Colorado 220 Owner

[GATOROC]

Well... after spending the last few years contemplating between a KTM 300 and Beta 300rr (even did a Beta Factory Test Ride Day back in December), I started noticing people talking about these KDX bikes on different forums. After a lot of research, mainly on this awesome site, and watching some KDX videos on YouTube, I decided to start looking for one, which took several months. A few weeks ago I ended up finding a 2000 220 in decent shape.

I've been riding for quite a few years, and have mostly been riding motocross (CRF 450R) with my son, along with some single track riding in the Rockies. Since I recently reached the half-century mark, I decided to tone it down a bit and start doing more trail/single track riding. My 450 is pretty difficult for me to ride in the really technical stuff, so I'm very excited to start riding this "new" bike! 2-stroke baby!

First thing I did was bought a Cyclepedia manual. The bike bogs really bad right off of idle, and supposedly the carb is jetted for 6-8k feet. I removed the KIPS cover and noticed that it was just barely moving, if any, when rolling on the throttle. Decided to check/clean the KIPS valves and see what piston was in there. The KIPS was gummed up really bad and wouldn't move, and it was the stock piston (for 19 years?!). Noticed some slight gouge marks on the piston and cylinder wall, and after reading some posts, decided that I am shipping it out tomorrow to PowerSeal for strip, plate, and hone. Over the past few weeks I've been tinkering and ordering a few parts:

- Wiseco piston
- FMF Desert (had bent woods pipe on it) and Turbinecore 2
- Boyesen 607 reeds
- Clutch and throttle cables
- Stock 47 - 13 sprockets (had 52 and 12 tooth sprockets!!)
- Fuel petcock and fuel line
- Brake pads
- Air box mod
- Plugs
- Grips
- Shroud graphics
- Daystar fork boots

Once I get everything back together running properly I will set the sag and start working on the other suspension components. Here's a few pics of it after I brought it home.

on Flickr

on Flickr

Here are some photos after doing most all of the mods. Still have a lot of things I want to do to it though.

on Flickr

on Flickr

on Flickr

CORCS on Flickr

on Flickr

[KDXGarage]

Welcome to kdxrider!

Congratulations on your KDX. We support your decision. :-) It looks good, and the mods you chose sound great. The best thing I read was that you bought a service manual. :-)

[doakley]

12/52 ? WOW!! What a stump puller. I cannot imagine needing to gear a220 that low.
Congrats on the bike. It's a wonderful single track bike. Of course, I mar be just a little prejudiced!

[John_S]

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're doing some great mods to it.

[TwistedRoot]

Bike looks great!! Plenty of info about what to do and how to do it here. Enjoy!

[GATOROC]

Welcome to kdxrider!

Congratulations on your KDX. We support your decision. :-) It looks good, and the mods you chose sound great. The best thing I read was that you bought a service manual. :-)

Thanks! The service manual has been a big help so far, and of course all of the great info here!

[GATOROC]

12/52 ? WOW!! What a stump puller. I cannot imagine needing to gear a220 that low.
Congrats on the bike. It's a wonderful single track bike. Of course, I mar be just a little prejudiced!

Haha! Yeah, when I saw the sprockets on there I was totally amazed. When I was researching KDXs I had originally thought about gearing it down a bit, but with all of the positive remarks about how well the stock setup works, I decided to change it back to stock.

I just read your thread about getting back into riding after a "few" years, and your racing adventures for this year. Very inspirational!

[GATOROC]

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're doing some great mods to it.

Thanks John. This has been so much fun already cleaning, replacing parts, etc., something I haven't done too much with my other bike. I'm looking forward to getting everything together and doing some mountain riding here soon.

[GATOROC]

Bike looks great!! Plenty of info about what to do and how to do it here. Enjoy!

Thanks Twisted! I found a pristine looking 200 here in CO last month, but by the time I replied to the guy it was pretty much already sold, and that was within a day or so. He was asking quite a bit, but it was a very nice bike. Anyway, I like my 220 as well since it's not perfect and definitely needs a little TLC, which makes it more fun. Also, like I mentioned in another thread, thanks for the info on getting your cylinder replated. I just sent it off to PowerSeal today.

