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Time for another rebuild - Help pick the best parts!!!

Posted: 05:57 pm Nov 22 2011
by ktm950se
Greetings,
I've just picked up a 2004 KDX 220, and while its in decent shape, it'll be getting a full rebuild over the next several weeks, along with a boatload of accessories! :grin:

2 things are for certain, the piston will be replaced with a Wiseco kit, and the head & carb will be sent to RB Designs for his mods.

I'd like to know which after-market brand I should choose for the following items:

Skidplate -

Devol
http://www.devolracing.com/Skid-Plate_p_406.html
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Hyde
http://www.brpmoto.com/products?page=sh ... ory_id=420
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Scotts
http://www.scottsonline.com/Product_Pho ... e=Kawasaki
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Ricochet
http://www.utahsportcycle.com/store/page143.html
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BRP
http://www.brpmoto.com/products?page=sh ... ory_id=420

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Handlebars -

Fasst
http://www.fasstco.com/shop/flexx-handl ... dlebars-mx
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Handguards -

CYCRA ProBend Hand Guard Racer Pack
http://www.brpmoto.com/products?page=sh ... ry_id=1606
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Pipe Guard -

Flatland Racing
http://www.enduroarmor.com/flatland-rac ... asaki-kdx/
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Front disc guard -

Devol
http://www.devolracing.com/Front-Disc-Guard_p_160.html
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Rear disc guard -

Devol
http://www.devolracing.com/Rear-Disc-Guard_p_360.html
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Scotts
http://www.scottsonline.com/products.ph ... e=Kawasaki
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Rear caliper guard -

Works Connection
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/produ ... ilyId=2836
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Rear chain guide -

BRP
http://www.brpmoto.com/products?page=sh ... ory_id=420
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Shift lever -

Brake pedal -

Radiator guards -

Devol
http://www.devolracing.com/Radiator-Guards_p_306.html
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Radiator braces -

Steering Stabilizer -

Scotts
http://www.brpmoto.com/products?page=sh ... ry_id=1139
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O-ring chain -

Front & Rear sprockets -

Footpegs -

Case Saver (front chain guard) -

Grips -

Clutch lever perch -

Brake and clutch levers -

Suspension linkage rebuild kit -

Swingarm rebuild kit -

Wheel bearing rebuild kit -

Graphics kit -

Shock rebuild service -

Fork rebuild service -

Front tire -

Rear tire -

...and more to follow.

Please let me know your choices for each item, and I'll create a master list here, post a link and photo, and show the chosen part installed.

I'll start the project off with disassembly pics, then move to the build up, so hang on here we go!!!

As she sits today:

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Posted: 06:20 pm Nov 22 2011
by ihatefalling
Good looking bike. Mt thoughts:
Cycra triple tree handguard mounts.
cycra hardguards
heated grips if you ride in the cold
front end swap to inverted forks
devol skid plate, radiator guards.
aluminum pipe guard if you drop bikes and ride rocks
change fluids
grease swingarm bolt - rear suspension points
bearings if needed

and RIDE that dood ! ! !

Posted: 06:26 pm Nov 22 2011
by ktm950se
Thanks for you thoughts!
Great idea about the heated grips, but I've never installed them on a bike that didn't have a battery. How is this done?

UPDATE: A little research reveals that Hot Grips can be run on AC. So, it looks like a stator rewind is on order to supply the needed juice...

ktm950se

Posted: 07:43 pm Nov 22 2011
by SCREAM
I vote for the Hyde skid plate
E-line pipe guard
works connection rear caliper guard
BRP chain guide
MSR shift lever
works connection rad braces
pro taper or renthal sprockets
IMS footpegs
pivot works for all bearing kits
factory connection for the suspension rebuild/revalve
dunlop MX51 for tires or pirelli scorpions

and if I may add Zeta odometer drive canceler
maier rear mx fender
moto tassinari v-force 3 reed valve
and Amsoil for all your fluids

Posted: 07:51 pm Nov 22 2011
by ktm950se
Thanks!, items being added...

Posted: 09:51 pm Nov 22 2011
by Slick_Nick
Hyde skid plate. The metal ones tend to rattle and vibrate way too much.

Posted: 10:27 pm Nov 22 2011
by factoryX
I'm thinking kx125 chassis and go from there. :mrgreen: Would knock off 20-50lbs in the process.

