2009 Kawasaki KLX351F project bike

[SamM]

Here's my TC donor car and the 2.3L Pinto (Lima) engine. It's a New Mexico car that I picked up for $800.





And here's what it's going into! It's a Callahan frame built in Kentucky. It's 42" across and is tiny. The wheels are 2007 Ford Mustang LX wheels with spinners. I just mounted up a set of Dunlop Direzza Sport R1 Star Spec 225/50R16 tires. I'd like to finally finish the garage and have heat in it this Winter. Too many projects, not enough time. The car will have a solid steel floor, aluminum and fiberglass body panels, a soft top and carry a fullsize spare out back on the same LX wheel.





Wow, I hijacked my own thread.

[Weldangrind]

I read about your project elsewhere; diesel bike forum maybe? Anyway, I'll be sure to follow it if it's here.

[katoranger]

That looks just like my ranger engine. I wonder if I can just get the turbo related parts to add on. Read that I would need to install turbo pistons. 200hp would be great in the ranger. It fills like about 75 right now. Suppose to be 90, by I think some are getting a government check.

Those wheels are some of my favorites on the mustangs.

[FastDoc]

A Turbo T-Bird transplant into a Ranger is a semi-common modification. Check out:

www.therangerstation.com

[katoranger]

Doc, I am already looking into it. I believe that my 2.3 is probably going to need a freshening up at some point.

I really need more low end grunt. Those 800-1000lb loads of scrap metal make the hills a challenge.

[SamM]

Hey guys,
Looks like my KLX351F project is back on. The daughter has graduated from high school and is no longer interested in my KLX. Not that she ever was. Basically, the bike has been sitting in my garage since last year. I recently added the lights back onto it and I've been riding it. Today, was my first day riding it to work. I love this little bike. This thing rips! Pictures tonight when I get home!

Stay tuned!

SamM

[SpudRider]

That's great news, Sam! I'm subscribed.

Spud

[FastDoc]

Excellent. I do love my KLX also. I think it's an excellent all around bike that can be tailored for the dirt or the street with some basic inexpensive mods.

[SamM]

I'm not doing that with this bike FastDoc. It still needs a few little things though. Nothing inexpensive! New side panels, the mudflap fell off, and I just found some really cool front LED turnsignals. Right now, the turnsignals are located inside the mirrors. They are a bit odd and I don't like them very much. It also has new Zeta breakaway pivot hand levers. The TUbliss tubes are bouncy on the street. I may ditch them too. I have a set of Heidenau K60 tires in my shop. Regular tubes and those tires should work well on the street and off-road. The 3 gallon IMS tank is at my dealer's place. I'll pick it up Tuesday morning and hopefully get it mounted that same day.

The bike is coming together nicely. The 351cc kit will have to wait until Winter arrives. I plan to port the head and install a Mikuni 34mm carb and KLX300R cams, when I install the engine kit.

Thanks for looking!

SamM

[SpudRider]

I've forgotten. What's that fine looking bike in the background, Sam?

Spud

[SamM]

It's a 1998 Honda Shadow. That's the bike that Harley-Davidson sued Honda over. It has a single crankpin just like the Harley engines. I believe this was the one and only year for that particular bike. Honda was forced to change it.

This one belongs to one of the guys that I work with. It was his father's bike and his sister recently gave it to him.

SamM

[FastDoc]

Love that bike.

How do you like the exhaust? Is it very loud? I'll be interested in your feedback on the fuel tank. Does it use the stock shrouds?

[SamM]

The FMF header and muffler are not loud at all. The header actually gives the bike a 3 dB lower exhaust tone than stock. I'm sure the muffler raises that but it's not loud.

Yes, the IMS tank uses the stock KLX shrouds. I hope to have it installed tomorrow. 3 gallons doesn't sound like much but this bike sips fuel, at least for now! Once I add the big bore kit all bets are off on that.

The next big project is balancing the wheels and swapping the tires for the Heidenau K60s. I also need to get the speedo working. The SF sending unit does not work with the 21" front wheel. 12 O'clock Labs has a differential circuit board but it costs $80. It pigtails into the speedo wiring. I need to check to see what the KLX250S sending unit is before I jump into that. If the S sending unit is less I may go that route. The bike does have a 12 O'clock Labs rear taillight circuit board in the DRG LED taillight. The integrated turnsignals are very nice and there is nothing to break off the back. It's a clean look out back and I like that. Worth the coin! I installed a locking rear license plate holder. I keep a little cash and all my paperwork in that. The rear tailpack holds my tools and a Moose Racing tire patch kit.

The rear rack is very small and I may end up ditching it and going for a cyclerack.com rear rack.

This bike really is the perfect size for just about anything you throw at it. She's not the greatest at highway touring, especially with the TUbliss system in the wheels but I'll work that out soon. Heavier tires and some wheel weights should help. The 250cc engine's power is pretty good stock and the bike is very flickable as is. I recently took it on a poker run type ride. I was the safety bike and blocked oncoming traffic at the intersections. I was easily able to get back to the front of the pack once the other riders figured out what we were doing.

I can't wait to get the 351 kit installed. It will be a beast. I'm shooting for at least 30hp out of it.

SamM

[FastDoc]

30 HP should be very very easy.

I wonder if a Powerbomb header would make my bike quieter?

I am anxious to follow this project with you!

[SpudRider]

Check out the FMF website, Doc. I bet the FMF Megabomb header would reduce your exhaust noise.

http://www.fmfracing.com/Products/MX/264

Spud