KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: runabout on April 01, 2010, 10:11:11 AM
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Hello to all
I am brand new to the board and need help. Looking at a 1988 KX 500 not my first KX or my first 500 but it is my first KX 500.
What should I look for or look out for?
Is the 1988 one I should consider further or not?
The asking price is 1000.00 and it is clean via pics but only a CSI will tell.
Thanks to any that reply and I hope to be around for along while
Runabout
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Welcome Runabout,
I don't know anything that stands out as problems with older bikes, and there are several members currently re-building them. There have been several threads lately about retrofitting some newer parts to the '80s bikes.
Glad to have you with us.
Tuck\o/
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Thanks Friar
I have been using the search feature and have found some info thus far.
I was on a 1991 CR500 and sold that recently. My first bike (motocross type) was KX80
man I loved that bike, little small for my butt now.
I will keep researching
Runabout
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the 88 is a great bike. there are many parts that cross over from the newer bikes. just not engine stuff. many discontinued parts in there. i spent a lot of time tracking down parts for my rebuild. but was able to get everything i needed. now it is a screamer. hits hard and is generally scary.
good luck with your decision.
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Just found out the 500 does not have spark
of course he wants less for it now... should I stay away
how serious could this be? can parts be found
Thanks
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Hhmm.. There is that thread on converting to 250 electrics :-o :-D
Something else to consider is if you don't mind taking the extra time to investigate your options on parts retrofit
and either the cash to pay someone to do it or the tools and time to do it yourself.
The guys who have been bringing back the older bikes appear to get alot of satisfaction from accomplishing the project as much (or almost) as riding them.
If you are financially O.K. with spending the money, you can always sell the finnished product to someone.
I would hate to encoureage you and end up with a half finnished project someone else would buy at fire sale prices.
I'm the guy who looks for the unfinnished projects that have gotten guys in over their head, or
lost interest and "Just want to get that stuff out of here"
For better or worse...Tuck\o/
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Tuck you seem like a stand up kind of guy. I thank u for the info thus far
I am the finisher of projects myself and I hope to able to share them with all soon.
The KX 500 should not be any biggie for me but that is why I keep asking questions regarding it ie
with the right prep success is right around the corner!!!
You know ...if you cannot fix it with a hammer it must be an electrical problem
What State r u from Tuck?
I am from MA
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runabout, I think you will find a whole lot of stand-up guys on this site. You sure hit it right on with Tuck!
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Dooh! I read a book that says "Pride comes before the Fall." :-o. I am surely no-one special.
Born and raised in a small town in Ohio. Road we lived on was about ten miles long and about 8 homes on it.
Plenty of open country to keep from getting in trouble in. Migrated out west to californee to seek my fame and fortune only to realize when I had my own kids growing up in the sticks wasn't so bad afterall. Moved from Orange county north in '98. Been livin' here in Mt. Shasta since then.
Catch you later..
Tuck\o/
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Made the purchase
lots of comp. have not put the guage on it yet but spins freely without plug
and very stiff with kicker with plug in
has Moose racing weighted flywheel welded on to it
no spark for sure none nada
runabouut
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You got a great buy,Test the coil and good luck.
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Thank you for the kind words
I think it looks good
not bad for 500 bills
Regards
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Looks like that bike has been well taken care of. Congrats! Good price too.
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Thanks Goat.. hey did the 1988 KX 500 come with a kill button?
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Yes it did. Check this link out , put make and model , then click on handlebars. Good looking bike you got there , Good luck.
http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/default.aspx
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wow fantastic condition for a bike thats 22yrs old
in Australia that bike would be worth $3000-$3500 good score
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Smithy u wanna buy it? for u it is a deal 4000.00 LOL
hey I got it going today!
runs mint real mint
had bad harness connections...I replaced and it fired first kick.
I did change gear oil and gas
This thing is much more bike than my 91 CR500
I love it.... It has 14 front and 50 rear sprockets front end is in the air alot
I think stock was 14 and 47 but I am not sure on that
Regards
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You stole that bike if it was just bad connections :P Glad it was a simple fix. More cash for premix for that pig :D If you need a kill switch I have one laying around somewhere. I just use a tether switch that way if I decide to fall off (hasn't happened yet) the bike wont keep going.
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Goat
It was a gamble and a big one at that... not running as you know when I bought it could have meant anything
no trans
bad piston
shot electrical etc etc... It turned out well for me and I am very humble about it
It is a great bike and I love that moose weight on the fly it motors right along at a high idle
I love it for sure
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runabout,
That is a VERY nice find! It appears to have Extremely low & easy hours on her. Most 2004's I see have more time & abuse.
Enjoy!
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My buddy rode it tonight
he has a 1991 CR500
he was very surprised at the power on top and very impressed low end torque
we will go out together shortly and have some fun
KIPS baby KIPS
Regards
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Goat thanks for the kill switch offer
My K5 does have one that works... I just was not sure that it was factory or an add on
I have seen bikes that do not have them but they prob have just been removed and the rider just stalls it or had the idle set so low it dies when not on the go go grip
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OK
I ordered a few counter shaft sprockets from Rocky mountain...
I had the 14 so I got the 12 13 and 15
well I put the 13 on and well well WOW for the woods I think 12 would be too low
I want to try the 15 Sun at the "pits" I am going out with a guy that rides a 450 Honda
Regards
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I would send the 12 back for a refund. The 12 is so small that the chain ends up eating the case, like on this '87:
(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b260/torch3/IMG_0683.jpg)
torch
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Torch
Thanks for the info...if I had put that on the bike it would have been too late be the time I found it...
no 12 for the runabout
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Keep an eye on the 13 too, just in case!
torch
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Isn't funny...
You are so right to say that about the 13... after reading your info I was like whew I am fine but hey I do not want to be the first guy to chew up the case with the 13..
put 20 min on tonight so I will have to have a look see in the A.M.
Run-A
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Wow, that bike looks great for a 88! I raced one back then and yours brings back some memories. I always liked the clean, simple 88 style graphics.
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Goat
It was a gamble and a big one at that... not running as you know when I bought it could have meant anything
no trans
bad piston
shot electrical etc etc... It turned out well for me and I am very humble about it
It is a great bike and I love that moose weight on the fly it motors right along at a high idle
I love it for sure
You don't find too many 1988 bikes with the original rad shrouds and decals ! Thats a positive sign the bike was only lightly ridden for fun...
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That bike would make a prefect restore project since it already in very nice shape. Good fine.
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$50 restore. Some touch-up paint on the frame, and a new sticker for the shroud! :-D
torch