'86-'88 Making It Street Legal

[Clatter]

Oh, no... Another rabbit hole..

Just to make it Extra Fun, the lighting is missing from both ends,
And MX plastics installed..


Was able to get a replacement plastics set from Jeff Fredette,
And that included a rear fender and front plate/housing,
But,
There is NO hardware or light gear to be found ANYWHERE, even on eBay.

I don't really want to put modern Darth Vader aftermarket plastics on it if i can avoid it.

Does anyone know where to try and get mounting hardware for the front headlight?
Maybe you could adapt something from a quad of similar years?
Anyone know of another bike with the same light i could search for parts to fab something up?


The OEM '86-'88 rear tail-light has gone the way of the dodo..
Searching ebay for a year or so has never gotten me a chance to buy one.
What other bike had a similar rear light?
'89-up lights are a similar shape, but wider and shorter.. Might just have to do?
Shore will look funny..


Used to be you could get a flywheel from RickyStator.com. No longer.
Looks like I'll have to get a later flywheel and have it re-done..
Who's that guy who re-does those, again?
Still anyone doing them?


Also, we'll be doing maybe some aftermarket (LED?) turn indicators,
but,
Where to get the handlebar buttons/controls?
High-beam, too..
KLR?
Did mother Kawi make the wiring similar enough that certain parts could be used to patch something together?


Was going to use a Trail Tech for speedo/tach, because it would replace that old 80s trip computer just so nicely.
Doesn't do turn indictor or neutral light, though..
Anyone know of something similar that does these things?

Ugh.
This is going to be a BIG job for sure..
Anyone who can point me to some other thread,
Maybe on one of the later models?

Much appreciated.

A BIG project no doubt!

[kdxsully]

I think I can help. But I need some time to post some links from my eBay watch list. These were items I was saving for myself, but I’m not super interested in having lights.

[KDXGarage]

OK, first thing that I am thinking is it is 6 volts, not 12. Years ago, I was told by someone at Ricky Stator that they could make it 12 volt, but I didn't ask for details.

Check out the Baja Designs LED light discussed recently on here.

Check your state laws for requirements. Each state can be different. For example, here in AL, it is generally a no-no to get a tag for a dirt bike. Also, blinkers are not required.

[kdxsully]

OK, first thing that I am thinking is it is 6 volts, not 12. Years ago, I was told by someone at Ricky Stator that they could make it 12 volt, but I didn't ask for details.

Check out the Baja Designs LED light discussed recently on here.

Check your state laws for requirements. Each state can be different. For example, here in AL, it is generally a no-no to get a tag for a dirt bike. Also, blinkers are not required.

Yeah, I was considering doing this in NC, but I think they have a VIN database that labels this as off-road only. I haven’t tried it, but it was enough to deter me. If I could get a clean frame, then it might be realistic.

[kdxsully]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-NOS-O ... 2645401258

NOS tail lamp socket.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-87-88-KAWA ... Swke9aKuva

NOS head lamp.

[url]https://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-kawasaki- ... 1982930586[/url

Used brake switch from an 84. Might fit an 87, not sure.

I also saw an aftermarket taillight assembly made in Taiwan, (not OEM). I'm sure you'll find it on eBay if you search.

Hope this helps.

[pkenney]

The stock stator is big enough to run LED lights and signals and is a current supply so it will make whatever voltage it is regulated for.
If you float the ground and get a Trailtech 12V rectifier/regulator you will have a 12V system.
Note that with the floated stator you can't use chassis ground anymore, all the returns need to go back to the regulator.

I added the Rocky Mountain switch cluster and signals to my wife's KLX140G and the quality is not too bad.
On the KDX you will need to find a place to hold a small battery somewhere also to help with the voltage regulation.

My 86 KDX has a $30 automotive offroad LED light which fits inside the stock headlight hole but is a pain to mount.
Waaaay brighter than the standard light but I think you can get a 12V bulb for the orig socket and run it from a DC system.
On mine I had to make a custom headlight holder which also holds a small Lead acid battery.
I will post a photo later to give you some ideas.

