The big annual ride in the mountains of SE Oklahoma has provided answers to the mods of last week. Results? Very Good.

A very experienced, fast Oklahoma rider who says he 'bleeds orange' and tried over and over to convince me of the superiority of KTMs took my proddings to try lowly Kermit the KLX. After a half hour out on very rough trail and got off grinning and babbling, "I like everything about this bike!" Mission accomplished. No hoitie toitie price and a very effective bike!

I also got the chance to spend 30 demo minutes on the phenominal new Beta with 525 KLM engine and RevLok clutch. Incredibly nice, smooth, light, powerful bike. The best of any big-motor bike I've thrown a leg over so far. But I was very happy to get back on Kermit. There was no, "OMG I've got to have one of these!"

Engine:

The Kustom Kraft 330 kit with bored out and Nickasil'd 300R cylinder and J.E. Piston (with hellishly stiff circlips) was a lot of work to put on and not drop parts like loose dowels and washers into the the engine! I got it done and it just plain works. Vibration is unremarkably higher but it is still quite smooth. Power is about 30% up with the stock carb rejetted, and a KLX300 exhaust (quietened some). I am using stock cams. I was able to haul *** and use the meat of the power between 4,000 and 5,000 RPM. Not too much power and not too little. Just perfect. Very satisfied. Nice to be able to throw some rocks and wheelie at will.

I was getting some slid bounce and enrichening in the rough with the CV carb. Time for a TM33-12. I got only 65 miles before hitting reserve (stock tank) with the enriched CVK. The TM-33 might be worse or same.

Handling Mods:

I was definitely able to stabilize the handling with the 2" lowering links and fork height adjustments. This was important to surviving at speed without injury in the nasty rocks. The biggest point is to increase the rake and get rid of the hyper oversteer. I accomplished it with burkhartcycle.com (eBay) lowering links. Very well made and only $28 shipped. Guessing at 2" lowering. I also set the fork caps flush with the top triple clamps. No more oversteer! I've ordered the 1-1/2" lowering links because my rear tire was smacking the fender inside.

I had to run shock spring preload WAY up though. The stock spring is ridiculously soft. I'll be able to keep the rear ride height down to maintain the handling gains AND reduce bottoming by fitting a much stiffer shock spring. I'll then be able to run far less preload. I'll update you all on that.

Other:

Kenda K270 tires worked awesome and survived the big, sharp edged rocks. Those cheapo footpegs I recommended were flawless and believe me, I creamed them on rocks a few times! The Utah skid plate is a very good product.

 

Good stuff.


"Power is about 30% up with the stock carb rejetted, and a KLX300 exhaust (quietened some). "

Was that with an actual machine or just eddy current appleid to the ol butt cheeks?

Sounds very reasonable; just curious.

 

So your saying the vibration is higher with your 331? I started with a 300 and went to 331 and did not notice any difference in vibration. Get the pumper carb, FCR35. It's at the top of the best mods you can do.

 

Hey Einfahrt, were you down by Lawton, in the Wichita mountains? I'm originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. We used to rockclimb at Mt. Scott all the time. I've never ridden down ther but I bet it is great.

 

Stitch77, yes, I live up against the Wichita Mountains. The riding is great on my ranch but mostly just dirt roads otherwise.

AgoosSS, the vibration is a tiny bit higher. Way tiny, and that may be due to the higher compression resistance and power stroke impulse increase. It is still counterbalanced and smooth.

 

I had a 340 kit on mine. HMF, motopro springs, odds ends. The extra CCs really wakes it up! Mech at thumper racing modded stock carb.
I do 90% riding in dirt and MX racing, driving it to track, remove tail lite, mirrors. Not quite holeshot matl (againsts 250Fs/450Fs), but handles really well and nice low end for lots of passes.
I put on 15t countersprocket. Cruises at 70, vibration free at 65 mph. Over 60 mpg!
I will wear it out soon.
Have good rides, stay safe.
Frank

 

Yo Frank, you actually take your modded klx on the track during competition or just fun? Just curious, if the former vs the latter you must have some skills.

 

yep. ride out there, pay entry, remove breakables. practice, race have fun. no big deal.