I know you're making money at what you're doing but I want to applaud you for what you're doing because it's not just making money and I think you know that you are definitely securing history and we so do appreciate that
The bike I rode to take my driver's license test in 1983 in Goodyear AZ. They just told me to take it around the block and use my hand signals, Then they handed me my go papers. I had a lantern battery hooked up to brake switch,, that was the only extra requirement to license the bike. Great bike and plenty of fun . Yours brings smiles..
I did a similar thing ' I bought a '78 YZ 250 , put a headlight ' taillight ' and number plate on it 'as well as a brake light switch ' and put a 6 volt battery somewhere ( cant remember where) then got the warrant of fitness 'that we need here in New Zealand ' and I rode it around town . I'm sure I could not do that now 'and be legal.
@@barrycuda3769 I have doubts that they would allow without signals today. The KDX came with a black zip pouch on the fender, behind the seat. It fit a lantern battery perfectly. I would imagine you had a lot of open space to ride there as well. Your YZ 250 made for a fun road bike, I am certain.
@@robertagodsil7951 There was no problem with road registering KDX's ' PE's ' or IT' s here because they came fitted with lights ' didn't need indicators . The YZ wasn't really a good idea ' it had to be ridden flat out all the time or it get all loaded up with unburned premix and run bad ' it was damn fast though and it made me feel like I was Bob Hannah.🙂
I had a kdx 175 for a long time and sold it 10 years ago to a guy that I think still owns it. It needed a rebuilt top end and I couldn't find the jug for it easily. What a bike to see and bring back memories. Love your collection ❤
That's the bike for me. I live in the mountains of Southwest VA n can ride all day long n not see the same piece of dirt twice. Wow man. I love it. I had the 83 or 84 200 kdx n wish I still had it.
Steel swing arm painted aluminum color. Beautiful KDX 175. I had an 82 KE 175 had over ten thousand miles on odometer when I sold it and it was as new in both appearance and functionality.
"Electrofusion cylinder " springs to mind remembering the advertising for this bike . I never had a Kawasaki of any kind ' but I acknowledge the quality and how popular they've been . This 175 went on to several years of KDX 200's 'extremely popular . I've got a 1980 Australasian Dirt Bike magazine' in which they didnt just do a normal test report on it ' but thrashed it in that years enduro competition ' and as I recall they had nothing but praise for it 'especially the rear suspension ' which was revolutionary at that time.
This was such a great bike! When I got my 1st dirtbike, a 1980 Honda CR250R, one of the 2 guys I rode with a lot throughout 9th grade and Highschool had this bike, a 1980 Kawasaki KDX 175! This video brings back so many memories! Many people thought that a 1980 CR250 was too much bike for me to start with at 14 years old and 175 lbs but it was a perfect bike to do it with! That 1980 CR250 was a real RIPPER! Keep up the amazing work, LOVE what you do, and damn I NEED to make a trip out to your neck of the woods and see your shop and Motorcycle collection & Memorabilia!!!
It's not about how big you are it's how big THEY are!! I had a cr 500 when I was 14. I was told if I can start it on first kick I could buy it. By seller. Not by parents. I had my own $$. Needless to say I started it first kick!😁
I had a 1981 kdx175 and I still think about that bow low, tractor like, first gear riding those rough logging trails. Now all that remains is the piston, all battered:), on my window sill. Good memories:):)
These specimens are beyond classic. Kawasaki was always geared more towards heavy equipment manufacturing. I feel like this gave them an edge, engineering-wise and because of their might, a bike might not have been the greatest in the world but was guaranteed a good performer, a great value and Kawasaki "got back" what they put into their products. Its like they just did little 'delves' into the moto market when you look at history, and the end product was such a sound package nontheless.
gotta love the enduro's with the heavier flywheels..my 97 ktm 250exc could roll threw the woods on idle. My uncle owned a pe175 bought it brand new back in the day...loved those years and styles.
As the KDX200 came out the 175's were sold at a reduced price. I, my brother and a few friends bought one. I eventually had a FMF tailpiece and the obligatry Booysens reed valve. I rode it forever canning XR200's , etc. It was rebored over size twice and eventually back to standard but would not die. I replaced rings in the veld....ma ! What a bike ! I rue not having it anymore, to this day ! What a lot of fun that bike was.
