KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: edgar_kx3 on June 08, 2015, 12:28:40 PM
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Here is my 02 I bought a few months ago. Found on craigslist for 2600 bucks, so I left work early and went after it.
Here it is the first day I brought it home and gave it a good wash, I threw the front fender and number plate on it but it was all original! Well except someone had to put a seat cover on it, wish they woulda left it alone!
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/006_zps3xgn6h7c.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/007_zpsjjan0tw7.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/004_zpsalsndy7q.jpg)
Few weeks later after some parts came in and done some paint stripping on the swingarm and silencer (FMF silencer is still on back order so had to freshen up the stocker). Put some Race Tech springs on it too. Gonna see how this desert pipe fairs out, figured a 500 has enough bottom for moto. maybe this will let it rev a little better.
Front master and brakeline was stripped off a newer kawi 250F. And some IMS pegs so I can stay on this thing!
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/009_zpsddkdvexo.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/010_zpsad8wewk6.jpg)
Last week I finally picked up a 89 KX250 tank on Ebay for 50 Bucks!, after 2 days of sanding and buffing it turn out pretty dang slick! And now the graphics going on, still needing to order green side panels. Also new shrouds wanting to save all the OEM plastic. Also got my gpr stuff in so I could put my fat bars on.
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/016_zpsvtxocayl.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/021_zpsaqtpeskc.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/022_zpsi7v2ved5.jpg)
Here is whats left that will go on when the rest of the plastics get here!
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/020_zpskaqyhcgy.jpg)
Is just about ready to take racing, I have had it on the track twice so far. gonna get a fresh set of 403 and 404 bridgestones on it and that should be about it!
Sorry for the long post.
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What about some ideas on gearing? I put a 14 48 on it, but it is a little slow off bottom. guess that's from the desert pipe. Would going to a 50 rear be too much? its like 2nd is too low and short and 3rd is barley to high and bogs but can be lit very easy if you use the clutch. Want good roll on straight into power out of turn then shift after the exit and rip. Im running 3rd in turns now and going to 4th for bout everything else.
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Leave the gearing stock for moto. I "tried" MX'ing my 500 years ago and not to pee on your parade but the K5 with it's mid 80's chassis technology simply doesn't fit out on the MX track. For just "pay to play" type track day MX'ing go for it it's a blast, HOWEVER be forwarned that 50+hp eventually starts to beat you down, so take my advice when you get tired immediately STOP and take a break.. I found out that if you gear the K5 lower all's it does is make the bike harder to ride especially in tighter hardpack corners. My tip is to try and lug the engine around the track and you actually end up going faster. I also have a FWW and a steering dampener that also helped me get around the track smoother and with less fatigue. Good luck !
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I would also leave it stock for most tracks, never gear it down, for fast tracks maybe gear up on the rear sprocket (maybe one or two koggs less), the bike is lightingfast on the straights, turns descent to mediokre, depending on the rider... Jumps fairly good, but the chassie was basically obsolete 20 years ago, stiffer springs and new valves would make it better...
But the best mod you can make ( on any japanese mxbike ) is a bigger frontbrake disc, that will cut laptimes and reduce your fatigue :-)
If you can ride the bike properly you will however be able to keep up with a lot of weekend warriors...
I raced the kx500 between 1993 and 1997 with fairly good results, weighed 80 lbs less at the time though :-(
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Ah its just to take out and rip every now and then, for sure not my only machine! Riding it is not the problem I got that part under control. just looking for a good base to start, figured someone might knew what the pros back in the day raced with as far as setup.
here is a short video of me going slow as hell on this thing, trying to get used to it. I did have the needle clip to rich in this video and it was a little blubbery in the mid throttle. Im running 3rd in every turn and 4th in the straights. wonder what it would do if I just put a 13 on the front? might be able to run 2nd and 3rd then?
https://youtu.be/fz9JFm7mNM8
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awsome and mint build! i will definatly get a 89 kx 250 tank! but where did you buy the graphics? and how did you fit the front numberplate?
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awsome and mint build! i will definatly get a 89 kx 250 tank! but where did you buy the graphics? and how did you fit the front numberplate?
Made a nice little L bracket to mount it at the top, and you have to use a Cycra number plate so it can just zip tie around the forks. The place is called Mad Cow Designs its a local graphics company to me here in KY. they have a web site. http://www.madcowmoto.com/mxbikes.html
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awsome and mint build! i will definatly get a 89 kx 250 tank! but where did you buy the graphics? and how did you fit the front numberplate?
