Author Topic: 1983 KX500  (Read 7601 times)

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Offline neil

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1983 KX500
« on: November 01, 2012, 02:58:16 PM »
Here is the new project. I hope to do a decent restoration with it. http://imgur.com/peEsP
let me know what you think.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2012, 03:00:08 PM by neil »

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2012, 04:08:03 PM »
Looks like a fun project.
Keep us updated with your efforts and tons of pics  :-D
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline dave916

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2012, 08:42:19 AM »
http://www.pulpmx.com/stories/worst-bikes-ever

no4 on list, dont spend too much cash on it

Offline Foxx4Beaver

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2012, 09:10:23 AM »
Excuse me, ma'am...but you've got extremely nice legs!!!...what time do they open???                                                                                                               https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8tCgN3aryQ

Offline neil

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2012, 02:35:38 PM »
do you guys think i should change this air filter  http://imgur.com/eNb3T
or is it normal for wasps to build their home there? maybe it will make it go faster.
On the bright sight i yanked out the air box and checked the carb, then sprayed some starter fluid in it to test the spark, and it fired up first kick and ran for about five seconds on the starter fluid. Not the best way to test for spark but it worked.
also the cylinder and piston look good from what i can see through the exhaust port. I should finish tearing it down tomorrow.

Offline KXDINO

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2012, 03:54:42 PM »
Good read,but with most of those bikes,they can be made better,thats why there forums like this.I dont think it would take too many mods to sought out the 83k5.At least it will be fun trying?Its the enjoyment of it all ,thats what it all about.

Offline Enginerd

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2012, 07:06:29 AM »
...with most of those bikes,they can be made better. Thats why there are forums like this. I dont think it would take too many mods to sort out the 83K5. At least it will be fun trying?  Its the enjoyment of it all ,thats what its all about.
AGREED!  :-D

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2012, 09:01:02 AM »
And you know, it's not always about how good something works, sometimes it's about the cool factor  8-)
I'd love to find a nice 83 and work on restoring it.
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline neil

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2012, 03:06:09 PM »
I finally have the bike in pieces. The rear fender is pretty sunbaked so it is not salvageable but i think i am going to try to mod a newer kx250 fender to put on it. I know others are doing this with the newer K5's but a ten dollar rear fender is better than shelling out 200 for all new plastics (it would prob help the looks too). The bolt for the triple tree wouldn't budge, but thankfully this bike came with it's own breaker bar http://imgur.com/Sntz6 . We have the motor out of the frame and everything else off of it, we will probably paint the frame tomorrow if i have time. If anyone has advice on the fender mod for a much older K5 i would appreciate it i have seen the other pics of them and they look a lot better than stock. More to come tomorrow.

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2012, 04:13:14 PM »
The 83 has a unique rear fender mount.
I'm not sure the newer fenders could be made to work.
It will be interesting to see what you come up with.
I just finished a rear fender mod for my 01 today.
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,10863.msg86125/topicseen.html#new
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline neil

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2012, 12:46:22 PM »
I just thought I would give you guys an update on my progress http://imgur.com/hQq3G

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2012, 01:20:00 PM »
Ah... Progress.
Thanks for the pic.
Please keep them coming
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline 81cr450

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #12 on: November 09, 2012, 04:00:50 PM »
if I only had a pair, I could actually ride this thing

& to the people I like  FYYFF

Offline dave916

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2012, 03:53:42 AM »
I reckon if u going to restore it try and keep it looking as orginal as possibe,including the rear fender
The more orginal it looks the more it will be worth
Nice poster on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/83-KAWASAKI-KX-500-MOTOCROSS-DIRT-BIKE-POSTER-KX500-vintage-motor-bike-/380512640269?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5898521d0d
good luck with the build

Offline neil

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Re: 1983 KX500
« Reply #14 on: November 11, 2012, 09:57:49 AM »
I am not really trying to "restore" it per say but rather save it from the decayed condition it was in. I am not that worried about affecting the price because I picked it up for relatively cheap and i dont plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I would be happy if I can get it operable again.