KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: Kawadougie on September 15, 2005, 01:04:00 PM

Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: Kawadougie on September 15, 2005, 01:04:00 PM
Here's an update on my mighty white KX500.  I tore the bike down last month and had the frame powdercoated white.  Then I reassembled it and lubed all the bearings and locktited all the bolts and nuts.  Then I installed a GPR steering damper and a 20" front wheel on loan from a friend of mine.  I think the smaller wheel might help the beast turn a bit faster in the woods but we'll see.  I'm ready to rip!!!  :D
Title: RE: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: Timbowe on September 15, 2005, 05:07:22 PM
Easy to get rubber for a 20 in front? Be interesting to see what you think of it.. Bike looking sharp!
Title: RE: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: doordie on September 15, 2005, 07:37:51 PM
Kawadougie,

You are one "DID IT MY WAY" guy! :shock:  :roll:  :twisted:  :D
Very nice bike! :wink:

//doordie
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: alan on September 15, 2005, 11:44:01 PM
Looks like "Mr Cleans Bike"


Aaln :D
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: Danger4u2 on September 16, 2005, 01:22:11 AM
That's so clean. 90% says tear it up-10% I'll ride tomorrow, I don't want to get it dirty.  

Danger
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: alan on September 16, 2005, 03:55:21 AM
Quote from: Danger4u2
That's so clean. 90% says tear it up-10% I'll ride tomorrow, I don't want to get it dirty.  

Danger


Kinda like my new Mean Streak had it 3 days ridden it 2 days and waxed it twice! He He! :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Alan :D
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: mikesmith on September 16, 2005, 09:48:59 PM
Looks veary clean,kind of reminds me of the Huskies or Yamahas when they were all white.Destry Abbott ran a "20 wheel and claimed it helped in the hard pack but not in the mud,or was that the other way around?
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: Kawadougie on September 18, 2005, 03:58:53 PM
Here's the report.  I rode about fifty miles today and the bike was awesome.  It finally works perfect (for me).  The KX500 puts a lot of pressure on the front rim due to geometry and power and the 20" front wheel really seems to make it work to perfection.  In the past, when I tried a Michelin M12, it would leave rubber from the sidewall on the rim because it did not have a substantial sidewall.  I tried a Dunlop D755 intermediate with the stock 21" and it worked much better but it would still push the front end in the corners.  With a 20" front rim and a Dunlop D756 it was absolute magic today.  Even though it was dry and hot, I bottomed the suspension on both ends and had a blast.  It also steers much faster through the tight sections.  I highly recommend a 20" rim to anyone who wants to turn the mighty KX500 in the woods.  I did a search on a major motorcycle supply company a while back and found that they could supply six different tires for the KX500.
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: Kawadougie on October 21, 2005, 03:27:29 PM
New photos in the Gallery from a ride last weekend!  I recently spoked up a new 20" rim after I returned my friend's wheel.  I will always ride with a 20" with the mighty KX5 from now on.  It flat hooks up in dry or wet. :D
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: hughes on October 22, 2005, 06:20:19 AM
I am looking at getting new rims this winter. If you run a 20 front are you running a 90/100/20 :?: The only diff. I can see when running the 20 rim is you can get the wider front tire and have more side wall. What was the biggest diff. the wider tire or the extra side wall :?:
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: 01KX5WOODSRIDER on October 22, 2005, 12:08:29 PM
Kawadougie,
 
 When you were testing tires on the 21inch front did you have your fork tubes flush
with the top of the triple clamp? On the 500 you can run the tubes 10mm above the
clamps to aid in turning. The 20inch wheels are supposed to drop the front about
7mm. So are you running the fork tubes flush to clamps with the 20inch?
   
      Rick
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: hughes on October 22, 2005, 01:15:17 PM
Good question. I was thinging that the inside diameter was the only thing changing for the tire 20 vers 21 inch rim. you still run 80/100 or 90/100. So really it did not lower the front end tire is still the same hieght. Is this not correct thinking.
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: Kawadougie on October 23, 2005, 04:53:16 AM
My forks are dropped down about 1" from the top tube.  I was running a Dunlop D755 80/100 - 21.  I'm now running a Dunlop D756F 90/100 -20.  It made a significant difference in turning.  The unmounted tire height is not much different because the tire has a lot more sidewall.  But when it is mounted you really notice how much wider it is.  This allows it to flare out more when you are riding and give a bigger footprint.   :o
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: hughes on October 23, 2005, 05:00:10 AM
Cool. That's what I was thinking the only diff. was. Wider and more sidewall. Thanks. I may go with the 20 rim this winter.
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: hughes on October 24, 2005, 10:24:11 AM
After a 50 mile run today with some rocky scetions I will get a 20 front. All day I was bottoming out the tire on the front rim.

Kawadougie,

Have had that 20 front rim in any rocks?? Thanks
Title: Automatic White Blaster Update!
Post by: Kawadougie on October 24, 2005, 12:48:09 PM
Had it in any rocks?  Hee hee.  :P  We get a lot of that up in the Sierras.  The 20" tire seems to provide a little more cushion.  The main thing is confidence.  I push my front tire a lot and if it sticks, I go faster.  Simple as that.  :D