vibration.
I also want to update to the newer front number plate and fender combo. But they also changed the color of the KTM orange and I don't want to buy another full plastic set just to match the front.
Like we say at the track, "good enough for the girls we go for."
I'm not going for the polished look. Trust me, after looking at some of the other builds around here, I thought about investing in a bench polisher, soda blasting, and cabinet etc. But after thinking about it, my first wet sloppy spring ride would make all that seem worthless.
but they're discontinued for the VForce 3 valve. Oh well, guess I needed an upgrade.
I was curious what the difference was from the V3 to V4.
Intake manifold boot also appears weathered, so I got a new one as well.
New frame guards. These look so much better. Yes, they are still loose. Still need to put the engine back in...
The 19 plastic is more fluorescent orange vs pumpkin orange on my 14.
While I wait for front wheel bearings to arrive, on to the motor...
The bolt that holds the spring to the lever was loose, and the spring had zero tension on it.
Causing wear on a few power valve parts
Power valve was a bit sticky. After a bit of elbow grease, cleaned all the carbon off, and working freely again.
Mine has 263 hours, so a lot will need to be done to it lol
My engine is still pretty fresh so I will hold off on that, and possibly send off the cylinder, head and cases when it comes time to rebuild the bottom end
Just doing a top end only. Bottom still checks within spec. Replaced the Weisco with the same one. Looks like the original owner did replace a top end once before me.
Pit Row
I went with the Torc1 pedal to match my Torc1 shifter on the other side. Thought the brake snake that it comes with (not pictured) might come in handy durring a hare scramble someday.
My brake wears in the same spot, check your clutch cover hole also. I’ve had both repaired and they need it again.
Also, I’ve ran vertex and wisecos in my bike with zero issues. The last 3 have been wisecos and I’m sticking with it. Vertex c clips are a pain.
I’m excited to refresh the whole bike. Just framed it today and may make my own thread for the build. Nothing special
I'm interested, but $200 is a lot to gamble on lol
I switched to the stock triple clamps with rubber bar mounts from a very nice set of Applied Racing rigid bar mounts on a CR250 I used to have l. Was significantly better.
I rode a 14 250SX at a demo day when planning to upgrade from my CR250. It vibrated really bad.
After riding my 150 SX for awhile I had the same sensation as my old Honda. Then found a set on Facebook and snagged them. Was a lot better.
OP, as somebody in the middle of restoring a 2012 250XC, your pictures of the teardown have honestly been very helpful in trying to figure out some of the wiring routing lol so thank you for that.
Build looks great!
Happy to see your build going so well and Love the look of the orange frame!
Have to ask. What happened to the good clamps KTM and Husky come stock with?
All back together in the bike:
Thanks to lumpy790 for steering me the correct way on my hoses. A secret reason why I post photos along the way, so other vital mxer's can point out my faults.
Part of the hardest part of the build is, my inability to make decisions on what parts, what graphics, etc. Trying to stay on a budget. This bike is slowly becoming my woods weapon, more than an MX'er.
Plan on using paint stripper on my clutch cover, and going for a raw aluminum look since the paint is wore off anyways.
Credit to user jeffro667 on here.
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