2004 KX 125 Rebuild

[DP3601]

I cant stop wanting to do more to this bike.  My wife says I have an addiction.  Yep I do!  I got new plastic and am looking at graphics now.  I have always been a fan of the splitfire days at pro circuit and found these.

[Foxx4Beaver]

nice!....those will look sharp.

[DP3601]

I am looking at cleaning up the swing arm on this 125.  What luck has anyone had with different ways to go about this.  Paint, polish or any other?

Thanks

[treedodgingfool]

I stripped the paint off of two of our swingarms down to the bare aluminum using multiple cycles of Aircraft Paint Stripper & steel wool/scotchbrite pads. Managed to get a nice clean factory finish (going just heavy enough on the elbow grease to remove the paint, but not the machined finish). From a wear & tear standpoint (heavy woods & rock use with lots of sharp gougey things), bare aluminum rather then powder coat or paint looks the best in the long-run.

[DP3601]

I stripped the paint off of two of our swingarms down to the bare aluminum using multiple cycles of Aircraft Paint Stripper & steel wool/scotchbrite pads. Managed to get a nice clean factory finish (going just heavy enough on the elbow grease to remove the paint, but not the machined finish). From a wear & tear standpoint (heavy woods & rock use with lots of sharp gougey things), bare aluminum rather then powder coat or paint looks the best in the long-run.

Thanks, I will have give it that a try.   I am looking to get that factory look!

[DP3601]

I finally got the new graphics and plastic.  This thing turned out amazing from what I started with.



I think she looks better with a little dirt on her.

[reklessj]

Man, that did turn out great. Awesome job

[Foxx4Beaver]

that thing looks like it belongs under the Factory Kawie tent!!

[sandblaster]

Nice!

[DP3601]

Thanks to everyone that gave input on this rebuild.  Hopefully I can help someone when they have questions going forward.  I enjoyed it so much that I will be looking for a 250 to do next.
Sandblaster Ill be sending parts out for Vapor on the next bike.. that will be the cherry on top!
I had a question for Foxx but cant get through on pm at the moment.

[DP3601]

Back at it doing more to this bike.   I am looking to replace the triple clamps.  I have found a set from Bud Racing but the offset is different.  Stock says 25mm offset and theirs is 23mm.  Does 2mm change the handling a lot or not?    And I would imagine that the shorter offset would make the wheel base shorter or is it opposite? 

Thanks for any information

[umberto]

Two millimeters can make a pretty big difference.  It should slow the steering down and make the bike more stable.  Some models benefit greatly from this (such as the KX250F with 22 mm clamps), while others really change for the negative.  Of course it really depends on where you ride and what you want to accomplish.  My two cents would be if you like the bike now for the riding you are doing, don't make the change. 

Maybe KXDino has some more info on this.  He is very knowledgeable on different frames and years.

[DP3601]

Two millimeters can make a pretty big difference.  It should slow the steering down and make the bike more stable.  Some models benefit greatly from this (such as the KX250F with 22 mm clamps), while others really change for the negative.  Of course it really depends on where you ride and what you want to accomplish.  My two cents would be if you like the bike now for the riding you are doing, don't make the change. 

Maybe KXDino has some more info on this.  He is very knowledgeable on different frames and years.

Thanks for the information.  It handles great just wanted to find some aftermarket clamps, no luck so I will just polish up the stock and stay with it.

[DP3601]

Has anyone had any luck with with a specific brand of clutch plates?  I put a set of tusk in, yeah I went cheap and they are spent already.  In the past OEM has been my best luck.

[Foxx4Beaver]

I know guys that've used Barnett clutches with no problems...
I myself have always stuck with OEM.