Im currently restoring one, its been challenging finding parts, but lots of fun. Still many parts needed but is coming up a treat. I have been lucky enough to ride it and love the way it handles and rides. Way ahead of their time. Your example there is absolutely OEM pristine. Beautiful work man!
The 200cc was more reliable, and the power was more useable.. 200cc as compared to its over bored out counterparts, which were decimated in the competition!
wow got one in the shed...only 75 % as good as that beauty....my 1st proper enduro, bought one recently off a guy in the north of England UK....restored by prison kids !!!!!!! .love your work on that one - absolutley fantastic ..... thanks for sharing
I want everybody to know something that there's a man out there named Jeff Fredette who could get on this bike he's I believe over 60 years old now and he could probably smoke any of us on whatever bike we chose out there on this old KDX 175 Kawasaki should have started putting his name on the tank after a while because it is synonymous with the brand model KDX. Great bike even these old ones! Still hare scramble worthy!
I've been trying to restore my 1980 kdx 175 to this level, except ive painted the frame pink, and started finding white plastics for it, it looks amazing pink and white
I graduated from High School in 1991. My parents surprised me with this exact bike in a condition very very close to this. It was a really really great bike but I am a big guy and for some reason every time I jumped that bike it popped spokes. I got tired of it and got myself a Husky 500.
Beautiful bike! Ever think of modifying that back wall a little bit? The bikes sound fantastic, but they could sound better with some acoustic mods to that wall. I’m no expert. Just a drummer who’s played live for a bunch of years.
Very nice KDX, those were great bikes in their day. "Kids rode the shit of of them" - Hey now, I resemble that remark. For me it was a '79 RM 125. Repacking the welded stock silencer wasn't an option, not that I knew about repacking back then anyway. Not surprisingly my old RM was loud and raspy AF, but being a kid, I didn't care 😆
Did you get KMX in America, I had a KMX 200 and a KDX they are very similar but I prefer the KDX water cooled , their was on of them abandoned in a shed near me, it was a old man’s that died, I could have had it but I didn’t want to take it , I wish I did because his house got knocked down an it probably got scraped or someone else took it
Oh these where a brilliant bike! Very nice to ride, decent power band for an old bike too. Much superior compared to the Yamaha DT185 In Australia you could register these things too👍 Oh and the seat was comfy as! Lastly we saw lots of them refitted with KX disc brake front end..... Nearly all of them had upgraded to disc front
Most of the Craigslist and Marketplace bikes ARE Worn Out Roaches and when you have to do a complete disassemble is for that reason. A lot of time,money,and effort goes into everything on those 40 --50 yr old bikes.
I would like to find a kdx 175, my son has two 1982 kdx250's, one has 1,800 miles, every nut and bolt, seat, pipe, tires, i don't believe it's every had a flat tire, i think it's still the stock piston&rings, the sad part it just sits and looks pretty, the other one is a 7/8 ish, and for the last 15 years running on one engine rebuilt, plus one change out of the piston&rings, for safty, but did not need it, we jet and run race oil at 20/1 - 24/1 at the least, and our engines hold strong, 5/cr250, 3/yz465, 2/ktm250 2/kdx250, 1/kx250, all old school,
I always wanted a bike so bad as a kid but my parents could never afford it down on the cape were I am from there's not spot of places to ride an if the cops get u kiss your bike goodbye
I know you're making money at what you're doing but I want to applaud you for what you're doing because it's not just making money and I think you know that you are definitely securing history and we so do appreciate that
I still have a 1981 kdx175 in great shape. Owned it for many years. Ride it a few times a year. Also a 1981 kx125.
The sound of the 80s,a misty morning and the bikes going like a 🚀
Oh yeah!
I agree, there's something special about the sound of a 2 stroke on a cold frosty morning.
@@brandongardner9829 Extra horse's ,dense air bigger explosion BRAAAAAAAP 🤟🤠💯⚡
Cousin down road pullin n bout 7am on his restored can am 200…me on my 94cr125…..banshees….blasters…..250R’s..mostly Hondas round here
The bike I rode to take my driver's license test in 1983 in Goodyear AZ.
They just told me to take it around the block and use my hand signals, Then they handed me my go papers.
I had a lantern battery hooked up to brake switch,, that was the only extra requirement to license the bike.
