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bigk
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« Reply #15 on: November 17, 2011, 04:13:35 PM » |
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That's the 2nd one John, the REAL one is still with Simon undergoing preparation for next season.
K
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holeshot buddy
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« Reply #16 on: November 17, 2011, 10:54:50 PM » |
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thats right simon still has his original one which is due for a birthday makeover  simon built mine i just finished off the easy bits i would have to say its the best twin shock bike i have ever ridden by far great motor unreal bottom end and midrange and rides like its on rails  |
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JohnnyO
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« Reply #17 on: November 17, 2011, 11:15:49 PM » |
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i would have to say its the best twin shock bike i have ever ridden by far great motor unreal bottom end and midrange and rides like its on rails Except for a Maico  |
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holeshot buddy
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« Reply #18 on: November 18, 2011, 12:29:14 AM » |
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ha ha no its better than a 490 maico |
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shorelinemc
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« Reply #19 on: November 19, 2011, 11:30:35 AM » |
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and if any one gets excited i have one for sale |
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Trent Farlow
Novice
Posts: 45
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« Reply #20 on: November 20, 2011, 08:15:34 PM » |
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This is for KDX fans. There is some interesting history on the KDX400 and its great engine. The KDX400 has to be one of the most under rated bikes of the Evo period. All tests of the period were lavish in their praise of it. It was designed in the USA by Americans and was built in the new Kawasaki factory in Lincoln, Nebraska. The engine was shipped in complete from Japan, as was the swingarm and wheels etc but the tank and plastics were sourced in the USA - which probably explains why the KDX400 plastics did not wear well compared to other Kaw plastic of the same era. It had stump pulling power and could reach almost a hundred miles an hour tapped out.
Brad Lackey joined Kawasaki in late 1978. In his first months with Kawasaki, Brad initially practiced on a twinshock open class works bike which looked like a KX250A5 from a distance, however in common with most works bikes it was actually nothing like an A5, but was powered by a 390cc modified KDX400 engine. This was while waiting for his new works Unitrak to be built and flown in to the USA.
The KDX400 powered twinshock works bike was successful and a second one was used by Gaylon Mosier in the USA. If you look at Brads book - Motocross - techniques training and tactics - there are quite a few photos of him riding it. When the works Unitrak arrived Brad parked the twinshock 390 and it was purchased by Kawasaki UK and shipped to the UK for use by future 3 time world champ Dave Thorpe. Dave Thorpe used it for several months in the UK and did very well. He only stopped riding it when his own works Unitrak arrived in April or May 1979. Both the Mosier 390 and the Lackey/Thorpe 390 still survive to this day. To make the engine more MX orientated Kawasaki changed the pipe, jetting, ported the cylinder and changed the gearing and once installed in a more MX orientated frame and suspension it did the business.
So the humble KDX400 has some history.
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JohnnyO
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« Reply #21 on: November 20, 2011, 09:52:10 PM » |
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Interesting stuff Trent...where did you find that info?
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firko
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« Reply #22 on: November 20, 2011, 09:59:13 PM » |
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Good stuff Trent, what a relief to have an interesting bit of motocross history instead of the doom and gloom over at Politics Central elsewhere on the forum. |
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In a gadda da vida .
'68 Yamaha DT1 enduro, '69 Yamaha 'DT1 from Hell'
'69 Cheney Yamaha 360, 70 Maico 350 (2 off), '68 Hindall Ducati 250, '72 Hindall RT2MX, 70 Hindall RT1 flat tracker, Champion DT1 flat tracker, Yamaha 1T250J, Maico 250 trials, '71 Moto Islo Metisse, Boyd and Stellings TM400.
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crankpin
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« Reply #23 on: November 20, 2011, 10:03:07 PM » |
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Makes me want to build one myself  |
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JohnnyO
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« Reply #24 on: November 20, 2011, 10:36:13 PM » |
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Makes me want to build one myself After riding a similar bike recently i'd say that would be a good move mate.. |
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crankpin
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« Reply #25 on: November 20, 2011, 10:39:56 PM » |
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Got an engine for sale anyone? |
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firko
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« Reply #26 on: November 20, 2011, 10:54:05 PM » |
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It's probably a silly question but does the KDX400 engine bolt into the A5 frame or is it a bit more difficult than that?
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In a gadda da vida .
'68 Yamaha DT1 enduro, '69 Yamaha 'DT1 from Hell'
'69 Cheney Yamaha 360, 70 Maico 350 (2 off), '68 Hindall Ducati 250, '72 Hindall RT2MX, 70 Hindall RT1 flat tracker, Champion DT1 flat tracker, Yamaha 1T250J, Maico 250 trials, '71 Moto Islo Metisse, Boyd and Stellings TM400.
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JohnnyO
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« Reply #27 on: November 20, 2011, 11:02:58 PM » |
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It's probably a silly question but does the KDX400 engine bolt into the A5 frame or is it a bit more difficult than that?
Goes straight in i believe Firko |
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holeshot buddy
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« Reply #28 on: November 20, 2011, 11:20:51 PM » |
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hey firko i just put some current photos of my bike on the ning site go have a look rusty |
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cloggy
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« Reply #29 on: November 21, 2011, 06:21:30 AM » |
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The swingarm was supposed to be built in the USa and was also used on the KLX
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