Hey guys,
I wanted to post about my experience with Stewart and my motor that he rebuilt for me. I just got to test ride it.
Before sending it off, I had a vibrating crank and the motor was not revving high as I thought it should. It was always stock, but seemed to have all the torque I would ever need. With the vibrating crank issue, I really had noone more qualified to fix it than the guys fabricating their own crank press. Besides, who else only concentrates on making the kx500 as fast as possible. I initially was only interested in fixing that crank, and to stay away from any mods that create more power. I was hesitant because I have heard lots of stories about 500's being built, where they are too squirrely to ride/race.
The motor came back in two weeks. Everything my motor needed was in stock, how cool is that?
The entire motor, transmission, Carb, Coil and wiring looked brand new.
The carb was jetted and ready to go
Proven Mods like Piston Window, Wiseco, Head mod, Bolt Mod installed
(which included seals and gaskets)
Stewart found and fixed tolerance issues with my Selector Fork, Powervalve Pins, Friction Discs and Clutch Arm
Replaced Clutches
Replaced Clutch Arm and Selector fork
Flipped the Powervalve pins
I stayed with stock carb and Camm II Fuel even though I may be leaving a little power on the table
All parts that he found out of spec, he returned them to me. Doesn't get any more honest than that.
About the test ride: (After a good heat cycle)
Starting it was a little tough with the extra compression. You have to really kick it like you mean it now. I noticed right away the vibrations were gone. I took it easy for about 5 minutes on the maiden voyage. It seemed like it was begging for a load, it was too easy for it to just coast around. When I started riding it a little harder, I noticed it pulled alot harder and higher in the rev range. Once I got to really loading the bike up and being ballsy with it, I was pleasantly surprised to find the power RIDEABLE. I had lots of visions of looping it out, or being squirrely. Nope, it was real strong and steady pulls and the traction could be handled easily with some throttle control. Pulled controllable third and fourth gear wheelies on Sand and Pea Gravel and kept revving higher than before, in places where I could open it up. Somehow, it helped the handling of the bike in corners, whoops, switchbacks and recoveries. It acted like I put a new set of tires on it. I didn't expect that at all.
He didn't just do the norm of other companies and shun any and all liability either. He sent me PM's on what plug to run, what gap, what oils, fuels, ratios, and jetting specs, on top of the known recommendations that he has provided to everyone here on kxriders.
If you are in the need of a motor rebuild on your 500, I don't see how you can go wrong with Stewart and his guys. It was not a fortune like I would have thought for that much service. He measures every peice in there and you can tell when you spin the throttle, it's something very special.
I tried to get some Helmet Cam footage from a buddy following on a CR, but he couldn't stay close enough
I'll see what I got on film tonight and post, if I'm in the frame long enough.
