SXS Slideplate
Posted: 09:48 pm Apr 06 2024
As the final touch to the refresh on my 00' KDX 200 I decided to put a skidplate on. I checked the forums here to see if anyone had mounted an SXS but to no avail there was nothing so I figured I'd post some pictures and my experience on here.
The process was definitely testing of patience. Just remove the exhaust system and get to mounting.
SXS uses aluminum hooks with 5mm allen bolts and some fairly large washers to mount - blue loctite recommended. The front two mounts on the frame closest to the header went on relatively smooth. Drive side also went on with some fiddling. I noticed that it is somewhat helpful to thread the bolts into the aluminum mounting hardware very loosely and then hook them on the frame with the slack you have. The back two mounting pieces took a little more fiddling.
The drive side back mounting piece went on somewhat crooked but bolted up using the pre-drilled holes from SXS.
The clutch side required me to drill another hole parallel to the pre-drilled hole, just a little further toward the rear wheel. In addition, I took the aluminum mounting hook to the bench grinder and took the step off the hook to allow for the slideplate to come up a little higher.
Once I got that bolt threaded I took a heat gun to soften the plastic up a little bit and allow it to form to the cradle. I tightened everything down and heated it again and let it sit for a little while, then unthreaded and put blue loctite on all bolts.
Overall, it came out pretty nice, it just pained me to have to drill into a pricey piece of plastic, but it beats a new knuckle. I am excited to see how it sldies over logs. SXS is one of the leading skidplates in the enduro scene. I figured i'd give them a try. I have an AXP on my TE300 (AXP isn't made for the KDX) and figured i'd treat the old girl.
The process was definitely testing of patience. Just remove the exhaust system and get to mounting.
SXS uses aluminum hooks with 5mm allen bolts and some fairly large washers to mount - blue loctite recommended. The front two mounts on the frame closest to the header went on relatively smooth. Drive side also went on with some fiddling. I noticed that it is somewhat helpful to thread the bolts into the aluminum mounting hardware very loosely and then hook them on the frame with the slack you have. The back two mounting pieces took a little more fiddling.
The drive side back mounting piece went on somewhat crooked but bolted up using the pre-drilled holes from SXS.
The clutch side required me to drill another hole parallel to the pre-drilled hole, just a little further toward the rear wheel. In addition, I took the aluminum mounting hook to the bench grinder and took the step off the hook to allow for the slideplate to come up a little higher.
Once I got that bolt threaded I took a heat gun to soften the plastic up a little bit and allow it to form to the cradle. I tightened everything down and heated it again and let it sit for a little while, then unthreaded and put blue loctite on all bolts.
Overall, it came out pretty nice, it just pained me to have to drill into a pricey piece of plastic, but it beats a new knuckle. I am excited to see how it sldies over logs. SXS is one of the leading skidplates in the enduro scene. I figured i'd give them a try. I have an AXP on my TE300 (AXP isn't made for the KDX) and figured i'd treat the old girl.