All about reed spacers - one of the best mods

[2001KX5]

How do you guys think this would work in conjunction with EG mo-better porting I have?

[Timbowe]

Enhansment!

[Johnniespeed]

After owning the reed spacer for almost a year, I finally slipped it into my k5. It did make a difference and right where everyone said it would be, off idle and at low rpm.   It was super easy to install, and gave me a chance to look very closely at my reeds.  After 240 gallons of fuel through the bike, my reeds look like new. I no longer need the flywheel spacer, as my arms have gotton stronger, and this spacer seems to smooth out the hit a little. I put new rings in the bike  at 200 gallons of fuel.  When do you guys change the rings ?

[Lassla]

Yes i know its the kx500 forum, but have someone tryed reed spacer on a kx250
for more low power.
//Lasse

[SupermotoFan]

Yes i know its the kx500 forum, but have someone tryed reed spacer on a kx250
for more low power.
//Lasse

I just ordered and received a Moose torque spacer for my RM250 (the KX500 is still in pieces and in need of a re-plated cylinder).  I hope to install it today and give some results by tomorrow afternoon.

[kaw rider]

anybody try thicker spacer. like 1/2-3/4 spacers.

[alan]

I have thought about a thicker spacer, however it is almost impossible to get to the carb to adjust the needle or change jets with the spacer in anyway. The space is .308 inches, at least this what I measured mine to be before I installed it. The only way I can see to go any thicker would be to make it thicker on one side to straighten out the path so the back of the carb would fit between the frame. That would cause even more boot problems.  I think it is probably as thick as you can get it. The only other possibility would be some of the conversions being done to put KX5 motors into aluminum frames and then maybe you could plan for a thicker spacer in your conversion.

[kaw rider]

Why Reed Spacers?

Basically, reed spacers allow you to move your power band around depending on placement.

The most common installation for street use is to mount them between the reed block cage and the engine. This will effectively move your power band to a lower rev range and allow you to make better use of the power available for street riding.

The second type of installation is to mount them between the manifold and the reed block cage. This will move the manifold back further and raise the power band for better midrange and top end.

[Hillclimb#42]

 I bought a '97 K5, that had a Billet  Boysen reed cage that had a thicker intake by at least a 1/2". The carb is very close to the frame, and you need to hold your tongue just right to get it back into the air box, but adjusting it is really no different. I can only assume that Boysen is adding some engineering to it though, because it has been on there the whole time. I have asked around about after-market reeds to local experts in the past, and have had mixed responses. Some of them don't think it could even be a noticeable upgrade.
  I can't believe how many guys on here really want more out of the 500. I say after a pipe and tire, to get more acceleration think about gearing. Big changes can happen with one tooth on the countershaft 

[alan]

I know that when I installed my reed spacer the big difference I noticed was that, with the same gearing I could ride one gear higher without bogging down or fowling plugs. It was as though the spacer moved the power band just where I needed it!

Alan

[alan]

I bought a '97 K5, that had a Billet  Boysen reed cage that had a thicker intake by at least a 1/2". The carb is very close to the frame, and you need to hold your tongue just right to get it back into the air box, but adjusting it is really no different. I can only assume that Boysen is adding some engineering to it though, because it has been on there the whole time. I have asked around about after-market reeds to local experts in the past, and have had mixed responses. Some of them don't think it could even be a noticeable upgrade.
  I can't believe how many guys on here really want more out of the 500. I say after a pipe and tire, to get more acceleration think about gearing. Big changes can happen with one tooth on the countershaft 

A wise man once said to much horse power is barely adequate. I wish Kawasaki would have made a kx600 with nitrous oxide as a factory option

Yep, that is like " The Best Is Barely Good Enough"

[fullbore55]

I guess I'll be ordering a reed spacer!

[fullbore55]

Can anyone tell me how much top end I'll lose with the spacer.  I really like the top end hit for open fire-roads.   I can't really imagine the spacer taking any horsepower away on the top end.  I would think that maybe a rad valve would make up for this loss. 

[kaw rider]

I'm going to test my 3/4" spacer this weekend.

[fullbore55]

My moose spacer came in today.  I just need to wait for my Pro-Series reeds...