Building a skidplate for the KDX

[Tyl3r]

Soo...I've been wanting to make a skid plate for the KDX for a while now and finally got the chance to get started. I didn't really see any skids that I really liked that I could buy, so I wanted to make one that had the protection that I wanted... mainly some good water pump protection.

Here is where I am at now. I made a template, traced and cut out it, made some reliefs and bends, and now I have the basic outline of it. Still want to plate up around the water pump a little bit and am hopefully going to be able to get some gussets in there to keep it from bending back into the water pump [should that ever happen]. I also still have to tweak the bend around the front of the frame (its pretty close right now...but could be better), weld up all the reliefs made sure the outside is ground smooth, put in a hole for the oil to drain thru (may make a little funnel kind of thing up in there to really keep the oil from going all over the inside of the pan), and drill the holes for the mounts. Also, I'd kind of like to something cool on the front the skid wen looking in thru the pipe...but I don't know what.

Anyways, enough blabbering... what do you guys think? Any suggestions or criticisms?

[frenche200]

great job. I find the angle to pump water dangerous in case of fall

[ArkAngel]

nice going.. looks good so far..

[rbates9]

Looks good!

For what ever you are thinking of for a funnel just keep in mind that the plate will most likely get a "custom" fit and be closer to the engine after a few rocky rides so leave room. Maybe a piece of aluminum pipe about 1/4" tall around the hole to help keep the oil from going everywhere.

And I would reduce the height of the front of the skid plate behind the pipe or drill some holes in it for air to flow through. The plate going up that far might not really be needed. If the pipe doesn't stop it the skid plate probably wont either.

Not knocking it, just my .02.

[6 Riders]

Looks good!

And I would reduce the height of the front of the skid plate behind the pipe or drill some holes in it for air to flow through. The plate going up that far might not really be needed. If the pipe doesn't stop it the skid plate probably wont either.

Not knocking it, just my .02.

You could take that extra length of skid plate and "wrap" it around the pipe to protect it too!

[Tyl3r]

Looks good!

For what ever you are thinking of for a funnel just keep in mind that the plate will most likely get a "custom" fit and be closer to the engine after a few rocky rides so leave room. Maybe a piece of aluminum pipe about 1/4" tall around the hole to help keep the oil from going everywhere.

And I would reduce the height of the front of the skid plate behind the pipe or drill some holes in it for air to flow through. The plate going up that far might not really be needed. If the pipe doesn't stop it the skid plate probably wont either.

Not knocking it, just my .02.

You bring up two good points. I wasn't thinking about the plate bending up...but that does make me think that I could weld a couple stiffeners across on the inside to help prevent that a bit and yea, a short piece of pipe a little bigger than the hole is what I was originally thinking too.

As for the front, you are right...if I smash something hard enough to need a skid plate in that area, my pipe would be destroyed lol maybe I will cut it down a bit up top... just have to make sure I can still get my mounting clamps on there.

also, makes me think about mounting along the bottom of the plate...id love if I could do it without having any fasterners exposed on the bottom and have it totally smooth. I'm going to have to get a good look. Maybe I can take some flat stock, stand it up on end, and weld it between the two bottom frame rails.... then on the skid plate, make my stiffners the same way out of flat stock standing on end... drill some holes in both and I can mount it that way! oooooo yea baby... id be able to slide over stuff like a mofo! I could grind down rails with it like skateboarders do! hahahaha o yea

[Tyl3r]

I also am kinda of unsure as to how much plating I should do around the water pump... you think I should bring the skid all the way up to like halfway up the waterpump? or do you think thats too high? Maybe I just need to make sure there is something around the bottom to stop stuff from coming up from the bottom rather than worrying about it getting hit from the side.


and also, whether you are knocking my design or not, you may see something that I dont or have a better idea than me, I'm always open to suggestions. I'm a design engineer, I deal with that at work on a daily basis lol wont hurt my feelings!

[Tedh98]

Is that steel or stainless?


I welded these couplers to the frame for the mounting bolts.


Then I recessed the holes in the skid plate so everything is flush. You can just see those in this picture.