1997 KX250 (‘94 theme)

Kelsey
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Kelsey
Edited Date/Time 3/22/2019 12:47pm
Always loved the 90’s Moto and the look of the 1994 KX250 has always caught my eye. Plan on racing some local vintage series so decided to go with the 97 for the motor and aluminum swing arm. Planned on getting it mechanically sound and freshen up the look......until I tore into it. So what started as a somewhat low budget build has turned into a full blown restoration. Every moving part has been replaced, new wheels, spokes, powder coat, top and bottom end, etc.............

Here it is when I got it home. Looks decent but, but we all know how that goes with older bikes.





Everything looks fairly clean. You can see they seemed to think they needed a stabilizer so the stem was welded straight to the frame.




1
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Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/12/2018 12:38pm
12/12/2018 12:38pm


The bike didn’t look too bad but the further I tore into it it was apparent how worn everything was. The piston and cylinder walls were scorn, and the main bearings didn’t sound good. I sent the cylinder to Millennium and also order the wrench rabbit kit.










While waiting on the cylinder to be finished at Millennium and the frame, hubs, and shock spring to get back from the powder coated I had the engine and carburetor vapor blasted.








2
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 12/12/2018 12:42pm
12/12/2018 12:42pm
I love these older kawis! 94-98 I really like the whole look! Keep these bikes coming guys!

The Shop

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Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/12/2018 12:42pm
12/12/2018 12:42pm
Orders the seat cover but I’m the logo on the back isn’t printed on the cover right. I had previously found a NOS Tecnosel seat cover that’s green and purple. The green is almost flo colored so I think I’ll find a different OEM look cover that fits.



kmc14
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NC US
kmc14 12/12/2018 3:51pm
12/12/2018 3:51pm
Bike looking good. Are you going to use the fuel tank? Do you know what brand the tank is? Thanks
Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/12/2018 4:51pm
12/12/2018 4:51pm
kmc14 wrote:
Bike looking good. Are you going to use the fuel tank? Do you know what brand the tank is? Thanks
Thanks. It’s an IMS and no I’m going with a stock tank
Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/12/2018 5:59pm
12/12/2018 5:59pm
The cylinder came back looking brand new!




kmc14
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kmc14 12/13/2018 12:30am
12/13/2018 12:30am
kmc14 wrote:
Bike looking good. Are you going to use the fuel tank? Do you know what brand the tank is? Thanks
Kelsey wrote:
Thanks. It’s an IMS and no I’m going with a stock tank
PM sent.
Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/13/2018 4:08am
12/13/2018 4:08am
kmc14 wrote:
Bike looking good. Are you going to use the fuel tank? Do you know what brand the tank is? Thanks
Kelsey wrote:
Thanks. It’s an IMS and no I’m going with a stock tank
kmc14 wrote:
PM sent.
I feel pretty smart but I’m new to vital and I cannot find the PM’s
kmc14
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kmc14 12/13/2018 4:14am
12/13/2018 4:14am Edited Date/Time 12/13/2018 4:41am
Kelsey wrote:
Thanks. It’s an IMS and no I’m going with a stock tank
kmc14 wrote:
PM sent.
Kelsey wrote:
I feel pretty smart but I’m new to vital and I cannot find the PM’s
...
acerbis
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Pinon Hills, CA US
acerbis 12/13/2018 8:17am
12/13/2018 8:17am
Kelsey wrote:
The bike didn’t look too bad but the further I tore into it it was apparent how worn everything was. The piston and cylinder walls were...


The bike didn’t look too bad but the further I tore into it it was apparent how worn everything was. The piston and cylinder walls were scorn, and the main bearings didn’t sound good. I sent the cylinder to Millennium and also order the wrench rabbit kit.










While waiting on the cylinder to be finished at Millennium and the frame, hubs, and shock spring to get back from the powder coated I had the engine and carburetor vapor blasted.








Looking great! What's your method of getting the engine and carb looking new?
Kelsey
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Fort Worth, TX US
Kelsey 12/13/2018 8:21am
12/13/2018 8:21am
Kelsey wrote:
The bike didn’t look too bad but the further I tore into it it was apparent how worn everything was. The piston and cylinder walls were...