Posted: 10:30 pm Nov 22 2011
by scheckaet
+1 :supz:

Posted: 10:44 pm Nov 22 2011
by rbates9
>|<>QBB<
Slick_Nick wrote:Hyde skid plate. The metal ones tend to rattle and vibrate way too much.
You can save some money on the plastic glide plate and just cut up a milk jug to fit! :mrgreen:

Posted: 08:43 am Nov 23 2011
by Julien D
>|<>QBB<
factoryX wrote:I'm thinking kx125 chassis and go from there. :mrgreen: Would knock off 20-50lbs in the process.
I'll 3rd that. For that kind of money, start with a lighter chassis. :)

Posted: 09:05 am Nov 23 2011
by ktm950se
Greetings,
Interesting point about the lighter chassis, but while we would all like to ride lighter bikes, my goal here is primarily to build a comfortable, powerful, rugged, and bullet-proof KDX.
I'll leave the frame and fork swap mods for another bike at another time.

ktm950se

Posted: 05:11 pm Nov 23 2011
by MadMax
Pro-X piston. - I can't imagine why any non-racer would go Wiseco.

Klotz gear and pre-mix oils. Get the Super Techniplate KL-101 at 50:1

Lucas Ethanol stabilizer when you mix your fuel because ethanol free gas is getting harder and harder to find. This stuff makes it a non-issue. I use Amoco 93 and never foul a plug and every bike in the stable runs better than they ever have.

The Moose Contour handguards are a better price point and look better to me than the Cycra but I find the Cycra more comfortable.

Fasst flex bars are OK on a big heavy bike but I wouldn't add that much weight to a KDX.

RB mods, head and carb are mandatory.

I don't care for a steering stabilizer personally, every time I ride a bike with one, I turn it to the weakest setting. Just added weight on a KDX. These bikes aren't twitchy anyway.

Skid plate? Pick one that looks cool to you. Other than that, what's the difference?

Posted: 09:24 pm Nov 23 2011
by ktm950se
Here's the bike tonight, the teardown has begun, and the suspension will be dropped off for a rebuild at Factory Connection next week... :grin:

[img][img]http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l50 ... G_0283.jpg[/img]

ktm950se

Posted: 10:05 am Nov 27 2011
by ktm950se
Hmmmm.
I've been adding parts, photos, and links to my original post, but now they've disappeared....

ktm950se

Posted: 03:38 am Nov 29 2011
by Klammer
Hyde skid plate with integral pipe guard. Tougher than any aluminum guard and you slip over the rocks and stumps instead of gouging and sticking on an aluminum plate+ best protection for your pipe hands down.. Hyde fork and disc guard, Hyde swingarm and rear disc guard. Hyde frame protectors. = one well protected 220!

Posted: 06:48 am Nov 29 2011
by Julien D
>|<>QBB<
MadMax wrote:Pro-X piston. - I can't imagine why any non-racer would go Wiseco.

Because the stock (pro-x) piston for the kdx220 likes to shatter, dropping big chucks of aluminum into the bottom end, often times wrecking the main bearings, rod bearings, cylinder plating, and head. At that point, you'd sure wish you had paid the extra $20 for the forged piston.

If it were a 200, the pro-x piston would be fine.

Posted: 07:42 am Nov 29 2011
by David_L6

Posted: 12:52 pm Nov 29 2011
by MadMax
>|<>QBB<
juliend wrote:>|<>QBB<
MadMax wrote:Pro-X piston. - I can't imagine why any non-racer would go Wiseco.

Because the stock (pro-x) piston for the kdx220 likes to shatter, dropping big chucks of aluminum into the bottom end, often times wrecking the main bearings, rod bearings, cylinder plating, and head. At that point, you'd sure wish you had paid the extra $20 for the forged piston.

If it were a 200, the pro-x piston would be fine.
I thought using the pro-x cured this problem over the oem. So, Pro-X actually made the oem 220 piston? I thought there was a lot more to it than that. Wasn't there a huge discussion on here about that? Meh.

As far as the extra $20... Small money is never an issue with my choice of parts. I'd pay $20 more for the Pro-X in my 200 just so I can avoid cold seizures. Around here, I'm not the only person to cold crank this beast.

Posted: 02:51 pm Nov 29 2011
by Julien D
Cold seizures can be an issue with forged pistons, yes. But not nearly as much as they used to be.

And yes, pro-x/art produces the stock pistons for many manufacturers, kawasaki 2 strokes included. The pro-x piston is exactly the same unit as the OEM. I'm not interested in having another cast vs. forged debate, that horse is past dead. I like and use both. I do prefer the wiseco though, simply for durability. Suffice it to say that I would not put a cast piston in a 220, ever.

Posted: 05:22 pm Nov 29 2011
by MadMax
Thanks for that. I'll keep it in mind when I get a 220. I just won't let my kid ride it unless I've warmed it up first. LOL

I thought Pro-X just made a direct OEM copy. I'm glad to learn something everyday. Wait, now that I think of it, I did know that Pro-X made the Kawi pistons, I was thinking of Vertex and KTM.