From: freddie@roost.Columbia.NCR.COM (Freddie Smith)
Subject: KX Frame
Originator: freddie@roost
Organization: NCR Corp, E&M-Columbia, Columbia, SC
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 18:01:37 GMT


While riding a couple of slow practice laps at King's Creek this Sat.,
I managed to adjust the sag on the rear suspension to about 12 inches.
I landed hard off of a table top and thought I heard a little snap, there
was another table top immediately after, then while launching off the
next table top I heard a loud pop.  I barely got any air from the jump,
then landed on top of the table top with about an inch of travel in the
rear.  The brackets where the suspension link bolts to the frame broke
off.  This modification greatly reduces the amount of launch you get off
of a jump.

I was talking to the guy that owns the track, and he said that that had 
happened to his KX also.  Is this a common occurance?

I'm going to try to get it MIG welded back together.  Will this be strong
enough or is there a better way to fix this problem?

Andy

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Andy, Back in 1989, Kawasaki issued a memo to dealers that covered this   
problem. To answer your first question, yes it is a common occurance IF
the bolts which bolts the linkage to the frame tabs are not tightened
with a torque wrench on a regular basis. They get loose, even just a
tad, and bingo, they break off.  My dealer is a Team Green dealer
and gave me   a copy of the memo with my '89 500, and also with my '91
and '92 500's. I know the problem existed also with the 250', but I
don't know about the 125's or the KDX 200.  I think that you can weld
the tabs back on without a problem, but exactly how to do this I don't
know.  To keep it from happening ever or again, you have maintain the
tightness of the bolts.  If you want to talk to someone who might help
you before you weld the tabs back on, call Aiken Motorcycle Sales
in Aiken, S.C. at 803-649-2872. They are an excellant dirt dealer and
are VERY good at keeping up with the KX's. Joey Hopkins is a AA enduro
ace (he has won the Alligator Enduro twice in the last couple of years)
and is sponsered by the shop.  He is in the shop a lot and if he is
there, he'll be glad to talk to you about any KX problem, (he may
not sound like he does, but that is just his low-keyed manner, he really
don't mind answering questions if he has the time. He has helped me 
a helluva lot. If he is not available, ask for Marsha Tumblin. She is
also the best to really find out about stuff such as the breakage. 
(BTW, she is fast or faster than a lot of guys around here. She rides
a RM125 in the woods and she is pretty as well as got a body to match.
I like to ride behind her :). Unfortunately she engaged to be married
to Joey, and Joey is a lot bigger than me. Also they're my dealer and
have given me excellant deals on bikes and I don't mind saying they
are one of the best dealers I have ever dealt with. Hope you get your
bike fixed .

-- 
Freddie A. Smith                                NCR Corp.  E&M Columbia, SC
Voice: 803-791-6888                             3000 Unit Development 
CSnet: freddie.smith@roost.Columbia.NCR.COM     Enduro Riders Do It
..!uunet!ncrlnk!ncrcae!sauron!roost!freddie       In The Woods!
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.dirt