KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: CAduner on March 16, 2007, 02:56:56 AM

Title: 1987 kx500
Post by: CAduner on March 16, 2007, 02:56:56 AM: Just bought a 87 kx500, and am picking it up today. I mainly ride wide open desert flats, and the dunes at Glamis and Gordons Well. My question is, what are some good mods, that aren't to crazy, to make this bike better(Not that it needs anything). I had the biggest smile on my face after taking it for a test ride. I have had 250's and 450's, and the kx500 blew them all away.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: hughes on March 16, 2007, 03:18:13 AM: I don't ride in the dunes so I 'm no help. We would like to see that old girl. I have a 87 500 myself. Welcome to the site.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: CAduner on March 16, 2007, 03:42:29 AM: Do you have problems finding parts for them? I figured that they have changed so little through the years that one could use parts from other models.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: hughes on March 16, 2007, 03:47:22 AM: Some parts cross over.

Put together a list of things and I'll see if I can help you find parts. I have restored my bike from a pile of crap.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: KawiKX500 on March 18, 2007, 03:48:31 AM: I have an 87 k5 and cant find front brake handles. What others can I use?
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: CAduner on March 18, 2007, 02:41:16 PM: Will an 88 pipe fit on a 87
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: hughes on March 19, 2007, 12:44:32 AM: Quote from: KawiKX500 on March 18, 2007, 03:48:31 AM
I have an 87 k5 and cant find front brake handles. What others can I use?

I had a hard time finding those. I just went to kawasaki dealer a ordered one. Might have been around 24.00 bucks. I run hand guards so it's not going to get broke off as it might with out the hand guards.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: hughes on March 19, 2007, 12:53:36 AM: Quote from: CAduner on March 18, 2007, 02:41:16 PM
Will an 88 pipe fit on a 87

I am running a 88-04 FMF Gnarly pipe on my 87 500. You will need to shim out the rear pipe mount to get it to fit the silencer. Next you will need to make a sleeve to go in between the silecner and pipe. The newer (88-04) pipe is about 1/2 shorter than the 87 kx500 pro circuit pipe I have. I made the sleeve out of sheet metal and it worked great. FMF still makes a silencer for our bikes. The new silencer from the 89-04 bikes will not work because our sub frame is diff. To answer your other questions. I'm still running a 87 style fender. Denniskirk.com has the 87 rear fender and radiator shrounds (UFO brand)
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: CAduner on March 19, 2007, 03:55:54 AM: Thanks for the help. I really appreciate the help.
Title: Re: 1987 kx500
Post by: hughes on March 19, 2007, 05:49:56 AM: Forget finding the 87 model piston. Buy a 88-04 model piston. I'm on my second one. The only thing they changed was went to 2 rings instead of one.