Buying a 34yo 2t enduro bike

[Sadlonelygit]

what could possibly go wrong?
Been offered a kdx200 a/c. Been sat for several (20+ ) years in a barn. Apparently been started every year, and currently a runner.
Guess we're looking at crank seals, clutch? and rings...... and a seat recover.
Do we reckon on snog, marry or avoid?

[mangocrazy]

1990 was a good year. Go for it.

[KungFooBob]

I had an 11 year newer one and it was awesome.

[Yorick]

I wouldn't trust an old bike not to break down, miles from home

[Taff]

Hell yeah, budget for a full engine and carb rebuild and it'll be golden.


Until you find the forks are shagged and need rebuilding,

And then find the shock is shagged

And the brakes.

But I'd still have it if the price was right

[Sadlonelygit]

1990 was a good year. Go for it.

It's an 88/9 a/c c model, not the later water cooled bike. Basically an overstroked ke175 (with a power valve).
And a KX chassis!

[Count Steer]

I wouldn't sell a kidney to pay for it but, yeah, if the price is right.

[mangocrazy]

1990 was a good year. Go for it.

It's an 88/9 a/c c model, not the later water cooled bike. Basically an overstroked ke175 (with a power valve).
And a KX chassis!

It all depends on price and condition, but if those are ok(ish), I'd snap it up.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

1990 was a good year. Go for it.

It's an 88/9 a/c c model, not the later water cooled bike. Basically an overstroked ke175 (with a power valve).
And a KX chassis!

It most definitely isn't a KE175 engine in any form, it's based on the KX125 engine.
They're good bikes, it'll need crankseals, piston and rings and a gasket set, it's all do able if you're competent with spanners. Check the suspension linkage for wear, the parts for it are harder to find than engine spares.

[Sadlonelygit]

1990 was a good year. Go for it.

It's an 88/9 a/c c model, not the later water cooled bike. Basically an overstroked ke175 (with a power valve).
And a KX chassis!

It most definitely isn't a KE175 engine in any form, it's based on the KX125 engine.
They're good bikes, it'll need crankseals, piston and rings and a gasket set, it's all do able if you're competent with spanners. Check the suspension linkage for wear, the parts for it are harder to find than engine spares.

I heard that the spherical bearings are nigh on impossible to find now.
All linkages have grease nipples, so hopefully some was applied prior to it being layed up!

[Gregor]

Is it bought yet ?

[Skub]

If you enjoy fiddling with old bikes,go for it. I'd check with owner groups on the availability of spares and specialist services,unless you like a real challenge.

You also need to ask yourself why you want the bike.

Is it to get it running and make a few quid?

Is it because you want to ride it?

How much it costs in total matters more with the first question.

[Sadlonelygit]

Is it bought yet ?

Not even viewed it yet! Still waiting for autodoc to deliver my brake discs!

If you enjoy fiddling with old bikes,go for it. I'd check with owner groups on the availability of spares and specialist services,unless you like a real challenge.

You also need to ask yourself why you want the bike.

Is it to get it running and make a few quid?

Is it because you want to ride it?

How much it costs in total matters more with the first question.

Love a good fiddle!

It's for me to ride as we have faaaaarsands of kilometres of tracks near me and I've lost the love for road riding, so just fancy a weekend blast over the winter/spring months.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

All of the KDX 175/200/220s are lovely bikes off road, maybe a bit too focused on going flat out, but I'm not sure about using a bike that old as it's meant to be ridden, you're going to need a good supply of piston rings and gaskets to keep it going as it should.

[KungFooBob]

Sounds like you need a nice little Gasgas Pampera.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Sounds like you need a nice little Gasgas Pampera.

You think he needs a bigger challenge finding parts?

[KungFooBob]

Sounds like you need a nice little Gasgas Pampera.

You think he needs a bigger challenge finding parts?

One came up on FB marketplace for £1500 a couple of weeks back, I was seriously tempted. They got rave reviews back in the early 00's.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Sounds like you need a nice little Gasgas Pampera.

You think he needs a bigger challenge finding parts?

One came up on FB marketplace for £1500 a couple of weeks back, I was seriously tempted. They got rave reviews back in the early 00's.

The mark 1 and 2 are trials bikes with lights and seats, the mark 3 is a nice trail bike, it used the Gas Gas trials engine bottom end, even when they were being made parts were hard to get.

[KungFooBob]

Yeah it was a Mk3, I remember it was basically a smallish trail bike, with a trials bike engine, no power valve, etc... which meant that although it was a two stroke it was slower revving and very torquey, compared to Gas Gas' own EC 200/250/300 enduro bikes.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I used to know a woman called Sophie who had one, it was a good bike off road so long as you wanted to go slowly.