Hello, new to the site and new to a 96' Kawasaki KX60. I've also got a 00 XR400. Past dirt bikes have included 91' & 89' RM250, 90' XT350, 86' KX125, 81' YZ250, 73?' Yamaha AT125 (had to go to two garages to get all the parts for that bike, it had a 175 jug on it, fixed it up and rode it to high school for two years) and a 71' Honda CT70. So my blood does not bleed green, it's multi colored. Found the site looking for information on the KX.
Back to the KX60, I bought it for my 9 yr old son. He had an 93 Z50 but was permanently borrowed by someone last fall. He had pretty well out grown the 50 and I was figuring on selling it parlaying the cash and getting a good condition 60. That plan didn't work so well so I decided I'd buy a fixer upper on the cheap. Found a good candidate and bought it. It had the cylinder and clutch case removed but all major parts were there so I think I'll be able to get it running without too much effort. The PO thought (not his bike) it was dissembled to replace the top end, and possibly the clutch. It had new plates in the "parts box". It has spark and shifts and spins through the gears, carb looks clean. The piston looks new as it's not discolored at all. My plan was to get it together and make sure it runs before investing too much into it. I bought a gasket kit, some misc bolts from ACE. I've got enough to assemble the top end now, minus one head bolt, but wanted to check a few things first and was hoping for some input.
I was going to check compression prior to trying to start it. I have a compression tester but never used one before. Do I need to seal the carb and exhaust opening?
What is the ring end gap?
I couldn't see any cross hatching on the cylinder, if I need to fix the cylinder what are my options?
I'm missing one head bolt (ordered but not in yet, I think they must be machining it based on the amount of time it's taken) is it safe to fire without it?
The water pump shaft, the one with a slot in the end that mates with the pump, is threaded but has no nut. Looking at a parts fiche I don't see a nut but seems like it's made to have one. I didn't have any spare parts that would fit it so I think I'm OK.
Trans oil qty?
Do I need to connect the cooling system and exhaust to just see if it will fire up. Hate to connect it only to have to remove it. Thinking about it I have to put the exhaust on don't I?
I'm planning on getting a manual once I can get it to fire, is the Kawi book the best bet or are there better aftermarket books?
As near as I can see I'll still need a kick starter (I ebay'd one but the wrong one came), rear wheel bearings, rear brake pedal bushing, and a few other misc nuts and bolts, but I should be less than $300 bucks total into it unless I need a piston and ring or the cylinder may need to be fixed depending on compression.
I'd post some photos but don't think I can as a noob.
Thanks for the input sorry for the long first post.
Bryan