Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Steel Frame Conversion (SFC)

2003 KX250 / KX500 hybrid.

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love2ride450:
My Dad gave me his old 86 KX500. Running bike, I've ridden it a few times myself. So, naturally I started searching for a newer bike to shoehorn the motor into. I spotted a '03 KX250 in great shape, ready to ride, for $1300. It is a good deal in my area, so I picked it up. Now, I join this site, and start poking around, and I see a lot of negative talk about the '03, and so far I haven't really heard why?

I am sure it has been discussed, but I am thinking I'll push this forward, so what are the negatives?

sintax:
they really are kind of a one off year. A lot of 2003 only parts that only fit that bike, not like the 99-02 bikes or 04 and later bikes.

as for the 86, i'd leave that guy stock and enjoy it for the old bike it is. I'd just find a 97+ engine to swap into the 03 if you wanted.

don46:
If you have a whole rolling chassis I go for it, but if I was going to put one together with parts it would be either a 99-02 or 04-06 chassis. The 03 will be a great bike especially since you already have it.

love2ride450:
Okay, I can handle that. I was afraid there was something about the bike that made it handle poorly, or too cramped for the k5.
Sintax, why do you suggest using a 97 and up engine? I haven't researched it myself, but I always heard that the 86 engine was the stronger runner.  :? I know it's a chrome cylinder, which is a mixed blessing, what other negatives are there?

don46:
The biggest negative is that many parts are no longer available, such as all the KIPS drums and shaft, 86, 87, and 88 used the same then the big change in 89. The clutch doesn't work as smoothly as the 89 up. Not really sure why Sintax suggested the 97 up motor, there really aren't many differences, at least any that would make a huge difference.

Just thinking about it, and not very hard, I might like the earlier engines better, maybe. Kawasaki didn't really change the motor for about 15 years, they used the same tools in the manuf. process, so it would stand to reason that the newer motors might not be as close tolerance wise as some of the olders ones due to worn out tooling. Like I said thinkiing about it but not to hard.

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