Sneaky 2002 KX 250 Build!

[@toms4806]

I just bought a 2002 KX300 ! Everything on it is new and I do mean everything! It is beautiful !

[@mordauntbrabner3804]

I just finished a 2001 KX-250 complete resto. What an awesome experience! Feel your passion when it comes to the ol 2 Strokes.

[@Tatted_gunna]

Just recently traded my 06 crf450r for a 01 kx250 just because I miss the simple little maintenance days. These newer bikes are just too high maintenance plus we love the 2 stroke smell 👃 😋

[@Gil334]

Nice!.. Back in the early 80's, when I was riding my RM250, the KX came with 40 horses stock. I can imagine what that bike has. The power to weight ratio, and powerband on a 2 stroke dirt bike is something you HAVE to experience.💪

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@Gil334]

@@cycledrag Those days are over. I'm 62, and broke a lot of bones. But, if I went back in time, it would be an IT250. For rideabilty. I could dream of the 465, or 490, but I know they were too much for me to handle.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

@@cycledrag That is a pretty good question. I know that, because I can't think of what bike I would choose. Has to be something I owned I think. They all have a nostalgic sense to them that are dear to me. But, if it were not a bike I owned, man would I love to have one of those Honda 82-85 works RC250's The world would go nuts if Honda reproduced a couple thousand replica's for sale.

[@kidcurry3773]

One of the best MX bikes a person could ever own hands down

[@monteman700]

Awesome video. I appreciate all the info and upgrades you did to your bike as I own a 96 kdx200 since about 98 or 99 and look forward to doing some of these upgrades to my bike.

[@tonyv7660]

You set your bike up real nice Jack 👍

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@bobbybishop5662]

Team Green all day 👍

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@bobbybishop5662]

@@cycledrag That's easy , I love the supermini class at AMA races. Until about 2 yrs ago I did a good business building KX100 strokers for racers around the DFW area . It's always been one of my favorite classes to watch since my son was racing it on the way up to big bike's. A properly built supermini will holeshot a 125 pretty easy cause it's much lighter with almost as much hp. At the Spring National at Lake Whitney in around 2003 / 2004 one of the Team Green Riders put down the fastest race lap time of the entire event . As for a restore , I would duplicate the bike my son rode, a 2003 KK100 , stroked to 109cc with Pro Circuit works series pipe , vortex ignition, and Pro Circuit Suspension . It's was a freaking rocket I tell ya.

[@garythornhill4635]

Love your coverage of old Kawis, Jack. It makes you wonder what kind of power a modern 750 two stroke could make. 500 GP bikes were making around 200 HP many years ago, so I think that 200+ is easily attainable with modern technological advances. However, it is not likely to happen, given the constraints that exist with respect pollution regulations.

[@joshhecker9605]

Fuck the EPA😂 2 Strokes for life

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@ErwinWernerTeichmann]

Super cool Jack!

[@bikemancody2752]

My friend just got back into riding, I have a 24 300 KTM of course I have raced for years. But we just got him a 2000 KX250. The woods build has commenced.

[@AwesomeDocumentary]

Takes a special person to enjoy the smell of a two stroke. Let her rip!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks Awesome! You are awesome! If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@Toneloc33]

I love the L2 model kx’s.

[@billygrose905]

Nice bike just purchased a 2001 kx250 for a friend of mine for $650 that as far as I can tell needs power valve gear and some suspension love. The previous owner ended up buying a new bike and lost interest in this one. He was setting it up for xc as we are and he already bought oversized tank, pc platinum pipe, skid plate, headlight kit, new seat, black excel wheels/spokes still in the box, new windham mids, bibs, levers and the motor has a fresh wiesco crank and bottom end bearings/seals, it should turn out to be a formidable woods weapon for him. Purchased a 2002 rm250 a few years ago that got the full frame off royal treatment and it’s an absolute monster even against the sea of orange and white that seem to be following me into the first turns. Again beautiful bike and the only thing I’d suggest is a carbon pipe guard.

