KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: Millertime on March 12, 2012, 02:48:10 PM
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I just purchased my first open class beast but in its present condition i would say its paper weight. I picked up a KX500 and it came with an additional KX500 engine. Now i had my dealer run the VIN and the bike is a 1987 KX500-C1 now i wondering what does the C1 mean? Next is there anything to look out for on this year of bike and is it worth fixing up? Also im trying to pin down what year the spare motor is, the engine id number on the case is KX500-005510 and i was wondering if anyone on here could identify the year?
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Is that a factory racing stamp????
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Hello.
Is there 2 letters "BE" after the kx500?
Such as KX500BE004101 - KX500BE006600
If so, the engine is a 1987.
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Yes the Number should be KX500BE005510 which i found out after i posted this thread that this is the motor that came in the bike orginally which is a 87. So now i have to find out what year the motor that is presently in the bike is. :?
This bike is going to be interesting to work with to say the least. Considering the guy i picked up off of told me that if i were to kick it over it would fire right up with the coolant lines off and air boot not even connected to the carb. People with the IQ of a cumquat should not be able to own amazing machines such as this its a shame to see it in this condition. :x
But for the price i got everything for i couldnt go wrong i figure with a little TLC to the motors i cold sell them or be in for a total restore project but we will see. Hopefully i can post up some pics of the beast later today and see what you guys think also so you can see why this guy i got this from should be charged with dirt bike manslaughter!
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To see any other year of KX500, check my chart here:
http://oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.aspx (http://oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.aspx)
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Ok heres what im working with.
(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/8602/65123603.jpg)
(http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6927/21812382.jpg)
(http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/4242/86132616.jpg)
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7807/43238387.jpg)
(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/788/33647192.jpg)
(http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/7497/51745054.jpg)
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6028/67608001.jpg)
I have given it the name Project Mr. Yuck.
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The bike is an '85. Nice rare bike to restore, pretty much a one off KX500.
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The bike is an '85. Nice rare bike to restore, pretty much a one off KX500.
Actually its a half breed the motor in the bike is an 85 but the frame is an 87. The motor that is out of the bike is the 87 that goes to the bike.
But my question is it worth fixing her up or should i just get the motors up to snuff and put them up for sale?
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Nice find. If you decide to rebuild the engines ebay is your friend. I'll help locate parts as well if ya want. Bike isn't in horrible shape but it definitely needs some love.
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Actually that looks like an '88 frame. Definately a Franken-bike :-D
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don't be disheartened, I'm still findin an fixin other peoples f??k ups 6 yrs later.....
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Actually its a half breed the motor in the bike is an 85 but the frame is an 87. The motor that is out of the bike is the 87 that goes to the bike.
But my question is it worth fixing her up or should i just get the motors up to snuff and put them up for sale? yes it is definitely worth fixing up.if you want an inexpensive K5 to ride 8-) i would rebuild the 87 motor and restore the bike.i started the same journey 2 years ago, when i bought an 87 K5 in about the same condition as yours. then i got bit big time :mrgreen: craigs list is awesome!! in my quest for parts to improve my 87, i now have a 92 chassis, an 86 K5(restoration project),and 2 spare engines,an 86 and 87. all for about 2K :-)but again its what do you want to do, once you ride a K5 you wont be getting rid of it!!
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Oh boy why did i have a feeling i was going to get talked into restoring this as apposed to just fixing and selling the motors.:roll: Shes going to need a laundry list of things both engines tore down, relace rims, new subframe, all new controls, frame repainted, new rear shock, plastics, and forks but i would like to do a USD converson but is it worth it?
Also can i retro fit the newer style plastic on this? For the 87 engine can i use the new style pistons if i need to put one in it as i know you cant buy an 87 style piston anymore. Also what engine parts are hard to come by for this bike and what can i still get through kawasaki if anything?
I will say this project is going to have to get in line as i also picked this up a few monthes ago which is older and in better shape ironically.
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5826/kx2501.png)
(http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/7346/kx250.png)
My addiction gets the best of me with good deals. :-D
Thanks with all the help guys i appreciate all your input!!
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Oh boy why did i have a feeling i was going to get talked into restoring this as apposed to just fixing and selling the motors.:roll: Shes going to need a laundry list of things both engines tore down, relace rims, new subframe, all new controls, frame repainted, new rear shock, plastics, and forks but i would like to do a USD converson but is it worth it?
Also can i retro fit the newer style plastic on this? For the 87 engine can i use the new style pistons if i need to put one in it as i know you cant buy an 87 style piston anymore. Also what engine parts are hard to come by for this bike and what can i still get through kawasaki if anything?
I will say this project is going to have to get in line as i also picked this up a few monthes ago which is older and in better shape ironically.
(http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5826/kx2501.png)
(http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/7346/kx250.png)
My addiction gets the best of me with good deals. :-D
Thanks with all the help guys i appreciate all your input!!
that is cool :-o!! i'm going to guess 74?sounds like our 87's are in about the same condition.you could part out what is good from the 87 also to find better deals.that is how i started my collection.
