KMX 125 project

[u33db]

Thought i'd post up some pics of my project!

Basically I sold my '84 GPZ750R earlier last year due to lack of use but I really missed having something to buzz about on. Around November last year I was looking at the local breaker website and happened to spot a KMX 125 up for sale...i had one of these years ago and it was great bike so decided to snap it up, despite only getting a quick glimpse of it at the back of a dark warehouse.

Anyway, after parting with £550 and getting a van ride ride home this was mine;

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120831_121410.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120831_121422.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120831_121434.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120831_132331.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120831_132339.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120831_132348.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120831_132616.jpg

02 plate and 21k on the clock.

Yeah - its not the best of examples and has been dropped at least a few times but theres hope for it!

Immediate problem is it doesn't run!

Theres also a wealth of missing/wrong stuff - rack, indicators, mirrors, mirror mounts, front fork/disc plastics, ignition boot, rear foot pegs etc, rpm cable, 200cc rear tyre touching swingarm.

Theres also a wealth of broken stuff - clutch/brake levers, bent spokes, cut loom etc etc.

A week later i whipped off the barrel to find the rings have gone and lunched the piston and barrel;

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120901_141535.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120915_142026.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/IMG_20120901_141656.jpg

There were no good used items to be had on ebay so i coughed up for a new OE barrel, mitaka piston, rik rings, gasket, ignition boot and new plug and it was a runner!

TBC...

[neiloggy1]

Nice project love them 125s
Do you intend strip and full rebuild ???
____________________
98 zx9r

[leeharrisom]

canny little bike that mate had a dtr 125 in my younger years once its sorted there will be hours of laughs on that
____________________
Chinese copy to start then cafe racer once done

[u33db]

[u33db]

[stevo as b4]

That's great little 125 project bike mate. If i could only have just one bike, it would be a 125cc trailie every single time!

I'd say that even though it was a non runner and has some damage, learner abuse and cosmetic issue's, £550 was still fair for a complete late model KMX, and done up to a reasonable std it will easily be worth £1k, and hold it's value now.

I paid £650 i think for a 200 version back in 2005, and it was a runner and had a local area history from new. I think being a 200 it escaped the learner absue thing, but one guy had it as a ride to work bike for all weathers, and the last owner had it as a serious green laning bike, and modified it to suit, but also had given it a hell of a beating off road, and i was told it had also been around a local MX track, getting big air on the jumps, so suspension wise it was proper fucked.

Take your time getting it sorted out, and don't worry too much about the cosmetics yet. at the moment new OEM style plastics are available at reasonable prices still but not in all colours.

If your going ride it around town and park it anywhere, then the next mod should be a fuck off huge chain and lock, and even then i'd think twice about leaving it.

[u33db]

Thanks - i was actually just reading your 200cc thread!

Yes don't worry - i'll be getting a bloody big lock for it and rarely leaving it out in the open...too rare now up this way (Aberdeen) to risk getting stolen!

[dangerousdave]

Great project you've got there ! Kmx 125s are great town bikes, lightweight and easy to nip through traffic jams etc ...
My last Kmx got nicked despite being locked to a lamp-post so make sure you've got a lock/s which can't be cut easily by bolt cutters. Try and chain it to something because being so light, these bikes are easy to pick up, and disappear into transit vans.
Somebody did an epic job of seizing that motor up - looks like they ran it out of oil !
Wise going for the OE cylinder kit, quality of the original plating was excellent, they'll last for 20k miles easily.
There's loads of spares around for these bikes so am sure you'll replace the broken & missing stuff without much hassle.
____________________
1988 Kawasaki KMX 200

Previous: Yamaha YZF1000, ZZR600, KMX200, DT50, KX80, CG125, PF50

[u33db]

Thanks!

Well I've actually done a bit more since Christmas after many hours sitting on e-bay;

- Genuine rear rack sourced + fitted,
- Genuine indicators sourced + fitted instead of those stupid small ones,
- Genuine mirror sourced + fitted with new mounts,
- New grips,
- New number-plate,
- Brake lens replaced,
- New clutch/gear levers to fix the ones broken in a drop,
- Loom soldered up and heat-shrinked,
- New rpm cable.

I also sourced a good condition low mileage rear wheel from a break and bought some new Bridgestone trailwings...the rear was fitted to this wheel yesterday.

Tomorrow i'm going to fit the new wheel and replace the rear rubber exhaust seal (£15 from Kawasaki!!).

[rzsteve]

I had a brand new B4 KMX 125 in 1989, "mean green" and "new blue" as it was marketed to me, F291OTM, still have the original number plate in my shed. These are great little bikes, pretty capable off road and more focused looks than the DTR of similar age to my biased Kwak mind! My lad had a couple of these, a 51 plate which was ultra reliable and trouble free and then surprisingly, the older 89 model which was nothing but trouble until we snuck a 200 lump in it so I guess it all comes down to maintenance. At least with you starting from scratch, you are going to know all the work has been done properly, good luck with her, will be watching your progress.......
____________________
Current bike: Honda Goldwing 1500/6 (dont hate me!) Thunderace gone to South Africa!
Current headaches: 89 KMX200, RZR250/350 Hybrid
Puch Magnum, Minimoto and Moto Minarelli thingy!

