Sunday, 10 March 2024

Throwback - *EX* '92 Kawasaki KDX 125 SR - Part I - Introduction of the build

Here's a story about my first motorcycle build that happened over ten years ago little bit before I started to write this blog. When I first bought the bike it was in original condition. Over the years I did basic maintenance and made smaller mods to it (check first photo). 

At the end of my ownership I wound up converting the look of the bike to resemble '03-'08 Kawasaki KX125/250 motocross bikes. In the upcoming parts of this series I will show you that transformation (check last photo).

List of modifications to chassis and frame...

  • Fuel tank, seat, air box and rear subframe from '03 Kawasaki KX125
  • Radiator covers, side panels and rear fender from '03 Kawasaki KX125
  • Headlight from Derbi Senda R Extreme
  • Supermoto front fender from '08-'13 KTM SMC (#77308210000XX)
  • Aluminium swingarm from '91 Kawasaki KX125
  • Rear shock from Derbi Senda
  • Shorter dog bones
  • Fatbar handlebar and risers from KTM EXC
  • Stainless steel braded brake hoses

...and engine

  • Cylinder head and piston from '89 Kawasaki KX125
  • Reed valve system from '91 Kawasaki KX125
  • Keihin PJ36 carburetor
  • Motorex air filter
  • Radiators, exhaust pipe and muffler from '03 Kawasaki KX125
  • 520 chain and sprockets

Before...

...and after

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

Petrol Circus Custom Bike Show @ MP 24 Motorcycle Expo - Part I - Custom & Classic - 4th of February 2024 - Helsinki, Finland

Let's kick off the year with photos from last weekend! I will start with Custom and Classic classes and continue with Street and Racing in my next post. Take a look and stay tuned 😎

Husqvarna 1668

Wednesday, 29 November 2023

Rauta ja Petrooli 2023 - 3rd of September - Hämeenlinna, Finland

Beginning of September I had a chance to visit Rauta ja Petrooli (eng. Iron and Petrol) again in a long time. This year event was held at event area of Kantola in Hämeenlinna and theme was 120 years of Ford. Check out how it looked 😎

Fordson

Saturday, 30 September 2023

Sunday, 27 August 2023

Throwback - *EX* '91 Solifer-Suzuki S1

Here's some story and info of my first own two-wheeled vehicle that got me interested and started with my hobby of modifying mopeds and motorcycles. In Finland you're allowed to drive 50 cc mopeds (max. speed 45 km/h) when you turn 15 years old and pass a licence for it. Back in the day driving licence for mopeds required a theory test. Novadays you also have to proof that you can handle and drive according to traffic rules in practice. 

I don't remember exactly when my father bought and picked up this moped for me but it happened before I turned 15 years old and passed my licence. I remember this moped being fairly worn out when I got it but still in running and mostly functional condition. My father had taken few pieces of the moped to make it easier to transport so I ended stripping the whole bike before even test driving it. 

Through to years of my owneship moped saw few different forms. At first I painted frame with silver color you see on the swingarm and front forks and fairings and fuel tank with dark metallic blue. Plastic fuel tanks seemed like impossible to paint because fumes of the fuel pass through the plastic and paint starts to bubble. Because of that I ended up removing old paint from fuel tank and just sanded and polished the plastic surface and switching to black/white/silver/gold color scheme. For a long time I tried to find a black fuel tank but didn't come across any. Pictures you see below are from final form of my build from 2012 before I ended up selling it like many others to free some space for other new projects.

List of modifications:

- Electrical system changed to 12V with voltage regulator out of a snow mobile

- battery, voltage gauge, turn signals added to electrical system

- Metrakit Thrower silencer with modified Pro Sport middle pipe

- Stage 2 air cleaner

- Helkama AX50 front fork, wheel and brake

- Helkama AX50 aluminium rear rim

- Renthal handlebar

- Polisport headlight, front fender and hand guards

- holders for gauges and battery, engine protection plate and licence plate holder made out of stainless steel sheet








I will write a similar story of '92 Kawasaki KDX125SR later down the line. Keep an eye on that one 😉