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Pretty Bike Parts by Machinist
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Posted by: m0rie---------------------

While browsing one of the other bike sites on the net (thumpertalk), I came across a post by Machinist. Long story short, lots of pics of nice handmade parts for his DRZ-400 and (more importantly) his KDX. Worth a look. Hopefully he'll send somemore KDX pics this way.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/sh...5/o/all/fpart/1

-Maurice

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Yes i am a member here too....Maurice.. :thumb: I am not registered here ,so i probably won't be able to post pics here ,unless someone does it for me.I have some on photobucket.com, but i just started there and i need to find my way around.I will register soon though on this forum.

I have been busy on my KDX and i want to share what i have done with this forum soon.

For now people can follow your link to see my Suzuki and some pics of the KDX clamps i just finished making. I don't think anyone has ever made top and bottom clamps for the KDX..so stay tuned... :thumb:

Posted by: m0rie---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinist

Yes i am a member here too....Maurice.. :thumb:

Yeah, I recognized your name on the DRZ forum, so thought it might have been you. Nice stuff. I'd be first in line for a replacement top clamp for my 89, has dorky fixed rearward pointing bar clamp mounts. A reversible 1-1/8 top clamp would be trick!

-Maurice

Posted by: moridin---------------------

Just beautiful work. That is the most beautiful DRZ I have ever seen.

Very nice KDX stuff too. I would be glad to 'demo" that kdx clamp/bar seup for you

Sean

Posted by: m0rie---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by moridin

Just beautiful work. That is the most beautiful DRZ I have ever seen.

Yeah, my bro's going to be drooling, thinking 'bout all the goodies he'd like to bolt onto his KLX400 (badged DRZ)

-Maurice

Posted by: gwhII---------------------

Machinist,

Two words: beautiful work. I love the triple clamps and I'd like a set of the rearsets for my CBR600F4i. :-)

Actually, after thinking about it, I'd like to see a set of KDX triple clamps machined either for KX KYB USD forks or Showa USD units. Now that would be REALLY sweet.

Best,
Greg

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Hey mOrie...thanks for exposing me so fast

I will get around to showing off my KDX soon.If i don't become a paying member soon here i will see if i can provide a link to photobucket.com where the pictures will be stored.

I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to look so far.I forgot to mention earlier that i have in fact emailed some of the Suzuki pictures to Canadian Dave some time ago after i had contacted him for some advice,but he seems to take a long time to reply from his hotmail....oh well..he will see stuff here soon... :thumb:

Posted by: louis---------------------

Tell Us About That Tank!!!!!!!

Posted by: carney---------------------

Machinist - Awesome work, your DRZ truly amazing - I sent a link to a bunch of my friends. I think gwhII is on to something, the fork upgrade seems to be a recurring theme here - I'd bet that a bolt-on setup for a fork upgrade from a common (read inexpensive) source would be quite marketable. As for myself, I'd like a CNC machined, fully articulated suit of armor

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Ok guy's...i finally uploaded some pics of my KDX onto photobuket.com I will open a new thread also to get some more attention.

There are probably some redundantpictures on there...so feel free to fast forward them if thye look similar( ilove photography also..so i get shutter release happy at times..

)

I should point out that the hand gaurds you see on the bike are borrowed from my Suzuki , as i have green rally pro two's on back order...I REPEAT DON'T GET OFFENDED BY SEEING BLUE ON A KAWI...)

I will refrain from saying to much about it for now as i will let the pictures speak for them selves.All i will say is ...fresh top end,new fmf pipe,boyessen reeds and the goodies i have made..most notably the CLAMPS in case no one noticed..

Start the comments comming..here is the link..

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums...Kawasaki%20KDX/

I hope this link works..as i am not a subscriber yet..might have to soon

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

(This is a repeat of the reply i posted in the other thread to generate more interest..so here go's.)

Ok guy's...i finally uploaded some pics of my KDX onto photobuket.com I will open a new thread also to get some more attention.

There are probably some redundant pictures on there...so feel free to fast forward them if they look similar( i love photography also..so i get shutter release happy at times.. )

I should point out that the hand gaurds you see on the bike are borrowed from my Suzuki , as i have green rally pro two's on back order...I REPEAT DON'T GET OFFENDED BY SEEING BLUE ON A KAWI...)

I will refrain from saying to much about it for now as i will let the pictures speak for them selves.All i will say is ...fresh top end,new fmf pipe,boyessen reeds and the goodies i have made..most notably the CLAMPS in case no one noticed..

Start the comments comming..here is the link..

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums...Kawasaki%20KDX/

I hope this link works..as i am not a subscriber yet..might have to soon

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Feel free to look at the Suzuki album and the one with the rearsets..I will be adding more soon...

