good luck with the build

 

Sweet! Please keep us updated on this. THis is something I'm really interested in.

 

$1000 is a good price for that bike. Those bike rip too. With 17/14 and a flywheel weight it would be an awesome woods single track bike too. Like a ripping mtn bike that goes pinnnngggg

 

Hahah! I already found the first snafu. I bolted up the smaller wheels just to see how it was going to sit with the longer swinger. Well-- it's bogus-- like a hillclimber. So... it's on to Ebay to get a shorter KX85 swingarm. I was thinking that the longer swinger and shock would be fine with the 14/17 inch wheels, but it needs the shorter arm. I'll post up some pics of how it looks tomorrow, and you guys can see it for yourselves. ---L*64

 

Ok, Here it is. It was nice out so I went and snapped some pics tonight. I think the swinger seems too long, and the forks need to come up in the tree some. Whadda you guys think? Hillclimber? --L*64

 

Don't look that bad.



How much longer is the 100 over the 85?

I have a kx 85 swinger, It's about 20" from the pivot to middle of the wheel ajs.

If I recall correctly, aren't the linkages slightly different between the 100 and 85's?

 

I've seen worse, but I'd like to get it perfect though.



As far as I know, the only differences are that the swinger is about an inch longer, and the shock is slightly longer on the 100.



What year is your 85 swinger from? Are you sure it's an 85 and not a 100? I'll measure it a little later on and post the length. --L*64

 

I was told it is a 03, from the ebay seller....Take it for what it's worth....

I pick'd it up for a custom project. Wasn't go'na work out. So, I went in another direction.



Plan on keep'n it for a DRZ/KLX 125 superbuild some day. It be nice to verify the model tho.

 

Oh, that's no biggie. KX85 swingers are all over Ebay. I've been on there looking already. --L*64

 

Update: I ordered new KX85/100 plastic in white, including the new style or "big bike" style front and rear fenders. I got a new takeoff KX85 swinger--(for a 14 inch rear wheel), along with black radiator louvers, rear mudguard, and fork slider protectors. I was looking into some really cool Fox graphics too. The black and white should be pretty cool looking. If anybody sees some cool graphics, let me know.



Also-- I ordered the 1/2 inch rearset Moose pegs like what I have on my 65. They add alot of extra room to fit adult sized boots under the shifter. They're a great product for sure.



The next step will be to get the suspension set up for my 150 lb. weight. It may have to wait until I get more cashola. That's where I'm at for now. --L*64

 

I would leave the swingarm. 1 inch will be ZERO difference except in your head. Bike looks awesome with the 17/14 setup. Quit whining and get some springs then go ride! good stuff.

 

Actually, that longer swingarm would mean a considerable difference in the spring rate of the rear shock due to the increased leverage ratio. I'd say to the tune of about .2 KG over the shorter arm.



I want the bike to feel like a pit bike, so for now-- I'm opting for the shorter arm. Kawasaki offers a 15 inch rear wheel for the bike which I may take advantage of later on. So I'll keep the longer swingarm in case I decide to go that route. I got the new takeoff arm for $150 on Ebay. Not a bad price. I have a $2500 budget for this whip, and I want it to be really nice like my 65 is. --L*64

 

I'm old school. I'd probably go with OEM green plastic and get some graphics to make a replica of one of RC's old KX's (Splitfire/Pro Circuit or Chevy Trucks Kawa) or one of Jeff Ward's works bikes.

 

Actually, that longer swingarm would mean a considerable difference in the spring rate of the rear shock due to the increased leverage ratio. I'd say to the tune of about .2 KG over the shorter arm.



I want the bike to feel like a pit bike, so for now-- I'm opting for the shorter arm. Kawasaki offers a 15 inch rear wheel for the bike which I may take advantage of later on. So I'll keep the longer swingarm in case I decide to go that route. I got the new takeoff arm for $150 on Ebay. Not a bad price. I have a $2500 budget for this whip, and I want it to be really nice like my 65 is. --L*64

ARe you changing the springs for weight? I would agree with the above if you are keeping the shock stock or just doing a revalve on it. good info keep me posted. I am curious to know if the rebuild interval is close to a 125mx bike or if it is really short like the kx 85/65 with a larger rider on it. I put a good hard 220lbs on my 65 for 15 hours before it started getting hard to start. Clutch held up great. I think the 100 would be a cool pitbike racer or a great woods bike with a flywheel weight and some hand guards. how soft is the stock suspension on it? I am now down to 207 ( hurting my 10 yr powerlifting ego for sure) how would it ride with me. after rding the 65 in the woods I don't think I want to go back to a full size trailbike. I like the midsize to slightly larger bikes for woods work. Thanks for the input. The 100 is one of the few bikes I have yet to ride.

