WHAT IS IT? 1999 Kawasaki KX250 Splitfire

WHO? Ryan Sylvester

WHERE DID YOU BUY IT? Newcastle

HOW MUCH? $1300

WHY DID YOU BUY IT?

I bought this KX as I used to have one when I was 16 years old which got stolen. This KX I found was special as one of my good mates and I had the same bike, and this KX was my mates actual KX that I found in Newcastle after it has been through a few hands which shows it’s a small world. So I had to rebuild it into the ultimate teenage hell raiser.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IT?

The inspiration for the bike started from my original teenage KX250 which had a 2001 Splitfire sticker kit on it. So I decided let’s go a make a factory replica of a Mike Brown 2001 KX250 Splitfire.

Starting with the suspension, we went with a 2012 KX450F front end which had the 48mm KYB spring fork, we had the fork pulled down and Kashima coated the outer fork tubes and with the factory DLC lower tubes it gave it the factory look. We added MCD racing springs and valve settings. The shock got similar treatment with a Kashima coated body with MCD spring and valve settings.

Frame was stripped down and powder coated to the closet colour we could get to the factory flouro green. The brakes were also upgraded with front and rear brakes from 2012 KX450F with custom oversized brake discs to match the 2001 factory disc pattern. The rear brake has the KX450 rear caliper and carrier which meant we had to modify the swing arm to hold this set up so we could fit the 238.5mm brake disc.

The motor was rebuilt with a fresh top end, crank and clutch basket. We didn’t do much modification to the motor as we are only running pump fuel, and the motor work was done at MCD racing. We installed a V-force reed valve with a full Pro Circuit exhaust system and some very rare and hard to find Pro Circuit and carbon fibre parts.

HOW DOES IT GO?

The bike goes like any other 2000 model two-stroke but with the benefits of updated suspension, braking and good jetting. It sure does bring a smile on your face when you are in that powerband. We also have the luxury of running a tall seat to give a more ‘modern’ feel to the bike, and me being 6’5” that makes standing a little easier on the knees.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND BUYING ONE?

Everyone has to have an old two-stroke in the shed, also it’s half the fun building them into something uniquely yours. With popular events and clubs aimed at older bikes there is no better time to buy and build something fun.

5 UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT RYAN AND HIS BIKE

1) It has magnesium Pro Circuit clutch and ignition covers.

2) The brake discs were custom made in the UK for this bike.

3) It’s riddled with hard to find carbon fibre bits.

4) The Pro Circuit pipe was originally chromed and has been made into a ‘works’ pipe finish

5) Being 6’5” and 120kg the KX feels like a 125 for me