[@ronniehahn1885]

Great bike Jack! I have never,,, never will own a 4stroke dirt bike. 4 stroke power band is too lazy in the dirt. In the Appalachians sometimes its tight and 125 is easier to handle in rugged country. But don't get me wrong. I love my big bores 360's and up!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

My 2019 YZ250 into a aggressive trail bike. I am 5'9" with a 30 inch inseam, so the damn bike was too tall from the get go, (maybe the tallest bike sold). Suspension and bike height: 1) Had the seat foam cut 1". 2) I lowered the suspension by .75" on each end. 3) Went up on the spring rates on both ends. Engine: Want a lot more bottom end power. 1) FMF Gnarley pipe 2) V-vorce reeds 3) lower the cylinder by not using the base gasket, (temp), must use 100 octane fuel. The lower ex. port should match the lower rpm pipe better and have more compression. 4) Weisco piston kit. 5) Hinson clutch plates using 3 (out of 6) of their stiffer clutch springs. 6) FMF turbincore 2 silencer shortened 3.75" but still spark arrested. (I don't want to get hit by a club). Plastic, (Not a fan of the "Batman school or art) 1) Cut off the silly arrow tip off the rear fender (looks great) 2) Cut the side panel batman wings off the back of the side plates. 3) Cut the front arrow tips blunt from the radiator shrouds. 4) Put on a 2014 front fender, (had to make a fixture and mill the proper hole locations), replacing Batman's 2019 fender. 5) Replacing the front number plate, (that looks like the mystical God Thor's arm shield), with a white 175 gram Frisbee that will be quick release. Finishing that now. :) It made me laugh when looking for a replacement plate, so I am keeping it. Bark Busters: I modified a set of full wrap cycra's because i did not want a clamp on the taper of my bars. They are full wrap, shorter, like flag style, 2nd clamp I made clamps to the 7/8" grip section. Tapped into the ends and keyed. They are not twisting, but I could make them to twist. Compact and rigid. I would like to sell the design. Doug in Michigan PS, Hey, your area looks soft enough for the Dunlop MX14. Great tire for anything Golf Course hard or softer. :)

[@willjones7132]

Sweet bike, great shape. Looks like fun. I'm from WA, and have lived in So Cal, but many of the video's I'm interested in are coming from people in PA, FL and some others between, they're looking like pretty attractive places to go and work to live and not live to work!

[@cycledrag]

Come explore! If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@chevelle-pi1bn]

I just recently sold my 2008 crf 450r , but I wish I still owned my 1998 kx250 I always missed it after I sold it . Seeing your video I am now going to look for another one . Be safe 💪

[@ronnieogden6758]

Sweet nice sounding bike 🚲😊😊

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@ShaDowF50]

this bike is rad! i have the same bike and am having some cold start plug fouling issues. Do you have any idea what jets you're running ? By the way, i noticed in the video at around 10:10 that your expansion chamber - silencer rubber connector is leaking.

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Jack that was bad ass man. Should have done a kaplan america Holy and shoot a 12 ft roost man!!!!! I had an 84 rm125, and when I got older an 89 cr250, the all solid red plastics, was a beast. That's cool your from near Pittsburgh man, I grew up and still live in Washington county around canonsburg area....

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@kennethwise7108]

Grew up riding a KX80, 125, 250 in the woods of Irwin and McKeesport PA. Nice bike Jack...

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Another simple but effective mod you can do for more low end punch, (especially since you added a lower rpm tuned pipe), would be, (if you don't mind running 100 octane gas): Lower the cylinder by not using a cylinder base gasket. You will need a good gasket sealer for gas and apply it well. The set up can leak if you don't. This will drop the cylinder about .025" which will lower your exhaust port to better match the lower rpm pipe, (Pipe and porting, where the magic happens). It will also raise your compression, (adds power in the entire curve) if you don't do any head mods, so you will need 100 octane fuel to be safe. If you like it, you can later have the base of the cylinder machined the same amount and go back to the stock gasket. After that,---you may be considering a flywheel weight. :) But it is something to test that you can reverse.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Ohhh--You will want to make cure with no cylinder gasket, that you have at least .040" vertical squish clearance. My 2019 YZ250 still has about .049"

[@Dissident2024]

Awesome Jack

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@davidnewton3485]

that brings back some memories .. had a 88 kx 250 ported the barrel + raised the barrel 20 thou dected the barrel 20 thou and cylinder head 20 thou put an FMF gold series fat boy on it and what an animal it became used to tear the tube valve out with one bead lock so i got another from a rm 250 as they were alloy instead of rubber . PS thanks for your vids .

