Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy

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Sandblaster
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Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy

Post by Sandblaster »

Lukas has started building his 90 kx500.
Here is some pics of his start..
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 2.png
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Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 3.png
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Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 4.png
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Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 5.png
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Here is after a little work.
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 1.jpg
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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.
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Sandblaster
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Re: Lukas 1989 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy

Post by Sandblaster »

Lukas has ordered parts from all over :D
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 6.jpg
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Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 7.JPG
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Test fitting some replacement parts.
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 8.jpg
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Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 9.jpg
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 9.jpg (121.3 KiB) Viewed 11230 times
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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Re: Lukas 1989 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy

Post by Sandblaster »

I wonder where this box came from :?: :D
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 9-1.jpg
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 9-1.jpg (122.83 KiB) Viewed 11230 times
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 9-2.jpg
Lukas 1989 kawasaki kx250 Italy 9-2.jpg (691.28 KiB) Viewed 11230 times
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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Re: Lukas 1989 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy

Post by Sandblaster »

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

Post by Sandblaster »

Lukas just discovered that his cylinder, piston, and crank need to be replaced or rebuilt :cry:
Unfortunately, most older bikes need this done...
The good news is, parts bought in the USA area about half what they are in Italy 8-)
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
italianman
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy

Post by italianman »

hi :)
Lukas just discovered that is bike his not a kx250... but it's a KX500 :) :)
italianman
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy

Post by italianman »

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.
cr125.JPG
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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.
foto 4.JPG
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Well, one of the parts needs repair..the seat! Was broken.
foto.JPG
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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.
foto 2.JPG
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foto 5.JPG
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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.
italianman
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy

Post by italianman »

I cleaned up all the screws and pins so I did galvanize all.
foto 1.JPG
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX250 rebuild in Italy

Post by Sandblaster »

Lukas.
I looked at the pics and laughed :lol: You do have a kx500 :lol: :lol: :lol:
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 :shock:
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 :o
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.
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Sandblaster
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Re: Lukas 1990 Kawasaki KX500 rebuild in Italy

Post by Sandblaster »

So, what is different in these photos?
frame.jpg
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FRAME PIC 1.JPG
FRAME PIC 1.JPG (62.17 KiB) Viewed 11189 times
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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