2003 Kx 125 - Project Fun25

B1rdman93
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B1rdman93
Edited Date/Time 2/16/2022 9:37am
So after looking at all these awesome builds, I spent a few weeks searching for a good deal on a two stroke. I happened to come across this 2003 Kx 125 on craigslist. Was able to pick it up for $900. It hadn't been rode in over a year and a half. But being a two stroke, it started second kick! To the naked eye it is in decent shape. I went with a kawy due to local ties with a dealership. When it comes to a build, you'll take any help you can get!

I plan to post updates/pictures of the build as I go. Really excited for this to come together. I have been wanting to build my ideal "dream" bike for a few years now. Hope you guys like what is in store. I appreciate all comments and advise you guys provide.





3
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A.j._Stevens 12/30/2013 8:22pm
12/30/2013 8:22pm
Best thing I ever did to mine was an .080" overbore with a slot up the back port. Increased low end and it revs out alot higher now.
2
Honda lover 707 12/31/2013 8:07am
12/31/2013 8:07am
Pro circuit pipe and silencer and re-jet it. That's all I did to my 03 kx125 for mods but I did rebuild the motor too though. I realized how expensive the kawi parts are when we realized the kid didnt give us the governor with it Haha ( the bike was torn down in a box when I got it )
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 1/1/2014 8:34am
1/1/2014 8:34am
Took a few hours to take it down to the frame and label what bolts go where. Easy to lose or confuse those suckers after months of building. Time to send the frame off to be powdercoated.








I was also about to find a PC works pipe from a form team green rider. It will need some work.

HenryA
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HenryA 1/1/2014 12:49pm
1/1/2014 12:49pm
What color will you go for on the frame? black?

Good luck with the build!

The Shop

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B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 1/1/2014 12:53pm
1/1/2014 12:53pm
HenryA wrote:
What color will you go for on the frame? black?

Good luck with the build!
I think I am going to go with another color close to stock. I have seen some black ones but since Im doing black plastic, I think it may be little much.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 1/4/2014 7:04am
1/4/2014 7:04am
Before taking the motor apart I had already planned on replacing everything. Went with all OEM parts; Complete clutch, Crank, replaced every bearing and seal, new top end and going to have the head port and polished.



While waiting for parts to come in for the motor I went ahead and started cleaning up old parts with some elbow grease. Motor mounts are starting to look new again.


Out with the old parts and in with the new.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 1/8/2014 7:16pm
1/8/2014 7:16pm
Took the time to polish down the swingarm.

Before with the factory paint


After


Finally got the frame back from powdercoat and ended up going with a lighter silver than factory. It has a little bit of metal flake that makes it pop when in the sun light.



WIll be getting more parts in this weekend as well as suspension so the building can begin.

More to come!
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TRON
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TRON 1/9/2014 10:26am
1/9/2014 10:26am
Very nice! Like the frame color.

I'd like to have the spare change to build up a cheap and lightweight 125 one of these days.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 1/9/2014 1:39pm
1/9/2014 1:39pm Edited Date/Time 1/9/2014 1:41pm
TRON wrote:
Very nice! Like the frame color.

I'd like to have the spare change to build up a cheap and lightweight 125 one of these days.
Thanks Tron! If you look around you may be able to find some pretty cheap. It just comes down to how much work it needs and how far you're willing to restore it. Im learning the hard way. Once I think I have everything, more problems and parts are needed. BUT it'll all be worth it when its done.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 1/18/2014 6:49pm
1/18/2014 6:49pm
Finally got the rear suspension mounted up. Once the motor is back together it will be going in. Wheels to be laced up soon.

Some more parts that were delivered.




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B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 2/16/2014 5:38pm
2/16/2014 5:38pm
It had been a while but have made some progress with this build. Next step will be getting the motor in.







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EMA884mx
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EMA884mx 2/16/2014 6:21pm
2/16/2014 6:21pm
I'm really enjoying this rebuild; great pictures and a nice start to your project. How much money do you figure you have put into the bike aside from the $900 you paid for it initially?
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casper
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casper 2/16/2014 6:37pm
2/16/2014 6:37pm
When you got the frame powder coated, did you have to plug up the bolt holes so the powder coating didn't get in them?
1
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 2/17/2014 9:54am
2/17/2014 9:54am
EMA884mx wrote:
I'm really enjoying this rebuild; great pictures and a nice start to your project. How much money do you figure you have put into the bike...
I'm really enjoying this rebuild; great pictures and a nice start to your project. How much money do you figure you have put into the bike aside from the $900 you paid for it initially?
I havent added up the full cost of the build yet. Im going to guess $2,500 - $3,000. But its almost completely brand new! My biggest cost was suspension. It was shot. I made the mistake of having all the stock suspension redone rather than update it to newer 250/450f suspension which would have been cheaper, if not the same but newer technology.
1
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 2/17/2014 9:57am
2/17/2014 9:57am
casper wrote:
When you got the frame powder coated, did you have to plug up the bolt holes so the powder coating didn't get in them?
I dont think they covered them. There were a few I just had to poke the coating out but it was very light. I dont think it would hurt to cover or plug them though. I did have to sand down the inner diameter of the motor mount and swingarm holes so the bolts would fit due to the extra coating.
Kidkawie
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Kidkawie 2/19/2014 12:03pm
2/19/2014 12:03pm
Loving the frame color and the build so far!

