Newbie Questions -- Please advise...

[Biglmbass]

Hello all. I recently stumbled onto this great site and I'm hoping you good folks can help w/ some questions. I'm just now getting back into the dirt bike scene after a 7 year absence. With that in mind, this weekend I bought a gently used 1998 KDX200. My only intent for the bike is weekend trail riding and putting around in the woods.

1) Where can I get an owners manual/service manual for my bike for cheap? Online somewhere?

2) The handlebars although still straight, seem to be "tweaked" to one side in the mounts. They appear to be mounted in rubber bushings. Can the original mount be replaced w/ a more sturdy aftermarket mount? If so, who makes a good one at a good price?

3) The bike apprears to be stock except for an FMF pipe. Tha airbox is still installed and it's w/out holes. With this in mind, would you recommend a 40:1 or 32:1 mix ratio for the oil? Also, should I run high octane gas? What is the preferred brand premix oil on this board? I'm assuming there's a majority that agrees one brand is the best.

I'm sure I'll have more questions in the near future, however that's all I've got at the moment. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[MassKDX]

Answers

1. Go to Kawasaki.com and order up a service manual. Money well invested.
2. The rubber mounts on the bar mounts are not that good. Get some FastWay aluminum cones to solve your problem. A little more vibration but not too bad.
3. I run my bike at 40:1 w/Maxima SuperM (you will get alot of different answers here) and have my carb jetting to my likings. 155 main/45 pilot. Toss the air lid box for some better performance.

Bonus Material::
4. Check/Grease the swingarm bearings and lower shock bearings.
5. Was the suspension re-worked? If not, you might want to look into new front fork springs if the front is too soft and squishy.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[canyncarvr]

1. You can get one from your friendly local dealer, too. You gotta get one.

2. Keep the anti-vibration properties of your existing bushings...just 'reset' them. Take the studs out, remove the bushings, put them back in. Get a one piece top clamp (fredette has 'em) to reduce if not eliminate this problem in the future.

3. 'I'm assuming there's a majority that agrees one brand is the best.' You're kidding, right??

Masskdx is right. Maxima SuperM 40:1 is a good choice. Buy it in the 'large' size from, say, rocky mountain. You can get 4x64oz bottles for $44 (+s&h)!!

4. Hi octane fuel is required. 91 octane I believe is the minimum requirement.


5. Re-jet your bike!! It's the biggest 'bang' for the least amount of bucks you can get! A ton of info about jetting on this forum.

Check CDave's site:

http://justkdx.dirtrider.net

..for hopup options, jetting info etc. Can't miss it!!

 

[John Harris]

Both above good answers. Many opinions on oil to use, but I say use all synthetic, not a blend, (I like Maxima brand too) at 40 to 1 with premium gas. Then jet correctly and you will be pressed to ever ride it enough to need a top end job.

 

[kdxme]

as far manuals go try http://www.repairmanual.com/ they seen to be cheaper than kawasaki or the dealer

 

[Biglmbass]

Thanks for the information and good advice. I've got a repair manual on order, and I'll take a look at the FRP one piece clamp for the handlebars. Thanks again.

 

[CMcCarthy]

Glenn,
You've definately come to the right place for KDX answers. This site was instrumental in helping me get my bike sorted out after I first bought it. If you need any help getting your bike sorted out, don't hesitate to call me.

On a related note, I sold my '94 on Monday. A fellow from Cullman bought it. Also, my offer still stands to come ride with us at CMRA or colonial hills anytime you want.
-Charles

 

[Biglmbass]

Charles,

Thanks for the offer to help me set up my bike. I may well take you up on that offer in the very near future. I've yet to ride my bike since the day I bought it. I'm still in the process of shopping for a helmet among other things. Provided I can get a helmet today or tomorrow, I'm hoping to hook up w/ some friends and do some trail riding this weekend. There's a few nit picky things I'll mess w/ on the bike, but for the time being I plan to ride it as it is for the most part. The fellow I bought it from was just a wee bit shorter than I am so he had the rear end cranked down to fit him. I may want to raise it back up in the near future. Also the pipe just barely scrapes the spring around the rear shock. I'm hoping this is an easy fix by "tweaking" the pipe mounts. I'm handicapped at the moment by having my bike stored several miles away from home in a relative's garage. Hopefully this weekend I'll have time to clean out a space for it in my garage.

Thanks again for the 'help' offer. I'm sure I'll be seeing you on a trail very soon. BTW, glad to hear that you sold your '94.

Later,

Glenn

 

[canyncarvr]

'Cranking down' the shock spring isn't a valid procedure for lowering the bike. Akin to letting the air out of the tires...it lowers the bike alright, but at the expense of another critical component.

Set your race sag to a reasonable measurement (say 100mm). Resultant free sag measurement will tell you if you have the correct spring for your weight.

If you aren't familiar with the procedure and don't find a primer with a bit of looking, please ask.

A perfectly set up bike isn't a requirement to have a fun time riding, but one that IS set up as it should be will make that ride more fun..and allow YOU to be a better rider.

I'd suggest not immediately lowering a bike that you think is a bit tall. Better to get used to it. That will happen after you ride it for awhile.

If lowering is still desired after you become familiar with it, consider changing the pull rods (devol or kouba), or having the shock internally modified.

The forks can be raised in the clamps to make allowance for the different shock spring setting to some extent. There are limits to that idea too, of course....but it's doable.

Anyway, the point is you can completely hose your bike's ability to suspend itself with an attempt to make it 'easier' to use.

Your basic conundrum......;)

Enjoy your bike!!