Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

KX500 shift drum interchangeability

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Zack:
Hello,

I am working on a 1985 KX500. The motorcycle will pop out of 2nd gear when under good engine load. I currently have the cases split and have identified a worn groove in the shift drum.
According to some microfiche It appears that the ‘83 and ‘84 shift drum are the same part as the ‘85. I am having some trouble locating a shift drum however- there is one on eBay but I suspect it is mid-titled because the ‘star’ part of the drum looks significantly different. I wonder if possibly all KX500 shift drums might be interchangeable though. the shift drum I removed for my engine is a single piece. I notice most of the newer kx500 shift drums are multi-piece ( the star and bearing are removable from the drum)and this makes me wonder if they would fit/work just fine in my ‘85 KX500. Kawasaki changing the part number because of going to the multi-piece style of shift drum?
Can anyone confirm or disconfirm?

I’m open to any ideas or suggestions

Thanks so kindly
Zack

kxpegger:
Sandblaster has a parts interchange list but it doesn't look like it covers your years? It's in the "Parts Interchange" thread. He'll probably chime in soon.

http://www.oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.shtml

sandblaster:
Some parts list indicate 83-84 and others say 83-85.
The 86-04 drums have narrower slots and will not work with 83-85.
I have actual pics at the shop of both drums so I might be able to tell that way.
But let's be sure of what you have, what is your engine ID?
83 KX500AE000001-001500    
84 KX500AE001501-002400
85 KX500BE000001-001800

Zack:
Thanks for the replies.
Engine number kx500be001169
Water cooled, non power valve
When you say narrower slots do you mean the slots that the shift forks ride in?
My research shows that all KX500 use the same shift forks which is partially why I thought all shift drums might be interchangeable.

Hopefully, with the forums help, I can get this bike riding again!

Thanks again guys

KXDINO:
How your gear set check dogs for rounded edges which can make them slip out of gear .

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