Piston Confusion

Discussion specific to the various air-cooled KDX models sold in the USA
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85' kid
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Piston Confusion

Post by 85' kid »

So I'm hella confused, I've been looking for a piston for my 85 KDX200, and have not found an exact piston for the exact year. I scroll down to where it says, years its compatible with, and it say's 83-85,86-06. But that just seems fishy cause after 88 it was water cooled (i think), so different cylinder, but then again it doesn't mean different bore or stroke. But I also remembered that in 86 they added the power valve (i think). So can someone give me a clear answer on what piston I can put in it (as far as year goes) ??????
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by KDXGarage »

Search on these forums for Wossner. I have NOT tried it myself.

The issue is the piston ring locating pins lining up with ports on the 1983 - 1985 models.

Kawasaki quit selling the pistons long ago. Wiseco quit selling their version long ago.
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85' kid
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by 85' kid »

Do you know of any other KDX200's that shared the same location for the locating pins, as the 85 ?
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by KDXGarage »

1983 - 1985 had the same piston.

The issue is the cylinder ports and the piston ring ends should not match up. Passing a ring end past an open port might snag it.
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85' kid
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by 85' kid »

Ok, so what do you suggest, piston and even cylinder wise ?
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by KDXGarage »

OEM cylinder with stock bore and a replate if need be... check on the Wossner brand

Otherwise, wait and spend big money on an OEM piston and rings.
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85' kid
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by 85' kid »

I checked on the Wossner brand, they don't have 85 pistons or rings. And just to clarify, I can NOT get 86-88 Piston and rings, to work correctly in my Original 85 cylinder. I'm really running out of options, I might just have to part it out.
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by KDXGarage »

Thank you for participating on kdxrider.net. :bravo:
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by 85' kid »

KDXGarage wrote: 12:37 am May 24 2021 viewtopic.php?t=22292
So does anyone still make 83-85 KDX200 piston and rings ?
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by KDXGarage »

No. No company makes a piston specific for it.

I guess I was not making it clear enough. Here are your options.

Look around for a LONG ago discontinued Wiseco or Kawasaki OEM piston and rings.

Take a chance on the Wossner working properly.

Buy a small order of custom pistons from Wossner or Wiseco.



Is this a "bike I always wanted and finally got it / I am willing to spend big money to get it going?

Is this a "bike I bought dirt cheap and want to get running for as cheap as possible"

or is it somewhere in the middle?
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by 85' kid »

No I got what you were saying, I was just making sure. This bike I got for free, so I want to get it running as cheap as possible, or ill just part it out, unless someone wants it whole. Cause it was running, I had it out at Carnegie about 3 months ago, when the crank seals went out.
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by 85' kid »

AWESOME, I'm not sure how I missed that, but thankyou, ill keep yall posted.
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by KDXGarage »

I sent him a message. He has not responded. Good luck with it! Let us now how it turns out.
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by lucy »

Eric Gorr was building 220 and 225 cylinders in the past. He built my '83-85 series with the standard 220 piston. That was 13 years ago so I don't remember details. You might look into going to a 220...it ran like a 200 power-valved bike.
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Re: Piston Confusion

Post by KDXGarage »

lucy, thanks for the info. That would be a great way to go.
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