Great bike and plenty of fun .
Yours brings smiles..
I did a similar thing ' I bought a '78 YZ 250 , put a headlight ' taillight ' and number plate on it 'as well as a brake light switch ' and put a 6 volt battery somewhere ( cant remember where) then got the warrant of fitness 'that we need here in New Zealand ' and I rode it around town . I'm sure I could not do that now 'and be legal.
@@barrycuda3769
I have doubts that they would allow without signals today. The KDX came with a black zip pouch on the fender, behind the seat. It fit a lantern battery perfectly. I would imagine you had a lot of open space to ride there as well. Your YZ 250 made for a fun road bike, I am certain.
@@robertagodsil7951 There was no problem with road registering KDX's ' PE's ' or IT' s here because they came fitted with lights ' didn't need indicators . The YZ wasn't really a good idea ' it had to be ridden flat out all the time or it get all loaded up with unburned premix and run bad ' it was damn fast though and it made me feel like I was Bob Hannah.🙂
I had a kdx 175 for a long time and sold it 10 years ago to a guy that I think still owns it. It needed a rebuilt top end and I couldn't find the jug for it easily. What a bike to see and bring back memories. Love your collection ❤
That's the bike for me. I live in the mountains of Southwest VA n can ride all day long n not see the same piece of dirt twice. Wow man. I love it. I had the 83 or 84 200 kdx n wish I still had it.
Love your videos, I hope every dirtbike makes it in..
The KDX is the funnest, most versatile dirtbike ever made in my opinion.
Steel swing arm painted aluminum color.
Beautiful KDX 175.
I had an 82 KE 175 had over ten thousand miles on odometer when I sold it and it was as new in both appearance and functionality.
"Electrofusion cylinder " springs to mind remembering the advertising for this bike . I never had a Kawasaki of any kind ' but I acknowledge the quality and how popular they've been . This 175 went on to several years of KDX 200's 'extremely popular . I've got a 1980 Australasian Dirt Bike magazine' in which they didnt just do a normal test report on it ' but thrashed it in that years enduro competition ' and as I recall they had nothing but praise for it 'especially the rear suspension ' which was revolutionary at that time.
This was such a great bike! When I got my 1st dirtbike, a 1980 Honda CR250R, one of the 2 guys I rode with a lot throughout 9th grade and Highschool had this bike, a 1980 Kawasaki KDX 175! This video brings back so many memories! Many people thought that a 1980 CR250 was too much bike for me to start with at 14 years old and 175 lbs but it was a perfect bike to do it with! That 1980 CR250 was a real RIPPER! Keep up the amazing work, LOVE what you do, and damn I NEED to make a trip out to your neck of the woods and see your shop and Motorcycle collection & Memorabilia!!!
Well you were a big 14 y/old!
It's not about how big you are it's how big THEY are!! I had a cr 500 when I was 14. I was told if I can start it on first kick I could buy it. By seller. Not by parents. I had my own $$. Needless to say I started it first kick!😁
@@BillCoxoutfit Robbing banks at 14? Impressive!
The ultimate woods machine 😮
I bought mine brand new from the dealer for $1300 out the door. Still own it and ride it. Great bike.
Among the best era for enduros. Love the KDX . Wished Kawasaki still made them .
Man them little KDX'S were some sweeet magic on the trails from the 80 to the 420
😎👍
Man that’s a beautiful bike, definitely look good in my living room displayed
I had a 1981 kdx175 and I still think about that bow low, tractor like, first gear riding those rough logging trails.
Now all that remains is the piston, all battered:), on my window sill.
Good memories:):)
A sweet ride Ken thank you. Cheers
These specimens are beyond classic. Kawasaki was always geared more towards heavy equipment manufacturing.
I feel like this gave them an edge, engineering-wise and because of their might, a bike might not have been the greatest in the world but was guaranteed a good performer, a great value and Kawasaki "got back" what they put into their products. Its like they just did little 'delves' into the moto market when you look at history, and the end product was such a sound package nontheless.
WOwww... KDX is very nice, looks brand new.
gotta love the enduro's with the heavier flywheels..my 97 ktm 250exc could roll threw the woods on idle. My uncle owned a pe175 bought it brand new back in the day...loved those years and styles.
