Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original
weisco blues
2-Stroke Tom:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with using the OEM cast piston on the KX500. Like Polar-Bus, I have done a ton of top ends using the OEM piston without a single problem. The true test is that I raced on the same OEM piston for several seasons on one of my 250s. Sure, a forged piston is less likey to cause as much damage upon failiure, but if the cast piston is prone to breaking in your engine, you're likely to have other issues.
When Team Green desert raced the KX500, the stock OEM piston was used quite often. I realize that most people on this site are always going to try and seek more power, but there is a reason why so many pros who raced the KX500 kept the engine basically stock. You got to give the engineers credit who designed the motor (maybe I'm impartial because I'm an engineer!), because one of their major goals was realiabilty. Most heavily modified KX500 motors will never take the ruthless abuse of desert racing because they will either overheat, or simply not last that long. Yet, tons of "backyard" mechanics will insist that their mods aren't affecting realiability and only adding power. Their bikes will never be put to the test to prove this.
bige:
well after 3 weeks wiseco finally sent me the correct rings and they measure .013" so finally this weekend i can get her back together. this is proof there was a problem with the rings themselves or got put in wrong packages, its possible they were over size rings. any way this should of never happened . just think if i installed them with out checking the gap first,it would of ruined my fresh replated cylinder. wonder if any body else has lost thier top end cause of this.like i say this is the first time ever to have a ring issue.
Motorrad:
--- Quote from: 2-Stroke Tom on January 04, 2012, 08:59:05 AM ---There is absolutely nothing wrong with using the OEM cast piston on the KX500. Like Polar-Bus, I have done a ton of top ends using the OEM piston without a single problem. The true test is that I raced on the same OEM piston for several seasons on one of my 250s. Sure, a forged piston is less likey to cause as much damage upon failiure, but if the cast piston is prone to breaking in your engine, you're likely to have other issues.
When Team Green desert raced the KX500, the stock OEM piston was used quite often. I realize that most people on this site are always going to try and seek more power, but there is a reason why so many pros who raced the KX500 kept the engine basically stock. You got to give the engineers credit who designed the motor (maybe I'm impartial because I'm an engineer!), because one of their major goals was realiabilty. Most heavily modified KX500 motors will never take the ruthless abuse of desert racing because they will either overheat, or simply not last that long. Yet, tons of "backyard" mechanics will insist that their mods aren't affecting realiability and only adding power. Their bikes will never be put to the test to prove this.
--- End quote ---
Very Very True... I never had a problem with the cast piston in any of my bikes... (most of them have cast in them)
But.. when it comes to racing, and abusing motors, it also helps when you are sponsored.. and have the option of putting in a new top end every race...
My setup see's alot of desert racing... and Bombing through the canyons with the sumo setup in between.. which I think the sumo stufff is TONS harder on the bike than desert race....
Wiseco has bit me good on that last piston of mine.
#1 rings were at .020 ish gap...
#2 Wrist pin clip grooves were machined .040" too close (going off memory)
#3 ring land machined wrong...
I still wont stray from forged though..
wossener here I come
alward25:
I think I am am going to window a wossner and run it with the titanium pin. Should lighten up a few things.
--- Quote from: Motorrad on January 05, 2012, 02:58:45 AM ---
--- Quote from: 2-Stroke Tom on January 04, 2012, 08:59:05 AM ---There is absolutely nothing wrong with using the OEM cast piston on the KX500. Like Polar-Bus, I have done a ton of top ends using the OEM piston without a single problem. The true test is that I raced on the same OEM piston for several seasons on one of my 250s. Sure, a forged piston is less likey to cause as much damage upon failiure, but if the cast piston is prone to breaking in your engine, you're likely to have other issues.
When Team Green desert raced the KX500, the stock OEM piston was used quite often. I realize that most people on this site are always going to try and seek more power, but there is a reason why so many pros who raced the KX500 kept the engine basically stock. You got to give the engineers credit who designed the motor (maybe I'm impartial because I'm an engineer!), because one of their major goals was realiabilty. Most heavily modified KX500 motors will never take the ruthless abuse of desert racing because they will either overheat, or simply not last that long. Yet, tons of "backyard" mechanics will insist that their mods aren't affecting realiability and only adding power. Their bikes will never be put to the test to prove this.
--- End quote ---
Very Very True... I never had a problem with the cast piston in any of my bikes... (most of them have cast in them)
But.. when it comes to racing, and abusing motors, it also helps when you are sponsored.. and have the option of putting in a new top end every race...
My setup see's alot of desert racing... and Bombing through the canyons with the sumo setup in between.. which I think the sumo stufff is TONS harder on the bike than desert race....
Wiseco has bit me good on that last piston of mine.
#1 rings were at .020 ish gap...
#2 Wrist pin clip grooves were machined .040" too close (going off memory)
#3 ring land machined wrong...
I still wont stray from forged though..
wossener here I come
--- End quote ---
Larry Wiechman:
--- Quote from: alward25 on January 05, 2012, 03:51:37 AM ---I think I am am going to window a wossner and run it with the titanium pin. Should lighten up a few things.
--- End quote ---
I don't think a titanium pin will work with a needle bearing, even with a hard surface coating.
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