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

There are a total of four pages for the KDX.. :thumb: try and see them all

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Feel free to look at the Suzuki album and the one for the rearsets....there are four pages to the KDX one... :thumb:

I will add more pics soon...

Posted by: Robcolo---------------------

Machinist, I noticed that your DRZ has adjustable spriing preload caps. I'd like to construct something similar for a KDX but there's the problem of the rebound damping rod being in the same place that the adjusting screw needs to be. Do you have any photos or even an explanation of how Suzuki attaches their rod to the fork cap ? A parts diagram would probably have enough detail to work from.

Posted by: m0rie---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinist

I will add more pics soon...

We'll all be waiting. Great stuff. Have you ridden your KDX with the triple clamps? I'm curious how you like them with the isolators.

-Maurice

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

My bike is a 2000 model, and it did not come with the cartridge fork yet.So there is no damping rod attached to the fork cap. I have removed mine to change springs and oil etc. and the preload adjuster just pushes down on the spring to set preload....

I have not had a chance to really examine the offroad model which does have a cartridge fork to see if they have the same preload adjuster. If they do,i will see if something similar can be done for the KDx.. :thumb:

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

No Maurice i have not ridden it yet.It's just been raining alot here, and the riding season has not quite begun.

I do like the feeling of the enhanced ergo's( being farther forward and higher) mind you i had the original clamp perches replaced with another one of my own setups,,but hey weren't as nice as these.The isolators still flex when i push forward similar to the original mounts( but a little firmer).

I hope i can generate some interest in them to be able to sell them. I have other ideas for the kdx also.I will be working on a kickstand to replace the steel anchor that hangs of the swing arm, that will mount just behind the footpeg similar to other bikes.It will be made of aluminum for lightness.

I forgot to mention that the stock triple clamp stem was replaced with an amluminum one made of 7075-T6 aluminum.You should see how much the stock steel one weighed!!!! All in all ,the bottom clamp ended up weighing less than stock and the stem way less and the top about the same as stock.There is a good weight savings..i have it written down at work, and i will let you know how much.

I have to admit that the pictures look better at the original higher resolution...so if any body wants them, drop me a line and i would be glad to send some.

work email:
machinist@bellnet.ca

home email:
machinist@rogers.com

On weekends and evenings, use the home one

Posted by: m0rie---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinist

I hope i can generate some interest in them to be able to sell them. I have other ideas for the kdx also.I will be working on a kickstand to replace the steel anchor that hangs of the swing arm, that will mount just behind the footpeg similar to other bikes.It will be made of aluminum for lightness.

Well like the saying goes, if you make them they will sell (slightly paraphrased).

I think ghwII has the right idea...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghwII

Actually, after thinking about it, I'd like to see a set of KDX triple clamps machined either for KX KYB USD forks or Showa USD units. Now that would be REALLY sweet.

KX fork swaps are reasonably straight forward on a KDX, the thing that seems to be hard is getting the parts and getting the stem pressed out of the KDX triple and into the KX triple. Having a piece that was already to go, just drop in the forks and go would be golden. Throw in reversible bar mounts and removable isolators and much joy would be had :thumb:

I've seen homebrew mounts to move the kickstand behind the footpeg, but having a nice non-hackish piece would be nice.

-Maurice

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a set of KX usd forks and making up a set of clamps to mount them.That may be a new project down the road.

I just had my suspension revalved and re-sprung from my local MX-Tech dealer, and so far i like how they feel standing still...

I imagine that they should be a big improvement when i ride it.Did you notice in the pics that i eliminated the stock odometer and related hardware???? (more weight savings there) and it looks cool with a simple bicycle computer and has more functions.I made a spacer to replace the hub drive.

Ya ..i think i visited a members website that featured a home made kick stand...and it did look kind of crude..no offense to him as he doesn't have my resoureces. Mine should look better..

Posted by: m0rie---------------------

Saw that, those bike computers work really well. My odo was gone on my 89 when I got it. Adding a $20 bike computer is one of the next projects here in the near future.

Since i'm banging the what we want drum, i'll bang somemore.

A set of double wide pegs (like the one on your DRZ)
Odo hub spacer (like you sez above)
A real skid plate, that comes up and covers the water pump and flywheel covers
Nice full frame guards to go with the above
Good radiator guards/braces (think UNIBIKERS for the DRZ)

-Maurice

Posted by: Dawg_enD---------------------

I saw your extended pegs for the DRZ. VERY NICE. I'm wishing for a pair of those for my KDX.. my big size 12's make me put the pegs on the balls of my feet, negating the "replacement sole insert" on my boots.