Made a nice little L bracket to mount it at the top, and you have to use a Cycra number plate so it can just zip tie around the forks. The place is called Mad Cow Designs its a local graphics company to me here in KY. they have a web site. http://www.madcowmoto.com/mxbikes.html
thank you!
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Here is another video of it at another track, still not doing the greatest on it but d**n its fun!! did have some detonation cause of crap pump gas.
https://youtu.be/oJUj69bHujo
Here is a vid of a friends little practice track, Im ripping my 450 in it though.
https://youtu.be/h46PhMlKQxg
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Got to ride the 500 a little sunday, i tried riding it in a lower gear and let it rev some instead of in my other videos where i was lugging it more. Really need to get a revalve or something this thing beats my guts out!!
https://youtu.be/owXN8ecuvrM
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got a set of 08 KX250F forks, called emig racing and got the stem for it. Gonna run 2014 KX250F triple clamps, they have 22.5mm offset which is pretty close to the original 500 offset. Now to get a set of fork springs and should be ready to try. Will get some pictures when I go together. May try the 132.5mm dog bones next going to see what it does first.
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Really nice bike! Very cool!
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Here is the final look for now! Hope to get the fork conversion done in the upcoming week.
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/012_zpsv7ltwbpp.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/011_zpsfvnknsbo.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/013_zps3teaevzk.jpg)
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KX250F forks installed tonight! Now to get a black back wheel to match.
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/001%202_zpsrfv4tz22.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/005%202_zpskbjdkelt.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/004%202_zpsw6xnp8dv.jpg)
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Besides what all has been mentioned... get some dog bones from Emig.
It will help your turning on the mx track.
And get your suspension dialed in..... Nothing else will make you faster.
Then get your head cut and double check your jetting to help with bad fuel.
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Besides what all has been mentioned... get some dog bones from Emig.
It will help your turning on the mx track.
And get your suspension dialed in..... Nothing else will make you faster.
Then get your head cut and double check your jetting to help with bad fuel.
Thanks, and yes the dog bones are getting ordered next week. Ive played around alot with the jetting its really good now as long as I mix 50/50 110 race fuel with super. I think im going to go ahead and start running straight 110 when I start riding it again.
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I run 92 non ethanol and no pinging :-o
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I run 92 non ethanol and no pinging :-o
Off subject but when you used a 450 rear wheel you said in a post that you need to take 20mm off the rotor. Is that on total diameter? 10mm per side correct?
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Alward25 made that comment...
I'd PM him.
But 20mm overall or 10mm per side sounds right.
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I did not post any dimentions, I just buy the custom one from Warp 9 and get the wheel spacers from them too to run the kx 450 rear wheel.
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I did not post any dimentions,
Sure Alex.... Sure :-P
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http://www.oem-cycle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=654
I seen it here must be another sandblaster I guess.
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That guy forgets more then he knows...
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I did not post any dimentions,
Sure Alex.... Sure :-P
Looks like somebody else cast a stone, hummmm :lol:
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Boulders.... :lol:
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What would it hurt to put a 13 tooth on the front? hell im staying 3rd the whole time, 4th sometimes. be cheaper than buying a new rear again.
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What would it hurt to put a 13 tooth on the front? hell im staying 3rd the whole time, 4th sometimes. be cheaper than buying a new rear again.
if you chose to run a 13T front...watch the side of your engine case very carefully....seems anyone that ran a 13 had a lot of issues with the chain chewing into the case.
there's several threads/discussions on it...just use the search option and you'll find plenty.
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What would it hurt to put a 13 tooth on the front? hell im staying 3rd the whole time, 4th sometimes. be cheaper than buying a new rear again.
if you chose to run a 13T front...watch the side of your engine case very carefully....seems anyone that ran a 13 had a lot of issues with the chain chewing into the case.
there's several threads/discussions on it...just use the search option and you'll find plenty.
I read some, Im running just a standard works chain. I wonder if the others where running a big O Ring chain causing the issue?
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you can run a narrow O-ring, that are super strong, much narrower than a standard O-ring, and that are much lighter...I run the RK MXU-ring...
http://rkexcelamerica.com/products/brands/rk/rk-520-mxu-dirt-bike-sealed-chain
I bought my 500 4 years ago yesterday...two weeks after I got it, I put one of these on, and the same one is STILL on, 4 years later. I just keep it clean and lubed.
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From Sunday, track was horrible but still felt decent on it. The new front end is so much better, this bike would be pretty dang competitive if I get the suspension valved. Hope to get that done soon!
https://youtu.be/U8O3h2wzLCI
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Nice riding!
I get an itch to twist my wrist...
Am I right to say that the rear end looks a bit soft ?
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Nice riding!
I get an itch to twist my wrist...
Am I right to say that the rear end looks a bit soft ?
