KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: kxraptor on April 14, 2008, 04:21:20 AM

Title: Frame cracked
Post by: kxraptor on April 14, 2008, 04:21:20 AM
Just experienced a frame crack on my son's 01' 500.The down tube right next to the nitrogen resevoir,right  next o  the tab weld for the exhaust pipe.Anyone ever get a crack there?Any other places that are highly susceptible to cracking on the 5hunny?
Thanx.
Title: Re: Frame cracked
Post by: Good on April 14, 2008, 06:51:23 AM
That whole section used to crack on an old YZ490 I used to ride...  I haven't had any problems with the KXs yet.
Title: Re: Frame cracked
Post by: KXcam22 on April 14, 2008, 08:51:07 AM
A crack can happen anytime, but on the whole I think the KX500 frames have proven themselves to be very robust.  Cam.
Title: Re: Frame cracked
Post by: kxraptor on April 14, 2008, 11:25:04 AM
Upon striping the bike for the weld up we found one of the upper motor mounts broke.We kinda think this led to the frame getting some extra stress up top.
Title: Re: Frame cracked
Post by: Mick on April 15, 2008, 04:53:06 AM
My KX is a bit old and it cracks everywhere.  During a period I tracked the bike quite often, cracking the frame and breaking motor/pipe mounts was almost a daily occurrence.  I welded gussets to the footpeg area and the headstay...two places that cracked the most.  And made my own stainless motor mounts then welded them as best I could.  When I was finished I sent the frame to a powder coating shop in Missoula, MT.  I've got a picture of both my 500s up here some place, I think in the thread comparing the CR and KX.  Anyways you can see the additional gussets and water pump cover I welded in place.  Not to toot my own horn but it looks like it came from Kawasaki that way  8-)

But in my case I felt the KX frame was a little spindly for MX.  At least my 20 year old chassis is!
Title: Re: Frame cracked
Post by: alan on April 16, 2008, 12:58:37 PM
If you need another frame I have a cracked 94KX5 frame! Just weld it up and go on down the trail, Remember,"Stuff Happens" or something like that................. :-D :-D