First Ever Kawasaki - KX450 What do I need to know?

Tim507
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Tim507
Edited Date/Time 1/30/2021 9:36pm




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LungButter
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LungButter 1/19/2021 10:31am
1/19/2021 10:31am
I'd say ask your kid instead of these knuckleheads Laughing

Sweet ride! Congrats!
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mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 1/19/2021 10:31am
1/19/2021 10:31am
Double check all of your fender bolts before riding! Trust me lol. Other than that, Kawi’s are solid! Enjoy it and congrats!
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Tim507
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Tim507 1/19/2021 10:37am
1/19/2021 10:37am
LungButter wrote:
I'd say ask your kid instead of these knuckleheads Laughing

Sweet ride! Congrats!
HaHa! He was surprised I didn't get another KTMSilly

The Shop

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ElliotB16
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ElliotB16 1/19/2021 10:39am
1/19/2021 10:39am
Bar mounts, lower chain roller, tighten every bolt, they seem to work loose bad. Don’t get a FMF exhaust.

Read up on the 1000 page thread on here
Leeham
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Leeham 1/19/2021 10:45am
1/19/2021 10:45am
Judging by the lack of grease on the steering stem, go through all the linkage and swingarm bearings. Sometimes there is enough grease, other times there isnt. My 21 YZ250F barely had grease in the linkage. Looke more like an oil rather than grease. Also for peace of mind. Di-electric grease electical connections. Even if it may not ever see water at that point, its a 100x getting the connection apart if something has to be replaced.
Tim507
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Tim507 1/19/2021 10:49am
1/19/2021 10:49am
Who sells the best and most comprehensive bolt kit for this bike?
Tim507
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Tim507 1/19/2021 10:50am
1/19/2021 10:50am
Leeham wrote:
Judging by the lack of grease on the steering stem, go through all the linkage and swingarm bearings. Sometimes there is enough grease, other times there...
Judging by the lack of grease on the steering stem, go through all the linkage and swingarm bearings. Sometimes there is enough grease, other times there isnt. My 21 YZ250F barely had grease in the linkage. Looke more like an oil rather than grease. Also for peace of mind. Di-electric grease electical connections. Even if it may not ever see water at that point, its a 100x getting the connection apart if something has to be replaced.
The linkage looked like it had sewing machine oil on the parts!!
slipdog
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slipdog 1/19/2021 11:37am
1/19/2021 11:37am
Rubber side down is all you need to know.

On a side note, I got a killer deal on my son's new YZ65 from Power Motorsports. Would use again!
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coastie44
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coastie44 1/19/2021 3:17pm
1/19/2021 3:17pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2021 3:20pm
I've had 3 KX450s in a row. On all of them the same thing is needed:

-lower *and* upper chain roller
-Acerbis chain guide and swingarm buffer (cheaper and better looking IMHO than the TM designs)
-never seize on the chain adjuster bolts

But almost nothing else is needed on this one. These '19-up bikes are soooo good. I don't know what suspension changes were made on the '21, but the '19 forks were solid with just a slight bump in oil level (335 cc). I sold mine in favor of some KYB A-kit forks, but I am still running the stock shock with not even a re-valve.

Edit: the '21 clutch is supposed to be really good, enjoy it!
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crc245
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crc245 1/19/2021 4:08pm
1/19/2021 4:08pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2021 4:12pm
Congrats on the new ride!

From SoCal vet riding experience, here are a couple recommendations: grease, anti-seize, and loctite that beauty before riding; 116L chain with 13-51 gearing to re-position the rear wheel; slip-on exhaust with stock header is a good way to go (really like the PC and Yosh versions); 110/90-19 rear tire; toss the stock grips (and vulcanized throttle tube) for something more comfortable (there are a few aftermarket options for quicker-turn throttle tubes which also perk it up); throw the white coupler into the holeshot/EFI indicator plug if you want to clear up bar space by removing the entire system; ride it stock BEFORE tuning on the suspension, it will give you a better baseline and appreciation for how close Kawasaki got this 2019+ platform - At 200lbs and with 25+ hours on my 20', all I've changed is +20cc's in the forks with the optional stiffer OEM's springs (5.2N/MM front and 56N/MM rear), coupled with clicker changes and a minor revalve on the shock...Enjoy that beauty


Edit: Add ARC front brake lever to the list if you don't like the pencil-thin stocker.

PS: Is that an 18" rear wheel and kickstand in the dealership photo? If so, disregard the 110/90-19 mention!
quadzrulebro 1/19/2021 4:23pm
1/19/2021 4:23pm
Probably the longest thread in the history of Vital is dedicated to that bike. Enjoy!
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MasonMan
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MasonMan 1/19/2021 4:29pm
1/19/2021 4:29pm
It breaks bones

Hopefully you ride it more then that Green Monster Rides you. Wink
That goes for any Bike. Glad your still riding my friendLaughing
haggs151
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haggs151 1/19/2021 4:43pm
1/19/2021 4:43pm
ElliotB16 wrote:
Bar mounts, lower chain roller, tighten every bolt, they seem to work loose bad. Don’t get a FMF exhaust. Read up on the 1000 page thread...
Bar mounts, lower chain roller, tighten every bolt, they seem to work loose bad. Don’t get a FMF exhaust.

Read up on the 1000 page thread on here
Hey man, new to the page. What’s the beef with fmf exhausts? Thanks!
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bh
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bh 1/19/2021 4:46pm
1/19/2021 4:46pm
beef up the muffler bracket, and I personally like to get the radiators beefed up as well by icw.
g0rd057
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g0rd057 1/19/2021 5:13pm
1/19/2021 5:13pm
When I read the title, I was picturing this......


