WHAT IS IT? 2021 KX450/1988 KX500AF HYBRID

WHO? Nigel Whittaker

WHERE DID YOU BUY IT? From a mate

HOW MUCH? $10,000

WHY DID YOU BUY IT?

I bought the 2021 KX450 off a mate at the end of Covid with eight hours on it and paid $10,000 for it. It had EZE wheels EZE triple clamps a Pro Circuit exhaust and the original parts came with it. I then sold the 450 motor, electrics and exhaust for $6000.

I’ve always wanted a big bore two-stroke AF after the RM250AF (previously in ADB mag) that we built. Knowing the old 500’s are a handful I always wanted a modern one so one night looking through marketplace a KX500 motor popped up and within 10 mins I had placed a deposit on it via electronic transfer. Knowing the seller made it an easy transaction. I bought the motor about six months before finding the bike as I was going to buy a new KX450 then my mate offered me his.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IT?

The chassis modifications were done by my mate Eddie who also did my RM conversion. A lot of fabrication was involved in moving the Y-piece up and we used a new billet one. New engine mounts were machined up from billet plus the head stay is a work of art in billet. Both lower radiator outlets were cut and rotated to suit the original KX500 radiator hoses.

A CR500 exhaust was used with a fabricated KX end attached at the barrel with a few cuts and rotations involved. The muffler is from a CR500 with the mounts moved. The airbox is a KX450 unit and a RM250 airboot was used to attach the PWK40 Air Striker carby and it uses a RM250 air filter.

The motor was rebuilt by my mate Elliot using mostly OEM parts and a Vertex piston.

I aimed for an OEM look on the motor to resemble a new KX450 motor like the black head and bolt on parts. We adapted a Hinson clutch cover as the original is one piece and can’t be removed while in the frame

HOW DOES IT GO?

I’ve done approximately two hours on it so far and it is an absolute weapon to ride with a modern feel that rides mint and stops perfectly.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND BUILDING ONE?

There’s a lot involved in building one so unless you can fabricate the parts you will need I wouldn’t really recommend it.

5 UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT NIGEL AND HIS BIKE

1) I’m 54 and only a social rider now so the modern bikes are easier on the body.

2) I love being different to everyone else on the track.

3) I ride with number 229 on the bike as it is my birth date.

4) I enjoy Amcross natural terrain type tracks these days and flowing motocross tracks.

5) I’m always tinkering with bikes and now I’m doing a 93 KX250 OEM build and a YZ80J but the 500 is my favourite.