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

It may be hard to see in some of he pictures( or just because they are painted black) but my pegs are widden to over 2" wide .I did this by welding a third rail to the back of the stock ones.Now this is something that would be hard to sell unless i bought some stock pegs and offered a sort of core charge for anyones old ones in exchange.

There are quite a few after market pegs already on the market ..so i don't know how much impact i could have....unless it's something custom like my DRZ ones.( which are low and farther back).

According to Gary Semics who taught alot to Jeremy Mcgrath, your supposed to be on the ball's of your feet if you're not shifting or braking...i try and follow that teqnique...but i admitt i too find my self with my arch on the peg.Don't despair..Dawg_enD...you are riding correctly...but i know how you feel ..you want your feet farther forward.

Posted by: wibby---------------------

Any more pics of the CLAMPS?

LOL

Posted by: Dawg_enD---------------------

Ah? I didn't know I was doing it right. =) That's nice! It just feels like it must be wrong if I have to pick up my feet to hit the brake. Ah well... I'm so new that I just assume I do it ALL wrong. =)

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Unless you really want to see more..( which i think your pulling my leg...

) i know i over did it on the pics,, if you read my first post about photography...I will edit some out soon. I was in a hurry and just uploaded all of them and now i realize it was a little to much!!!

Wibby...i have read your posts in the past....and respect your opinions...

any thoughts on what i am doing ??????

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

The book i am refering to you by Gary Semics is available at most book stores and some online places like amazon.com.I have the book and i will post you some more info on it tommorow. It's quite good for beginers and pro's alike.. :thumb: :thumb:

Posted by: wibby---------------------

RESPECT me??

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Sweet looking bike!

Wish mine looked like that but then again I CRASH, often!

Posted by: skipro3---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinist

Start the comments comming..here is the link..

How about making an all aluminum kickstand? That's got to save several #'s right there. I bought an aftermarket one for....hold on now, $52

bit is sure is nice compared to stock and I sold my stock on eBay for $25 so I guess I'm not too bad off.

How about making an aluminum subframe? That should also lighten up the KDX quite a bit. And a stronger aluminum shift lever. And a brake lever that is more like the KX and not a stamped out piece of tin like the stock one? And, and.......

Posted by: wibby---------------------

Quote:

How about making an all aluminum kickstand?

I found this in another thread from the machinist:

Quote:

I have other ideas for the kdx also.I will be working on a kickstand to replace the steel anchor that hangs of the swing arm, that will mount just behind the footpeg similar to other bikes.It will be made of aluminum for lightness.

Love the new SIG skipro!

Posted by: skipro3---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by wibby

Love the new SIG skipro!

I'm glad to hear you say that....
Have you read this thread?
http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?t=95666

Posted by: gwhII---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinist

Did you notice in the pics that i eliminated the stock odometer and related hardware???? (more weight savings there) and it looks cool with a simple bicycle computer and has more functions.I made a spacer to replace the hub drive.

Machinist,

I've said it once and I'll say it again - beautiful work. I went and read a little more slowly and I like the handmade tank on the DRZ.

In respects to the above quote, that is definitely one little gadget I could use. Since I added my Panoram, I have a plug blocking off my speedo drive now and what you did is a MUCH cleaner solution.

The kickstand idea you were kicking around has my attention too.

Best,
Greg

Posted by: BucKat---------------------

How about an aluminum kick stand for a KX/KDX hybrid????
Now that I could use.

Buc

Posted by: kdxvictor---------------------

wow.. everyting looks great.. i noticed your barbusters were attached to the top triple clamp.. i think if you crash it might take a piece of your clamp with it.. maye better to attache them to your bars.. anyway,, how long did it take to finish the work? do you feel any diffrence in front end action ?

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

I just reduced the amount of pictures ,so as not to bore you guy's to much...

To answer the above questions....i mention in the other thread that an aluminum kickstand is next on the to do list.I will post pics when done. As for having the bark busters attached to the triple clamp....No it won't harm the triple clamp.It has been offered for years and used by various top riders including Scott Summers,Randy Hawkins to mention a few. As a matter of fact some of you may know that the company Fastway that makes footpegs is now offering a sytem that mounts hand guards to the top handlebar clamp!!! It's the best way to keep the hand guards from turning when you crash..

I will be setting up a Paypal account soon sholud any body be interested, and may also post them on E-Bay.I will have a website set up in the near future..so i will keep you all posted.. :thumb: :thumb:

Ps: The responce to my stuff on Thumper talk is going well also

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

The odometer eliminator hardware is quite simple. It only consists of a spacer to take the place of the hub,and a plastic plug that you press into the hub to add a little more dirt protection to the bearings.I suppose i could try and source a seal instead of using the plug to cap the bearing,but the bearings already are well sealed.

Once this is done all the related odometer hardware can all come off,including the cable guide on the fork.It looks much cleaner and saves ( I believe on my Suzuki it was just over a pound alone) I have not weighed the KDX hardware but should be similar.The computer i used is a Sigma bicycle computer which can be had anywhere from $20-$50 bucks depending on the functions.Mine has trip,clock,average speed,max speed and a couple of more i cant recall.The good thing about the Sigma is it's maximum speed reading (up to 300km/hr !!!!) crazy...i don't know anyone on a bicycle who can go this fast...but what i mean is that for steert riding your not limited to some other units that only register to about 80-100km/hr.

As for mounting the magnet and pick up magnet to the fork and wheel....I took the magnet out of it's plastic housing and pressesd it into a plastic plug that goes into a hole on the floating disc.The pick up magnet is attached to the fork with some strong adhesive ( or you could epoxy it)....Lastly you have to lenghten the wire by splicing in a length to get it to reach the handle bar.I also slipped some black flexable tubing over the wire before the final solder joint....That's it !!!!

Oh..don't forget to run the cable through the calbe loops on the clamps before you solder the last connection !!!! Or you will be unsoldering again...

Posted by: BucKat---------------------

Hey Machinist....I'm just a hop-skip and jump away from you. I'm just east of Toronto.
Keep up the great work.

Buc

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Hey Buckat..i tought for a momment you might be Blair Sharpless...but you ain't ..right????

If you are east of Toronto, then you must ride in the Ganaraska forest..correct??? that is my stomping ground also.

Get a hold of me if you like.work email is:

machinist@bellnet.ca

or home evenings and weekends at :

machinist@rogers.com

talk to you soon... :thumb:

Posted by: louis---------------------

Nice work. Your shop?

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Yes...my shop ..like the guy in the Remmington shaver commercial.."I liked the company so much....i decided to buy it"...

Just kidding..i started my machine shop business 11 years ago and still going strong.. :thumb:

Posted by: BucKat---------------------

Nope....Blair I ain't.

We're at the Ganny nearly every weekend. (My boy and I that is.) Either there or the North Humberland Forest. Both spots are great.

I'm just finishing up my KX125/KDX200 converison and hope to get out to either place the weekend after next for testing/setup.
Here some reading on it if'n ya like.
Project Ksub-dX
No......not as elabrite as the work you do... but instead it's intent is more so for us common folk.

It's nearly complete now. Carbon fiber'd gas tank and all.

More to come as I get time to update the site.

Cheers.
I'll get back to soon as the riding season is on.

Buc ( a.k.a Joe )

Posted by: Machinist---------------------

Nice project you have going there Joe.. :thumb: i have considered that after seeing picks of such a conversion on Canadian Daves site. But i always wondered if it was worth the trouble and just get a KX-250 and tune it down for woods work.That's what Blair did ,but he is in a diffrent class altogehter.
I also could never understand why kawasaki never put the inverted fork from the KLX-300 on the KDX, since it was already in their inventory and the bikes are similarly priced and target the same audience.I wonder how many more years the KDX has left in production...

Just as a side note Joe..since you ride in the Northhumberland as well..will you be at the upcoming trail ride in May??? I have been to the last four myself.. :thumb:

Posted by: BucKat---------------------

From what I've read here and there......the inverted forks on the KLX are no better than those on the KDX......Just upside down.

I too thought of going the KX250 route but.......... when a 2000 KX125, complete with clear title, lands on you doorstep for a mere $500 clams...........Need I say more. :thumb: Toasted engine sorry to say.

As far as the trail ride.........never heard of it. I just found that forest last year so it's very new to me.....and large. Love to go though. I think my skills may be up to the task.

Cheers.

Posted by: BucKat---------------------

From what I've read here and there......the inverted forks on the KLX are no better than those on the KDX......Just upside down.

Cheers.

Posted by: gwhII---------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinist

The odometer eliminator hardware is quite simple. It only consists of a spacer to take the place of the hub,and a plastic plug that you press into the hub to add a little more dirt protection to the bearings.I suppose i could try and source a seal instead of using the plug to cap the bearing,but the bearings already are well sealed.

...The computer i used is a Sigma bicycle computer which can be had anywhere from $20-$50 bucks depending on the functions...

I want one of the speedo hub eliminators... :-)

I'll admit that I went the easy route and bought a kit from www.trailtech.net. It had the computer, pickup, and magnetic replacement rotor bolt. All I had to do was drill a hole in the caliper to mount the pickup.

You definitely like to build from scratch and have the tools to do it and have the talent. I'd love just to have an old mill.

Best,
Greg

Posted by: crashburn36---------------------

I read through most of these and if this was already suggested sorry, but I would like to see some custom engine covers.

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Pretty Bike Parts by Machinist

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