KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: BigGreenMachine on November 23, 2006, 01:42:14 PM

Title: Head Gaskets
Post by: BigGreenMachine on November 23, 2006, 01:42:14 PM

Will they all interchange between the years?? Which one do I want for the best compression? Are they reusable copper?

Whats the deal?

Title: Re: Head Gaskets
Post by: gil2264 on November 23, 2006, 01:52:54 PM

It seems like the KX500 is one of those bikes that only get updated every decade or so. deoending on the year of your bike, it should interchange  with close model years.  I know for my 01 model, ther are 2 gasket options from Kawasaki. A steel gasket that is .2 mm thick for high compression, and a fiber 1 mm thick gasket for lower compression (smoother low end, more overrev)  For my purposes (oversized KDX) I went with the 1 mm fiber gasket. Low end was brutal, and prone to stalling, and could be a nightmare to start. The thicker gasket made it a much better trail machine.

Title: Re: Head Gaskets
Post by: gowen on November 27, 2006, 01:29:48 AM

The '89-'04 can use the same head gasket.. But, watch for the thickness as it will ruin your compression (which can be a good thing for top-end)...