Author Topic: Things to look out for...breaking  (Read 4446 times)

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Offline bunk

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Things to look out for...breaking
« on: November 17, 2008, 04:17:56 AM »
What are the things to look out for on our bikes that break easy?  I?ve already broke and fixed the pipe mount and now this past weekend the sprocket side chain adjuster snapped.  Two weeks ago i went through all the nuts/bolts and thread locked them because I already lost one on the rear number plate.  Are there any other little goofy things like that I could fix/replace/modify now so I have a less likely chance to break out on a ride?  Any thoughts are very much appreciated.  Thanks-
01' 500

Offline Johnniespeed

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2008, 11:24:57 AM »
You already know about the pipe mounts. The pipe mounting dampers break as well. Also if I dont put a drop of Blue Loctite on the seat bolts after a filter change, I notice one missing after a ride. I usually put Blue Loctite on small bolts and red on the larger ones. I am sure there is some type of mathmatical theory as what color to use where, but blue on small and red on big, is my way.  My Promoto kickstand has loosened once, but not since I redid the red loctite. I used to have front spokes loosen all the time, but I got rid of the Kawasaki spokes and installed Buchannon spokes, problem solved.
  John
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Offline Hillclimb#42

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2008, 11:39:03 AM »
Bark busters save levers,perches and throttle tubes. Alot of people take notice of cable routes, and brake lines, and protect them where they touch stuff, especially radiator or head. I'd rather lose bolts than loc tite into tank or into clip nuts or fixed nuts. Don't want to damage any special fastners. Important to retorque all engine bolts, and motor mounts after warming up bike a couple times right after a disassembly. Also k5's are a little famous for having cranks out of balance, for a few reasons, and that tends to fling the bolts easier than some other bikes. As far as being prepared, I always take extra parts, nuts,bolts,washers, grips, plugs, bars, sprockets, zip ties... everything. Cause it blows to load up before you're spent. I really just watch for loose bolts and especially missing bolts for plastic, because overtightening just tears up the plastic too much, even with those captive washers.
  Exhaust mount is pretty common, but that chain adjuster might have been loose axel or something, huh?

Offline Ranger32

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2008, 11:46:20 AM »
I have read second gear like to break

KX 500 fever

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2008, 12:06:28 PM »
 the difrence between the blue and red loc tight is red has a higher holding streath its like a grade 3 bolt being blue and a grade 8 being red and neither will set up if oxgen is present but when the oxgen is taken away it will set up and get hard. if you use loc tight red or blue and have a hard time getting the bolt or nut loose use a little bit of heat on it. the heat will soften up the loc tight   

Offline GDubb

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2008, 12:11:33 PM »
My bike has a bad habit of breaking other men's egos and constantly crushes the hopes and dreams of every four stroke at the dunes. I have learned to deal with it accordingly. I carry plenty of spare ego with me at all times in the sand. I havent broken much at all other than the pipe mounting dampners and rockin' -n- rollin' a few nuts/bolts loose as stated before. Other than that it just shreds tires.  8-) :mrgreen:


-G
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Offline maddoggy

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2008, 01:32:34 PM »
i would steer clear of the red loctite. it causes more trouble than its worth. red is made for heavy duty machinery applications and a motorcycle isn't in the heavy duty category. the blue should do the trick in all the needed areas of your bike. someone else already mentioned the heat trick and that works real well if you have trouble removing loctited fasteners.

Offline BDI

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2008, 03:26:03 PM »
Upper subframe mount!!!!
Smoke every cigarette like It's your last and ride like you stole something!!!

Offline hughes

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2008, 12:01:38 AM »
Replace the kick starter with one from an 2004 kx500. Mod the lever stop so it makes full contact with lever.
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Offline bunk

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2008, 02:18:24 AM »
Upper subframe mount!!!!

??? A little more info on this?  Im assuming a breakage problem?  Did you beef yours up?
01' 500

Offline gowen

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2008, 06:49:56 AM »
I think near everything broke on mine at one point or another.

Offline GDubb

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2008, 10:28:42 AM »
Upper subframe mount!!!!

??? A little more info on this?  Im assuming a breakage problem?  Did you beef yours up?



There are pictures of a few frame strengthening mods in Ramski's gallery. Check 'em out.


-G
Rock it 'til the wheels fall off!

"It's not what you ride... It's who you're riding for!" - www.mxrevelation.com -

Offline BDI

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2008, 05:28:16 PM »
Thanks GDUB!!!, that's exactly what I did to mine with the gussets but I also got a piece of chrome moly tubing that was the next size up from the tubing used to make the mount. I made a cap that fit on the mount that wraped slighty over half of it. It snaped on tight and then got fully tig welded on then I added the two triangle gussets. Never had another problem with that.
Smoke every cigarette like It's your last and ride like you stole something!!!

Offline bunk

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #13 on: November 20, 2008, 07:36:10 AM »
I replaced my adjuster bolts last night to also find that both my front and rear sprocket broke a tooth off.  Looks like its time to change around the gearing a little.
01' 500

Offline KX500freak

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Re: Things to look out for...breaking
« Reply #14 on: November 20, 2008, 08:29:58 AM »
Upper subframe mount!!!!

??? A little more info on this?  Im assuming a breakage problem?  Did you beef yours up?



There are pictures of a few frame strengthening mods in Ramski's gallery. Check 'em out.


-G


nice mod !

especially for 220 lbs guys like me
never broke it but i will do the mod anyway  :mrgreen:
Dutch Team Green 91-94-01 KX500