| 
Kawasaki
KFX 450R Project Quad Build - Part One
Front Suspension System & Steering Components
| |
 |
|
ATVriders.com
Stock Kawasaki KFX 450R Sport ATV |
The Kawasaki KFX 450R ATV has been earning respect
on the track and trail as a potent package in stock
form that meets the needs of many riders today.
Ofcourse if you are a racer at heart or just want
to build your self one bully of a machine, it is
an excellent starting platform for one to turn into
a beast. The aluminum alloy frame offers plenty
of strength; the powerful engine provides tire shredding
power and even the stock suspension can be tweaked
to fit most riders style and ability. This is where
we part ways with the stock platform as our Project
KFX 450R will be born again, with the addition of
several aftermarket parts that should turn the stocker
into a woods ripping beast!
After riding the machine in stock form, and paying
close attention to the machine in action during
the races, our attention was turned to the suspension
and handling of this soon to be woods rocketship
with the addition of Houser Slicast A-Arms and
Elka Shocks. Houser products have a loyal following
and a history of being one product that one can
buy and trust that it will work and fit. The Slicast
A-Arms will allow us to dial in different settings
for our new front end to get maximum handling
as we ride different areas of the country or dial
in a setting that gives us the most optimum handling
as we zip through the tree's at high speed.
| |
|
Stock 2008
Kawasaki KFX 450R Sport ATV in Action
for the Test Ride
|
Combine the Houser products with Elka Shocks
and a winning combination is in the bag. Elka
has been running rampant in every race series
one can find over the past few years and including
them in our project was icing on the cake as the
performance and adjustability will allow us to
tackle rough terrain at blazing speed with confidence.
|
The
Team Hawg Racing Sport ATV EZ UP jack
stand worked great at raising up the KFX
450 to a convenient height for easier replacement
of the suspension components, and it allowed
us to spin the unit around when needed.
|
With the parts in hand, it was time to dive into
our Kawasaki KFX 450R project and begin disassembly
of the stock components. No matter what work you
intend to undertake, starting with a clean machine
will aide in the workflow and allow you to inspect
the machine as you work. A good work stand is
a must have and getting the atv secured and in
a stance that will allow you to comfortably work
will allow you to work easier and do a much better
job.
The KFX450R is slightly different to work on
due to its aluminum frame construction and single
box tube lower frame rail, and offered us a glimpse
at what went into the construction of this machine.
With the adoption of fuel injection and advanced
electronics on 450 sport ATVs that a few years
ago would have equaled that of an automobile,
taking your time is a must as you work on the
newer ATVs.
|
