My New Bike...

[MarkNZ]

I traded my '97 I've had since new on the'04 and bought it home only 2 days ago, It seems abit different from my 'ol '97 Purple seat machine , Cosmetics aside, I've lost a bit of memory ; Does it have the same Keihin as my old Bike ?. From memory I think I Leaned the needle one notch and changed the Pilot Jet down one size....does that still run true ? I have started the Bike it does sound rich though Its still very tight.Thats normal, I know, And would the new Bike have anyting different to my old Girl ?, I seem to remember a Kickstarter Update mentioned sometime. I'd appreciate any advice. I'm going out on Sunday with my Pak on his '04 525 to run it in I'll keep it rich for the Hour or so it takes then drop the Oil , take it home and pull apart and Re-grease the Linkages, Steering Head Bearings etc. All I've done to the '04 is fit a Pro-Circuit Pipe and a set of Pro-Tapers ... Man! Does it look pretty ! Also what Alternative Reed Valve set up should I run, if any, I had the std Boysen Reeds on the Old Bike which smoothed the Abruptness and gave it a little more Top end , I'm not looking for Maximum H/P just efficiency. I'also had an O'ring Chain fitted and a Motor-Minder was installed, Thanks for any Comments

[mikesmith]

Congradulations!I think your '97 already had the brake/suspension upgrades that were done to the 500,so nothing has changed,but It's NEW!I would say most of us like the V-Fource set up.Do regrease every thing ASAP and use thread lock on the bolts,never sieze on the axles,swing arm pivot bolt and shroud bolts,silicone the air box junction and wire connections,have fun.

[Paul]

Glad you made it back Mark. You must be the only fella in New Zealand with one of these beasts

The '04 has the beefed up kick starter but everything else is pretty much the same. Congrats on the new bike

[MarkNZ]

I was told only yesterday by the Dealer that my New KX was the only one 'Gifted' to the South Island of NZ ( Similar Land Area to the whole of the UK, pop less than $1m, seen Lord of the Rings?...you've been there)and he was going to hang it from the Ceiling of his Shop! as a monument ...that was until I walked in.. I'm due for the Inaurgal Break-in Ride on Sunday and have just installed Moose Bar Guards to complete the picture. Kawasaki NZ sure gave me more than the New CR500 I bought in mid '01 --Full Spares kit (just like my '97) and a Motor Minder, Plus a Set of Moose Bar-Guard 's Alloy plus Plastic. What did Honda give me ?? Nothing...Heres your Bike, plus a Handbook , thanks for your Money See Ya, And it cost more than the KX just did ! Go you Green things, wheres the Big Honda now ? Sitting right next to me here in the Computer room, Unstarted and unridden, thanks for your input