basic questions from a newcomer

As in the title, I'm a complete newcomer in oldie bikes and restration, though the itch has been there sometime, it needed a scratch.
So, I bought what I call a 'project', fairly complete, and I sourced an owners manual, the parts catalogue and a Clymers manual too. So far so good.

The question now arises: how to tackle the 'project' ie where to start? Engine? Frame? Wheels? What?

Some things about the bike:
It's a Kawasaki KDX175 enduro, I know, not very whaaw, but we have to start somewhere, and it was a deal I couldn't turn down (love dirtbikes, love twostrokes, allmost free).
It was running when I bought it, but on the first 'test' I lost a great deal of oil and it stalled. The problem might be severe I guessed, but it still turns over, and I noticed the sparkplug to be loose, fixed that, fixed the leak too. But now I'm afraid to fire it up...

Other problem: the rims are alloy anodised DID's, suffering from (very) minor pitting. I want them cleaned, is it possible to sand them to a satin sheen like anodised? What to use to protect them from powdering up? Clearcoating seems not a good option for a dirt bike...

Another one: frame, powder or spray? Wheel hubs: same question.

For the most of it, I know what I want, and basically got down how to do it (or get it done), so the 'plan' seems OK. But for some reason I can't think of a decent order to deal with every chore in a logic way. Isn't it silly to get the frame powdercoated, the wheels relaced etcetera, when you're in doubt about the engine? So, start with the engine then? Do I keep it in the frame (a complete bike would be easier to test) or do I take it out?

Maybe it's just beginners scare, I don't know, but a hint (and some encouraging words) could get me on track.

Many thanks allready!

Peter

 

<snip>

Try again.

 

how 'bout this?

As in the title, I'm a complete newcomer in oldie bikes and restration,
though the itch has been there sometime, it needed a scratch.
So, I bought what I call a 'project', fairly complete, and I sourced an
owners manual, the parts catalogue and a Clymers manual too. So far so good.

The question now arises: how to tackle the 'project' ie where to start?
Engine? Frame? Wheels? What?

Some things about the bike:
It's a Kawasaki KDX175 enduro, I know, not very whaaw, but we have to start
somewhere, and it was a deal I couldn't turn down (love dirtbikes, love
twostrokes, allmost free).
It was running when I bought it, but on the first 'test' I lost a great deal
of oil and it stalled. The problem might be severe I guessed, but it still
turns over, and I noticed the sparkplug to be loose, fixed that, fixed the
leak too. But now I'm afraid to fire it up...

Other problem: the rims are alloy anodised DID's, suffering from (very)
minor pitting. I want them cleaned, is it possible to sand them to a satin
sheen like anodised? What to use to protect them from powdering up?
Clearcoating seems not a good option for a dirt bike...

Another one: frame, powder or spray? Wheel hubs: same question.

For the most of it, I know what I want, and basically got down how to do it
(or get it done), so the 'plan' seems OK. But for some reason I can't think
of a decent order to deal with every chore in a logic way. Isn't it silly to
get the frame powdercoated, the wheels relaced etcetera, when you're in
doubt about the engine? So, start with the engine then? Do I keep it in the
frame (a complete bike would be easier to test) or do I take it out?

Maybe it's just beginners scare, I don't know, but a hint (and some
encouraging words) could get me on track.

Many thanks allready!

Peter

 

not got a W-reg with the letters MUD in the number, is it?

nice little bike. more grin-factor than almost anything else I've met, when
running right... ISTR the one mentioned above was reworked by removing the
head gasket, lapping the head onto the barrel, and went very well.

The only thing about it is that being designed as a competition bike, you
tend to want to rebuild the engine fairly frequently. But it loved being
thrashed.

 

text on my screen... mind, there was some sort of attachment, but I never
look at those

 

Ah! I can read this now!

Excellent bike. Good price, too.

I'd find where it's leaking from and fix that. A crankcase leak is bad,
bad news if it's severe. A two-stroke leak potentially nasty, too - or
does it run on pre-mix?

You can have them vapour blasted, or simply get the wheels rebuilt with
new rims. As you'd have to remove the rims for vapour blasting anyway
you might as well simply go for new rims (and spokes). Wheel rebuilding
costs about a hundred quid a wheel with new rims & spokes.

Powder coating is cheap and easy. Durable, too.

Well, I've just gone this route with the Honda ST70 in my sig. I left
the engine until last, and didn't even polish the cases because I knew I
could always get a stepthru engine to replace it if it was knackered,
and smartening it up would be a waste of time if it was dead.

The KDX is a 2-stroke single and there is no simpler kind of engine to
pull apart and rebuild, so I wouldn't worry. Worst it's likely to need
might be new crank bearings and a rebore. And it's quite rare, so your
chances of finding another replacement engine are slim.

 

---SNIP---

It runs on premix, yes. I found that it was leaking from the kickstarter
shaft in the right hand
engine cover. It's cracked. I found another one, and hope this will solve
the problem.

---SNIP---

My guess is that a couple of hundreds is way too much for this kind of bike,
no?
My option was to have then blasted or sand the myself. I want to keep this
project as cheap as
possible, because it's my first one (so I might screw up halfway).

---SNIP---

Until last you say, does that mean the very mast? My idea was to get it back
in running order first (in the frame), then tackle frame and other things
around the engine, than an engine-rebuild and touch-up.

Rare? does that effect on the value of the bike? If it would be let's say a
1.000 pound bike after restoring it, I wouldn't mind digging a little deeper
in the wallet and spend that amount on it. Not if it was to be a sorry bad
oerforming sh*te only worth a fiver. It's rare maybe, but my guess is that
nobody wants it ...

Peter

 

Generally, with old air-cooled two-strokes, the engine is the cheapest
thing to sort out. What costs is cosmetics - paint, chrome (not that
there is much on a KDX), wheels, chassis components like forks and
shocks. Look at it this way - just what the wheels will cost to rebuild
will cover a crank rebuild, new main bearings, a rebore and new piston
(and it's very unlikely to nee dmore engine attention than this).

I have spent ukp800 on my Dax, and that was *all* on cosmetics and
chassis parts (oh, and a new exhaust).

Not in this instance. A KDX is a desirable competition machine that can
be used on the road. It's just that fewer competition bikes than pure
road bikes find their way to market.

If it would be let's say a

A really good condition restored KDX175 will fetch close to a grand,
yes. They are sought-after quality bikes.

 

IME, powder coating leaves you with a gorgeously shiny, new-looking frame,
and a large pile of bitz that aren't fit to share its garage space. Frame
then hangs on string from roof for some years, whilst the bitz get ignored
in their boxes whilst waiting to be used as spares on that H2 that you got
because 'it must share some common parts'.

 

here in Belgium; every new owner has to register the bike again, so there is
no link between numberplate and ride here (tracing can be done however with
the owners registry papers, that keeps the names of the former owners). But
you gave me a hint, since I know the girl who hands out the license plates,
I'll try to get my hands on a MUD-175, that would be a top-job. But first,
let's get that screamer back to screaming.

as a non-english person (and not that great in shorts, because of silly legs
probably), what would ISTR mean?

thrashing is my main goal, caonstantly rebuilding it will be a nice
side-effect

Thanks Austin!

Pepe

00 Ducati M900 bellanera- 76 Honda CB250 cappucinoracer - 82 Kawasaki KDX175
greenscream

 

I Seem To Recall

(in other words, I think, but I am not 100% certain)

 

WTYKS! (Well, Thank You Kind Sir!), for all hints and tips that is...

PePe