1990 Kawasaki KDX200 - Complete Budget Restoration/Rebuild

[@stevieray1828]

Bike looks bad ass! Honestly, best looking kdx I've seen. Love the plastics and minimal decals👌

[@CheyneRiggs]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate the compliment. That's exactly what I was going for, clean and simple 😎

[@samweaver9921]

I’m just now seeing this video! The bike is absolutely incredible. It did have one problem recently at Ocotillo... the bike would lurch in and out of second with an increase in rpms. I split the cases and found that second gear was totally shot. But I actually found a used (but in great condition) transmission on eBay and swapped it out without any issues. Now the bike is completely perfect! -The guy who bought your bike

[@CheyneRiggs]

Dude thanks so much for letting me know. I'm glad you're liking the bike, so cool you came across my video, haha. That's wild though, I hope you got plenty of hours in before 2nd went on ya, I'm kinda surprised I never noticed anything. It makes me really happy to hear that you fixed it and are still enjoying it, that bike deserves a good owner like you who will treat it right 👍.

[@jeffsilver4730]

Nice Work. Great bike and video, thanks.

[@WD-sr8qz]

Dude that looks awesome....outstanding job reviving such a cool bike!!

[@CheyneRiggs]

Thank you for the kind words, truly appreciated 🙏

[@GasSoakedRag]

Great work

[@CheyneRiggs]

Thanks, I really appreciate the compliment 🙏

[@kevinvail1425]

I rebuilt my kdx200 of the same year and am now reviving a ‘91 kdx250. This dude got the KDX bug as do I cuz I want to build 5 more. Beautiful work bro! Only thing that’s out of place is the real low cut seat foam but oh well that’s personal preference.

[@CheyneRiggs]

Thanks man, much appreciated. I originally cut that seat so my girlfriend at the time could ride it, and I couldn't afford a new one for the rebuild.

[@surfpr727]

Congratulations! Super job!

[@taffydownunder6457]

Bike looks lovely really nice job thanks for the video 👍

[@boonsfrc]

Nice build I have a kdx 200 1996 I'm about to do the same thing

[@CheyneRiggs]

Hell yeah man! Make sure to take some pics/video along the way, always feels good to look back on the build after it's done 👌

[@hvnsangel67]

That was impressive. Great job!

[@jamiecampbell5205]

Video , 👍. Well done

[@jamiecampbell5205]

By any chance , Sou you have a spare rear fender for this model??

[@GoddessOfTheMetal]

Sick!!

[@cr250r9]

Nice restoration! I have a 1989 that I have put some time and money into but would an considering doing more of s full resto on it like you. Any tips for cleaning / restoring the brake components and swing arm to get that shine back?

[@CheyneRiggs]

Do it! Take some good pics video too, haha. I actually used a wire wheel to clean pretty much everything metal, and anything plastic/rubber was cleaned by hand with parts cleaner or just soap and water. The brake lines were easy, just got them clean and covered them with heat shrink tubing, made em look brand new. The calipers were wire wheeled, just left bare/as is when done. The swing arm was a nightmare, it is painted from factory, so I wire wheeled all of that off, and then used sand paper in one direction to achieve the brushed look. I've heard great things about hydroblasting and other media blasting, but I was on a tight budget, and the wire wheels at my work were free to use in my down time 😎.

[@toxicredn3kgaming665]

Hey man, I have an identical bike and right now I have it down to bare frame. Where did you find the engine fastener kit and do you know where I can get a good set of plastics. And an exhaust seems like non of the fmf stuff fit the bike, or at the websites say they dont

[@CheyneRiggs]

Both fastener kits came from Bolt Motorcycle Hardware, they don't offer premade kits but they can make a custom set that fits perfect. The plastics I found on ebay, side panels are easy to find but I got lucky with the rad shrouds. You can also try Fredette Racing, they keep a lot of stuff in stock for the KDX. I was also lucky enough to find good period correct exhaust stuff to match what the bike came with, but I'm pretty sure FMF still makes a pipe for the bike and they have a universal spark arrestor that looks awesome, not sure about fitment though. Feel free to hit me up on Instagram if you have any questions 👍

[@lodougherty]

Where did you find radiator shrouds for this guy? I'm working on fixing up a kdx 200, 1989 model E. Some parts have been discontinued and seem hard to find. I wont go to the length you did, but I'm hoping to get it looking a little better, as it already runs pretty great.

[@CheyneRiggs]

I got mine on eBay, was lucky to find a set of nos that matched the original green. I believe they are UFO plastics, they should still offer them.

[@lodougherty]

@@CheyneRiggs I'll have to keep checking. UFO still makes some pieces, but unfortunately not the shrouds. Thanks for the info.

[@CheyneRiggs]

@@lodougherty try Fredette Racing (FRP), he sells all kinds of KDX related stuff on his website, shrouds too iirc.

[@andrewroth1936]

Where did you get your plastics from? I have a 1989, that uses the same plastics. I am currently doing a face lift on her and putting a street legal kit on because it already has a plate!

[@CheyneRiggs]

Nice man, that's awesome. I got all my plastics off eBay, the side panels were easy to find but I got lucky with the rad shrouds.

[@toxicredn3kgaming665]

I'd really like to get in contact with you and ask you some questions about it and some of the parts and stuff

[@CheyneRiggs]

Sure man, hit me up on Instagram if that works for you, same name as on here 👍

[@JoshRex7ven]

Hi there, what premix do you run in your kdx? Would 50:1 be fine for trails?

[@CheyneRiggs]

Yeah man most likely. I run 32:1 in all of my two-strokes, but the most common mixes for the KDX seem to be around 40:1. As long as you jet correctly you should be fine 👍

[@Jack-vh2kn]

You should get a boyesen ignition cover to complete the blacked out engine look evo mx has oem decals as well if you want oem they are from England though

[@CheyneRiggs]

I considered doing an aftermarket ignition cover, but ultimately decided against it as I felt it kinda betrayed the whole budget theme. Plus the bike doesn't have a single Boyesen product on it anyway, haha. Would definitely look awesome, maybe some time in the future.

[@Jack-vh2kn]

Cheyne Riggs yeah fair enough i guess

[@sellie4405]

how did you recover the plastic headlight that good?

[@CheyneRiggs]

Sorry for the late reply, I missed your comment somehow. If you mean the green shroud itself, I just wet sanded in several stages, all the way up to 2000 grit, and shined it up with a plastic polish. The headlight lens was in good shape from the start, just needed to be cleaned and it shined right up 👍

[@johndifabrizio4344]

Nice work Bro! How did you get your wife on board to do the build?

[@CheyneRiggs]

Thanks! That was easy... I'm not married 🤪.