Love the look of early 80’s Kawasaki dirt bikes especially when they are in beautiful condition like this one.
Very sharp looking vintage Kawasaki dirt bike. Looks brand new out of the crate! Very Nice!
I had a 83 kdx loved it in the uk
As the KDX200 came out the 175's were sold at a reduced price. I, my brother and a few friends bought one. I eventually had a FMF tailpiece and the obligatry Booysens reed valve. I rode it forever canning XR200's , etc. It was rebored over size twice and eventually back to standard but would not die. I replaced rings in the veld....ma ! What a bike ! I rue not having it anymore, to this day ! What a lot of fun that bike was.
Im currently restoring one, its been challenging finding parts, but lots of fun. Still many parts needed but is coming up a treat. I have been lucky enough to ride it and love the way it handles and rides. Way ahead of their time. Your example there is absolutely OEM pristine. Beautiful work man!
I've had a few of these through the years this things beautiful.nice job guys
I had a 1996 KDX 200 with 240 kit was best bike in tight woods Enduro I ever raced.
Light and torquey.
Wish I had another one.
The 200cc was more reliable, and the power was more useable.. 200cc as compared to its over bored out counterparts, which were decimated in the competition!
@@biggussniffus5537 water cooled also.
Amazing restoration! What a fun morning that must have been ripping that work or art around
I bought a barely used 1980 KDX175 in 1983 when I was 15. Man, I was a happy kid.
wow got one in the shed...only 75 % as good as that beauty....my 1st proper enduro, bought one recently off a guy in the north of England UK....restored by prison kids !!!!!!! .love your work on that one - absolutley fantastic ..... thanks for sharing
I want everybody to know something that there's a man out there named Jeff Fredette who could get on this bike he's I believe over 60 years old now and he could probably smoke any of us on whatever bike we chose out there on this old KDX 175 Kawasaki should have started putting his name on the tank after a while because it is synonymous with the brand model KDX. Great bike even these old ones! Still hare scramble worthy!
Not many people on Earth wouldn't like that Candy Apple Green Kawasaki KDX175 . That's Pristine and Perfect Kaplan. Wow! What a Running Time Machine.
I had 2 of them stock gearing they have suprising top end super nice bike
Had an 80 KDX cut bars down.Was the best woods bike I ever owned.
I have a 1980 KDX 175 I'm redoing love this bike!
this channel never disappoints. good to see you have a helmet.
You guys did an awesome resto job Ken. Looks very sharp buddy.
Thanks 👍
The same kdx175 my neighbor had years ago. She seems very peppy and fast
Looks awesome
Absolutely mint! Love that gold chain!👍🏻🇺🇸
I have seen that bike in some earlier videos and was wondering when you would get to it. Very nice work!
Hope you enjoyed it!
@@KaplanCycles Absolutely!
I love it. Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you! Cheers!
Badass bike man! I had an old Suzuki PE 175 that I constantly kick myself in the testicles to this day for selling back in the day.
Mark STOP kicking you Testicles 😢😅
Beautiful work of art!!! Hands down!!
*Your Builds are Primo*
*The Chip Foose of Dirt Bikes*
KDX ftw 🙌. I will own one as a second bike someday for sure
What I wished I could have had 35 years ago!
I've been trying to restore my 1980 kdx 175 to this level, except ive painted the frame pink, and started finding white plastics for it, it looks amazing pink and white
Stunning
I love your videos
love what you guys do. just top notch
This would be a great bike to have and ride around town. I live in a small mountain town in Tennessee and this bike would be perfect for that. .
I got one of those.Mine looks 40 yrs old.I always wanted a klx 250.That bike was cool when it came out.Blistering 18 hp.😄
Nothing beats a green machine
Awesome bikes....... great memories!
Yes they are!
I graduated from High School in 1991. My parents surprised me with this exact bike in a condition very very close to this. It was a really really great bike but I am a big guy and for some reason every time I jumped that bike it popped spokes. I got tired of it and got myself a Husky 500.
I have one of thease...I used to race it in the ADRA in the 200 amateur class...I also raced it in a AMA enduro qualifier in '87..
Good looking machine
Found one just tonight low hour 💪 thanks for the fantastic reviews Mr Ken Kaplan our daughter is over the moon pumped .
Fantastic!
Enjoy it!
