Air Cooled Hybrid build #2

Discussion specific to the various air-cooled KDX models sold in the USA
Post Reply
arjay200
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: 12:10 am Nov 26 2019
Country: New Zealand

Air Cooled Hybrid build #2

Post by arjay200 »

Thought I'd share some pics of my project. '87 C2 motor in an '89 KX125 chassis. I had the frame built using the downtube and lower cradle from an '86 KX125, mated to the 1989 KX back frame. The hybrid was originally in the 86 frame, but was too cramped to access the carb without pulling the subframe. The '89 is a more spacious frame, plus all bearings and bodywork have later KDX parts availability.
The rest:
'97 RMX250 Showa 45mm forks and triples.
Stock shock with late YZ Ti shock spring and footpegs
Ally tank - basic but does the trick :)
New Excel rims.
This is just a quick assembly to work out side-stand bracket mount position, then all apart for powder coating.
Hoping this will be my do-it-all machine. Trail riding, Vinduro and the odd XC. And my motivation to get a better set up garage.
More pics over the next few weeks.
IMG_1011.jpg
IMG_1011.jpg (150.43 KiB) Viewed 3686 times
Attachments
IMG_1023.jpg
IMG_1023.jpg (124.5 KiB) Viewed 3686 times
IMG_1021.jpg
IMG_1021.jpg (136.65 KiB) Viewed 3686 times
IMG_1019.jpg
IMG_1019.jpg (180.51 KiB) Viewed 3686 times
IMG_1014.jpg
IMG_1014.jpg (184.66 KiB) Viewed 3686 times
User avatar
bufftester
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 3455
Joined: 06:03 pm Oct 31 2012
Country: USA
Location: University Place, WA

Re: Air Cooled Hybrid build #2

Post by bufftester »

Nice project. With the KX linkage rear, long travel forks and full discs aren't you limited to the modern class in Vinduro?
arjay200
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: 12:10 am Nov 26 2019
Country: New Zealand

Re: Air Cooled Hybrid build #2

Post by arjay200 »

bufftester wrote: 01:01 pm Jan 02 2020 Nice project. With the KX linkage rear, long travel forks and full discs aren't you limited to the modern class in Vinduro?
Yes I'd be in with the 90s bikes but that's ok. The concept behind it was more of a modern low tech woods bike. Good handling and suspension with the simplicity of an air cooled power valved engine. Less things to break :grin:
User avatar
KDXGarage
KDXRider.net
KDXRider.net
Posts: 14047
Joined: 06:45 am Nov 01 2004
Country: United States of America
Location: AL, USA
Contact:

Re: Air Cooled Hybrid build #2

Post by KDXGarage »

Cool project! Good luck on the continued build. Let us know how it turns out.

Thanks for letting us know about the '86 KX125 being too cramped for the KDX engine and carb.
Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
To post pictures from a device: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=24128
User avatar
bufftester
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 3455
Joined: 06:03 pm Oct 31 2012
Country: USA
Location: University Place, WA

Re: Air Cooled Hybrid build #2

Post by bufftester »

I have always said that the air cooled hybrid with a C series engine and a modern chassis would be killer for just those reasons....simplicity, reliability, and of course the "making everyone turn their head" factor lol.
Pressingonward
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 60
Joined: 08:09 am Jul 14 2015
Country:

Re: Air Cooled Hybrid build #2

Post by Pressingonward »

Very cool! Can you explain the need for grafting on the lower part of the frame from a different year? I'm not familiar with the frame layout on those bikes.

I'd love to see what the frame, subframe, swingarm, and shock weigh (individually if I can be really greedy lol) if you had a scale handy - I'm compiling weight data for my long term 1988 KDX lightweight bike build, and I'm liking the look of that frame setup as a potential starting point. Did the Ti Yamaha spring and pegs bolt right on, or did you have to make modifications to get them to fit?

Keep the updates coming, looks like it will be sweet when you are done!
Post Reply