KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: KXT500 on April 03, 2003, 04:57:12 AM
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i have a 85 engine (non power valve, water cooled) and was curious if that was the oldest arount here?
chris
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If all you have is the engine then I think the award goes to ShanMans completely functional '87 KreX :lol:
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I am the proud owner of a fully functional road legal KX-5 from 89! I can probably get a veteran insurance on it... But then again, what has changed on the KX-5 since 89? It's all about who's riding it.
/John
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Hows that thing on the street?
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Paul,
It kind of draws the attention of almost everyone especially other bikers. It could be caused by the fact that it is very noisy (haven?t received the PC spark arrestor yet which according to other forum members should be more silent). Or maybe it?s just the smoke? Anyway, it?s a pleasure to ride for an exhibitionist like me.
The street tires and tarmac (blacktop for you guys?) makes a major difference. Almost all the effect goes straight in to the ground and it surely is a buzz to ride it. I?ve got a front brake disc from an Exup but I kept the brake cylinder from the KX. The combination is kind of scary - it is the best front brakes I have ever experienced and I?ve tried a lot?s of Motards with tweaked brakes.
What else?
It doesn?t handle to good when under severe pressure and poor conditions. But that?s probably because I can?t tweak the front suspension enough with the old front forks - or simply my lack of riding skills. I checked out if the forks from my 125?er would fit but they don?t. I guess I?ll end up fitting the engine in the 125 frame as supermotokx did on his 250 frame?
I will start racing it properly as soon as I can convince my wife that I have to. The problem is that I and my kid go out on the weekends to play in the dirt with our MX-bikes. It?s going to be hard to explain that she'll have to take the kids to the track while I?ll go somewhere motarding.
Finally, the bike is way too rough and not made for street use. That's probably why I like it so much. :D
/John
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Well, good, bad or otherwise, I have made old KreX ('87) as good a bike as it will ever be. It is old as the hills, fast as hell, and reliable to boot. I would like to own a newer version, but until I know they ride better, I have to assume that 65 horsepower on a stable chassis might be a good as I will ever need....for now! BTW: Is it a major award?!!!
(http://a5.cpimg.com/image/53/A7/22321235-4ed1-02000180-.jpg)
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I HAVE A 86 KX500 THAT IS IN FINE RUNNING SHAPE BUT IS IN NEED OF SUSPENSION WORK (SEALS MOSTLY). IT WAS AN OLD RACE BIKE THAT HAD SET FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS THAT I PICKED UP FOR $800. I ALSO HAVE A 86 TECATE 3 WHEELER WITH A 86 KX500 ENGINE FOR MOTIVATION!
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I have a 85 kx500 that I ride regularly. I bought it in 2008 for $350,put new tires,plastic and head gasket on it. It has the original one ring piston,no exhaust valve.I bought to ride with my son's 86 yz490.
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history of big kx:
1974 kx 450 , 1975/76 kx400 , 1980/81 kx420 and the first monoshock-linkage,
the oldest real kx500 with 499cc came in ´83... still aircooled till ´84 . 85 was the first watercooled. 86 came the first generation of exhaust valve. in 87 the newer linkage under the swingarm. in 89 the generation 4- engine with the generation 2- exhaust valve. in 92 came a crank with mor weight and the bigger statorplate and flywheel, some more smart technical changes with newer brakes and fork in 97 an then only a new sticker-design every year till 2004.
last year for kx500 2003 in europe and 2004 in north-america and australia.
question: whats up with ´77-79 and 82? answer: kawasaki offered nothing bigger than 250´s in these years...
so where are the guys with the aircooled k5´s ?... :wink:
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(http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9130/hmh9.jpg)
WOW! yz1994 really brought this one back from the dead!
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I have a 1985 that runs great, use it a couple times a month. Can still get some parts from Kawasaki, Just got a new rear fender for it from local shop.