What cranks will interchange year to year

[Big Daddy J]

Anyone got any idea what crankshafts can be interchanged from year to year or where I can get a new or rebuilt crank or repair the one in the bike? It's a 2001 and has apparently broke the thrust bearing on the crank end.

[bob larry]

Just get it true and buy new rod and bearing kit.
Or buy a new crank...used cranks are not worth buying.

New crank bearings and seals, and clean the hell out of the bottom.

[Roostmad1]

i think its best to buy genuine kawasaki bearings than some made in china rubbish like sold on ebay unless its SKF or some other well know make.

[Motorrad]

Stewart doesn't run stock bearings.   I forget what his reason was for this. As it was about a year ago we had that conversation.   Or what he runs in their place

[NZ500]

I'd be getting the crank you have rebuilt. Unless yours has damaged the main journals I don't see any point in buying something you already have.

I use mostly NTN bearings in my bikes. My work has most standard sizes on the shelf, quite handy

I see no need to use OEM bearings if a quality replacement is available. After all you're more than likely paying for a kawasaki logo on a bearing manufactured by someone else. I just did a full rebuild on my ktm, they must use rediculously expensive boxes for their 'genuine' bearings lol. I'm pleased they were standard sizes!

[sandblaster]

Here is the interchangeability on KX500 crank shafts
83-84 KX500
85-86 KX500
1987 KX500 ONLY
1988 KX500 ONLY
89-04 KX500

[kwakman]

85 and 86 cranks are not the same....no p/valve drive on 85 crank, the 86 on bikes are all interchangeable, just that the earlier models have a different method of mounting the primary drive gear.....

[sandblaster]

Hello.
Thanks for the correction.
I'm sure that you are in the know.

However, this is what www.bikebandit.com shows:

13031:
CRANKSHAFT-COMP
   761277
(543871-001)          $379.75

1985 Kawasaki KX500(KX500B1)US
1986 Kawasaki KX500(KX500B2)US
--------------------------------------
Here is what http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/ shows:

1985 KX500 13031     CRANKSHAFT-COMP     13031-1182
1986 KX500 13031     CRANKSHAFT-COMP     13031-1182
--------------------------------------
Here is what  http://www.powersedge.com shows

1985 KX500 13037A  SKU: 13031-1182 CRANKSHAFT-COMP
1986 KX500 13037A  SKU: 13031-1182 CRANKSHAFT-COMP
----------------------------------------
My own personal records agree with what these 3 sites are providing.
If I am mistaken I stand corrected.

[Speedway73]

The '85 and '86 cranks are the same. The KIPS governor is driven by the spur gear...which is also the same from '85 to '86.

[kwakman]

my mistake.was thinking of the cases.
however, dont get too hung up on part numbers.according to kawasaki, the 86 clutch bearing (discontinued) cannot be replaced by a later type bearing. but I assure you it can.same with pipes, rads and a host of other things.

[sandblaster]

You are absolutely right, part numbers are only good to a certain point.
A good case of this is wheel hubs.
If the manufacture changes a hub color from black to gray the part numbers will be different while all of the geometry is the same.
However, I have access to actual photo's of many thousands of parts which I use on a daily basis as well as many casting numbers which are rarely available on the internet or anywhere else that I am aware of 
I'm sure the manufactures have that sort of info but they don't usually like to share
Great job guys, that's what this site is all about.