lighting coil

[don46]

The cases on the older KX'x, 86, 87, 88 are dimensionally the same, there are some minor differences, for example you couldn't use the tranny out of a newer bike in an older bike or vice versa, anyway the flywheel has a different diameter in 86, 87, 88, and 89, much smaller, then there was another change in about 92, I think, diameter was the same but there was some mod. Anyway, lest we digress, If you find a newer K5 ignition it will fit in your 87-88 motor, the timing marks are the same, there will be fewer wires on the newer unit, yours has 5-6 the newer only has 3, but then the CDI's are different as well. So if you can get your hands on a complete ignition, stator, flywheel and CDI (coil is the same) you'd be good to go.

[don46]

Another thought besides the newer ignition, the 87 tecate 3 wheeler had a lighting coil, I think, they were the same diameter as the 500, you might be able to retrofit a coil onto your ignition. I do know they will work on the 87 kx 250, so it may be worth investigating.

[demographic]

That sounds typical of the joys of putting a headlight on the Kx500. I have a e-line coil sitting on the shelf with a brand new coil In It but Im torn as to what to do with It. I was planing to machine E-line sucks! in the cover but never got around to It. I had to send It back because the mag rubbed the stator this caused the coil to short and It stoped putting out the power It should. I had to argue with E-lines tech who kept telling me that the coil tested good with his ohm meter he couldn't grasp the concept that If there was continuity between the power wires coming out of the coil and the aluminum case that housed the coil  It has a internal short. After they had It for a month and talking to every tech they have and trying to explain that continuity between the power wires and ground (A.K.A. the case) was bad I had to get pissed off and tell them to stick a new coil In It regardless of what they thought. Funny thing when I got the coil back It did not have continuity between the power wires and the case anymore and It was back to putting out the power It should after I ordered a new magnetic puck from baja Designes because e-line turned mine down on a lathe to make sure It would not rub again even though I asked them not to do that and explained That It rubbed because my crank was out of true. I had to split my cases and have my crank trued so the coil would not rub all this was after I almost went out of my mind trying to figure out why the coil wouldnt fit my bike. I found out that you have to use a 94 or newer flywheel to put that coil on a older kx500 In 97 but they don't tell people that they just say It will not fit I can only imagine the grief they could have saved people If they would have passed this info on. screw E-line their lucky that their shop Is not within driving distance of my house If you have to have one of these coils buy It from and deal with http://www.bajadesigns.com/ even If they screw up they care about their rep enough to fix the problem.    P.S. Mr. E-line might be a genius but the people that work for him are not

I have now bought a 97 flywheel in the hope that eventually I can pick up a decent lighting coil so I will see how it goes.

[BigGreenMachine]

Another thought besides the newer ignition, the 87 tecate 3 wheeler had a lighting coil, I think, they were the same diameter as the 500, you might be able to retrofit a coil onto your ignition. I do know they will work on the 87 kx 250, so it may be worth investigating.

The Tecate setup should work on all year KX500's. 84-87 KXT 250 Tecate setups should work but you will need the complete ignition. A popular swap is to use the older (same as the KX500's) KX 250 ignition on the 84 to 87 Tecate to gain a race ready ignition with faster revs.

I no longer have that flywheel or I'd test it on the crank for fitment.

I've included a pic of my 85 Tecate flywheel vs my 88 KX500's flywheel. The Tecate was great in the tight woods, even with it geared high, porting and a big carb (38 vs a 32 stock) it would lug along anywhere.

[Desert Panther]

The cases on the older KX'x, 86, 87, 88 are dimensionally the same, there are some minor differences, for example you couldn't use the tranny out of a newer bike in an older bike or vice versa, anyway the flywheel has a different diameter in 86, 87, 88, and 89, much smaller, then there was another change in about 92, I think, diameter was the same but there was some mod. Anyway, lest we digress, If you find a newer K5 ignition it will fit in your 87-88 motor, the timing marks are the same, there will be fewer wires on the newer unit, yours has 5-6 the newer only has 3, but then the CDI's are different as well. So if you can get your hands on a complete ignition, stator, flywheel and CDI (coil is the same) you'd be good to go.

Don46...Thank you, that is EXACTLY the information I have been trying to obtain since this bike came into my life!  Okay, any leads on where i can find a complete ignition system for a 92+ that I can purchase and install on my 1987? About what should I expect to pay for that? Any help you can provide will be great appreciated and respected!