KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: Uzi9mm on March 07, 2007, 02:48:13 PM

Title: KX500 Differences.
Post by: Uzi9mm on March 07, 2007, 02:48:13 PM
 :?  What are the differences between 2002 and the 2004?

Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: c-152 on March 07, 2007, 08:57:22 PM
none -
they really are the same basic bike from 88 - 04
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: demographic on March 08, 2007, 05:56:33 AM
As far as I am aware theres no difference at all between a 02 and 04 KX500.

To be honest theres very little difference between a 90 model and an 04. The engines the same and the plastics, the frame.

About the only difference in the engine I know of is the flywheels a different part number.

The forks are a different diameter, and the brakes are different.
Not much else is though.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: Uzi9mm on March 08, 2007, 05:11:18 PM
 8-)  Thanks for the replies.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: Danger4u2 on March 08, 2007, 08:38:49 PM
In '97 they went to a 3 bearing rear hub.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: KXcam22 on March 09, 2007, 03:28:35 AM
My understanding is the following upgrades over the years:

90   USD forks
92   Plastic front disc guard
93   Took disc guard away
94   larger brakes (I can't recall if this is when they went to floating disks).
97   3 bearing rear hub & larger diameter forks and shock shaft
98 on BNG

Not sure if this is a complete list. Cam.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: Polar-Bus on March 09, 2007, 04:10:06 AM
My understanding is the following upgrades over the years:

90   USD forks
92   Plastic front disc guard
93   Took disc guard away
94   larger brakes (I can't recall if this is when they went to floating disks).
97   3 bearing rear hub & larger diameter forks and shock shaft
98 on BNG

Not sure if this is a complete list. Cam.

'99 BNG
'00 BNG
'01 BNG
'02 BNG
'03 BNG new silver frame I think this year?
'04 BNG   

:)
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: scotscooby on March 11, 2007, 09:45:51 AM
I think you will find that from 1994 to the end of line the gear change shaft splines increased in size  :-o. The shaft looks like its the same size but you require a different gear change lever. Hope this makes sense.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: KXcam22 on March 11, 2007, 04:16:32 PM
Polar,
  Thats funny.  I also wanted to list the BNG for every year.......Cam.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: MadKaw on March 11, 2007, 04:35:29 PM
BNG?
 and my 93 has floATER FRONT DISC
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: serafin on March 11, 2007, 04:47:36 PM
Somewhere in the mix the tanks went from green to black and the rear wheel went from 18 to 19in.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: demographic on March 12, 2007, 06:17:19 AM
Somewhere in the mix the tanks went from green to black and the rear wheel went from 18 to 19in.
The change to 19" rear must have been before 90 cos both of my 90s had 19" rears.

One still has but the other has a 4.25 X 17" along with a 3.5" X 17" front on there now.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: hughes on March 12, 2007, 06:29:32 AM
89 was the rear rim change from 18 to 19.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: Polar-Bus on March 13, 2007, 04:05:49 AM
Don't know if any of you are aware of the method Kawasaki uses for designating years, but here is a quick FYI: When Kawasaki introduces a new bike platform it will always begin as an "A" model. For example the 1983 KX500A1. If Kawasaki does not make any major chassis upgrades, the following years bike will be called an "A2". When Kawasaki totally revamped the chassis in 1985, it then is labeled the "B1", and an '86 being the "B2". In 1987 they made a significant rear suspension change so now its a "C1" and so on. My '01 is an "E13", so the chassis is 13 years old (as is the technology, LOL).
If I remember right, Kawasaki's KE100 bike is like an "A16" model, so I guess you don't mess with a good selling bike....
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: FuriouSly on March 13, 2007, 09:55:14 AM
Nice post Polar-Bus.  I wish that the KX5 was a little more nimble in its factory release in the 2000 models.  I don't have any aspirations to make an AF or MF conversion,  but the geometry is definatley dated for any technical track/woods riding.  For the sand though,  a cushy seat on top of the 500cc is more than fine for me.

Sly
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: CAduner on March 14, 2007, 03:45:19 AM
So the '87 500 is the same as the 85 adn 86 bikes?
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: hughes on March 14, 2007, 04:53:45 AM
So the '87 500 is the same as the 85 adn 86 bikes?

No the 87 is a different bike, 87 went to unit-track rear suspension, frame and sub frame are diff., I feel their was some engine changes to but not sure. I'll check the s/n of my 87 500 tonight.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: brindle on March 14, 2007, 06:23:52 AM
mr hughs are you from calhoun ? i am from dalton
where all do you ride at?
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: hughes on March 14, 2007, 06:46:41 AM
Calhoun is correct. Look at the link under my post and click on the georgiaoffroad.com we try to ride most of the places listed on that site that have trails. We are going this weekend just have not picked a place. I have not rode in three months so I'm ready.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: redlined_KX500 on March 14, 2007, 07:55:06 AM
Post up where you decide to ride.  I'm down in Columbus.

I've been looking for some new riding areas to stretch out my K5.

Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: hughes on March 14, 2007, 08:25:04 AM
I'll do that. Not to many places around here to stretch out a 500  :-D but we can rip the hell out of 1st through 3rd gear.  :-D
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: brindle on March 14, 2007, 01:34:26 PM
there is about 6 riders go with us when we ride
houston valley will open april 1
we have been riding at peoples lake and windy gap
we went to ceader town it all right
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: hughes on March 15, 2007, 03:00:19 AM
I love highland park in cedar town.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: redlined_KX500 on March 15, 2007, 03:48:31 AM
I posted on your original south east ride thread so we could get this back on track.

Since my bike is set up for MX would it do OK at highland PK?
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: redlined_KX500 on March 15, 2007, 03:58:45 AM
I had totally forgotten my original question..........

Is a 91 K5 cylinder exactly the same as a 97?  I scored an extra cylinder/head combo off ebay for cheap.
Title: Re: KX500 Differences.
Post by: BigGreenMachine on March 18, 2007, 12:24:15 PM
What would it take to put the floating rear brakes on an 88?