KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: triffecpa on June 22, 2004, 10:22:15 AM
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How popular is this mod? What are the main advantages? Is there another Kawasaki product (model and year) that be used as a donor, or do you have to do the "new rim/spokes/and relace" trick? Thanks. Tracy
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Extremely popular with the desert racer, the extra sidewall allows more rim protection with less chance of a "pinch flat". There are more tires available and they are generally less expensive. It is a very desirable modification.
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Yup, I'd like to have one if anyone has one to donate...
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Its a good thing,but I have a hard time dumping a good "19 rim thats never giving me a problem in all the rocks I ride in.
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Dunlop makes the Desert AT in 19" which, if your not a really fast and hard rider will give you plenty of protection. I used on a whole year and never had a flat. Then again, I ride REALLY slow. I did go to a 18" but only because I got a good deal (almost free) on a set of wheels.
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Uh, how in the heck did I just post the above reply under sdkx500s username? That is really weird. Anyway, the above reply was by me and not sdkx500.
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Ramski,
It keeps happening.... People are posting with my username. I changed my password but it is still happening. Must be a glitch.
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Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I'll check on the database and see what's going on :blink:
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so, which other Kawasakis have a 18" rear wheel that will fit the KX500?
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You'd really rather get a KX500 rim and have an 18" put on it, the reason is the KX500 hub has 3 bearings in it, two on the drive side and one on the brake. Aftermarket doesn't and I don't believe any other Kawisaki does.
Manny can you double check that?
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Thanks Paul - Tracy
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The older KX500's ('96 or '97) on down only have 2 wheel bearings.
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There are some Suzuki rear wheels that have the right spoke pattern, but I don't remember which years. I think it was early 90's. You can cross reference an excel part number to the Suzuki section in any online catelogue and find out the correct year.
Like mikesmith, I, too, have a hard time parting with a good wheel. And since I have never been able to ruin a rim (even when we cut the sidewall out of a tire while running solid inserts in a California National :sad: :blowup: ), I don't expect to opt for the purchase any time soon.
Rick
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The Dunlop 739 Desert AT is probably the best 19" tire you can get for desert riding. I ran that in Baja and while I didn't get any pinch flats, I did take a nail about 20 miles out of San Felipe. Road the tire flat all the way into town. No problem. The only problem I had was getting the #@$#* thing off when I got into town. Nonetheless, my 6 year old son thought it would be really neat to buy me a yellow rear tire for my birthday back in May. I appeased him and put it on. It is a Michelin Starcross 110/90/19. I figured I would just go out and rip the knobs off in one ride. Nothing doing... I've been on 6 rides with that tire and the knobs are down about 15%. Thanks little Toddy !!
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You'd really rather get a KX500 rim and have an 18" put on it, the reason is the KX500 hub has 3 bearings in it, two on the drive side and one on the brake. Aftermarket doesn't and I don't believe any other Kawisaki does.
Manny can you double check that?
Talon hubs have two bearings on the drive side and one on the brake side also, Thats what it said in the advertising blurb I got with mine anyway, but I have not had to replace em yet so have not checked :)
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I changed mine to an 18" primarily to gain traction in the loose stuff. It does make a difference. I bought a Buchanan spoke set and an Excel rim. Total cost was about $160.00 It was very easy to install because Kawasaki drills the spoke holes in the hub so it acts a a guide. It also helps that all of the spokes are the same. I had the old rim off and the new one on in about an hour. Much better than the old drum brake Huskies. :D
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well, I just got my first pinch flat on Monday (at least I assume that's what it is. I got a flat tire without any visible penetrating objects in the tire). Also beat the crap out of the rim (I noticed a crack in it when I pulled the tire off last night). Rode over some rocky, sharp terrain in the Cochiti Canyon area. I guess that I'm going to have to look into this conversion. In the meantime, I bought a cheap 120/90x19 rear tire and a new tube so that I can get back in the dirt this weekend. Does anyone have a good (ie cheap) source for the spokes and rim? Is it worth it to have the rim welded? The crack is thru the bead area (about 1/2" long total). Thanks Tracy
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Monkeybutt Part, you should be able to get it for $185 or so, rim + spokes.
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I beleive the KDX200 wheels are a direct fit with capable/identical bearings (The KDX is a "Dual-Sport" in other markets; hence, it's a fairly heavy duty design) I've noticed the part # on the old micro-fice(sp?). There's a "model year" issue here, I think. I'll check. I think it's 89-92 KDX rear wheels...
A note: I've been using the 120/100-19 Kenda Carlsbad in the rear. This tire has about as much sidewall as most 18" tires and I've yet to get a flat while running a Bridgestone or Dunlop H/D tube. This is a very viable alternative to building/buying an 18" rear wheel.
Manny
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Here is mine "18 wheeler" :lol:
We have a lots of that combo here in Sweden ?cause many
race enduro here.
Easy to get.... :wink:
I use it for my races in enduro togheter with rubber "no flat" mousse.
Bulletprof!!! :twisted:
//doordie
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Were i can find spokes for 18" rearwheel? Sorry for posting old topic.
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try here for spokes.. :wink: http://www.cross-center.com/
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18" wheels for trail riding.
19" for motocross
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I can say from experience that the Maxxis IT Desert in a 19" size is definitely a solid choice if all one has is a 19" rim. I ran one on a yz250 I set up for trail. I have ridden the worst Colorado and Moab has to offer with that tire on a 19" rim. I had zero issues and no complaints. Go with the heavy duty tube, don't skimp on air pressure and the sidewalls are definitely stiff enough to handle any rocky terrain.