Here's my 05 with throwback graphics
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Jeekinz/KX125/IMG_5538.jpg

You can get those forks to work pretty good. If your familiar with digging into the valving I can give you my setup. I'm always tinkering with the stacks, but what I have now is pretty good. Remove the bladders and go up one spring rate (if you havent resprung it yet)
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 2/20/2014 12:30pm
2/20/2014 12:30pm
Kidkawie wrote:
Loving the frame color and the build so far! Here's my 05 with throwback graphics http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Jeekinz/KX125/IMG_5538.jpg You can get those forks to work pretty good. If...
Loving the frame color and the build so far!

Here's my 05 with throwback graphics
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Jeekinz/KX125/IMG_5538.jpg

You can get those forks to work pretty good. If your familiar with digging into the valving I can give you my setup. I'm always tinkering with the stacks, but what I have now is pretty good. Remove the bladders and go up one spring rate (if you havent resprung it yet)
I am hoping to have a lot of the build done this weekend. But Ive had the suspension completely redone. Seals, springs, etc. But once I go to service it, I may look at trying different settings.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 3/10/2014 7:20am
3/10/2014 7:20am
After a while of stripping the motor down, replacing every piece, besides the gears, it is finally back together. Did a little port and polish but that is about it for any modifications. Everything replaced is new OEM. Complete Clutch, Top End, Bearings, Seals, and Crank.

Before


After a heavy cleaning (New clutch cover on its way)




2

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wsc96
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wsc96 3/26/2014 9:38pm
3/26/2014 9:38pm Edited Date/Time 1/31/2019 7:47pm
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 3/27/2014 1:19pm
3/27/2014 1:19pm
wsc96 wrote:
I used crossbuff balls. I found different sizes and compounds at Summit Racing. Then a lite wool to make sure I got all the lines in one direction. It takes a long time to get it just right but its well worth it if you dont mind the upkeep of keeping it that way.
wsc96
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wsc96 3/27/2014 2:37pm
3/27/2014 2:37pm Edited Date/Time 1/31/2019 7:48pm
smoothies862
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smoothies862 3/27/2014 8:10pm
3/27/2014 8:10pm
you had me at "lines in one direction" isnt ocd cool?! looks great. we need a video of it getting the legs stretched out. a 125 is on my list for shop fun and my boy is getting closer to that size bike.
smoothies862
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smoothies862 3/27/2014 8:15pm
3/27/2014 8:15pm
Kidkawie wrote:
Loving the frame color and the build so far! Here's my 05 with throwback graphics http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Jeekinz/KX125/IMG_5538.jpg You can get those forks to work pretty good. If...
Loving the frame color and the build so far!

Here's my 05 with throwback graphics
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Jeekinz/KX125/IMG_5538.jpg

You can get those forks to work pretty good. If your familiar with digging into the valving I can give you my setup. I'm always tinkering with the stacks, but what I have now is pretty good. Remove the bladders and go up one spring rate (if you havent resprung it yet)
kidkawie,the dog looks like hes thinking "umm,in the house?really?" lol.
Cygnus
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Cygnus 3/27/2014 8:18pm
3/27/2014 8:18pm
Damn nice build! Good work. Cant wait for the finished product.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 3/28/2014 6:26am
3/28/2014 6:26am
Thanks guys! I should have some update pictures tonight or tomorrow. Still waiting on a few more parts that were backordered. A bike no longer made is hard to find parts for.
adamcr151515 3/28/2014 6:34am
3/28/2014 6:34am
B1rdman93 wrote:
Thanks guys! I should have some update pictures tonight or tomorrow. Still waiting on a few more parts that were backordered. A bike no longer made...
Thanks guys! I should have some update pictures tonight or tomorrow. Still waiting on a few more parts that were backordered. A bike no longer made is hard to find parts for.
Tell me about it. Just finished a restoration on a 1982 CR125 last night.
Kidkawie
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Kidkawie 3/28/2014 7:42am
3/28/2014 7:42am
About keeping track of the hardware, the Kawasaki parts diagrams lists the bolt size in the part description. I bought a small metric steel rule just for that purpose since I'm constantly wrenching on Kawasakis.

They also (sometimes) list bearing, o-ring and sleeve sizes. For the bearings, they sometimes list alternat part numbers or bearing sizes in the description. You can Google that info for alternates.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 3/28/2014 8:27am
3/28/2014 8:27am
Kidkawie wrote:
About keeping track of the hardware, the Kawasaki parts diagrams lists the bolt size in the part description. I bought a small metric steel rule just...
About keeping track of the hardware, the Kawasaki parts diagrams lists the bolt size in the part description. I bought a small metric steel rule just for that purpose since I'm constantly wrenching on Kawasakis.

They also (sometimes) list bearing, o-ring and sleeve sizes. For the bearings, they sometimes list alternat part numbers or bearing sizes in the description. You can Google that info for alternates.
I actually had luck keeping it all organized and I bolts were easy to find. Im just waiting for clutch cover mainly.
B1rdman93
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B1rdman93 4/3/2014 8:31am
4/3/2014 8:31am
Slowly, but surely adding new parts. I should have everything complete and ready to fire up next week. This build has made me eager to want to build another. Hope everyone has been enjoying so far. I know I have!













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RedDirtDog
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RedDirtDog 4/3/2014 5:33pm
4/3/2014 5:33pm
wow this bike is really looking cherry, some of the b4 and afters are amazing. how did you get the engine so clean and polished?

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