KDX A series mods
Hi,
I'm in the middle of restoring/upgrading my 1984 KDX 200 (identical to your '85). I decided that I wanted a front disk brake, so I found a complete front end off an '86 model and have been grafting it on. I decided that I wanted to upgrade the '86 forks, so I contacted a local shop that is certified by RaceTech. I'm having cartridge fork emulators and new springs put in, and the whole shebang revalved to my weight/riding style. I'm not sure if RaceTech offers anything for the '84 forks, since I was intent on losing the drum setup. The '86 forks are a larger diameter, so those parts won't work. If you are interested in the disk brake conversion, do a search of the posts for the discussion on this mod. Suffice it to say that '86-'88 steering stems are the same diameter as the '84, so it's a bolt-up proposition.
As a final note on the disk brake conversion, make sure that you get a complete front wheel. I just got a hub and thought I would lace up the '84 wheel to the '86 hub. Wrong! Kawasaki no longer supplies all the spokes needed to relace an '86 hub. I'm having to use spokes of the same bend, but longer, and then cut threads down the shank to fit the wheel up. No aftermarket company makes rebuild kits for the bike, so unless you have a sample of each kind of spoke (there are three types), you have to do what I'm doing.
Pipes for this bike are a problem. DG is the only solution, and you better hurry, as there are only a few left.
I'm running the Boyesen Pro Series reeds. Have been using them since 2000, and they work just fine.
If you decide to upgrade the rear shock, I have discovered that it may be better to call Works Performance and have a shock fabbed, than to attempt to rebuild the original. The shop that is doing the forks is running into problems finding parts for the seal head, and the piston in the reservoir is non-rebuildable. Also, there are few options for replacement springs. I should know more about this in a week or so, as that is when the suspension is supposed to be finished.
All in all, unless you just have an emotional attachment to the bike, as I do, you are better served to only fix what needs fixing, and just enjoy the bike. If you attempt to do what I have done, you could have bought a new bike. I have rebuilt the motor from the crank up, and am finishing the chassis mods. When I'm done I'll have in excess of $4,000.00 in this bike. Color me a fanatic! :eek: