Your Collection: 1976 Kawasaki KX250-A3
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 | 4:00 AM
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PrintThis weeks collection comes to us from Tony DeSantis.
In 1976 at age 14 I purchased a brand new Kawasaki KX125-A3 and rode the wheels off of that bike. I recently restored that same KX125 to like new condition and in doing so decided it would be cool to have the entire 1976 KX line up also in my collection. I found this 76' KX250-A3 on ebay and purchased it in the fall of 2011. From there, I started the restoration in the fall of 2012 and finished it this winter. The 76' KX250 was the last year of the down pipe Kawasaki's. The engine put out a claimed 34hp at 8000 rpm in a bike that only weighs 219 pounds. The piston port 249cc air cooled engine has a large power band with smooth, tractor-like power. The same KX250 was produced from 1974 to 1976 with little change other than color and graphics. With such little change the bike had worn out it's welcome with the motocross crowd and took a break in production in 77' to design an entirely new bike for the 1978 season. I restored this bike with an factory showroom look in mind all the way down to a complete engine rebuild with all NOS Kawasaki parts. The frame and all related parts had to be sand blasted and powdercoated to match factory colors. All of the original hardware was re zinc-plated, and the wheels were stripped, polished, and re-anodized. I tried to cover every minute detail to duplicate that stock factory look. It would be very cool to have this bike featured in Racer X my collection to share this KX from the past with your readers. The next project is the 76' KX400.
- Tony
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Forty years ago, Team Honda arrived on the American motocross circuit with a brand new motorcycle: the game-changing Elsinore CR250. Page 170.
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Nice, nice job....you must have a lot of patience
That is one of the best renovations I've ever seen. They look like they are fresh off the assembly line. Great job!!!
Very nice. Love the pic of the two of them!
Man thats a great job, I didnt want either of these, but ohhh I'd have givin a testicle for the 78 KX
Nice digs !
Case a jump on one of those bad boys and you are headed to the pits to change out a pipe!
What a great paint color. I'd like to see the new ones in it.
@ mxluatic- The first double jumps that I remember were in 76, Yes the next year everyone had up pipes for the most part.
You need professional help. Those bikes are absolute jewelry. The pickle "silencer" makes me smile as I hear the sounds of thousands of cicatas buzzing away in my ears as I write this. These bad boys can go head to head with custom Harleys in the local car show, so go get a tan this summer. Just for fun, I parked my bike next to the most insane Harley when I gave it a try, and while his won "Best of Show" and mine didn't get hardly any votes, it was the looks on the faces of the real enthusiasts that made it worthwhile. I only did one, but it was an experience.
Wow, gorgeous, truly looks like they never left the showroom! I must be getting really old ... energy drink girls hardly get a glance from me, but man, perfectly restored bikes, now we're talkin'.
Podium worthy restoration! I am visualizing them on the line at Saddleback Park in the 70's...
Awesome resto! Love the detail, especially the green Kawi mats and the green "works" stands...
If I had those bikes one of them would be hanging from the ceiling in my living room and the other one would be ridden down the street every weekend just so I could hear that beautiful two stroke sing!!!
Another great inspiration. Thanks Tony and a job well done. I love ALL bikes, past and present but as a loyal Kawasaki fan, this is special. My new background. This section has quickley become my favorite. A big smile and a nod to you sir!
@ Big Ugly maniac--- I have not been able to ride for the last 4 years ,will soon though. Anyhoooo, I used to get back from a long 2 or 3 week trip on my Harley and go to a bike Rally and enter the Rat bike contest, after being on the road for a few weeks yes I even still had my map in the bag taped to the tank and I WON the Rat bike contest!
Clean....
Beautiful bikes and remeber my buddy having the 250 back in the day.
I want to know where you got those carpets???
I had the 75 125 with the non metalic green paint,cost $875 out the door and I loved it. What you have done with these 2 is beyond fantastic. You have perfectly preserved moto history & my hat is off to you sir for a job well done.
Nice job! Sweet looking bikes.
Very nice bikes!Good job!Not a fan of Kawi for those years of bikes but DAMN these look good!
Great job.
I raced one of those in the pro class for a year or so, it had Marzocchi leading axle forks and triple clamps, Boge shocks, different swingarm and shock postion on the frame, two custom down pipes and one up pipe for different tracks, custom porting and used a CR 250 piston, Bigger Mikuni carb, plus some other odds and ends. It was fast and handled pretty well.
You can and should and I am sure you are...very proud of your children. That is an incredible job.
Are you sure you didn't buy them both new, brought them home put them in the garage, and bumped your head as the garage door came down on your way out, and completely forgot they were in there until today when you went to look for that weed-whacker to clear off the over-growth in the yard over the past 39 years.
Unbelievable job Man!!!
Fantastic job.
I rode the prototype before the first KX came out, it was a MONSTER that made me understand the advantage that factory riders have. I wish I had it again.
Thanks for all the positive posts on my bikes, I'm glad you all liked my vintage Kawasaki Motocrossers, I enjoy restoring these bikes almost as much as riding them. I have a collection of Kawasaki street, off road and motocross bikes from the 70's that keeps on growing. It's a fun hobby.... or is it an addiction..... I'm not really sure???
Thanks Again Tony D
My Freshman year in high school lol. This & where are they now sections are my favorites. This cat is absolutely sick, so far this gets the blue ribbon. Nice job indeed! Looks showroom.
Tony, Beautiful Bikes, if you don't have a nickname you do now- "BUFFY" LOL.
Where the hell did you find straight down pipes from 1976?
Great job Tony ! Now go and ride them. Dirt bikes are meant to be ridden hard and put away wet!
The best thing about the job, is that they are restored to real showroom condition. Not over restored.
My brother had the 125 KX, first big bike I rode. I wouldn't get off that thing. Love Kawasaki's ever since. Great restoration job! #Jealous
Very nice. As a vintage Kawasaki fan I have sevral pre 75 Kawasaki dirt bike and street bikes. Most recently I am working on a 1970 Kawasaki F5 Big Horn.
http://www.thejunkmanadv.com/barn-fresh-restoration.html