[u33db]

More done today!

Got the exhaust seal fitted and that better rear wheel/new tyre fitted...the spokes has the usual tarnishing but the rim is almost perfect...either way its a massive improvement!

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130112_142926_zps0f321586.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130112_142955_zpsc8544715.jpg

Some other pics showing the indicators/rack/mirrors back;

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130112_143111_zps7afca526.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130112_143136_zps7e8a7472.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130112_143149_zps86380c37.jpg

Starting to look vaguely decent now!

Tomorrow i'll be drilling and fitting the new numberplate as the old one has holes/damage over it.

On Monday i'll get the new front tyre put onto the existing rim as its in decent nick...my HEL braided brake lines/stainess bleed nipples will also hopefully turn up...

[WJE]

Nice one!
Shame to see the piston in such a sorry state
Glad you got that sorted.
I am also working on a KMX200, but doing it slowly, as I have another bike that eats all my money and free time! Wouldnt mind but thats only a 2004! haha.


Going to add this into my favourites, amongst the other KMX projects on this forum

[u33db]

Bit more done today;

HEL braided brake line on the rear with EBC sintered pads;

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130119_144241_zps9e812a3d.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130119_144255_zps28b38cfd.jpg

Fitted a HEL line to the front as well but couldn't do the pads as there are 2 different types...one for the majority of KMX's and one for the later models (B10 onwards) which I have...unfortunately I bought the early ones

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130119_144319_zps4645410d.jpg

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/IMG_20130119_150203_zpsd3ede604.jpg

Will get the correct ones ordered up today but the brakes are a lot sharper now!

Also replaced the broken front brake lever with a new one though and got the new front tyre onto the bike.

[u33db]

Correct pads on their way now.

Also...the bike has a full big one exhaust on it but no matter how hard I try to position the rear silencer it touches the side panel. The previous owner obviously had the same problem as its actually melted through the side panel in one place.

Is this just the big one silencer being a poor fit?

The silencer is also a bit tatty...could I fit say a DEP rear silencer to the big one front pipe as the DEP item seems a bit thinner and possibly a better fit with the bodywork?

[dangerousdave]

[u33db]

Possibly.

The big one is quite old so it could be carbon build up but my bike has also been dropped so i think the brackets have maybbe bent out of shape as well.

I'm not messing about with anymore though as i found someone selling a NOS kawa silencer on ebay so it'll be going this weekend instead

[u33db]

Well the NOS silencer turned up but it doesn't fit!

The Big One front pipe seems too long to allow the mounting lugs to line up...I've tried cutting this down which helped but it still doesn't seem to come out far enough to make the standard silencer a good fit (its hard up against the frame).

Are you actually able to use an aftermarket front pipe with a standard silencer?

If so then my big one front pipe my be bent and if not i'll need to cough up for a Kawa front pipe

Any ideas?

[dangerousdave]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Wow those rims and hubs came up well. Nice work man. Hope you can suss the zorst trauma.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[stevo as b4]

I've also seen a few KMX125's with OEM silencer fitted to a Gianelli expansion chamber, and they seem to work out ok with fitment.

I think you need to check the mounting rubbers and brackets on the Big one pipe for Damage. As Dave said i've heard of fitment issues and bolts not lining up as well as they should on the Big one pipes.

The Gianelli is my favourite pipe for the 125 KMX, for it's smooth looks and nice design, but they are made of thin guage steel and they are bloody loud but effective from what i've been told.

[u33db]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

An OE front pipe is really what I'm after - I missed out on 2 on ebay but they weren't in the best of condition (like mine) and new ones although still available are a fortune!

I'd consider coughing up for a Gianelli though but I don't want the hassle of having to rejet - would I need to do this with the Gianelli?

Also wheres best for sourcing one...I've had a Gianelli pipe on scooter before but the place I got it from doesn't cater for bikes...

[dangerousdave]

[dangerousdave]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/kmx-125-parts-/111042769239?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item19daaa3157#ht_63wt_1062
____________________
1988 Kawasaki KMX 200

Previous: Yamaha YZF1000, ZZR600, KMX200, DT50, KX80, CG125, PF50

[u33db]

Well thanks to dangerousdave I have won the following on ebay;

https://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p206/u33db/kmx/T2eC16ZHJHIE9nyseygBRV1poMLgw60_12_zpsf90773e7.jpg

Will get the front pipe cleaned up this weekend hopefully.

I also stopped in past the dealer yesterday to get the rubber bushes/collars to mount the rear silencer and while I was there I enquired about the missing decals for the tank shrouds and rear panels.

Still available so I've ordered them but £80 lighter for doing so!

[Zen Dog]

Nice, my KMX had those graphics, but a lovely purple colourscheme instead.

Video when its all done? (I just want to hear that 2-stroke noise again!)

Zen Dog
____________________
Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011