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I have a chance to get my hands on a 97 kx125 roller for 300 bucks. Will it be worth it for a hybrid build or should I wait on a later model? The only thing missing is the front brake cylinder.

The KX isn't a YZ. I had a 97 KX250 up to about 5 years ago or so and was always frustrated by the parts not available for the 94-98 KXs. Seemed they always had them for the newer models. Not engine stuff but body and controls. Aftermarket shifters, complete seats, etc. If you want or need any of these type parts, look around and see what's available first. Otherwise, for $300, I'd jump on it.

$300 seems like a pretty good deal to me too. and I 100% agree that finding the parts you want may be a challenge. I seemed to get a little frustrated at times when looking for parts for my 05 KX125 that I used for my hybrid... but then again I wanted all of the stuff that they have coming out for the 2016/17 bikes lol (I was being unrealistic).

If you're not trying to go all out and build some crazy hybrid with the latest and greatest parts, I'd jump on that deal. You can still build a super solid hybrid with that. There are quite a few threads on here from others who have used the same platform. Just do some searching and reading and see if the hurdles associated with that year is worth it to you (I think there may be some pipe fitment difficulties) for the cheap roller. If you do wait around for a newer year, it seems like the latest ones, 03-05, are the easiest to convert (least amount of hurdles). That's why I ended up going with an 05.

I'll have to do some searching and see just what I'll be in for. I have the guy talked down to 200 right now. It's real hard not to just buy it. As it sits the frame is a little rusty where there's no paint, plastics are shot, forks and shock will need a rebuild for sure, and the brake hardware doesn't look to good either. So it may be more worth it to just hold off for a newer model.

Ed5786 wrote:I'll have to do some searching and see just what I'll be in for. I have the guy talked down to 200 right now. It's real hard not to just buy it. As it sits the frame is a little rusty where there's no paint, plastics are shot, forks and shock will need a rebuild for sure, and the brake hardware doesn't look to good either. So it may be more worth it to just hold off for a newer model.

If you are using an H series KDX as a donor, I'm pretty sure the brakes are swappable, as well as the rear wheel. Plastics are usually the hardest part to find, so check on-line shops to see what you can find (e-bay as well). Since you'd have to strip the bike to do the build, consider powder coating it (I'd consider that no matter what year bike I was starting with).

I agree. For a true take your time, look for deals and a lot of DIY work project hybrid build, I couldn't walk away from a $200 roller. Just sayin'

There are a ton of parts available for that bike. I saw a complete plastic kit for a little over $100 on RMATV today. Hard to pass up a $200 roller when parts can be had cheap.

G22inSC wrote:I agree. For a true take your time, look for deals and a lot of DIY work project hybrid build, I couldn't walk away from a $200 roller. Just sayin'

I figure if nothing else, I'll have a set of forks for a fork conversion. If I do the hybrid, I'm not using my current KDX as a donor. I love it to much. I'll try to hunt down a 220 in rough shape. I see your KDX has a rear shock off of a rm125. Did you do that to even the geometry back out or is it just a better shock? I want to start doing hare scrambles. This is the reason for wanting a hybrid. But if I can make the KDX platform almost as good..... I'll go that route. The KDX is a damn comfortable bike compared to MX bikes.

6 Riders wrote:There are a ton of parts available for that bike. I saw a complete plastic kit for a little over $100 on RMATV today. Hard to pass up a $200 roller when parts can be had cheap.

I saw that too... this is getting more tempting