Welcome to NESR! Most features of this site require registration, including replying to threads, sending private messages, starting new threads, and uploading files. Click here to register.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 36

first 2 stroke rebuild

  1. #1
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    first 2 stroke rebuild

    So i'm diving itnto this KDX 200 ( 1994)

    Just finished rebuilding the rear shock ( it was pretty easy actually)and tore apart the top end ( my first time)

    Also wound up cleaning the KIPS valve (lots of gunk) as supposedly the gears are fairly easy to break and reduce the top end. They were in fine shape but I swapped out some newer steel gears from from the UK.

    Looking at the piston and I'm not sure how to read it.
    Take a peek and see if you see anything. the bottom end seems to be "chipped"( new piston doesnt have this) And there is the "smearing" on the side. i f ifrag a fingernail across it I do feel a little itty bitty ridge Top was caked in carbon

    first 2 stroke rebuild-img_1732-jpgfirst 2 stroke rebuild-img_1733-jpgfirst 2 stroke rebuild-img_1736-jpgfirst 2 stroke rebuild-img_1735-jpgfirst 2 stroke rebuild-img_1734-jpg

    As far as measurement the width is in spec and the same size as the replacement.

    Anything i need to triple check when replacing it?

    Top

    - - - Updated - - -

    The screws holding the top cylinder are also going to get cleaned as well as they're pretty rusty etc.

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  2. #2
    Lifer Kurlon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Waterboro ME
    Age
    46
    Posts
    13,518

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    I'd like to know what damaged the skirt of that piston, that's clearly not right. Is that on the intake or exhaust side?

    3 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  3. #3
    TRACK RAT!!!!! Pigman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Pembroke NH
    Posts
    6,994

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Piston toss it and see how bad and deep the scoring is in the Cycl.... thats your biggest prob

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  4. #4
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    I believe it the intake side as it's on the opposite side that the arrow points to on top of the piston.

    How would I check the scoring is inside of the cylinder? I eyeballed and ran my finger. And seems pretty smooth.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  5. #5
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Damage appears to be on the intake side. Those small holes on the other (exhaust) side keep lube on the transfer port bridges. I agree that it looks like the motor ingested something hard at one point.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  6. #6
    Lifer
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Feel the cylinder with your fingernail to see if your nail "catches" anywhere. KDX cylinders are pretty durable, and coated cylinders can be deceiving - sometimes the aluminum from the piston gets smeared on the hard surface, and it looks like scoring. Smeared aluminum can be removed pretty easily.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  7. #7
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    so with the chewed piston.... necessary to break down the bottom end?

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  8. #8
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    western, MA
    Age
    53
    Posts
    15,000

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    The likely culprit is the powevalve flapper.

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Paul_E_D


  9. #9
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    hmmm.. so necessary to tear down?
    I took apart the KIPS valve etc and cleaned up and replaced the old( no signs of wear I believe) with new steel ones. are those the Powervalve flappers you speak od?

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  10. #10
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    western, MA
    Age
    53
    Posts
    15,000

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    The actual part that opens that closes, not the spindles. It it is out of adjustment it can contact the piston.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Paul_E_D


  11. #11
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    mines a 94... i believe the 95 and up only have that.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  12. #12
    Lifer typeone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    central MA
    Age
    51
    Posts
    7,736

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    it's hard to tell from the pics but when i first looked, i wondered if someone had modified the piston for some reason, like clearance. the break looks very clean, almost chamfered a bit and very symetrical.

    how does the case look below the intake side? any sign of tampering? how about the intake side of the cylinder? any weld + grind?

    reason i'm wondering about this is because i've seen some seriously fucked up vintage Husky pistons that PO's modified themselves... some looked like they used primative stone tools... NEVER underestimate the mechanical wonder of a dirt biker

    to answer your question about breaking down and inspecting the bottom end, if that large piece really did break away... Yes.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by typeone; 01-24-17 at 02:44 PM.
    Beta 200RR

  13. #13
    Lifer typeone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    central MA
    Age
    51
    Posts
    7,736

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    check out the second piston from right ... hmmm


    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Beta 200RR

  14. #14
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by typeone View Post
    check out the second piston from right ... hmmm

    yup that looks like mine.
    Dont think there is a way around it. break out the bottom end.

