1979 Kawasaki kdx 400 question

Brock24
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Hasty, CO US
2/28/2019 5:50am
Hi I'm new here. I just got a kdx 400 for free it's in good shape and cleaned the carb and got it running. But started to run kinda funny so I took the head off and got the piston out. Its messed up from a broken ring. So I found a new old stock piston on ebay and bought it and the darn thing didnt come with rings and I'm having hell trying to find some. Parts for these are so hard to find. Does anyone have any idea of where I can find some? Thank you, Brock
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mxrose3
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2/28/2019 8:24am Edited Date/Time 2/28/2019 8:30am
Not a lot of options for that bike. Probably why you don't see many around anymore. I've read that Wiseco will custom make pistons for about $175 a piece, but they need a min order of 10. If you could find 10 people that still owned one of these dinosaurs, it might be worth it.
Also, you may be able to find a set of 80mm rings from another bike and possibly get your piston machined to fit the rings. I also read that the 80mm rings from 92-96 Kawasaki 750 SS jetski *might fit.

Brock24
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Hasty, CO US
2/28/2019 10:27am
Thanks guys. Just looked at that jet ski rings they dont look the same. The bore size is 80mm. Do you think I could just put that jet ski piston in the
kdx? Just tried to look at the website and it's not working . Thanks
barnett468
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Wildomar, CA US
2/28/2019 1:25pm
Brock24 wrote:
Thanks guys. Just looked at that jet ski rings they dont look the same. The bore size is 80mm. Do you think I could just put...
Thanks guys. Just looked at that jet ski rings they dont look the same. The bore size is 80mm. Do you think I could just put that jet ski piston in the
kdx? Just tried to look at the website and it's not working . Thanks
that link works fine for me.

The Shop

mxrose3
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2/28/2019 1:59pm
Brock24 wrote:
Thanks guys. Just looked at that jet ski rings they dont look the same. The bore size is 80mm. Do you think I could just put...
Thanks guys. Just looked at that jet ski rings they dont look the same. The bore size is 80mm. Do you think I could just put that jet ski piston in the
kdx? Just tried to look at the website and it's not working . Thanks
Hard to tell. Might be able to call wiseco and get the measurements.
2/28/2019 2:05pm
This bit of info might help you a little bit the later kdx 420 n 450's. Had the same bore size they got thier cc increase from stroke via longer crank rods.

My friend used to have one of those 400's but we spent more time riding our 1980 kdx 250's instead.
Brock24
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Hasty, CO US
2/28/2019 8:41pm
Sounds like I'm pretty much screwed huh lol. Thanks
2/28/2019 10:14pm Edited Date/Time 2/28/2019 10:16pm
I found some kdx 420 rings but it looks like the info i found of them being the same bore as the 400 was wrong. Looks like the 400 was 80mm and the 420 was 83mm.
Brock24
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Hasty, CO US
3/1/2019 5:31am
Yea I saw that. Can you guys go to amazon and type in - Wiseco Piston 80MM for Kawasaki Brute Force 650 Prairie 650. I wonder if that would work? It looks just like the one I have.
3/1/2019 3:14pm
Brock24 wrote:
Yea I saw that. Can you guys go to amazon and type in - Wiseco Piston 80MM for Kawasaki Brute Force 650 Prairie 650. I wonder...
Yea I saw that. Can you guys go to amazon and type in - Wiseco Piston 80MM for Kawasaki Brute Force 650 Prairie 650. I wonder if that would work? It looks just like the one I have.
The Prairie is a four stroke engine, isn't it ?
3/1/2019 3:58pm
Brock24 wrote:
Yea I saw that. Can you guys go to amazon and type in - Wiseco Piston 80MM for Kawasaki Brute Force 650 Prairie 650. I wonder...
Yea I saw that. Can you guys go to amazon and type in - Wiseco Piston 80MM for Kawasaki Brute Force 650 Prairie 650. I wonder if that would work? It looks just like the one I have.
The Prairie is a four stroke engine, isn't it ?
It in fact is. But maybe with some headwork?Grinning
3/1/2019 4:14pm
Brock24 wrote:
Yea I saw that. Can you guys go to amazon and type in - Wiseco Piston 80MM for Kawasaki Brute Force 650 Prairie 650. I wonder...
Yea I saw that. Can you guys go to amazon and type in - Wiseco Piston 80MM for Kawasaki Brute Force 650 Prairie 650. I wonder if that would work? It looks just like the one I have.
The Prairie is a four stroke engine, isn't it ?
It in fact is. But maybe with some headwork?Grinning
And make sure to use all three rings.
mxrose3
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3/1/2019 6:25pm Edited Date/Time 3/1/2019 6:25pm
4 stroke rings normally don't have the cutaway for the positioning pin. They float around the piston.
TTperra
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3/2/2019 1:08am Edited Date/Time 3/2/2019 1:12am
I think Wossner or Vertex(dont remember) have catalog with bore and pinhight listed, then you can compare and see if a piston from other bike could fit, but its not so easy, when you found a match you have to look at the angle of the dome and length/shape of skirt and location of ring position pin(so the end of ring dont catch a port).
I see if i can find it

I have a piston for KX450 but its 86mm
Brock24
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Hasty, CO US
3/5/2019 6:18am
I just found new old stock piston rings for the 400 on ebay. 120$ from United kingdom. I bought them right away! Thanks for everything guys
1
Brock24
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Hasty, CO US
3/7/2019 12:02pm
Does anyone know a Kawasaki green paint code? Maybe on a newer Kawasaki. I dont like the lime green on the 79 kdx.
barnett468
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3/7/2019 3:05pm
Brock24 wrote:
Does anyone know a Kawasaki green paint code? Maybe on a newer Kawasaki. I dont like the lime green on the 79 kdx.
look here at different years and models. also check out the ninjas from 85/86

https://www.colorrite.com/
Brock24
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Hasty, CO US
3/9/2019 8:24am
Thank you. I should have it all done in a couple weeks. I'll post a pic when I get her finished.
1
big natty
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Frederick, MD US
4/10/2023 11:21pm

Theres plenty of parts around.just got a cyclinder for 100.00.  Top end kit 160.00.

Let me know ill give u the info.

 

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