[@cycledrag]

Love it! If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@davidnewton3485]

@@cycledrag It would be a kx 500 with same style of mods just for the giggles as i like feeling on the edge sometimes it gives me a rush until i get hurt lol . Ps will do and thank you for all the bike vids !!

[@SPTOOLSUSA]

Great Bike, awesome Jack!

[@cycledrag]

Thank you SP Tools! I need some better tools to dial it in! I know who to call now! If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@jered2177]

Love the bike

[@ETitm88]

I love my 2000 kx 250

[@bikemancody2752]

MotoLabs Rob is my dude. Ride with him here locally.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I bought new bikes starting in: 76 KD125, $750. 78 YZ100 $800.00 79 YZ125 leftover in 80 $850. and a used 1982 YZ250 in 84 for $850. (I don't know what the retail cost was.) Then, trouble, the 1986 production rule that about tripled the cost of a bike in the next 5 years. 86 YZ250 $2,300. 88 CE250 $3,200. Trouble again after a 250 levels off to about 5 grand, the 4-stroke is forced on the industry by a dictatorship called the EPA. I bought my first 3 bikes making $1.00/hr part time. No wonder why the sport is suffering a lot today. Not many riders in Michigan anymore. That state that has put out more than its fair share of factory riders, has not produced a factory rider since Kelly Smith over 20 years ago. Doug in Michigan

[@EarthSurferUSA]

88 CR250 of course. Not CE

[@PatrzPan92]

Fajny ten Kx ❤

[@jamieray6022]

So sick never knew you grow up in Pa I’m from Latrobe pa

[@Revelation22_5]

That’s a nice bike, glad to see a Kx two stroke still out there ripping. Hope you’ve changed the fluid since those forks were re-valved.

[@cycledrag]

Yes sir! Motolab did it. If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@Revelation22_5]

@@cycledrag Personally: 2001 YZ250f because that was the first bike I ever felt fast on. It was comfortable and well suited for me and my skill level at the time. Sadly it got stolen in 2002. Historically: probably a Honda Elsinore or a cannondale 440.

[@TravTheSlayer123]

Damn Monroeville?? I by Latrobe and greensburg crazy how that works lol. I got a 97 250

[@johnroberts2444]

That's a really beautiful bike Jack , I would probably run into a tree , be careful riding my friend ! 🙏😊😎🏍

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@johnroberts2444]

@cycledrag Your Very Welcome My Friend !!! 🙏😊

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I have a 2019 YZ250 now that I highly modified for aggressive trail riding, but took 18 years off a bike before 2020. So I did not "evolve" to the rotated high handlebar set up that everybody uses today, (that I suspect came from freestyles popularity around 2000, and a new generation using it for racing/riding). I tried it for 2 summers (very little riding though, more into modifying the bike), and could not feel the corners. It was terrible. I pulled them back do so the ends of the grips are pointing down a bit, and boom, it just got easier to drop into corners. I don't know why people like the bars to ape hanger height, but I see the Go-Pro vids of amateurs on their fast/smooth tracks with a couple big jumps in the middle of the straight,---and they are almost all slooooooooooooooooooooooow in the corners.

[@someoneyouknow96]

Fired up my 98 kx250 today. Rerouted the clutch cable because it sucks. I think I’ll have to buy a new one anyways. Clutch pull is terrible. I’m going to tear off the forks tomorrow since they are leaking. That’s what I get for buying a all balls rebuild kit. I might buy a new carb too. Takes forever to fire this stupid thing.

[@Tatted_gunna]

Hey2 wheel brother check your jetting/spark plug/compression, mine starts first kick no matter what.

[@Toneloc33]

Also what difference did you notice with the 18” ratio change ?

