Looking to purchase a '96 KDX200 with a blown ring. Help?

[Beej]

Hey folks,



Newbie here. I am looking to purchase a KDX 200 with (the PO says) a blown ring. I read through the newbie thread. Except for the carb work, that's all stuff I'm confident I can handle. The bike is being offered to me for $300. I'm going to look at it tomorrow. Three questions:

- I know there's a problem with the piston/ring, how much does that cost me in hours and time right off the bat?
- Let's say this bike is in poor/fair condition, anyone have a ball park on cost to Cinderella ready for the ball? Is it even worth it or do I need to turn around and run, don't walk, the other way and find a used KDX in the $1.3k - 1.5 range and start there.
- Given the condition (likely poor), is $300 a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

- Beej

[KDXGarage]

RUN AWAY

[Gotanubike]

What you have there is 89-92 KDX200. An 89-94 E series for sure, the conventional forks would indicate 89-92.

It will be hard to know the extent of the damage until you take it apart and find out. May be a lot worse than a blown ring. There are 2 rings and ring failures are not very common as far as I know

Top end tear downs can be done in an evening. There is 1 mechanical linkage for the KIPS on the left side(with one reverse thread). The cylinder and head are just bolt on and bolt off.

If you are willing to risk it, I would try and talk him down a bit. Definitely a risk potential but if you have the time and money to spend for it as a project. If all it has is bad compression and just needs a piston I'd say $300 is a pretty good price, but by the looks of it I think it will need a lot more than just a piston.

[Beej]

What you have there is 89-92 KDX200. An 89-94 E series for sure, the conventional forks would indicate 89-92.

Well, this isn't a good start to the transaction at all. So, the '96's have USD forks?

An uncommon failure like the ring could indicate a bad cylinder??

[KDXGarage]

That is a POS. 99% of bikes that are spray painted are very poorly maintained. Just buy one that already runs. You are NOT going to save money by buying that one instead of one that already runs.

The ONLY reason you are thinking about that one is PRICE. You WILL pay a price if you get that one.

[diymirage]

apart from the obvious misrepresentation who knows what is wrong with the bike

the only bikes that had USD forks were the 94 models, so yours is an 89-93 (judging by the frame)

for what it is worth

I once bought a 96 with a blown top end for 450

when it was all said and done I think my total cost was just north of 1000, would have been much more if it wasn't for this great forum

heres the build of that bike

http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... ct#p118633

[Gotanubike]

Actually 93 had inverted forks too. 93-94 then they went back to conventional with the H series from 95-06

LOL Jason is right I think, I would only buy it as a parts bike but good luck finding another 89-94 model locally

Well, this isn't a good start to the transaction at all. So, the '96's have USD forks?

An uncommon failure like the ring could indicate a bad cylinder??

It's certainly not a 96. 1995+ models are fully redesigned, and that is easily distinguished as an E series(89-94). The conventional forks would make it a 1989-1992.

[KDXGarage]

If the blue shock spring is on it, that usually means 1990 - 1992 (on this bike).

Here are some problems with that bike.

SPRAY PAINT
front brake hose routed incorrectly
missing kickstand
rad shroud half on

what we can't see

forks need to be rebuilt
shock needs to be rebuilt
clutch (HA!)
rebuild crankshaft
repair/replate cylinder
new piston kit
gasket kit
new air filter
steering/linkage/swingarm/wheel bearings

MUH-NEE

[Joshmcmillan]

Just FYI,
I had a few KDX200 parts that came with my old 94 KDX200, and when I sold it, I chucked the spares on eBay and I've made over $500 in a couple of months just re-listing them if they don't sell, and I still have a few hundred dollars worth of parts left.

So potentially, it might be a good option to buy this one, AND buy another 89-94 KDX. Get the best bits from each bike and sell off the rest.

[KDXGarage]

What does a running KDX go for in AUS?

[Joshmcmillan]

What does a running KDX go for in AUS?

I paid $850 for my 94', and sold it for $1000 after spending a bit of money on it. I paid $1800 for my 97' with road rego.

Is a running KDX not much more than $300 in the US?

[sarrant]

A running one is a fair amount more, but you can pickup piles like shown here all day long for less than that. And they're always a good thousand to get in order.

[Gotanubike]

Think I paid $1100 for mine and it was bordering on a basket case. I was lucky to find a bran new plated cylinder on these forums..

Bikes are no free lunch around here. It did come with a KTM rear wheel setup which I flipped for $250.

Provided you are handy with a wrench and can do your on work, I don't see why it wouldn't be a worthy investment as a project bike. I have rebuilt the suspension, top end, brakes, seals, bearings, tires and a few other odds and ends for probably under $500. It's taken me a year to get everything together but definitely no regrets.

[Beej]

Alright, fellas. Thanks for the replies. Passed on this one. Heard the bullet whiz by. Good lookin' out. I'll stick with my ZG1000 for now

[jerry malbeck]

Smart move

[6 Riders]

Alright, fellas. Thanks for the replies. Passed on this one. Heard the bullet whiz by. Good lookin' out. I'll stick with my ZG1000 for now

LOL, good pair....I also have a ZG1000 and a KDX, well 2 DXs, great bikes, keep looking for one that runs. If you are patient, you should be able to pick one up for $1000 to $2000 that is in good working order. On the E-series bikes, plastics are getting harder to find and more expensive all the time.