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SCAM124
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SCAM124 1/21/2021 5:31am
1/21/2021 5:31am
Tim507 wrote:
Who sells the best and most comprehensive bolt kit for this bike?
Hey Tim. If you don't have a thread insert kit already, go get some. M6 especially.
I've had all brands and for some reason, Kawasaki has the worst fasteners (specifically the female side) in the business.
The larger (M8 and up) stuff seems ok on the bikes.

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quadzrulebro 1/21/2021 6:04am
1/21/2021 6:04am
Tim507 wrote:
Who sells the best and most comprehensive bolt kit for this bike?
SCAM124 wrote:
Hey Tim. If you don't have a thread insert kit already, go get some. M6 especially. I've had all brands and for some reason, Kawasaki has...
Hey Tim. If you don't have a thread insert kit already, go get some. M6 especially.
I've had all brands and for some reason, Kawasaki has the worst fasteners (specifically the female side) in the business.
The larger (M8 and up) stuff seems ok on the bikes.

I’ve only lost a single bolt (a front fender bolt that I’ve honestly never checked) in the year I’ve owned the bike. I also have never bunged up a thread on my bike, either. I torque everything to spec every time I screw in a nut or bolt, so I suppose this helps keep things from rattling off. If you’re constantly losing hardware or damaging threads, that sounds like user error to me.
1
Ronnie_Gardner 1/21/2021 6:25am
1/21/2021 6:25am
Grease the steering stem bearings, I’ve had 4 2019 and newer kx450s The best bikes I’ve ever owned and Lowest maintenance, And I have owned ever brand
Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 1/21/2021 6:29am
1/21/2021 6:29am

How about some photos of that center port CZ you mention in your signature?!

"1975 250 CZ Centerport, laydown shocks, mikuni with reed valve, Marzocchi fork"

Congrats on the KX450, welcome to the Team Green Family. There's plenty of good info in that 160+ page thread!
Tim507
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Tim507 1/21/2021 6:33am
1/21/2021 6:33am
Zeke27G wrote:
How about some photos of that center port CZ you mention in your signature?! "1975 250 CZ Centerport, laydown shocks, mikuni with reed valve, Marzocchi fork"...

How about some photos of that center port CZ you mention in your signature?!

"1975 250 CZ Centerport, laydown shocks, mikuni with reed valve, Marzocchi fork"

Congrats on the KX450, welcome to the Team Green Family. There's plenty of good info in that 160+ page thread!
I have the Das Motorad article on the bike (with color photos) in a box and I might have some pics in my computer at home (I'm at work) that I can dig out.
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EngIceDave
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EngIceDave 1/21/2021 6:36am
1/21/2021 6:36am
"First Ever Kawasaki - KX450 What do I need to know?"

Do not crash.
Crashing is bad.
Tim507
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Tim507 1/21/2021 6:38am
1/21/2021 6:38am
EngIceDave wrote:
"First Ever Kawasaki - KX450 What do I need to know?"

Do not crash.
Crashing is bad.
Isn't that the truth, at my age crashing is not allowed!
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planter
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planter 1/21/2021 6:38am
1/21/2021 6:38am
Can you elaborate on this:

throw the white coupler into the holeshot/EFI indicator plug if you want to clear up bar space by removing the entire system

I am one of the rare riders that actually like the OEM bar with crossbar, but would like to free ups some space for handquards. What have others done beyond moving the switches to where their no longer easily accessible.
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kNewc
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kNewc 1/21/2021 8:07am
1/21/2021 8:07am
ElliotB16 wrote:
Bar mounts, lower chain roller, tighten every bolt, they seem to work loose bad. Don’t get a FMF exhaust. Read up on the 1000 page thread...
Bar mounts, lower chain roller, tighten every bolt, they seem to work loose bad. Don’t get a FMF exhaust.

Read up on the 1000 page thread on here
haggs151 wrote:
Hey man, new to the page. What’s the beef with fmf exhausts? Thanks!
Yea I was thinking of getting one for my KX250. From what I've heard if you want more on bottom and top go for FMF if you want more top end get Pro Circuit. Although I believe Keefer said he got a bit more lower end on the Pro Circuit as well.
SCAM124
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SCAM124 1/21/2021 8:14am
1/21/2021 8:14am
Tim507 wrote:
Who sells the best and most comprehensive bolt kit for this bike?
SCAM124 wrote:
Hey Tim. If you don't have a thread insert kit already, go get some. M6 especially. I've had all brands and for some reason, Kawasaki has...
Hey Tim. If you don't have a thread insert kit already, go get some. M6 especially.
I've had all brands and for some reason, Kawasaki has the worst fasteners (specifically the female side) in the business.
The larger (M8 and up) stuff seems ok on the bikes.

quadzrulebro wrote:
I’ve only lost a single bolt (a front fender bolt that I’ve honestly never checked) in the year I’ve owned the bike. I also have never...
I’ve only lost a single bolt (a front fender bolt that I’ve honestly never checked) in the year I’ve owned the bike. I also have never bunged up a thread on my bike, either. I torque everything to spec every time I screw in a nut or bolt, so I suppose this helps keep things from rattling off. If you’re constantly losing hardware or damaging threads, that sounds like user error to me.
Congrats on not having any issues. Thats a good thing!

Not saying I've never stripped a bolt on my bikes before but on my MY16 bike I had 4 fasteners that were buggered from the OEM. Couple on the body panels, couple elsewhere. All M6's. One of the fuel tank inserts I had to spin out because the bolt was cross-threaded from new.

My MY11 bike had a couple also that just weren't quite right from the OEM.

Just my observations, perhaps its a sample size of one situation but I have other folks that echo similar issues with green machines.

Tim507 was looking for advise. Thought I'd chime in.

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