Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Steel Frame Conversion (SFC)
Need some advice on conversion
vwcamper74:
Thanks a lot for your help kxpegger and flyin hawaiian, you guys have helped me out a lot with my questions - it's very much appreciated.
Just a couple more quick questions:
Flyin Hawaiian, you mentioned that the 05 250 and later is a different bike altogether. Do you think a 500 motor will still fit in fairly well compared to an 04 or earlier conversion? You also mentioned that the later bikes feel different to ride and are more like a 125. Do you think some of this has to do with the reduction in rake and do these bikes feel less stable compared to your 04 at higher speeds?
Are the big tanks hitting on the plug or somewhere else?
Sorry for all the questions - just want to get it worked out before I spend the cash!
BullKaw:
What are all the Pro desert riders riding, the ones on Kawasakis?
If the answer is KX450f or KLX450F then the debate should be over....06-09 AF wins.
The Flyin Hawaiian:
I havent noticed much of a difference in stability between the 03/04 and the 05-07. Both bikes have WER steering dampers, which helps the stability some. They seem to turn about the same. The older 03/04 chassis just feels a little bigger, although its not a hindrance at all as far as handling and rideability goes. Im not sure if the 500 engine would fit the 05 up frame. Someone on here put a 05 up KX250 engine in a 03/04 KX250 frame and it was a pretty easy conversion. The 05 up KX250 engine is completely different from the 04 and below. So, I would think the 500 would go into the newer frame.
I have both the IMS and Clarke tanks for the 04 KX250. Due to the height of the 500 cylinder and the amount the tank drops, there is just no way, with out considerable reshaping and maybe cutting and modifying, that either tank will fit. Ill try to snap a pic this weekend.
As far as the aluminum frame goes, I dont have the fabricating skills required to mod the al frame. I also had the 250 already. I also prefer the steel frame. After riding a few aluminum frame CRs and YZs, I found that even with the suspension revalved for woods riding, there seems to be a noticeable amount of harshness transferred to the rider with the aluminum frame bike over the steel frame bikes. The al frames are pretty rigid. The steel frame has a little bit of flex and has a little bit more of a comfortable ride over the course of a 6 hour, rocky enduro. If I had the money though, there would be a KX500AFX sitting in the garage!
Why are the pro desert riders riding KX450s and KLXs, because that is all thats available to them. Im sure if Kawasaki made a steel perimeter framed 500, they would be on them instead.
vwcamper74:
I also don't have the necessary skills to work with alu. I would be relying on a fabricator who can work with alu but would never have done a conversion before. The job might look nice but I won't know what to look for to tell if it has been done properly and will withstand the stresses of the bike. I don't doub't that a conversion done by someone with experience doing them would be stong but I will be relying on someone doing one for the first time.
I'm sure you guys have probably seen the pictures from the cr500 site
http://cr500riders.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1239428868
but I must admit that it made me a bit more cautious
with a steel frame I could do the work myself and be comfortable that it has been done properly
I'm sure the AF would be a beast of a machine and would love to have one
kxpegger:
Welding aluminum is a little tricky especially for high stress. I was a certified stick welder back in the late 70's but I wouldn't try welding anything but steel today.
http://lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/alum.asp
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