KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: Big Daddy J on June 11, 2010, 08:26:55 AM

Title: Major differences through the years
Post by: Big Daddy J on June 11, 2010, 08:26:55 AM

Hello fellas, appreciate all your help on the 2001 price post, since posting there has been 2 more bikes come up on the online classifieds, an '89 and a '96. Can you guys give me an idea as to what the major differences and parts availability is for all three years ( '01,'96 and '89 )?

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: demographic on June 11, 2010, 09:30:54 PM

Since about 1990 the only real differences I can think of are the suspension, brakes and I think in about 92 they changed the flywheel.
Pre 90 and things start getting to be more of a pain matching up what fits what.
The suspension ha been updated pretty much inline with the 250s over the years (90 being the change to USD forks) and as the suspension has changed mounting points slightly the brakes have changed also.

Personally I have two 90s but wouldn't buy anything older and the frames are the same so you can put a newer front end onto a 90 bike.

There's more to it and I have spend hours cross referencing part numbers on buykawasaki.com but I can't remember the full details.

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: bob larry on June 12, 2010, 12:30:17 AM

Get the 01 and your set for life.  I'm getting barried with mine.  :)
 :mrgreen: 

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: martyestes on June 12, 2010, 03:43:26 AM

Kawasaki went from 43mm to 46mm forks in 1997 I believe.  Not sure if the rear shock and brakes were updated at the same time?  Anyone?

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: Goat on June 12, 2010, 04:03:54 AM

Engine wise 89-04 are identical. Early 89's had a smaller lighter flywheel. Frame was the same from 88-04. Suspension upgrade in 90 and again in 97. Wheel bearings, spacers and brakes changed with the suspension upgrades.

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: RoostDaddy on June 12, 2010, 06:52:50 AM

I believe it was '94 when they switched to a larger shifter shaft, so the shifters are different from then til '04.  And yes Marty, '97 was the year they went to the bigger forks.

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: crazyolbastard on June 13, 2010, 08:26:45 AM

So I would need 43MM fork seal driver tools for a 96 front end,  great info here guys!

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: demographic on June 13, 2010, 09:03:42 AM

Quote from: crazyolbastard on June 13, 2010, 08:26:45 AM

So I would need 43MM fork seal driver tools for a 96 front end,  great info here guys!

I could be wrong but I think the 43mm upside down forks came in at about 91.

My 90s have 41 USDs. and they went up a size from the 43s some time afer 91 as well, I think its 45mm but I could well be wrong.

Its usually worth getting a big aftermarket catalogue cos they usually show fork seal sizes and so on.

Title: Re: Major differences through the years
Post by: crazyolbastard on June 13, 2010, 09:17:12 AM

ten- four,
thanks for the advise.

keep it rubber side down my friend.

out