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8/31/2012
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ქუთაისი
GE
Edited Date/Time
10/1/2015 4:56am
I rode my friends brand new 94 KX250 BITD, ever since my blood runs green. Found this to do a showroom restoration using all new or NOS Kawasaki parts but had trouble finding a seat. So I had a little fun with some aftermarket stuff. I can easily unbolt the aftermarket parts and continue with the original restoration...if I ever find a seat. lol
My original build thread is on TT, here some details in a nutshell:
It ran when I bought it. I tore it down, replaced some hardware and got it somewhat solid. Rode it once or twice and won a vintage race at Budds.
A nice guy on the web sent me a bunch of his old 94 parts, so I ran his number at Budds..#3.
After that, I began the restoration. Fabbed up a new brake pivot, fixed cracks in the frame, etc. It was a nightmare trying to get the right frame color. Built a soda blaster to refinish the bare aluminum. started my hunt for NOS parts.
My original build thread is on TT, here some details in a nutshell:
It ran when I bought it. I tore it down, replaced some hardware and got it somewhat solid. Rode it once or twice and won a vintage race at Budds.
A nice guy on the web sent me a bunch of his old 94 parts, so I ran his number at Budds..#3.
After that, I began the restoration. Fabbed up a new brake pivot, fixed cracks in the frame, etc. It was a nightmare trying to get the right frame color. Built a soda blaster to refinish the bare aluminum. started my hunt for NOS parts.
the difference between what the paint supplier gave me (left) and NOS bars (right) I have C.D.O. (OCD, but I put the letters in alphabetical order)
More assembly pics
I made this KYB decal. Bought a lazer printer from Staples ans clear sticker paper, printed the decals and returned the printer to Staples. lol
Bought all the warning labels, etc
shock hardware replated
And here is the slightly worn seat I have. I exhausted myself finding a replacement or someone to redo the graphic.
So this was the turning point. I saw a cool, old school seat cover on Ebay and went with it.
1994 Works pipe, repaired and refinished
My buddy on TT gave me these trick spring preload adjusters
NOS Renthals
New brake pedal and foot pegs
Period correct Renthal decals and I made the Uni-Trak ones
Rims refinished by TCR in CA. Stripped, polished and re-anno.
The Shop
BTW, if anyone noticed the empty space on the front fender, I'm looking for a set of the old PC fender arches. I also have the artwork to recreate those arches, but I don't know anyone that can print on clear vinyl like that. I also have the artwork for the old Renthal decal if anyone needs it. Not Photoshop files, these are illustrator files with color separation.
Question: how get the Pro Circuit pipe to look like brand new?
For the finish I lightly cleaned the rust off using mineral spirits and Scotchbrite pads. All done by hand. If you get too aggressive it will become too shiny. There was a dent right on the label, so I carefully removed the label by filing off the original tack welds, then pressurized the pipe and used a torch to remove the dents. After that, I went over the finish again removing heat marks. I re-tacked the label and traced over the welds with a torch to get the "look" the pipe had originally.
Personally I would have went with the OEM seat cover but that's just my personal taste.
A freind on here has a factory Kawi gas tank and seat for sale if you're interested. The tank runs under the seat and the seat is custom made. Ex Factory Kawi from the GP's. If you're interested I can pass on his details.
MC, I talked with him about the tank/seat, we're just a few dollars off what we think it's worth. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
I sent them pics of my cr500 swingarm decals and they made some up.
Moto619, I built a soda blaster to clean the aluminum. Lots of info on the web about DIY soda blasting. Just so you know, you MUST degrease the part to be blasted, the soda only removes stains in the aluminum, not dirt or grease. You can do hubs on an assembled wheel too.
mxnick - That would be awesome! Let me know!
Pit Row
In regards to your seat cover there is a guy in Thailand who does all KX repos,pretty good also.
Seat cover ,this guy does not have the exact colour purple, ( his is lighter ) so you will need to get enough purple vinyl then sent it to him for printing. I sent him mine to get the template and he gave me the first one repod done.. as below
Yes he is on Ebay just go KX seat covers he has most Kawasaki years covers in there PIT REPLICA i think ??
Im chasing a new OEM (gen .. of course ) front brake line and airbox if you have any contacts ???
Yeah, the front brake line is a tough one. I threw on braided lines for now, but was going to have a line made up. I couldn't wait forever for NOS parts to show up on Ebay, so a few of the parts I bought are from newer K models (97-98 bikes). You see my airbox has the cutout for the wire harness and the 4 digits on the intake duct are not 94. I hAd 3 sheets of paper with part numbers I had to look for on Ebay. I bought parts from nearly every English speaking Ebay site/country. Spent a fortune just on shipping. haha. Near the end, money got tight so I have aftermarket fenders and fork guards, brake lines, chain, etc. Besides that stuff, the rest is OEM Kawasaki, even bolts.
As for old vinyl printing, if you have the AI files, try a sign company. They did some swingarm decals for me and they turned out perfect.
Good luck, beautiful work
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