Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original
Piston/rings 1985 kx500
Zack:
Hello again guys
Things are going well with my transmission/ shift drum issues. I will be updating that thread here soon.
I am currently looking for a piston for my 1985 KX500. It seems I have read somewhere that the 1983/1984 pistons were very similar to the 1985 piston. Maybe the difference was a couple extra oiling holes? Anyway, can anyone confirm this info? Would be nice since it seems parts are rather scarce for the ‘85.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Kawasaki-1983-1984-KX500-Standard-Piston-Kit-Set-05-6941-w-Rings-Pin-Clips/190840376679?epid=869556976&hash=item2c6ef90d67:g:vzgAAMXQuu9RlCCV
The piston that was in my engine was a RC brand. I see there are a few of these brand pistons available on eBay. Some even as a kit. Is this a piston that would be appropriate for a recreational-use KX500?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-NOS-ROCKY-PISTON-KIT-KX500-STD-1985-05-6949/372685290769?hash=item56c5c63d11:g:iFAAAOSwEZdZ~Uqt
I am considering a nos oem piston as well. There are a few available on eBay for $150ish. But rings seem to be hard to come by. Do some aftermarket rings fit the oem piston? Suppose the best way to tell would be to compare measurements?
Thanks for your help.
KXDINO:
Dont get it if you cant get a replacement ring saparate as you need to change the ring sooner than a 2 ring design otherwise grenade it self ,on my kx125 08 i do a change of ring at 9 hrs then at 18hrs a piston and ring to keep the bore in good shape and that useing a wossner piston .Of course you can double that on a 500 with a piston kit for recreational use but i be keeping a close eye on it , warm it up slowly and make sure you use at least 95 or more octane fuel and have no pinging what so everThere can be differances between oem and aftermarket rings so be carefull ,83-84 engines were air cooled and 85 water cooled so even if they fit there could be differances in material etc etc.
sandblaster:
A Wossner 86-04 KX500 piston will work but it has a smaller dome than the 85 piston.
To fix the issue you can change the head squish and combustion area to a modern design.
Tom Morgan Racing in the USA has a head cut that is perfect.
On the drum, did you find that 83-85 are the same?
Zack:
This eBay ad explains a little about the interchangeability of the ‘83-‘84 piston and the ‘85 piston.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-NOS-PISTON-STD-SIZE-13001-1199-KX500-1983-84-85-A1-A2-B1/193366087574
To save you guys the trouble of opening that link, the seller says in the description
“ N.O.S Standard Size Piston 13001-1199 .. Prior 13001-1088 .... FITS KX500-A1/A2 & B1 The Superssesion -1199 Replaced the -1088 and dose not have the small hole in the Skirt R1/4R”
So is this may be factual information?
I think I would prefer to install a cast piston for longevity purposes. Again, this is a kx500 for recreational use.
I have emailed Tom Morgan about cylinder head modification as a backup plan. I am currently waiting for a response.
sandblaster:
I have a old 85 piston in storage.
I do not think that it has a hole in the skirt.
The 85 does have holes in the wrist pin boss area and the Wossner does not,
However, the wossner has oiling grooves in the boss area making the holes redundant except under extreme conditions.
I drill holes in the boss as well as in the skirt.
But I have been known to be abusive at times... 8-)
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