KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: runabout on March 29, 2012, 02:05:27 AM

Title: Rad valve
Post by: runabout on March 29, 2012, 02:05:27 AM: Well I'm having no luck finding a good replacement carb boot for the 88
K5 so I'm looking at the rad valve.. Opinions anyone? Other options if there are any?
Thx steve
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: dave916 on March 29, 2012, 03:08:43 AM: 88 should have the same carb boot as the 89on
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1991-kawasaki-kx500-kx500e3-us/o/m3868#sch47881
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: runabout on March 29, 2012, 09:01:16 AM: I did not know that others fit the 88 k5..
can anyone confirm that they have used another year carb boot?
Thank you
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: Motoroost1 on May 30, 2012, 05:27:34 AM: I use a Rad valve on my 2003 K5 and I like it . I had to lean the jetting out a bit but other then that , no issues at all . Motor is very responsive . I use the FMF Gnarly woods pipe so I'm not sure if I'm getting all of the benefit of the Rad valve as I suspect that there could be additional power at high rpm ( I find that the Gnarly flattens out at high rpm ) . I also have a tuned up mint condition 2007 KX250 ( Rad valve as well ) that rips and the K5 will simply eat it . The mid range torque is incredible .
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: dmazz71 on May 31, 2012, 01:59:56 AM: I have an 3 too and also like the response that I have noticed. Although, in my case, I made a few changes until I was happy. I swapped out the Gnarly wood pipe for a stock pipe and switched to race gas, which seemed to compensate for having to rejet the carb.
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: Motoroost1 on May 31, 2012, 02:48:05 AM: I've got a stock pipe as well but I've never tried it . How does it compare to the Gnarly woods ? My only complaint with the Gnarly is that I find the power flattens out in the upper midrange quite a bit .
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: dmazz71 on May 31, 2012, 06:56:34 AM: It doesn't hit as hard on the low end, but the stock pipe makes up the difference in the mid to top end. Since I mostly ride in sandpits and a wide open MX track, the rad valve, stock pipe and race gas is the perfect setup for me. It really all depends on what your powerband preference is. I liked the arm ripping low end, but not enough to sacrifice the top end hit. Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: Motoroost1 on May 31, 2012, 08:33:47 AM: Most of my riding on the K5 so far has been on fire roads so I could go either way on power bands I guess . I like the low - midrange pull with the Gnarly pipe but I've been wondering what the bike would be like to ride with a stronger mid - upper powerband . I like this type of powerband on my 2007 KX250 but as I am new to the K5 , I was not sure if this engine would really be happy to rev out a bit . Perhaps I'll take an afternoon and put the stock pipe back on to see how it goes . I am interested to see how the bike works this way now :)
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: dmazz71 on May 31, 2012, 11:12:07 AM: If you're used to blasting down fire roads, I think you will like the stock pipe better.
Title: Re: Rad valve
Post by: Motoroost1 on May 31, 2012, 11:35:11 AM: My interest has now been piqued so I guess I'll have to try the stock pipe out just to see how it compares to the Gnarly . It should be interesting .