 

Wandell-- I'm with you. I was just talking to my buddy about doing my 110's like a Ronnie Lechien Replica. I may consider doing it with my 100, I could still do the mid 80's stripes on the shrouds even though they're probably going to be white.



Pookie-- The bike would be fine for you to ride through the trails, as long as you stick to trails, you may not need to do anything with the suspension. I'm building the bike to use on tracks with bigger, steeper jumps. I was going to ride it on easy big bike tracks, trails, and mainly for the indoor arenas that I ride in during the winter months. They have big steep jumps that I'd feel alot more comfortable doing on a bike bigger than my 65. The 65 is absolutely awesome on the pit bike tracks by my house, but on a bigger bike track-- it could get swallowed up by big, steep jumps.



The top end will last me awhile because I won't have a ton of hours on the bike. My pitbike track has some WFO 6th gear straights, so my 65 is going to need a top end. I already have it on order.



I'm going to have PR2 respring and revalve the suspension for me. It should be around $4-$500.00, but if I'm going to put the bike together, I want it to be right. If I went out and got a 150R-- there wouldn't be any room in the budget to dial the suspension. I went with a cheap stroker so I could have the room to dial 'er in. --L*64

 

lets see a pic of your kx65

 

One advantage to the 80's style replicas, graphics were simple and would be easy to duplicate.

 

CBR- Here's a shot of the 65. You can see the Fox shock on it, and the set back Moose pegs. All I have done to the 65 is the PR2 Fox shock, .36 Cannon Racecraft front springs, and the set back pegs. This is the absolute best pit bike I've ever had, and the cheapest! I ride it all the time! I just wanted a little bit bigger bike for the indoors that we have here in Ohio, and maybe some trails.



Wandell-- Yeah! I've met Ron before, and he rides some vintage XR100's as pit bikes himself. I was thinking about calling Maxima and seeing if I can get him on the phone to get his approval for the graphics. I have a pic someplace of him next to my pit bike at the Mid-Ohio vintage races a couple of years ago. He was battling with Rick Johnson. It was amazing to see those two riding bikes again, especially on '80's machinery. If you PM me your EM, I'll send you the pic of me and RJ. --L*64

 

OK-- I got the new style fenders today-- I mocked them up just so I could see how they'd look on the bike. The whole thing has to come apart later on anyway. I think they look pretty damn good. A 100% improvement over the stock fenders. I think the white bike will look great with the black fork guards, rear mudflap, and radiator guards. I gotta find some graphics now. Here's how it looks for now. Don't forget that I'll be using the shorter swingarm too. It's on the way. --L*64

 

Ok, Here it is. It was nice out so I went and snapped some pics tonight. I think the swinger seems too long, and the forks need to come up in the tree some. Whadda you guys think? Hillclimber? --L*64

It looks a little awkward but not that bad.

 

Well-- I got that situation all worked out. I grabbed up a new '09 take off KX85 (shorter) swinger, linkage, and motor. No more hillclimber. The parts and motor should be here Monday. I'll sell the bigger wheels on Ebay, then get the suspension sent off to PR2. This is gonna be a sweet ride. --L*64

 

the 65 looks pretty sweet and the 100 is on the way//lookin good...nice bikes

 

Thanks! --L*64

 

Does not look too bad at all with the longer one on there. Cannot wait to see it done.



Just picked up a dmc frame and the extras needed to complete the xr 100 conversion. So soon I will have the bike going together. LOL Was a deal I could not pass up and do not have to spend my time fabing anything which is great.



Cannot wait to start working on it. LOL

 

wow, our 2000 kx100 and 85 used the same swingarm, only difference was the frame at the tank was longer? it also had the , what would have been considered the option heavy springs. The linkages were also exactly the same, When did Kawasaki make those changes?? What year?