KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: Tim short on January 12, 2016, 10:14:56 AM

Title: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on January 12, 2016, 10:14:56 AM
So i just picked up a 500 amd want to rebuild the topend now from what ive read i can use a 88-04 piston. Is this correct i noticed the 87 has 1 ring while an 88+ has 2
Sorry if im beating a deadhorse with this question
Thanks for tthe help
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: umberto on January 12, 2016, 10:24:58 AM
One of our members, Sandblaster, has this awesome interchange list on his website.

http://oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.shtml (http://oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.shtml)

It lists the pistons working from 85-04, per his Kawasaki dealer.  If you get a piston, spring for a Wossner.  You won't regret it.  You can get one from Sandblaster or Alward25.  If you want to post pics of your build, here is a link on how to do it:

http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,10040.0.html (http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,10040.0.html)

Welcome to the site!
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on January 12, 2016, 12:36:50 PM
Ok thanks so much ive been looking for an interchange list for so long and ll do if i rebuild the bike
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: alexander-vmann on January 13, 2016, 05:57:32 AM
i recently cleaned the exhaust valves in my 87, and noticed the piston has two rings
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on January 13, 2016, 06:16:54 AM
'87 was the last year of the single ring....but yeah, the newer dual ringers work in substitute.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 04, 2016, 10:36:07 AM
Just a question what is the stock bore for a 1987 kx500 piston (mm)
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on February 04, 2016, 10:39:12 AM
Just a question what is the stock bore for a 1987 kx500 piston (mm)


86
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 04, 2016, 11:01:45 AM
Thank you
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on February 04, 2016, 11:21:16 AM
here's an old brochure...gives a small handful of specs...

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4099/4800731447_da2fa564fe_z.jpg)
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 06, 2016, 07:24:02 AM
Thanks for the brochure :)
But im at a standstill i just tore the bike down(20mins ago) and i just discovered the power valve is split in two , the other one is good. Where can i get this part thanks for the replies
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on February 06, 2016, 07:28:44 AM
hopefully someone on here has one, that can help you out...other wise, I'd scour e-bay continuously on a daily basis.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: umberto on February 06, 2016, 09:08:09 AM
I have an 88, and I waited until I could find a set of 86 valves on eBay for mine.  They are steel and will last forever, while the 87 and 88 ones are made of cast aluminum and are prone to break just below the valve itself. 
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 06, 2016, 10:09:32 AM
does anyone know if a newer style valve would work, I was looking on eBay and the rail that the newer style ones ride on looks the same.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 06, 2016, 10:12:28 AM
I was also thinking i have the other one which i believe is good do you guys think i could get two new ones machined ?
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: umberto on February 06, 2016, 11:17:20 AM
I tried to get a friend of mine to make me a new set.  He is an experienced tool and die maker, and he said it would be very expensive. The newer model valves might work. Zz3gmc had a buddy that modified a set for his 88. I don't think that friend is active on the site, but you might try contacting zz3gmc.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 07, 2016, 09:35:18 AM
My cylinder head is a little damaged how can i fix it ?
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on February 07, 2016, 09:36:44 AM
damaged how?...can you post some pics?
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 07, 2016, 09:47:51 AM
(http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/Kx500er/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsywh9k8zy.jpeg)
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Tim short on February 07, 2016, 09:49:09 AM
Sorry it took me 10 mins to figure out the photo ordeal but there ya go ^
Title: Re: 1987 kx500. Help?
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on February 07, 2016, 10:12:36 AM
if you're worried about the pits and knicks, those aren't a big deal...you can still run it as is, or you could very carefully and gently smooth them out a touch...just to take down the high sharp edges...but that's it!, don't go trying to smooth out the pits completely.

Or you could have the head's dome re-shaped for a few bucks...which can improve performance, and eliminate any pinging. There's a few guys on here that can and will do that.