[@brutus6328]

I have a 2023 KTM SX-F 350 MX bike. I'm a "Vet" rider in my early 50's. Also, I'm 5'7" on a good day. Judging by your pic with McGrath, (then again, I see him listed between 5'8" and 5'10") are you around 5'7"? I have so much trouble with footing on these new bikes that are 38" stock! Wasn't like that in the old days as I rode the heck out of a late 80's CR 250! I even have trouble just getting on the new bikes! I read that Carmichael (who is listed at 5'6") used to have the subframe cut and there's pics of one of his Suzuki's with nearly zero foam in the seat. Getting older AND shorter SUCKS! LMAO

[@garycrites]

Sweet bike! What did you use for the front brake upgrade?

[@DarrenShaw-ev5tb]

Cool Vid !

[@cycledrag]

If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@DarrenShaw-ev5tb]

Freakin easy one Jac ! - Had a CR125 - DG pipes - DG everything -Would LOVE to hav that bike bac !!!@@cycledrag

[@DarrenShaw-ev5tb]

Sorry ! - Because it scared the SHITE out of me !

[@brandonbaze8414]

Yz125 best dirtbike ever🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊😊😊

[@barrycoughlan7382]

Was that a crf230f following ya ....best bike ever besides xr400

[@eamh2002]

Have you got any tips for a massive power dip in a 2004 KX250? It pulls low at first, then starts to buzz loud and doesnt have power, then surges like a maniac when it hits powerband. Im suspecting the powervalve spring has gotten looser over time and it opens the powervalve too early. Its super annoying in deep snow. You want to accelerate smoothly and it just starts modulating your RPM's by itself when it hits the "bog" area. You can literally hold the throttle 1/4 open and have the bike hold a steady speed and go "WWOOZZZZZWOOOOOZZZWOOOOZZWOOOZZZ" constantly 😅 I have tried opening another bikes powervalve manually and keeping it open. Its the exact same symptoms. Good low end, dip in the middle, hard hit on powerband. Very hard to ride in technical stuff.

[@ronnieogden6758]

96 Rm 250 needs a little TLC but I still have it can't sell it 😊😊😊😊

[@cycledrag]

Keep it! I had a 98. If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@morphman21]

@CycleDrag, is that other channel yours and if so? Why haven't you said or talked about it before?

[@coltonbabb2705]

What tooth gearing are you using?

[@ccooper04]

How often do you end up doing a top end? I’m new to owning a 2001 kx250 and about to do a complete engine rebuild. Just curious to what everyone suggest, I do understand its upon how the rider rides or hard they ride and how often.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I have enough 250 MX bike experience to give you a pretty good idea. I did not ride winters in Michigan, but rode a lot for about 8 months, almost every day locally and on local tracks/racing. I worked on my bikes in the winter and got them cherry for spring. I would change the piston/ring every winter, chain and sprockets, tires and any little thing wearing out. For the bottom end, I would get about 4 years from a crank, (then then can break a rod and take out the entire engine.) I never had transmission problems, but replacing the bearings and seals with the crank is a damn good idea. There are measurements in the owners manual for things like "ring end gap", that wears wide with use (check them with normal feeler gauges, gap gauges), and rod side play (for the crank) that you can measure when you tear it down, that gives you a good idea of how often you need to do it. I never did it, but it would be a good idea to keep a maintenance log and use an hour meter. All the 250 2-strokes wear out at about the same rate since the mid 80's IMO. You will be modifying them next. :)

[@ccooper04]

@@EarthSurferUSA sounds good, thank you for the response. I doubt it ride as much as you have but I wanna try and go maybe every other weekend or so when the weather is nice.

[@someoneyouknow96]

I paid $6300 in 04 for my new crf450.

[@MichiganManiak]

That worn out kicker rattle is all I hear! 📳

[@michaelstrupek3718]

I just did a complete top to bottom resto build on an 01 Kx 250 that I just put on the market. I am near Washington Pa I you know of anyone interested in a new/old showroom new 2 stroke

[@rodneyharrison8064]

Worth nothing wen gearbox breaks can't get parts for them

[@fknbastages]

Personally, I think the bike is junk. I'll tell you why: It doesn't have any Cycle Drag Stickers on it.

[@johnroberts2444]

🤣🤣🤣

[@cycledrag]

look closely at the number plates. It's built in! If you could restore any dirt bike for your personal collection which one would you pick and why? Thanks a lot for watching and subscribing. Please share this with somebody who will appreciate it.

[@johnroberts2444]

@cycledrag I appreciate it Jack !!! 🙏😊