Author Topic: 1985 KX500 questions  (Read 40916 times)

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Offline sandblaster

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #60 on: April 07, 2016, 04:31:50 PM »
I wish I had a two stroke timing light  :-o
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline tobys 2 strokes

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #61 on: April 08, 2016, 01:56:19 AM »
both of my Mac lights have 2 stroke mode. you have to hook them up to a battery to work .

Did the 85s have a heavier flywheel? my 86 had the smaller lighter flywheel you can get to the stater bolts with it installed

Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #62 on: April 08, 2016, 03:12:46 AM »
i'll take a picture of the flywheel and ignition assembly and post it up later. it seems pretty large. i plan on using this bike for more high speed and RPMs...maybe some lightening is in order? thoughts?   :-D

Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #63 on: April 19, 2016, 01:19:00 AM »
man, for some reason or another I couldn't get on the forum for a couple weeks...I was starting to go thru withdrawl! LOL

not a whole lot has happened since last time. I just got my piston and cylinder back last night from US chrome. very pleased with their work! will certainly do business with them again. not only was the product good, but their customer service was always quick to get back to me. here are some shots of the piston with the low friction skirt coating and cylinder all taped up ready for paint.





clutch cover just needs a bit more detail work and then I can start re-installing the seals and water pump layshaft bearings

« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 03:45:01 AM by Abbott »

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #64 on: April 19, 2016, 01:53:08 AM »
Again, looks great..
There were many freaking out about the site...
I saw your question about the rear wheel weight.
I'll see if I can get that for you.
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline motojason

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #65 on: April 19, 2016, 05:19:30 AM »
man, for some reason or another I couldn't get on the forum for a couple weeks...I was starting to go thru withdrawl! LOL

not a whole lot has happened since last time. I just got my piston and cylinder back last night from US chrome. very pleased with their work! will certainly do business with them again. not only was the product good, but their customer service was always quick to get back to me. here are some shots of the piston with the low friction skirt coating and cylinder all taped up ready for paint.




That looks like a later piston with a flat top. The 85 piston had a dome. What is the compression with the flat piston? Did you modify the head? 
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Offline motojason

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #66 on: April 19, 2016, 05:24:50 AM »
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Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #67 on: April 19, 2016, 08:56:04 AM »
man, for some reason or another I couldn't get on the forum for a couple weeks...I was starting to go thru withdrawl! LOL

not a whole lot has happened since last time. I just got my piston and cylinder back last night from US chrome. very pleased with their work! will certainly do business with them again. not only was the product good, but their customer service was always quick to get back to me. here are some shots of the piston with the low friction skirt coating and cylinder all taped up ready for paint.




That looks like a later piston with a flat top. The 85 piston had a dome. What is the compression with the flat piston? Did you modify the head? 

although it looks very flat in the picture, it does have a slight "dome" to it. unsure of the compression yet. I will post the numbers once it is back in the bike and checked. knowing the work that has been done to the bike so far, I am sure the previous owner did not modify the head. that would be my luck

Offline motojason

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #68 on: April 19, 2016, 10:04:08 AM »
It is definately a different or aftermarket piston. The OEM 83-85 KX500 pistons have only one ring. Probably a better seal with two rings, even if a little more friction.
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Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #69 on: April 19, 2016, 01:37:15 PM »
I believe it is just a newer style 500 piston. Probably aftermarket as well. I saw in your 85 build thread that you went to the Unadilla rewind...where are you from? I live up in the fingerlakes area of NY.

finished painting the cylinder tonight

« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 03:45:15 AM by Abbott »

Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #70 on: April 24, 2016, 11:48:40 PM »
head has been painted to match the cylinder. just need to get myself an M10x1.25 helicoil and tap for one of the cylinder head studs and I can start re-assembling the top end.

« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 03:45:22 AM by Abbott »

Offline motojason

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #71 on: April 25, 2016, 02:51:59 AM »
I believe it is just a newer style 500 piston. Probably aftermarket as well. I saw in your 85 build thread that you went to the Unadilla rewind...where are you from? I live up in the fingerlakes area of NY.

I am from NY originally, but I live in MI now. I still have family in the Downsville, NY area. I will be at the Rewind again this year. It is one of the best vintage race events of the season. Definately one to attend. Your bike is eligable for the promoter's Retro class, but not AHRMA (yet). Hopefully, the Ultima  rules will change for 2017 and allow the non-powervalve, front disk brake KXs.

Cylinder and head are looking good!

Consider the compression release mod for the head. It's a good idea, even if you can kick it over with out it. Having the release puts much less stress on the kick start mechanism.   
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Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #72 on: May 04, 2016, 02:01:52 PM »
front wheel is here. helicoil tap is finally on its way so I can finish the motor.

still need to buy a scale so I can weigh these sandblaster. the front feels so light without the rotors

« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 03:45:44 AM by Abbott »

Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #73 on: May 13, 2016, 12:14:53 PM »
Finally found some time to get this motor back together. Spring time keeps me busy on the Ducati's. I work on them for a side gig.


« Last Edit: January 06, 2018, 03:45:54 AM by Abbott »

Offline Abbott

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Re: 1985 KX500 questions
« Reply #74 on: August 22, 2016, 02:58:54 PM »
finally got it back together enough to fire it up. third kick!  been a busy summer. still lots of work to do.

what do you recommend for jets and carb baseline settings? want to make sure this isn't running lean...

http://s98.photobucket.com/user/dakota318st/media/XiaoYing_Video_1471918039026_1.mp4.html