SO IT BEGINS! Picked me up a 2005 KX125 last night for $900 that is in need of a top end and TONS of TLC (I feel this was a good deal?):
It is always hard for me to buy used bikes because I feel like 90% of the clowns on C-List don't know how to take care of their bikes, especially like I tend to do. In addition to needing a top end (zero compression, i can push the bike while in gear with little effort), there is black spooge all over it, the plastics are horrendous, needs rear wheel and linkage bearings, and its missing a bunch of nuts and bolts here and there. The shocks all seem to be in good shape though, no leaks from any seals, no frame cracks or dents that I can see as of now, rad guards are completely in tact, bars are straight, its not all bad.
Whining over (I always have to complain about something), I CANNOT WAIT TO GET THIS PROJECT GOING!!!! I've been reading build threads on here like crazy (still have more read/learn) and I feel like I have good grasp on everything that will need done. I plan to try and make the bike look like a brand new bike that was supposed to have a KDX motor in it (all new plastics, probably new factory graphics, silver powder coat on the frame, polished swingarm and subframe with clear powder, etc...). Motor will get a full top and bottom end rebuild, plan to keep everything stock for now, upgrade with RB stuff later down the road. Also did some reading on the Rekluse set-up that Harry was so kind to investigate, figure out, and share with all of us... DEFINITELY plan to do that swap, and will probably send the shocks out for revalve/rebuild (unless I decide to take this on myself also, don't know yet)
This will be my winter project, I do not plan to have it completed until next riding season, so updates will be slow, but I will have lots of time to do everything right and make it just how I want it (I am a nerdy mechanical engineer that is also a perfectionist, it takes me forever to do anything, including typing this post haha).
Two Questions:
1. I would like to get away without buying a complete KDX if possible. Is this do-able? Or would I just be asking for headaches? I feel that all I need off the KDX is the complete motor, all the wiring (need to find out what all wiring stuff I would need), airbox, boot, and a new pipe. Is that correct? Or is there other stuff that I need off the KDX? I figure I can pick these parts up here and there off ebay and craigslist.
2. Opinions on 200 vs 220? I wanted to go with an H-series. I thought I had heard that the 220 had more bottom end? But for some reason I remember being happy that I had a 200 instead of a 220, but I cant remember why (maybe due to the ticking time bomb 220 piston?). I basically only ride woods, very rare for me to hit up an MX track. The woods riding I do ranges from super tight technical single track, to wide open gas/logging roads/paths. Any input you can give to help me pick would be much appreciated!
