A buddy from work let me borrow his, as my bike is down right now getting the engine rebuilt by Tom Morgan. I'm going to do a bunch of other maintenance stuff while it is down, like:
- replace the suspension bearings
- replace the wheel bearings
- replace the chain and sprockets
- install an EBC oversized front rotor kit and stainless steel brake line
- change the shock and fork oil
After that work, the top and bottom end rebuilds and the new clutch, the bike will be pretty fresh! I may have Tom do his head and power valve work also, which I've heard actually makes it a bit easier to ride with the additinal torque and woder torque curve. Not that I need more power on a KX500...
I used the tool yesterday, and I'll have to say it is pretty sweet! I know you can also do it with a vice and sockets, but the kit has everythign you need. I didn't have to use any heat or freeze anthing, and the bearings came right out and the new ones went right in. The kit is pretty useful.
It is not cheap at around $105, but would also be one of those lifetime tools that will likely never wear out and could be used over and over again.
I may pick one up myself.