Author Topic: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE  (Read 17389 times)

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Offline Mohave

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #15 on: March 18, 2016, 02:55:30 PM »
Mohave here having Sandblaster work his magic.
One comment on the reeds...I wonder if a corner coming off could cause a dent in the piston?
I mean you have fiberglass versus metal...so I think the metal would win?

Anyways the reeds chipping is kinda scary becuase those are OEM from Rocky Mountain or Service Honda.
And they may, maybe, have 40 hours or so of engine time.

So why did they chip?  Anyone know if the carbon fiber are longer lasting than the fiberglass?

Suggestions?
« Last Edit: March 18, 2016, 04:48:02 PM by sandblaster »

Motorrad

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2016, 03:19:51 PM »
Is Mohave one of the heads I have here to cut?
« Last Edit: March 18, 2016, 04:48:14 PM by sandblaster »

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2016, 04:44:28 PM »
Yes it is.... but I wasn't going to call it  :-o
But now that the cat is out of the bag let the fun begin  :-D
« Last Edit: March 18, 2016, 04:49:03 PM by sandblaster »
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Motorrad

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #18 on: March 19, 2016, 03:01:24 AM »
Yes it is.... but I wasn't going to call it  :-o
But now that the cat is out of the bag let the fun begin  :-D
Which one?  #1 or #2?

Offline Mohave

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #19 on: March 19, 2016, 05:07:25 AM »
So I wanted to see what everyone thought about reeds.  I have it down to two candidates.

This one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Tassinari-Reed-Cage-Valve-System-VForce-3-Kx500-Kx-500-1987-2004-V3R08-/231391405252?fits=Model%3AKX500&hash=item35e000a4c4:g:BgEAAOSwMmBV3Hta&vxp=mtr

or just new carbon reeds:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-KX500-BOYESEN-PRO-SERIES-REEDS-KX-500-86-04-/290730319662?fits=Model%3AKX500&hash=item43b0e09f2e:m:mv0lw-5UYLWmgviEA4u-EPg&vxp=mtr

The Moto-Tassinari has no screws that I can see to ever come out but I use loctite anyways on the stock cage.

Anyone know if the Moto Tassinari is that much better than stock?  For $50 you get new reeds, for $125 a whole new assembly.  Any thoughts?

Offline mikectanker

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #20 on: March 19, 2016, 07:41:14 AM »
There are some big write ups on the reeds here if you search. I have a new vforce 3 that I'd be glad to give you a deal on. I highly suggest
researching what sandblaster found on the vforce 3 vs vforce2 before buying anything.

Read this---> http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,11799.0.html
« Last Edit: March 19, 2016, 07:53:47 AM by mikectanker »

Motorrad

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #21 on: March 19, 2016, 11:19:09 AM »
There are some big write ups on the reeds here if you search. I have a new vforce 3 that I'd be glad to give you a deal on. I highly suggest
researching what sandblaster found on the vforce 3 vs vforce2 before buying anything.

Read this---> http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,11799.0.html


Yep that sandblaster fellow Is a pretty sharp guy.

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #22 on: March 19, 2016, 11:39:00 AM »
Yes it is.... but I wasn't going to call it  :-o
But now that the cat is out of the bag let the fun begin  :-D
Which one?  #1 or #2?

It is the last one I sent you.
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #23 on: March 19, 2016, 11:41:33 AM »
There are some big write ups on the reeds here if you search. I have a new vforce 3 that I'd be glad to give you a deal on. I highly suggest
researching what sandblaster found on the vforce 3 vs vforce2 before buying anything.

Read this---> http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,11799.0.html


Yep that sandblaster fellow Is a pretty sharp guy.


Uhhhhh... Sure.... I groped around in the dark until Motorrad turned on the lights and all the little bugs went scurrying out of the light  :-P
I heard all the talk but didn't fully understand until I cut a cylinder in half and said, "OH!!!! That's what Motorrad was talking about!!!"
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Motorrad

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #24 on: March 19, 2016, 04:22:14 PM »
Yes it is.... but I wasn't going to call it  :-o
But now that the cat is out of the bag let the fun begin  :-D
Which one?  #1 or #2?

It is the last one I sent you.

Cool.. Mojave gets the secret squirrel "M" head cut....

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #25 on: March 19, 2016, 04:57:26 PM »
And he will like it too :-)
The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline Mohave

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #26 on: March 20, 2016, 07:05:11 AM »
Cool...secret squirrel head cut...now that is something I would have never thought to associate with a KX500... :?

Offline Mohave

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #27 on: March 20, 2016, 07:15:33 AM »
So I read the thread that mikectanker was kind enough to put out there...thanks.
Looks like the best bang for the buck would be the stock cage with the carbon fiber reeds and maybe a spacer.

I ran a spacer before and liked it, I think Sandblaster ended up with it.  A little harder to put the carb on but not bad.
And I dont remember it rubbing anything.  It did not change my jetting either.

VF2 are hard to find and will be more money.  But they look like the hot ticket.

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #28 on: April 19, 2016, 03:45:12 AM »
Verifying all the parts were in..



Installing the main bearings and seals:



Droppin in the crank:



Lubin up the trans parts:

The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.

Offline sandblaster

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Re: 2002 KX500 KAWASAKI ENGINE BUILD FOR MOHAVE
« Reply #29 on: April 19, 2016, 03:47:25 AM »
Trans installation:



Picasso at work...



Motorrad's head cut..



When the cases snap shut without a fuss, you know you did something right

The four stroke engine: That's one stroke for producing power and three for wearing the engine out.