Looking for advice on a purchase of 1980 KDX 175

[Dirtdad]

Hello. Proud and pleased owner of a 98 kdx200 here. I've been searching around for another bike to keep at the house as a "guest" bike. I have quite a bit of trails to ride in my area and friends who stop by occasionally and would love to get out in the trails with me. I came across (what appears to be) a well kept 1980 kdx175 this weekend. I typically try to avoid older bikes due to past experience having trouble locating parts. But....well...it's a kdx so I figured maybe I can make an exception. Lol. Should I avoid it due to age/difficulty in parts availability? Any common problems with these bikes I should be looking for besides the typical issues that most bikes of this vintage would have? All help is appreciated.

[6 Riders]

It's a 175..the granddaddy of all KDXs, supposedly the best KDX ever made (of course the H series hadn't come out yet) and it's kool just to look at.....If the price is right, buy it!

[KDXGarage]

What price?

As a buddy bike, maybe. Not as your main and only ride, unless sentiment is the key.

[Dirtdad]

Not for me personally. I have my 98 kdx200. It looks like we are actually doing a trade. I have a 1980 Honda xl100s that's in decent shape. It runs well. Needs brakes and tires and a few other things. He wants the Honda for the kawasaki. I figured the Honda in its condition in my area would fetch around $400.

[KDXGarage]

It is more importamt to get rid of a Honda than to get a Kawasaki, so if you can do both then surely do it!

[Sullyfam]

I'd jump at that. The 175 is way cooler and more capable than your Honda for your intended purpose.


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[Dirtdad]

Well, in typical Craigslist deal fashion the guy flaked on me. Seems to be the norm around here. Nobody is a man of their word anymore. I would say 8 out of every 10 attempted deals I come across, either the other party simply stops responding to messages, no call - no show or finds some half ass excuse not to show up. Buying,selling and trading is no longer an enjoyable experience. It's more painful and aggravating.

[david]

Well that sucks. I paid $100 for mine and just rode the living crap out of it for about 3yrs. It never fails to start and I always have fun on it, but the forks leak and the rear shock is gone and it's pretty ugly. So when I stumbled across my '90 that the owner was wanting to trade for some transmission work ($300) for his old truck, I jumped on that one and have only pulled out the 175 to teach my kid how to ride. It's been sitting in the shed for a couple of years now.