Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

tell me something about the 1989 kx 500 - i found one don't know much about them

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Kawasakinut:
found a 89 kx 500 for a good price just wanted to know more about them. may finally pull the trigger  on one of these beasts.

don46:
So, do you want to know about an 87 or 89? 87 stay away, 89 in good shape I'd probably jump on it, I had one brand new. The forks were still right side ups, but man did they work good. Motor parts are pretty much interchangeable with 500's up to 04, I think the 89 still used the older style flywheel, much lighter than 90 up,  good bike, realizing it's 20 years old I'd still buy it if it was in really good shape.

good luck

Kawasakinut:
$800 and close to my house. might go see it tomorrow!  ohh sorry i wanted to know about the 89!

thxthirtytwo:
i just bought my first 500 last month. it is an /89 as well. i paid $1200(cdn).
it looks like mine is a little rougher but it was well maintained. i haven't regretted it.
i don't think you could ask for more bang-per-buck.
i have found it to be a tough machine to ride on tight, twisty trails. but on more open terrain it is a blast.
every morning after i ride all my 'hang-on' muscles are sore, (shoulders, upper-back, arms, hands). that seems like a good sign to me.
if you can afford it, grab it.

Kawasakinut:

  haaha thx i saw you just replied. well i went to look at the bike and here is what i found. all the parts are there. front fender is cracked ( no big deal ) rear brake pedal is grinding the case cover, pobably an easy fix new bushing i presume. wouldn't start at first but the guy put in a new plug and it fired right up ( when he was kicking it over with the old plug there was alot of gas draining from the carb plug was good and wet. no leakage from the motor ( base gasket, clutch or tranny side) . It had all the right bolts everywhere.

  I even rode it pulled up easy in 1st and second, i only got to get into it in 1st 2nd and 3rd but the tranny shifted clean

  popped the radiator cap before i fired it but coolant looked a little low couldn't tell if it was green or not, took some on my finger ( i guess to check for grit or something but didn't feel anything.

  seemed like this bike had good compression although the person selling it kicked it over, but the bike had power when i rode it .clutch felt fine no stutter or pull when the lever was engaged.guy  said he did the front forks with race tech (no way for me to tell though!   pipe was good shape not dents. said he redid the packing.
the only thing i am concerned with is the top and bottom end. i didn't hear any bad or unusual sounds but i'm not and expert about that.    bike was (lightly) surface dirty but looked like it would clean up well. could use a new chain a bit rusty but could just need lube. tiers where decent. suspension worked pretty well.so what have i missed?   

   

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