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Turdle you were close its a 75 which i had a heck of a time figureing it out but what gave it away were the red and white KX250 on the rear number shrouds. I believe 74 had just white KX250 sticker and the 76 model had black front and rear fenders. But i dont know we will see how bad the 500 is once i start getting into to it and then decide what i want to do with it. But the 75 is definately getting restored for sure. :-D
I know im gonna take some harrassment for this but im truely a honda guy but for some reasone the Kawasaki's keep finding me. Maybe its a sign or somthing. :roll:
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Don't give up and sell her yours looks almost like mine when I got her!
(http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee505/tcoop474/photobucket-1974-1309806129650.jpg)
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I know im gonna take some harrassment for this but im truely a honda guy but for some reasone the Kawasaki's keep finding me. Maybe its a sign or somthing. :roll:
I was a Honda guy back in the day. They are still decent. But I got my first 85 Kawasaki Tecate 3 wheeler back in 97. I was hooked on the green machines since. The power is like no other brand I have ridden.
I say restore the 87. You wont be disappointed. You can use the 89-04 piston if you can't find the 87 one. I believe Motorrad has an 87 with the 89-04 piston so he would be the one to talk to if you have any specific questions about fitment or machine work.
That 75 looks near perfect. Can't wait to see it finished. Videos of you riding it would be sweet too.
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late pistons go in early cylinders no problems.... :-)
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I really need to invest in a media blaster for this thing to try to salvage some of the parts!
But anyway i have a few questions.
1. Motor parts is anything still avaliable throught Kawasaki or aftermarket suppliers if so what, or am i going to have to pretty much rely on ebay for everything?
2. Can plastics be retro fitted to the newer style?
3. Do the front forks on the bike work pretty good or am i better off updating to the USD forks on the newer KX500's?
Oh another update i found the engine serial number for the motor in the bike which is KX500BE001424 which i believe is an 1985 motor if im not mistaken.
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That 75 looks near perfect. Can't wait to see it finished. Videos of you riding it would be sweet too.
Yea it was a really lucky find everything is orginal minus the white fenders and gas tank painted green! But absolutely once the restore starts there will be pictures from start to finish and once shes running you better believe there will be videos posted! :-D
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yes, 85 motor.sourcing powervalves are the only issues with your 87 lump, (85 doesn't have p/v) but if they're good, your in business, I can find everything else or substitute a part from a newer model in certain places.hth, K.
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you can get pretty much everything aftermarket,on ebay or alot of bike build sites,like our resident pinsonnault racing!! on the front shocks ,it depends on what you are going to do with the bike. if you are going to play ride,i say they are good enough. if you are going to race it, i would do a USD conv. on the plastics, there are some threads on site with step by step instructions for newer plastics :-)
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Hey Turdle you wouldnt by chance have a link to one of threads with the plastic conversions would you? I tried using the search feature but perhaps im just not wording it correctly as im coming up empty handed.
Also i just want to say all you guys are awesome! Everybody on here is very helpful and very well mannered and i just want to thanks again for all your guys help and the help to come I really appreciate it!! :-)
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maier manafacturing do an 87 kit
http://www.maier-mfg.com/catalog/238
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after you have 10 posts ,you will be able to see more thread topics. there are a couple specifically under KX 500 origonal, retro fitting newer fenders to the older bikes. i bought my fender last fall but havent done it yet.92 straight fender mod is one of them
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Thanks for the input on the plastics and engine parts guys. I just want to make sure if i decide to restore and keep this thing that im not going to into an issue were somthing breaks and i cant get parts then im stuck with a bike i cant ride.
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Well i think im leaning towards getting the motors and other parts in good shape and sending it down the road. I want a 500 in the worst way but with parts getting scarce for this year of the bike it just makes me nervous about keeping it. I figure get a few bucks out of it and put it towards a newer model 500 and not have to worry about not being able to get parts. :|
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I've had an 86 for 6yrs now, and the only problem I'm having with parts is the cash to finish my new shiny pile of bits, not finding them, but its your bike, if your happier with a newer one, do it....K.
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Well the way i see it is that if i restore this bike i want to use the bike to run on tracks and if i do that i want to update to the USD forks. Now by the time i get the bike all restored and update the front end and suspension i will never be able to get even half of my money out of the bike if i decide to sell it later for a newer model.
Also just curious as i have been looking for newer models, did they make more cr500's than kx500's because i was looking for a newer kx500 and you dont see nearly as many kawasaki's as honda's why is that?
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Dont own a 500 in hope of keeping your money, it never works out like that......
think they made more cr5's, and they seem to last longer....
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Dont own a 500 in hope of keeping your money, it never works out like that......
Haha i dont think that applies to just 500's i think that goes for any motorcycle. I have four that i personally own and just one is bad enought but with four i never have extra money! :lol: Probably one of the worst and most expensive hobbies to have but i couldnt live with out them. :roll:
But as far as my riding goes i do mainly track riding and alittle trail riding. So i know if i were to keep this bike i would have to update the suspension to handle the jumps and turns better. So i guess i just figure why spend all kinds of money updating this bike when i could just get it in decent shape and sell it towards one with the updated suspension and frame already.
Dont get me wrong i really like this bike and would love to totally restore it but i just think in the long run i would be happer if i waited and got a 90's or newer model. But who knows once i get started working on it things could change. :-)