[VTMTcowboy]

Congrats on the new bike and welcome to the forum! Every time I ride my KDX I still am amazed at how such an old bike was so far ahead of it's time.

[bufftester]

Welcome to the forums!

[GATOROC]

Congrats on the new bike and welcome to the forum! Every time I ride my KDX I still am amazed at how such an old bike was so far ahead of it's time.

Thanks! I've heard so many great things about these bikes. I've only putted mine around at the house for a few minutes (plus a quick test ride before buying) before pulling the top end, so I can't wait to really ride it here in a few weeks. After hearing all of the 220 piston issues, I didn't want to take a chance, even though it looks like the original piston has been in it for 19 years!

[GATOROC]

Welcome to the forums!

Thanks Bufftester!

[VTMTcowboy]

Congrats on the new bike and welcome to the forum! Every time I ride my KDX I still am amazed at how such an old bike was so far ahead of it's time.

Thanks! I've heard so many great things about these bikes. I've only putted mine around at the house for a few minutes (plus a quick test ride before buying) before pulling the top end, so I can't wait to really ride it here in a few weeks. After hearing all of the 220 piston issues, I didn't want to take a chance, even though it looks like the original piston has been in it for 19 years!

Yeah exactly!

[TwistedRoot]

Every time I ride my KDX I still am amazed at how such an old bike was so far ahead of it's time.

So true!

[BlkDakDave]

Well... After a lot of research, mainly on this awesome site, and watching some KDX videos on YouTube, I decided to start looking for one, which took several months. A few weeks ago I ended up finding a 2000 220 in decent shape.

Over the past few weeks I've been tinkering and ordering a few parts:

- Wiseco piston
- FMF Desert (had bent woods pipe on it) and Turbinecore 2
- Boyesen 607 reeds
- Clutch and throttle cables
- Stock 47 - 13 sprockets (had 52 and 12 tooth sprockets!!)
- Fuel petcock and fuel line
- Brake pads
- Air box mod
- Plugs
- Grips
- Shroud graphics
- Daystar fork boots

Congrats on your new (to you) bike. I just picked up a 2004 220 in pretty fair shape and after reading your post(s), was wonder about your wish list. One of my fork boots has a pea size hole, so I'm wondering if you picked up a pair of the Daystar fork boots and how they ended up fitting?

Thanks!

Here's a link to my re-introduction thread
viewtopic.php?f=76&t=23618

[GATOROC]

Congrats on your new (to you) bike. I just picked up a 2004 220 in pretty fair shape and after reading your post(s), was wonder about your wish list. One of my fork boots has a pea size hole, so I'm wondering if you picked up a pair of the Daystar fork boots and how they ended up fitting?

Thanks!

Here's a link to my re-introduction thread
viewtopic.php?f=76&t=23618

I'm liking this bike more and more, especially after the Lectron upgrade. I did pick up a pair of the Daystar fork boots and they fit very well. I just posted a pic on a recent thread in the racing section - First CORCS Hare Scramble with the KDX

[BlkDakDave]

Thanks for the info. I'll check out that thread in the racing section.

So I checked it out and noticed that you changed out the headlight and shroud. Looks sharp! What is the new one? Is it from a KLX or after market?

[GATOROC]

After searching for the OEM headlight and not being able to find anything, I started looking at other options. I found a thread on this forum from Slick_Nick where he swapped over to a KLX 450 headlight, so that's what I did as well. During the winter I plan on doing the modification he did to make the light work. How To: KLX450R Headlight H7 Conversion I will also rewind the stator like Slick_Nick did to hopefully get 80+ watts. KDX Lighting Stator Rewind

[kdxsully]

After searching for the OEM headlight and not being able to find anything, I started looking at other options. I found a thread on this forum from Slick_Nick where he swapped over to a KLX 450 headlight, so that's what I did as well. During the winter I plan on doing the modification he did to make the light work. How To: KLX450R Headlight H7 Conversion I will also rewind the stator like Slick_Nick did to hopefully get 80+ watts. KDX Lighting Stator Rewind

I rewinded a lighting coil recently and it was a real pain, not to mention I didn't get it nearly as tight as OEM. I think RickyStator has some high output options on their website, check it out.