The Best KX 125 Rebuild Ever!

[MXonaKawi]

Here we are at the beginning. I'm hoping that you can all enjoy watching this rebuild come to fruition as much as I've watched those of others who have inspired me to do this!

When I picked the bike up, it was poorly maintained. many bolts were incorrect sizes, not for a motorcycle, seized or stripped. The plastics were shot with ugly stickers everywhere, and the bike was just downright dirty. But it started!

So I took it completely apart, and cleaned each part while I made a 'parts list' for replacement parts and chucked the ones that were really bad.

Started on 5/4/2013 - 2000 Kawasaki KX 125

[MXonaKawi]

Taking it apart was definitely an education on all of the parts that I had forgotten about and also a valuable experience that I'm sure will help me in the future when maintaining and working on this bike!

[MXonaKawi]

...

[MXonaKawi]

Some parts just needed to go and in their place came newer shinier ones.

[MXonaKawi]

i could have continued shopping forever but the chassis was most important so I needed to rehab it asap so that I would have something to attach all the new goodies to.

So since the subframe was worn and the threads were raped by a previous owner, I decided to go for an AC Racing subframe to replace it.

[MXonaKawi]

The frame was in surprisingly good condition so I decided to Powder Coat it. I originally wanted to go with black but many have gone that route and to be honest, it just doesn't pop. It almost looks like it's not even there. Plus I am planning on going with black side panels and possibly black radiator shrouds so too much black tends to look too dark, bland and plain. So I decided to go with Gloss White.

[MXonaKawi]

My swingarm was in great shape with the exception of an ugly dent on top underneath where the chain is located. At $450, OEM replacement was not an option. Similar ones on ebay had badly scuffed sides which seemed worse to me as it is more visible. So thanks to Sandblaster's suggestion I got the dented filled in by a welder for $25 bucks. The guy who did my powder coating brought it next door to his shop to fabricator and he was glad to help out.

I originally wanted to get the swingarm coated black but it kind of starts to blend in with the tire and just looks like the wheel is floating. So I went with the same white as my frame and did them together!

[sandblaster]

Looking great!
I only have one suggestion....
Any time you have your computer on and your taking pictures, make sure it's on KXRiders 

[MXonaKawi]

Looking great!
I only have one suggestion....
Any time you have your computer on and your taking pictures, make sure it's on KXRiders 

Thanks! Haha that I can do

[SHLEPY]

Looks good I kinda like the white it should really stand out!!

[mbrouk]

Looks great! How much did it cost to get your frame and swingarm painted?? I'm rebuilding my 2007 kx 250 and I'm considering the same color after seeing yours!

[MXonaKawi]

Looks great! How much did it cost to get your frame and swingarm painted?? I'm rebuilding my 2007 kx 250 and I'm considering the same color after seeing yours!

$175 for frame and swingarm - $125 for frame and $50 for swingarm

[MXonaKawi]

I don't know why all the manufacturers sell their bikes with those ugly half see through white radiator screens that get super dirty and look gross after 3 rides. So for me it was between black and green screens for my radiators. Since I wanted a pop of color off of my white frame and to go with my my green radiator hoses, I went with green. After all a KX should be green!

[KevinTwoStk]

Are you getting a new pipe? I noticed you've got some good-sized dents going.

If so, great, but there's no need to trash the one you've got. I have sent my Pro Circuit pipe to Pacific Crest Pipe repair twice (fixed, crashed, fixed again) and it's come back in great shape both times. I am sure they can do the same for you.

Meanwhile, I picked up a FMF Fatty on eBay for a good price. Next comes an E-Line pipe guard. Pacific Crest does a great job, but I'd rather avoid the dents in the first place.

[MXonaKawi]

Nearly EVERY part of this bike is being replaced. I will definitely be getting a new pipe. I am going to go with a pro circuit with an r-304 shorty silencer. (I chose the shorty over factory sound because I like low-end pull and also love that sound!). I will probably have to go with the platinum pipe but I wish they still made the works pipe and the silencer without the end cap for this bike. That would be true early 00's style.

The one I've got is for sale on ebay. I probably won't do the pipe guard. I thought about it, but I'd rather show off the pipe then hide it.

When I'm done with this rebuild, there will be only a handful of parts separating it from a fully modded 2000 KX 125 that you would have bought brand new THAT year!

Are you getting a new pipe? I noticed you've got some good-sized dents going.

If so, great, but there's no need to trash the one you've got. I have sent my Pro Circuit pipe to Pacific Crest Pipe repair twice (fixed, crashed, fixed again) and it's come back in great shape both times. I am sure they can do the same for you.

Meanwhile, I picked up a FMF Fatty on eBay for a good price. Next comes an E-Line pipe guard. Pacific Crest does a great job, but I'd rather avoid the dents in the first place.