I watch and dream to me they are the untouchables unaffordable great machines
Beautiful, great job guys!
I had one and loved it!
Super cool! I remember these!
Ken I love watching these vids even if Im not a fan of the bike! Well spoken brother! (no homo) LOL!
Unreal😮
Beautiful bike!
Ever think of modifying that back wall a little bit?
The bikes sound fantastic, but they could sound better with some acoustic mods to that wall. I’m no expert. Just a drummer who’s played live for a bunch of years.
I'm having flashbacks to junior high school when I had a k d x eighty
I just bought an 81 KDX 175!
Great old trail bikes! Great for hare scrambles
Ken just met you at the TA truck stop in wellington CT ,next time I’m in town I’ll stop by the shop.👍🏾
Yes! Good to meet you in person! See you next time stop by the shop
@@KaplanCycles yes I definitely will.
Check ✔ out that travel 😅front fork is beautiful 😍
Sweet listen to the tang tang tang sound chrisp sweet Old kdx
Very nice KDX, those were great bikes in their day.
"Kids rode the shit of of them" - Hey now, I resemble that remark. For me it was a '79 RM 125. Repacking the welded stock silencer wasn't an option, not that I knew about repacking back then anyway. Not surprisingly my old RM was loud and raspy AF, but being a kid, I didn't care 😆
Did you get KMX in America, I had a KMX 200 and a KDX they are very similar but I prefer the KDX water cooled , their was on of them abandoned in a shed near me, it was a old man’s that died, I could have had it but I didn’t want to take it , I wish I did because his house got knocked down an it probably got scraped or someone else took it
Fun bike!
I have an 81 175 stored also very good condition
Ill work for you for free! Only condition is i get to ride a different bike each day on my lunch break 🤷♂️
do you have any? Russia IZH K-16 and Belarus Minsk rx450... how good or bad ?
had 84 cr 125 would beat on jumps this had great susp. 250 is the way , these great big tanks huge, long ride. 1980s
I was born this year..great year tho....🤘👀
sick!
just bought one over here in australia
Kawasaki team green and it’s a 1980 model just like me 😝
NICE
Oh these where a brilliant bike! Very nice to ride, decent power band for an old bike too. Much superior compared to the Yamaha DT185
In Australia you could register these things too👍
Oh and the seat was comfy as!
Lastly we saw lots of them refitted with KX disc brake front end..... Nearly all of them had upgraded to disc front
I had the same exact bike and the tank would eventually crack at the where the front mounts were located.
Most of the Craigslist and Marketplace bikes ARE Worn Out Roaches and when you have to do a complete disassemble is for that reason. A lot of time,money,and effort goes into everything on those 40 --50 yr old bikes.
Hi, Fc from Bangkok.❤❤🎉🎉
I would like to find a kdx 175, my son has two 1982 kdx250's, one has 1,800 miles, every nut and bolt, seat, pipe, tires, i don't believe it's every had a flat tire, i think it's still the stock piston&rings, the sad part it just sits and looks pretty, the other one is a 7/8 ish, and for the last 15 years running on one engine rebuilt, plus one change out of the piston&rings, for safty, but did not need it, we jet and run race oil at 20/1 - 24/1 at the least, and our engines hold strong, 5/cr250, 3/yz465, 2/ktm250 2/kdx250, 1/kx250, all old school,
I have a pretty restored 1989 kdx200 I really wanna sell as much fun as it is, now it’s been rebuilt I don’t wanna touch it lol
Ride the bitch Chris, life is short.
Looks way nicer than a
PE 175
I was lucky enough to have one when I was 15. I just wonder how much they are now?
As is needing "carb clean" and restoration 2k to 3k
Holding value I see! I love watching you guys and the classic bikes not only that they look awesome 👍💯💪🇺🇸
Beautiful....that's the kind of bike I like and buy...!!!
Woods weapon.
Vecchia ma interessante😎✌🏼
Demonstrate please captain
Are these any good on trails? I always assumed 4 strokes are better for riding in the woods.
I think they are one of the best trail bikes you'll ever ride
Halfy they are perfect for trail riding.
I always wanted a bike so bad as a kid but my parents could never afford it down on the cape were I am from there's not spot of places to ride an if the cops get u kiss your bike goodbye
Hi,👌💪🏻🙏🇫🇷
Who says old things die ?