Thanks, and yea it is some. It is sprung right but it needs valving bad. The newer forks are out performing the rear, its not to balanced out right now. Still a lot of fun though.
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I just couldn't justify a $1k revalve and respring on a $1500 KX500. Problem with me is I only weigh 160 lbs and no matter what I did as far as clicker adjustments the suspension felt to mushy off the bottom through mid stroke, then got violently firm too quickly near the end of the travel. Tried some different kg springs and got my bike "good" but certainly no mogul masher... Then there's the imfamous KX sloshy front brakes that just adds frustration. I just said "I'm done dicking around with this bike" and bought a bone stock 2008 YZ125 and just ride the bag out of that bike in total comfort and confidence !
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Polar why don't you put a set of gold valves in ya k5 , do it yourself save you heaps , as for the front brake , careful bleeding with oversize disc works wonders , the later master cylinder seem to be better for some reason to the one on my kx450 14 is the best of kawi I ever had , I have one off a cr250 , could be about 98 vintage , worked good , bled easy but the hose would hit the handle bars if you have the levers down a bit like I like them to be , so I change back to kx one and put a kit through it and bleed it well.
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Its all in what you want i guess. My 500 is a novelty bike, just to play on from time to time and make squids look bad...with the newer forks all it really needs is some shock work. which isnt brutely high, As far as front brake im running a master and line off a 2013 450 with the stock 500 caliper on a standard size rotor off a 2011 450(seeing my whole front wheel is off a 450). stops just as good as my 450.
I got a KX450 if i want to go into race mode. As far as fun factor id rather go half as fast on my 500, just because.
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Wodering if any company still makes a left side footpeg mount that is stronger than stock? landed of a big jump racing this weekend and bent the hell out of it. I did straighten it back so i could race the 2nd moto but d**n that kinda makes me nervious thinking it might break off.
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Few pictures from the race a couple weeks ago at Muddy Creek.
(https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11753745_869887949727130_4355822598651601217_n.jpg?oh=f0047a56c9c1bdd230d2e6b12e1be6b8&oe=564B2AF4)
(https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11745640_869888163060442_7977589349744965829_n.jpg?oh=248315b411fd7f6744d19a6c5556260f&oe=564F8E55)
(https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/22081_869887989727126_5674244800911990198_n.jpg?oh=d8d242a02e1682f62c274d54ecaad483&oe=560ECA93)
(https://scontent-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11745487_869888049727120_858748099122635578_n.jpg?oh=d98bfc57ada61359b81d65a4612df9c6&oe=565CC60D)
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Looking good! How did you finish?
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awsome pictures! i got a fmf jersey coming to me in the mail soon and just bolted up a gnarly deseert pipe :-D , keep the nice vids and pictures coming!
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Wodering if any company still makes a left side footpeg mount that is stronger than stock? landed of a big jump racing this weekend and bent the hell out of it. I did straighten it back so i could race the 2nd moto but d**n that kinda makes me nervious thinking it might break off.
Flat landed my 1989 kx125 and broke that mount when I was younger. It SUCKS, LEG HURT FOR WEEKS!!! If it happened now would be in a cast
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Went 3-3 in 2 stroke AM. Actually lead the first moto for bout 3 laps, shock was bucking me to death! It slap wore me down, they dropped the gate with 25+ expert was actually running top 3 with them too. Had alot of people come up and check the bike out after that everyone loved seeing it out there!
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Good job! Just think how fast you'll be when you get the shock re-valved like you talked about. The bike looks awesome in those action shots!
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Went 3-3 in 2 stroke AM. Actually lead the first moto for bout 3 laps, shock was bucking me to death! It slap wore me down, they dropped the gate with 25+ expert was actually running top 3 with them too. Had alot of people come up and check the bike out after that everyone loved seeing it out there!
Yeah d**n near everyone loves seeing the big K5 when I take mine out to the track, except the little guys that cry bout the roost!!! :lol:. Good job on the race, been getting the itch to race mine
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Nice Pics Edgar....you must be a TN boy?
DoldGuy
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Nice Pics Edgar....you must be a TN boy?
DoldGuy
From KY, takes me about an hour and a half to get to Muddy Creek.
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Update, been a while since I rode it because of the footpeg issue. Couldn't get any machine shop to build nothing and no other companies wanted to help. So I just went ahead and got this Team Green frame with the pegs!
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/005%203_zps6kf3cw4f.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/006%202_zpsansec5nn.jpg)
I don't think im going bend that mount!
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/007%202_zpslqdjeq9x.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz322/edgaryz3/008_zpsqinqjjvu.jpg)
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good luck!