KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: bunk on November 17, 2008, 04:17:56 AM

Title: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: bunk on November 17, 2008, 04:17:56 AM
What are the things to look out for on our bikes that break easy?  I?ve already broke and fixed the pipe mount and now this past weekend the sprocket side chain adjuster snapped.  Two weeks ago i went through all the nuts/bolts and thread locked them because I already lost one on the rear number plate.  Are there any other little goofy things like that I could fix/replace/modify now so I have a less likely chance to break out on a ride?  Any thoughts are very much appreciated.  Thanks-
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: Johnniespeed on November 17, 2008, 11:24:57 AM
You already know about the pipe mounts. The pipe mounting dampers break as well. Also if I dont put a drop of Blue Loctite on the seat bolts after a filter change, I notice one missing after a ride. I usually put Blue Loctite on small bolts and red on the larger ones. I am sure there is some type of mathmatical theory as what color to use where, but blue on small and red on big, is my way.  My Promoto kickstand has loosened once, but not since I redid the red loctite. I used to have front spokes loosen all the time, but I got rid of the Kawasaki spokes and installed Buchannon spokes, problem solved.
  John
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: Hillclimb#42 on November 17, 2008, 11:39:03 AM
Bark busters save levers,perches and throttle tubes. Alot of people take notice of cable routes, and brake lines, and protect them where they touch stuff, especially radiator or head. I'd rather lose bolts than loc tite into tank or into clip nuts or fixed nuts. Don't want to damage any special fastners. Important to retorque all engine bolts, and motor mounts after warming up bike a couple times right after a disassembly. Also k5's are a little famous for having cranks out of balance, for a few reasons, and that tends to fling the bolts easier than some other bikes. As far as being prepared, I always take extra parts, nuts,bolts,washers, grips, plugs, bars, sprockets, zip ties... everything. Cause it blows to load up before you're spent. I really just watch for loose bolts and especially missing bolts for plastic, because overtightening just tears up the plastic too much, even with those captive washers.
  Exhaust mount is pretty common, but that chain adjuster might have been loose axel or something, huh?
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: Ranger32 on November 17, 2008, 11:46:20 AM
I have read second gear like to break
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: KX 500 fever on November 17, 2008, 12:06:28 PM
 the difrence between the blue and red loc tight is red has a higher holding streath its like a grade 3 bolt being blue and a grade 8 being red and neither will set up if oxgen is present but when the oxgen is taken away it will set up and get hard. if you use loc tight red or blue and have a hard time getting the bolt or nut loose use a little bit of heat on it. the heat will soften up the loc tight   
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: GDubb on November 17, 2008, 12:11:33 PM
My bike has a bad habit of breaking other men's egos and constantly crushes the hopes and dreams of every four stroke at the dunes. I have learned to deal with it accordingly. I carry plenty of spare ego with me at all times in the sand. I havent broken much at all other than the pipe mounting dampners and rockin' -n- rollin' a few nuts/bolts loose as stated before. Other than that it just shreds tires.  8-) :mrgreen:


-G
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: maddoggy on November 17, 2008, 01:32:34 PM
i would steer clear of the red loctite. it causes more trouble than its worth. red is made for heavy duty machinery applications and a motorcycle isn't in the heavy duty category. the blue should do the trick in all the needed areas of your bike. someone else already mentioned the heat trick and that works real well if you have trouble removing loctited fasteners.
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: BDI on November 17, 2008, 03:26:03 PM
Upper subframe mount!!!!
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: hughes on November 18, 2008, 12:01:38 AM
Replace the kick starter with one from an 2004 kx500. Mod the lever stop so it makes full contact with lever.
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: bunk on November 18, 2008, 02:18:24 AM
Upper subframe mount!!!!

??? A little more info on this?  Im assuming a breakage problem?  Did you beef yours up?
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: gowen on November 18, 2008, 06:49:56 AM
I think near everything broke on mine at one point or another.
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: GDubb on November 18, 2008, 10:28:42 AM
Upper subframe mount!!!!

??? A little more info on this?  Im assuming a breakage problem?  Did you beef yours up?

(http://www.kxriders.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10282/normal_Frame4.jpg)

There are pictures of a few frame strengthening mods in Ramski's gallery. Check 'em out.


-G
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: BDI on November 18, 2008, 05:28:16 PM
Thanks GDUB!!!, that's exactly what I did to mine with the gussets but I also got a piece of chrome moly tubing that was the next size up from the tubing used to make the mount. I made a cap that fit on the mount that wraped slighty over half of it. It snaped on tight and then got fully tig welded on then I added the two triangle gussets. Never had another problem with that.
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: bunk on November 20, 2008, 07:36:10 AM
I replaced my adjuster bolts last night to also find that both my front and rear sprocket broke a tooth off.  Looks like its time to change around the gearing a little.
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: KX500freak on November 20, 2008, 08:29:58 AM
Upper subframe mount!!!!

??? A little more info on this?  Im assuming a breakage problem?  Did you beef yours up?

(http://www.kxriders.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10282/normal_Frame4.jpg)

There are pictures of a few frame strengthening mods in Ramski's gallery. Check 'em out.


-G


nice mod !

especially for 220 lbs guys like me
never broke it but i will do the mod anyway  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: BDI on November 20, 2008, 03:42:58 PM
It's doesn't brake from being a fat ass :lol: :lol: :lol:, It breaks from the bike slapping on its side in a crash.

      P.S. before anyone gets their chubby feelings hurt bdi weights 235.

Title: Re: Things to look out for...breaking
Post by: KX500freak on November 20, 2008, 10:29:05 PM
 :-D :-D


i didn,t crash so hard yet,figured the mount itselfs is not to strong either :roll:

do you diet allready :lol: i like being heavy just to sit my fat ass on the K5
and let the beast run free