KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: neil on November 01, 2012, 02:58:16 PM
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Here is the new project. I hope to do a decent restoration with it. http://imgur.com/peEsP
let me know what you think.
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Looks like a fun project.
Keep us updated with your efforts and tons of pics :-D
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http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/worst-bikes-ever
no4 on list, dont spend too much cash on it
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http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/worst-bikes-ever
no4 on list, dont spend too much cash on it
Very cool article!!
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do you guys think i should change this air filter http://imgur.com/eNb3T
or is it normal for wasps to build their home there? maybe it will make it go faster.
On the bright sight i yanked out the air box and checked the carb, then sprayed some starter fluid in it to test the spark, and it fired up first kick and ran for about five seconds on the starter fluid. Not the best way to test for spark but it worked.
also the cylinder and piston look good from what i can see through the exhaust port. I should finish tearing it down tomorrow.
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Good read,but with most of those bikes,they can be made better,thats why there forums like this.I dont think it would take too many mods to sought out the 83k5.At least it will be fun trying?Its the enjoyment of it all ,thats what it all about.
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...with most of those bikes,they can be made better. Thats why there are forums like this. I dont think it would take too many mods to sort out the 83K5. At least it will be fun trying? Its the enjoyment of it all ,thats what its all about.
AGREED! :-D
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And you know, it's not always about how good something works, sometimes it's about the cool factor 8-)
I'd love to find a nice 83 and work on restoring it.
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I finally have the bike in pieces. The rear fender is pretty sunbaked so it is not salvageable but i think i am going to try to mod a newer kx250 fender to put on it. I know others are doing this with the newer K5's but a ten dollar rear fender is better than shelling out 200 for all new plastics (it would prob help the looks too). The bolt for the triple tree wouldn't budge, but thankfully this bike came with it's own breaker bar http://imgur.com/Sntz6 . We have the motor out of the frame and everything else off of it, we will probably paint the frame tomorrow if i have time. If anyone has advice on the fender mod for a much older K5 i would appreciate it i have seen the other pics of them and they look a lot better than stock. More to come tomorrow.
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The 83 has a unique rear fender mount.
I'm not sure the newer fenders could be made to work.
It will be interesting to see what you come up with.
I just finished a rear fender mod for my 01 today.
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,10863.msg86125/topicseen.html#new (http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,10863.msg86125/topicseen.html#new)
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I just thought I would give you guys an update on my progress http://imgur.com/hQq3G
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Ah... Progress.
Thanks for the pic.
Please keep them coming
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This might help on the rear fender. Universal UFO rear , it has more of an older bike look & fit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UFO-Plastics-Universal-Rear-Fender-Green-PP01109-021-/390452123439?hash=item5ae8c2972f&item=390452123439&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
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I reckon if u going to restore it try and keep it looking as orginal as possibe,including the rear fender
The more orginal it looks the more it will be worth
Nice poster on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/83-KAWASAKI-KX-500-MOTOCROSS-DIRT-BIKE-POSTER-KX500-vintage-motor-bike-/380512640269?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5898521d0d
good luck with the build
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I am not really trying to "restore" it per say but rather save it from the decayed condition it was in. I am not that worried about affecting the price because I picked it up for relatively cheap and i dont plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I would be happy if I can get it operable again.
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I need to rebuild the foam for the seat, but I don't want to pay 100 bucks to order the pre molded foam. Does anybody have any experience shaping a new seat from scratch. I think i can save the bottom half of the foam and add layers of new foam to the top. Does this sound like a good idea? Any input would be great, especially what foam would be best and cheapest. Other forums suggest going to an upholstery shop and getting seat foam but others say that carpet padding would also work. I was going to use spray adhesive to layer the foam on top. Any thoughts? I did find a replica seat cover on ebay for 35 bucks so that is a plus.
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SEAT foam is a odd duck... very strange density.
electric knife is best way I have found to cut it. then sand to shape (electric sander/ angle grinder
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I used a camping mat/pad from wally world about an inch thick to add bulk & cushion to my xr650l seat. Density feels good but I had the old seat cover on the seat so i could hot glue it in place. might be a real bastard to keep loose pieces in place while you recover it
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have you tried contacting CEET Racing??....they have all kinds of fully molded replacement seat foams listed on e-bay for $25....you'll probably have to special order one...worth a try.
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So a couple weeks ago I finally managed go for a quick ride for the first time. What the hell, this bike is stupid fast. I thought it was going to be comparable to my brothers KDX400. It was the first test ride so all of the bugs are not yet worked out. I only got it into 3rd and i about s**t myself and that's when the front brake decides to lose pressure so i have to stomp on the slow you down lever (the back brake). That bike feels like you're strapped to a paint shaker and rips like a rocket. I think I might just cut my losses while i'm still alive and go back to my yz250. Anyone in the San Antonio area looking to take this off my hands?
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Luv to see pics of her all rebuilt.
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+1 I love the early K5's
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I seem to recall those Uni-track suspensions that made use of the long rods had problems with those rods snapping.