    Now to replace bearings or not?

    I need to to look at the cylinder closer and the case.

    Not sure. I'm just searching for a piece of metal and dont mean to ride this bike a ton ( specialty woods bike and buddy bike if you will)

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  15. #15
    Lifer typeone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    central MA
    Age
    51
    Posts
    7,736

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    but what i'm saying is it might not be broken at all. could be modified by a PO to look/work like a newer gen piston OR it's just a cheap cast piston with very rough edges.

    EDIT: btw, i'm totally taking guesses here, hard without the parts in front of you but when i had that thought, then found that pic above... it makes you wonder.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by typeone; 01-24-17 at 03:08 PM.
    Beta 200RR

  16. #16

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    dirt bikes suck

    when the bottom end is off, might as well do the crank bearings and seals...(what is it...$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, just rebuild the the crankshaft at a machine shop (what is it....$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect all the transmission spacers/shift forks and replace it while you're there (what is it....$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect all the transmission bearings in the cases and replace them while you're there (what is it....$140?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect the seals for the shift lever, check for groves on the water pump impeller, and replace them while you're there (what is it....$180?)

    ....and it goes on...dirt bikes suck

    wash out the combustion chamber with water and make sure no metal flakes are seen, button up the top end and sell the damn thing before it 'splodes!!!

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Last edited by breakdirt916; 01-24-17 at 03:14 PM.
    FREE $10 UBER CREDIT W' PROMO CODE --> PON41
    1994 Yamaha YZ250 CA Street Legal 2-smoke :smoke:

  17. #17
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by typeone View Post
    but what i'm saying is it might not be broken at all. could be modified by a PO to look/work like a newer gen piston OR it's just a cheap cast piston with very rough edges.

    EDIT: btw, i'm totally taking guesses here, hard without the parts in front of you but when i had that thought, then found that pic above... it makes you wonder.
    I'll take a look at the original piston... see if its a cheapo etc... breaking the bottom end doesnt seem "hard" I just need time. I need to get my xr650r on the road

    seeing what the KDX board says. but I need to look at the cylinder again. But you're right the chips seems like a caveman trying to sharpen a knife type nicks

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  18. #18
    Soul Rider Paul_E_D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    western, MA
    Age
    53
    Posts
    15,000

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Hmmm, looks like it might be a cheap piston. I would put a new top end in and carry on. It's not much work to tear it back down it something is bad in the bottom end.

    p.s. I forgot that the rollers ARE the valves in those older KIPS.

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Paul_E_D


  19. #19
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by breakdirt916 View Post
    dirt bikes suck

    when the bottom end is off, might as well do the crank bearings and seals...(what is it...$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, just rebuild the the crankshaft at a machine shop (what is it....$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect all the transmission spacers/shift forks and replace it while you're there (what is it....$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect all the transmission bearings in the cases and replace them while you're there (what is it....$140?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect the seals for the shift lever, check for groves on the water pump impeller, and replace them while you're there (what is it....$180?)

    ....and it goes on...dirt bikes suck

    wash out the combustion chamber with water and make sure no metal flakes are seen, button up the top end and sell the damn thing before it 'splodes!!!


    I hate you for pointing that out and for mostly..... being right

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  20. #20
    Day late, dollar short carsick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    2,861

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    I think the most compelling question is, why take a KDX apart at all? Just run 'er!