[pkenney]

BTW, I still have the slotted stator plate if you are interested in getting a newer flywheel.
I have some old lighting stators laying around too come to think of it.

[Clatter]

Big thanks 'pkenney' for all of the good help!

I'm still wrangling with legalities before committing..

We're in the Peoples Republic of California, unfortunately.

Like in other repressive communist communities,
The black market is sure to spring up with pay-to-play options.


Here's the latest - An interesting strategy, no?

http://www.dirtlegal.com

They take advantage of the sheer volume of legislative restrictions;
Because they pass far more laws than they could ever tax us to enforce,
You slip by their inability to actually monitor all of these regulations..

[kdxsully]

There’s a guy I watch on YouTube that got a kdx street legal in Cali.



Maybe he can help

[Pressingonward1]

FYI, you can get an add-on to the Trail Tech Vapor that gives you indicator lights:

https://www.trailtech.net/022-pda

(Full disclosure, I work for Trail Tech)

I have a 1988 KDX that I'm making street legal. I plan to convert it to 12V using our reg-rec and a rewound lighting coil. Once I get it running I'll test the stock 6v coil output, but I doubt it will have enough juice to run lights and our Voyager Pro GPS. I suspect the voltage will be too low until you're fairly high in the revs.

Pkenny, it sounds like you have converted one of these to 12v DC and it worked ok? I'd be happy if I'm wrong and the stock coil is sufficient :)

I'd be interested in buying one of your spare lighting coils - can you send me a PM?

[pkenney]

PM sent but it said you may not have permission to receive PMs so let me know if you did not get it.
I pasted the message below anyway.

I will look at my spares and let you know about the lighting coil.

I run and LED headlight/taillight and a Vapor from a Trailtech reg/rec and the voltage gauge stays at ~12VDC.
You make me wonder about the current though because I have a decent sized battery and I'm wondering if I just see that voltage.
My KDX isn't street legal and I don't use the headlight often in the woods, only when I hop on roads between trails.

Edit: As a followup I went to check the voltage and found out that my battery had drained to 5V from sitting. I started the bike and while warming it up saw the voltage start at 5V and climb to 12V within a couple minutes at idle. I did notice that my LED headlight flickers a bit at idle with the battery low but I'm convinced that the stock lighting stator has enough capacity to run some LED lights and even charge the battery. Once I shut the bike off it dropped to 5V again.

BTW, here is how I mounted the Headlight/Battery/Numberplate/regulator.
[img]
[img]

[Pressingonward1]

Thanks. I bet I need more posts before I can send/receive PMs.

I do suspect you are seeing battery voltage. It's probably charging while you are riding at higher RPMs and discharging at idle. I'll definitely post up my results when I get my bike running and can test it. Need to rebuild the carburetor, put my forks back together, and replace all the rear linkage bushings still. This bike was supposed to be a good deal at $450 with a broken shift return spring, but it has ended up being a bit of a money pit. My bad for not looking it over closer when I bought it. Excited to ride it though once I'm done :)

[KDXGarage]

PM is for supporting members.
I am on my phone, but there is a thread with all the info at the Top of the Ask the Administrator forum.

Typos? Probably

I don't have my glasses either. :-)

[pkenney]

Someone on here said it's best not to keep track of how much you put into it.
I paid $200 for mine and could have had something more modern for what I've put into it but no regrets.
Most people don't maintain like they should so a lot of bikes on CL need work too, it adds up fast.

I think you might need to be a contributing member to get PMs, I might be wrong but check the FAQs.
If you are working on a KDX I highly recommend the donation. Great info here and we need to keep it alive!

[KDXGarage]

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=15658

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[Pressingonward]

Good to know, thanks for the info. I greatly appreciate not having ads, so I'm definitely considering subscribing.