Hey guys... Great site! Glad to be aboard....
Quick question... I am giong to go look at a KX500 today (used to own a 87 sold it and missed it ever since so I decided to get another one)... here are the emails the guy sent me of what it has (just going to cut and paste) give me your oppinion as to anything I should look out for.
And chances are the owner stomps around here... he seems like a very stand up guy...
-Dave
email description one
1991 main frame (Bought from Jeff Ward, I have the documentation)
In 2000 I bought the bike directly from Doug Haas & he built the frame to Kawasaki factory race specs with integrated engine guards and powder coated green.
I had three 500's at the time. I am down to 2, this is the last one I am selling.
In 2006 I had Haas Racing rebuild the motor from top to bottom (Doug Haas works with my brother-in-law). I rode it once in Ocotillo, and it has been sitting in my garage for almost two years now with no use. Maybe 2 hours on the motor.
It has a 21" black "Pro-wheel" in front and an 18" rear wheel. Maxxis IT's on the front and back.
Air injected big carb.
Boyesen Reeds
ProTaper KX High-Bend bars with newer grips.
Scotts stabilizer mount and top clamp.
DFLEX handguards
FMF Gnarly Pipe and Turbine-Core 4 silencer.
Uni filters only
Pro-Prept suspension with inverted front forks.
Air-Blown fuel cell for extended capacity.
Devol radiaitor guards and bottom glide plate.
and more that I probably forgot....
Email description #2
It's an E-2 head and cylinder. I had a sleeve put in by Racers Toy-Store and then had the head plate-coated to Pro-Circuit specs (I have a Mitch-Payton signature head from Destry Abbott, and I had them match that porting)
The motor was rebuilt top to bottom. All gaskets, seals and bearings were replaced. New piston & a new Wiseco Pro Crank.
Suspension is set up for 200-210 lb. rider. (me)
Doug haas built and ran the Dynos for Kawasaki in the late 80's early 90's. As per him, the stock frames were chain built. On the factory bikes they would grind and re-weld all of the welds. If you look closely in the pictures, he integrated engine guards into the frame when he re-welded everything. This bike as set-up, is primarily for the open desert. Although it would smoke anything in the sand drags, it has never had a paddle tire on it. I am not into the deep sand, I believe the wear & tear is too great on a 2-stroke engine.