Getting Back on Two Wheels
So, I decided I needed a dirt bike again. Been a while, you know? Browsed around, didn’t want anything too crazy or expensive. Stumbled upon this KX 100, a little two-smoker. Looked alright in the pictures, price was decent. Figured, why not?
First Impressions and Teardown
Went and picked it up. Looked okay from ten feet away. Up close, yeah, it’d seen better days. Plastics were scratched up, seat had a small tear, needed some love for sure. Got it back to the garage. First thing I did was give it a good wash down, get all the old mud and grime off. Then, I started poking around.
- Checked the basics: oil, coolant (well, checked the radiator), air filter. Filter was nasty, ordered a new one right away.
- Pulled the spark plug. Looked fouled, typical 2-stroke stuff. Got a new one.
- Decided to just pull the carb off. Knew it probably sat for a bit. Took it apart on the bench. Jets were a bit gummed up. Sprayed the heck out of everything with carb cleaner, blew it out with compressed air. Put it back together. Fiddly little things, those carbs.
Also noticed the chain and sprockets were pretty worn. Added that to the list. This is how it always starts, right? You buy something thinking it’s okay, then the list just grows.
Getting it Running and First Ride
Put the cleaned carb back on, new plug in, fresh gas mixed up. It took a few kicks, quite a few actually. Had me sweating a bit. Fiddled with the choke, gave it another boot and bam! It fired up. Smoked like crazy for a bit, but it settled down. That crisp two-stroke sound, man. Forgot how much I liked that.
Let it warm up, blipped the throttle. Seemed responsive enough. Geared up and took it for a quick spin around the yard, then down the back lane. Holy cow, that little thing rips! When it hits the powerband, it just takes off. Definitely reminded me why they call ’em “light switches.” Nothing, nothing, then everything all at once.
It felt good, though. Light, easy to flick around. Suspension felt a bit soft, but okay for now. Brakes worked, which is always a plus.
Living With It
Been riding it here and there on weekends. It’s a blast, honestly. Still need to do that chain and sprockets. Also noticed a little weep from the fork seals. Another thing for the list. Keeping plugs on hand is a must, seems to like fouling them if I idle too much or don’t get it fully warmed up before shutting it off. Mixing gas is a bit of a pain compared to just filling up a four-stroke, but it’s part of the deal.
Overall? Yeah, happy I got it. It’s simple enough to work on, parts aren’t too bad to find. It’s just pure, raw fun when you get it singing in the powerband. Needs constant tinkering, like any old dirt bike really, but keeps me busy in the garage and puts a smile on my face out on the trails. Can’t ask for much more than that.