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    99 + 02 SV650 ex-race - 91 FJ1200 street - 03 KDX220R woods - 12 WR450F motard/ice

  21. #21
    Lifer typeone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    central MA
    Age
    51
    Posts
    7,736

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul_E_D View Post
    Hmmm, looks like it might be a cheap piston. I would put a new top end in and carry on. It's not much work to tear it back down it something is bad in the bottom end.

    p.s. I forgot that the rollers ARE the valves in those older KIPS.
    i agree, especially since this is a spare, older machine. fill up the case with cheap 2T oil, cycle the crank, dump it into a strained container and see what comes out. repeat X times. no scary bits? just freshen the top end.

    this assumes the cylinder isn't torn up to shit and crank isn't flopping around in there

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Beta 200RR

  22. #22
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Waltham, MA
    Posts
    5,335

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by breakdirt916 View Post
    dirt bikes suck

    when the bottom end is off, might as well do the crank bearings and seals...(what is it...$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, just rebuild the the crankshaft at a machine shop (what is it....$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect all the transmission spacers/shift forks and replace it while you're there (what is it....$90?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect all the transmission bearings in the cases and replace them while you're there (what is it....$140?)

    actually while the crank halves are apart, inspect the seals for the shift lever, check for groves on the water pump impeller, and replace them while you're there (what is it....$180?)

    ....and it goes on...dirt bikes suck

    wash out the combustion chamber with water and make sure no metal flakes are seen, button up the top end and sell the damn thing before it 'splodes!!!
    That's basically how my El Camino project went.

    Degrease the engine (in the car) to get rid of decades worth of grease and oil? Might as well just yank the engine out and do it properly. (free)

    Hmm, if it's already out of the car, might as well pull the heads and inspect the pistons. (free)

    Hmm, if the heads are off, might as well put new pistons and rings in. (+$100)

    Hmm, if you're gonna put new pistons in, might as well put high-compression ones in. (+$200)

    Hmm, if you're gonna put high-compression pistons in, might as well put new rods in as well. (+$200)

    Hmm, if you're gonna do new rods, might as well do a 383 stroker kit. (+$700)

    And that, my friends, is why it's in my garage and hasn't been driven in 4 years.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    '02 Ducati 998, '08 Ducati HyperMotard 1100S, '14 Subaru XV Crosstrek

  23. #23
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by number9 View Post
    That's basically how my El Camino project went.

    Degrease the engine (in the car) to get rid of decades worth of grease and oil? Might as well just yank the engine out and do it properly. (free)

    Hmm, if it's already out of the car, might as well pull the heads and inspect the pistons. (free)

    Hmm, if the heads are off, might as well put new pistons and rings in. (+$100)

    Hmm, if you're gonna put new pistons in, might as well put high-compression ones in. (+$200)

    Hmm, if you're gonna put high-compression pistons in, might as well put new rods in as well. (+$200)

    Hmm, if you're gonna do new rods, might as well do a 383 stroker kit. (+$700)

    And that, my friends, is why it's in my garage and hasn't been driven in 4 years.

    i'll trade you a kdx I have for your el camino

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  24. #24
    suburban ghetto living... black's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    boston burbs....
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,106

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by carsick View Post
    I think the most compelling question is, why take a KDX apart at all? Just run 'er!
    yeah... i know I know. Major reason was ...
    the swing arm was seized. so replaced that then slowly thought I could rehab it and "learn", which I am
    I will probably just rinse the case and see what falls out.

    My next step afte rthat is rebuild the forks..... just because

    I'm even thinking of powdercoating the frame.... because

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    hmmmm......

  25. #25
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Waltham, MA
    Posts
    5,335

    Re: first 2 stroke rebuild

    Quote Originally Posted by black View Post
    i'll trade you a kdx I have for your el camino
    The KDX is probably worth more.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    '02 Ducati 998, '08 Ducati HyperMotard 1100S, '14 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Supermoto Rebuild
    By union in forum Pit Area
    Replies: 68
    Last Post: 04-16-14, 08:04 AM
  2. two-stroke rebuild questions
    By burnham in forum Dirty Bastards
    Replies: 44
    Last Post: 05-28-11, 02:22 PM
  3. 2 Stroke in modern 4 stroke chassis
    By REXXX in forum General Bike Related
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 12-09-10, 01:23 PM
  4. 2 stroke top end rebuild
    By Twheat18 in forum Dirty Bastards
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 11-03-10, 02:09 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •