Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy
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Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy
Lukas has started building his 90 kx500.
Here is some pics of his start..
Here is after a little work.
As you can see, he has sandblasted the frame.
He has some repairs to do including fixing some threads.
Also, his seat pan needs some work as well.
But, it's a good start.
Here is some pics of his start..
Here is after a little work.
As you can see, he has sandblasted the frame.
He has some repairs to do including fixing some threads.
Also, his seat pan needs some work as well.
But, it's a good start.
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
- Sandblaster
- Posts: 6320
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:50 pm
- Location: Eugene, OR
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Re: Lukas 1989 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy
Lukas has ordered parts from all over 
Test fitting some replacement parts.
Test fitting some replacement parts.
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
- Sandblaster
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Re: Lukas 1989 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy
I wonder where this box came from
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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Re: Lukas 1989 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy
This bike is gonna be like new when it is done...
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy
Lukas just discovered that his cylinder, piston, and crank need to be replaced or rebuilt
Unfortunately, most older bikes need this done...
The good news is, parts bought in the USA area about half what they are in Italy
Unfortunately, most older bikes need this done...
The good news is, parts bought in the USA area about half what they are in Italy
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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italianman
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- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:31 pm
Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy
hi 
Lukas just discovered that is bike his not a kx250... but it's a KX500

Lukas just discovered that is bike his not a kx250... but it's a KX500
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italianman
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:31 pm
Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy
ok, during these days I worked hard on other items that need maintenace and repairs.
The cylinder is in working progress, re-plating, sanblasted. I would like as new. I asked a diameter of 86,00 for use a Pro-X piston A (85,94mm) the oem replica.
For example this is the picture of the my Cr125R 1993 cylinder. Re-plated, sandblasted cylinder and head togheter. As new. Some days ago I've bought a welding torch (is correct?) so I can make some repairs in my garage without spend money.
For first job I welded a flanged nut on the main frame where the original part lost.
Easy job but a mechanic takes a lot of money. Well, one of the parts needs repair..the seat! Was broken. I left the seat in the sun for about 30minutes (here there are about 30-35 degrees in the summer ...) to get the soft plastic.
I spent a half day for remove every clip, clean up the plastic (after 25 years...) and prepare for the repair.
For first I used a special glue, very strong with plastics. After I used a piece of alu 0,5mm thikness, cutted some parts and fixed with 3mm rivets.
Ok i'm an enthusiast not a professional but I'm happy for my repair. I checked many times but now it's good. Now the seat is ready for a new cover.
The cylinder is in working progress, re-plating, sanblasted. I would like as new. I asked a diameter of 86,00 for use a Pro-X piston A (85,94mm) the oem replica.
For example this is the picture of the my Cr125R 1993 cylinder. Re-plated, sandblasted cylinder and head togheter. As new. Some days ago I've bought a welding torch (is correct?) so I can make some repairs in my garage without spend money.
For first job I welded a flanged nut on the main frame where the original part lost.
Easy job but a mechanic takes a lot of money. Well, one of the parts needs repair..the seat! Was broken. I left the seat in the sun for about 30minutes (here there are about 30-35 degrees in the summer ...) to get the soft plastic.
I spent a half day for remove every clip, clean up the plastic (after 25 years...) and prepare for the repair.
For first I used a special glue, very strong with plastics. After I used a piece of alu 0,5mm thikness, cutted some parts and fixed with 3mm rivets.
Ok i'm an enthusiast not a professional but I'm happy for my repair. I checked many times but now it's good. Now the seat is ready for a new cover.
Last edited by italianman on Sun Jul 20, 2014 12:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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italianman
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy
I cleaned up all the screws and pins so I did galvanize all.
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy
Lukas.
I looked at the pics and laughed
You do have a kx500
Your doing a great job of repair on everything!
Galvanizing your bolts?
That's a great idea.
Did you do that yourself?
The seat repair looks great.
A word of caution on sandblasting.
You never want to sandblast internal engine parts made from aluminum or other soft materials.
Why?
Microscopic sand particles will embed on the surface of the aluminum.
Later, as the engine heats up and vibrates, those small particles break loose and flow around your engine eating up bearings, seals, pistons, rings ect
I made that mistake on some engine cases and spent hours and hours with a Dremel tool with a wire wheel attachment removing all the embedded material.
What came off the surface was dark gritty material
A better solution is to use walnut shells, Soda Blasting, or, vapor blasting.
I want a vapor blaster but they are very expensive...
You can make your own home made soda blaster for not much money but it is messy.
But, the mess cleans right up with water.
Walnut blasting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONp6gQXpyKU
Soda blasting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KULVhW2tw4I
Vapor blasting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYuVmnEFogQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKHOZYXhIeE
Love your work.... Keep it up
I looked at the pics and laughed
Your doing a great job of repair on everything!
Galvanizing your bolts?
That's a great idea.
Did you do that yourself?
The seat repair looks great.
A word of caution on sandblasting.
You never want to sandblast internal engine parts made from aluminum or other soft materials.
Why?
Microscopic sand particles will embed on the surface of the aluminum.
Later, as the engine heats up and vibrates, those small particles break loose and flow around your engine eating up bearings, seals, pistons, rings ect
I made that mistake on some engine cases and spent hours and hours with a Dremel tool with a wire wheel attachment removing all the embedded material.
What came off the surface was dark gritty material
A better solution is to use walnut shells, Soda Blasting, or, vapor blasting.
I want a vapor blaster but they are very expensive...
You can make your own home made soda blaster for not much money but it is messy.
But, the mess cleans right up with water.
Walnut blasting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONp6gQXpyKU
Soda blasting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KULVhW2tw4I
Vapor blasting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYuVmnEFogQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKHOZYXhIeE
Love your work.... Keep it up
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
- Sandblaster
- Posts: 6320
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:50 pm
- Location: Eugene, OR
- Contact:
Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy
So, what is different in these photos?
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.