Page 1 of 1
White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 10:01 pm Mar 26 2017
by doctord23
I bought this '88 White C-model cheap as a parts bike close to 10 years ago to join a thrashed '87 parts bike and a running '87 in the stable.
The white guy ran, but the plastics were pretty beat-up and it needed crank bearings.
I ended up using the top end parts and carb for my 87 (which I later sold) and sold the flywheel and CDI off of it for more than twice what I paid for the whole bike.
It sat without a top-end in my garage for years.
White plastics rarely come up for sale, but I have been slowly picking up some pieces as I came across them.
Recently, I finally snagged a white rear fender that had been over-sprayed with orange paint, a right side cover and also found a good deal on a flywheel.
That made me decide to bring this guy back from the dead.
Last weekend I split the cases and installed new crank bearings and seals. This weekend I finished putting it together with new gaskets, put the top end back on with new rings, rebuilt the rear suspension bearings and added an H-series carb and new air cleaner boot.
It's alive! but sill in need of some TLC.
Thought I would share the fun of resurrecting a rare and classic KDX.

Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 12:34 am Mar 27 2017
by NV Rider
Great! I've never seen a white '88 before.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 12:45 am Mar 27 2017
by MaverickAus
Nice job

Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 10:57 am Mar 27 2017
by Tyl3r
Nice! Looks sweet! Are you going to scuff/polish the white plastics you have now?
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 02:32 pm Mar 27 2017
by doctord23
Tyl3r wrote:Nice! Looks sweet! Are you going to scuff/polish the white plastics you have now?
Yes. I have already started. The picture was right after initial test ride.
I'm also going to replace the blue overlays.
I'll post more pictures when I'm done.
It's going to remain a driver but deserves some newer tires and some cleanup.
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 03:14 pm Mar 27 2017
by KDXGarage
Congratulations on getting a white one going again.
Check the chain tension and the front brake hose goes on the inside.
Keep up the good work.
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 09:59 pm Mar 27 2017
by bob_jones
What do you mean you added an h series carb? Did the boots fit? How do you get to the idle screw and choke?
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 10:23 pm Mar 27 2017
by KDXGarage
The stock carb on a 1988 KDX200 is a PWK35. It does have the flip lever on the choke, though. Airbox to carb boot and carb to engine boots are a little different.
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 10:29 pm Mar 27 2017
by doctord23
bob_jones wrote:What do you mean you added an h series carb? Did the boots fit? How do you get to the idle screw and choke?
The '88 200 had a Kehin 35mm carb so the boots fit. The intake boot I used was from an '87. The '87 mikuni is slightly larger on the intake side but fits with a little additional tightening of the clamp.
As for the idle screw and choke, the stock '88 carb had a choke lever that can be accessed from the right side.
With the H-series carb, you can reach the choke but you have to loosen the airbox to get to the idle and mixture screws.
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 06:42 am Mar 28 2017
by Tyl3r
Cool man, I'm interested to see how they turn out.
I just saw a another white one on my local c-list:
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/6062821303.html
You are making me want to go look at it haha but I know I shouldn't.
Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 04:14 pm Mar 28 2017
by doctord23
That one has the white plastics on a green frame.
Kind of a mix of both styles.
If he was closer to me, I'd trade him some green plastics for the white.
White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 05:37 pm Apr 02 2017
by bob_jones
Oh OK now I understand. You remove/loosen stuff to get to the idle and air screws.
White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 07:03 pm Apr 03 2017
by doctord23
bob_jones wrote:Oh OK now I understand. You remove/loosen stuff to get to the idle and air screws.
Not ideal, I know, but it's (2) 6mm bolts and loosen a clamp to pull the entire air cleaner box on the "C" models. Seat and side covers stay in place.
White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 07:33 pm Apr 03 2017
by KDXGarage
doctord23 wrote:bob_jones wrote:Oh OK now I understand. You remove/loosen stuff to get to the idle and air screws.
Not ideal, I know, but it's (2) 6mm bolts and loosen a clamp to pull the entire air cleaner box on the "C" models. Seat and side covers stay in place.
BOOM!! Try that you liquid coolers!!

White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 06:22 pm Apr 09 2017
by doctord23
Did some cleanup today.
New number plate backgrounds, new front brake pads, cleaned up the rims. A little steel wool and some touch-up paint
The white units had there own tank graphics. I'm thinking that those are going to be impossible to find.
May have to improvise.
Anyway, here's some pics.

Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 09:59 pm Apr 09 2017
by KDXGarage
Aw, man! That looks nice!
The backgrounds look great.

Re: White '88 Brought Back to Life
Posted: 10:35 pm Dec 30 2017
by thundermountain
Just got my white '88 and its got a long way to go , I was thinking of graphics too can't wait to see what you come up with and yea finding plastics seems to be the hardest part to find.... no one has that right side panel !
EDITED by Jason to show picture within post (nice looking KDX!)