The bike didn’t look too bad but the further I tore into it it was apparent how worn everything was. The piston and cylinder walls were scorn, and the main bearings didn’t sound good. I sent the cylinder to Millennium and also order the wrench rabbit kit.










While waiting on the cylinder to be finished at Millennium and the frame, hubs, and shock spring to get back from the powder coated I had the engine and carburetor vapor blasted.








acerbis wrote:
Looking great! What's your method of getting the engine and carb looking new?
Thanks. Used vapor blasting.
Moto Mofo
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Moto Mofo 12/13/2018 7:43pm
12/13/2018 7:43pm
I’ve got a NOS ‘94 KX125/250 seat and some reproduction ‘94 graphics that are a terrific match to the originals. I’m probably never gonna use then...
Kelsey
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Fort Worth, TX US
Kelsey 12/13/2018 7:52pm
12/13/2018 7:52pm
Moto Mofo wrote:
I’ve got a NOS ‘94 KX125/250 seat and some reproduction ‘94 graphics that are a terrific match to the originals. I’m probably never gonna use then...
Email me kelseycarter25@gmail.com
Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/19/2018 6:02pm
12/19/2018 6:02pm
Able to find some time and lace up the wheels.

Pit Row

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DTR830
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DTR830 12/19/2018 8:12pm
12/19/2018 8:12pm
06-12 kx450f forks fit right into these clamps. I did it on my 96
Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/20/2018 6:01am
12/20/2018 6:01am
DTR830 wrote:
06-12 kx450f forks fit right into these clamps. I did it on my 96
I’ll keep that in mind. I’m not sure how much I’ll be riding this thing.
mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 12/20/2018 8:46am
12/20/2018 8:46am
Moto Mofo wrote:
I’ve got a NOS ‘94 KX125/250 seat and some reproduction ‘94 graphics that are a terrific match to the originals. I’m probably never gonna use then...
If kelsey doesn't take them, please let me know!
Paul333
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Paul333 12/20/2018 7:15pm
12/20/2018 7:15pm
Great build, cannot wait to see it completed.
Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/23/2018 4:50pm
12/23/2018 4:50pm
At a bit of a standstill. Ran into a hiccup and now waiting on cases. Everything is waiting to be installed. Decided to mock up a couple parts to keep my spirits up. Was also able to catch Pro Circuit at the right time and they pulled a pipe off the line before it got plated. Hard to beat the looks of a works pipe.



2
DTR830
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DTR830 12/24/2018 9:38pm
12/24/2018 9:38pm
Jelly on the pipe. I tried to get them to make me one for mine. I found a rusted one on eBay
Kelsey
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Kelsey 12/25/2018 6:22am
12/25/2018 6:22am
DTR830 wrote:
Jelly on the pipe. I tried to get them to make me one for mine. I found a rusted one on eBay [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/12/24/312972/s1200_24AA372A_19B8_4793_8B90_5EE234B5EBF6.jpg[/img]
Jelly on the pipe. I tried to get them to make me one for mine. I found a rusted one on eBay
What kind of jelly? I’ve always used wd40 on my other bike. Also, is that your 96? It looks goood!!
DTR830
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DTR830 12/25/2018 9:37pm
12/25/2018 9:37pm
DTR830 wrote:
Jelly on the pipe. I tried to get them to make me one for mine. I found a rusted one on eBay [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/12/24/312972/s1200_24AA372A_19B8_4793_8B90_5EE234B5EBF6.jpg[/img]
Jelly on the pipe. I tried to get them to make me one for mine. I found a rusted one on eBay
Kelsey wrote:
What kind of jelly? I’ve always used wd40 on my other bike. Also, is that your 96? It looks goood!!
Jealous on the new pipe. Yes that is mine,thank you.
Kelsey
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Fort Worth, TX US
Kelsey 1/4/2019 6:09pm
1/4/2019 6:09pm
Feel like parts have been my biggest hold up if this whole build. Last piece of the puzzle are main bearing seals. Picked up the NOS seat from Moto Mofo. I got impatient and installed the graphics. Had some made up, a slight twist on stock but still pretty close.



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