I've got a 1994 KDX 200 that I haven't even cranked in close to 10 years. While I know a lot of you will think that's a crime, I was hoping some of you moto guys could help me out.

I want to get the bike running again - it was running fine when I garaged it all those years ago, but has just been sitting since then. Can anyone give me an idea of what I'll need to do to get it cranked and running? I did most of the maintenance myself way back when, but don't really know where to start...

Any outside resources I should check out (good KDX/Kawasaki forums, etc.) would be appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

Did you store it with gas or did you run the tank/carb dry?

 

I didn't drain it or flush the system or anything, but it was run down to pretty much empty.

 

i have only owned 1 2 stroke so i dont know.

if it were me i would drain the tank and the bowles.

add new fuel, try to lightly kick it over, make sure nothing is seized.

i would probably add a new plug, clean the filter and get some starting fluid and try and start it.

if it wouldnt start i would clean out the carb. then try again.

 

In that case your jets are clogged. I would drain the gas, pull the carb. Go over the entire carb and used compressed air to make sure all the jets and lines are flowing freely. After that check all the gas/vent lines for air leaks or cracking and replace of needed. Tossing in a new spark plug would also be cheap insurance, then reassemble everything and toss in some fresh gas with a fuel stabalizer and see what happens

 

Great, thanks for you guys help! One other (probably dumb) question: would I add the fuel stabilizer straight into the freshly filled tank, or mix it when I'm mixing the gas/oil?

I'm hoping to get to it this weekend, so I'll let you know how it goes...

Thanks again!

 

Honestly? Fresh gas, clean the plug, and see if it starts. Worst case scenario you'll need to clean the carbs. I'd also put some Seafoam in the gas.

 

I suggested it because it will help prevent the gas from going bad when stored. Gas can go bad pretty quickly and often "toys" like dirt bikes, sleds & atv's dont get used often enough to prevent this from happening. Again just cheap insurance

 

Awesome, this definitely doesn't sound as bad as I was expecting!

 

Ok here you go:
For your purposes this will be fine
Clean carburator(disassemble and clean out every jet with air or needle)
Take off gas tank and clean the filter and also wash out the tank with some gas
replace spark plug
Lube all pivot points
Clean air filter and airbox
check reeds for wear since the KDX200 is a 2 stroke I believe
check power valve and clean carbon from that
replace coolant
lube chain
lube all cables
(If I were you I may just rebuild the engine and everything will be apart anyways you might as well depending on how much time you have on the top end)
Anyways last but not least change the gear oil and bleed the brakes
Mix up some fresh gas and fire it up!

Now if it was me I would do what I am doing this weekend!
My CRF250R is getting torn all the way down with the exception of the motor. I am just going to shim the valves because I threw in a new top end w/ valves a few rides ago. So my bike should be in a million pieces all over the garage floor this Sat. Complete rebuild for the summer. That way I can clean everything and inspect stuff for wear.

I'm sure you don't want to go through all that I mean I work at a motorcycle dealership in the summer so I am a guru with these things

Here's me and the bike

 

I say just do the basic stuff before doing all this uneccessary crap.

 

I told you I am a freak when it comes to bike maintenance

 

Maintenance? I call that a complete tear-down and rebuild! Although I have been wanting to do it lately to my uncles' 1964 Piper Cherokee. Has a Lycoming O-320 4-banger (320 c.i. opposed cylinders) built back in 1963 and has had nothing but oil changes and spark plug replacements and has about 2,000 hours on it. Thats a lot for an airplane engine for you non-flyers out there.

 

So does that mean something along the lines of "hmm where are those darn piston rings I didn't see any?" I'm not familiar with airplane engines but sounds like it's time for a rebuild with 2,000 hours on that engine.

So it's called a rebuild eh? Normally it gets a fair amount of stuff done to it each week when I am racing, but right now it just needs to be overhauled since last season. I am at college and will be back riding soon so here's an opportunity for me to get it ready to go for the season. I like to make sure everything feels pretty new when I ride or else it just doesn't feel right you know. The bike should be looking good and in great shape after this weekend except for the darn shrouds. Those suckers get so beat up from me grabbing the bike. My number plate decals are also about close to wearing through. Oh well I'll just fix stuff as it needs it since that is cosmetic. I hate a dirty bike or truck though I'm sure a lot of you are in agreement there.

 

back to the cycle. If it hasn't been cranked yet, I'd run some penetrating oil down the sprkplug hole and let it sit for a few days.