87 KX500 piston swap

[monster malibu]

I need to swap the piston and rings in my 87 KX500 and was wondering if I can do the swap in the bike. I have roughly 2.5-3" of clearance between the head and the frame.  If I pull the head off, will I have enough room to get the cylinder off if I get the piston to it's lowest point? Is the exhaust valve bolted in the head, or will it just fall out when I lift the head off?  Sorry about all the questions guys, I'm just new to tearing bikes apart.

[don46]

I don't know about an 87, but on the 89 you could change the piston with out pulling the motor. I would assume you could on the 87 as well, I've never had to pull a motor to change the piston.

[BDI]

I have never seen a dirt bike that you could not service the top end In the bike. And If I had one I would burn It, twice.

[monster malibu]

I was hoping I could do the swap in the bike. Is the exhaust valve bolted in the head?  Thanks for the quick replies guys.

[Danger4u2]

This is a very good read, lots of info.
http://www.hallbergs.net/kx500/#41

[hughes]

I was hoping I could do the swap in the bike. Is the exhaust valve bolted in the head?  Thanks for the quick replies guys.

The exhaust valves are in the cylinder. No they will not just fall out when you remove the clyinder. The top end can be serviced with engine in the frame. Remove seat tank/shrouds/pipe. In some cases I like to remove the radiators just to keep from banging the fins.

[monster malibu]

Thanks for the info guys, I talked to the previous and he said the same thing you guys did about the exhaust valve and tear down.