1986 kx 500 any bugs with this year

[kiwimonster]

Hi all looking at buying this anything i should look for. looks nice has had a full motor rebuild top to bottom. cheers kiwi

[Polar-Bus]

Wow, that '86 is in amazing condition ! It looks almost all original !  Be carefull braking until all the rust gets cleaned off the rotors !

[1989kawasaki]

go for it 

[sandblaster]

There are not really any bug issues.
I would inspect the chrome on the forks carefully for rock damage as there is no rubber fork boots on.
Also, check the forks for straightness as I have seen a few of these conventional forks bent.
It is a bit harder to find parts for the earlier K5's but still doable.
Bounce the bike hard several times and see if any oil is leaking on the rear shock and the forks.
Watch those brakes as they should be cleaned up a bit first.
Also, check the screws in the reservoir cover to see if the heads are stripped.
Verify the kill switch works and that you can easily access it if the need arises 
Get under the bike and look for repairs to the engine cases.
Open the radiator and see if they are corroded.
If you can, run the bike a bit and then check the oil to see if there is any water in it and check the plug color while your at it.
A compression check would be nice.
While on a stand, spin the wheels to see if the rims are straight, bearings are good, and check them for cracks.
Move the swing arm up and down and side to side to check the bearings there as well.
Other than that, check everything you can carefully.
Then again, you probably knew all that 

[kiwimonster]

cheers guys for the imput  it is an American import so the shop said rust is on the rotors is from shipping over here to New Zealand. looks pretty straight and solid.

[kwakman]

if you buy it and need any b2 related advice, gimme a shout.K.

[Polar-Bus]

Do you know how long this bike has been sitting ? My only concern is if there is rust on the rotors, there is a high probability that there is rust on the internals of the engine..

Rust pitted crank bearings will spell quick disaster to your engine. If the engine was not properly oil fogged for extended storage you might have a ticking time bomb. Try to get some input on the history of this bike...

[kiwimonster]

the motor is fully rebuilt from top too bottom. will check the receipts

[awak100]

New motor yes,  Well I'd surely check rubber intake where reeds set in,  most bikes that old have cracks in them.  Note you cant get them any more.  I junk them and put new stile on them,  different angle though.  so I use a sock on it instead.  Hate to see you lose that nice new motor.

[tcoop474]

My personal advice and i own a 86 is stay away from it. Every part is more expensive then the newer models and you cant get rid of it if u want to cause of its age. Ive put mine up twice for giggles to see what id get offered and ive got maybe 2 calls both low ball 2-500$.
Parts for example
1 radiator beat to crap for the 86 on ebay is 60$+
88+ u can get new aluminum ones for 80$ set

[tcoop474]

I personally though do not want to get rid of my 86 i love the power and its fun plus ive spent more fixing it up then its worth so might as well keep it. But i now know if times ever get bad thats the one toy i wont be able to get rid of to help me lol

[awak100]

I think its primo.  I got one of those 86's.  Pretty good bike, but mines really pipee like a 125 2 stroke.  It hits really hard.  Cant hardly get parts any more.  If its got a new top end I'd go for it.  Well if its a pretty good price that is.  Take care of that pipe to.  There hard to find, and the ones that are out there are junk.  Cant get new ones anymore that I know of.  Cant get plastic.  Well shouds and side panels.  Probably butcher a new  front fender and rear fender to fit.  I did update to 39 keihin carb though. 

[kkvslayer]

I think its primo.  I got one of those 86's.  Pretty good bike, but mines really pipee like a 125 2 stroke.  It hits really hard.  Cant hardly get parts any more.  If its got a new top end I'd go for it.  Well if its a pretty good price that is.  Take care of that pipe to.  There hard to find, and the ones that are out there are junk.  Cant get new ones anymore that I know of.  Cant get plastic.  Well shouds and side panels.  Probably butcher a new  front fender and rear fender to fit.  I did update to 39 keihin carb though. 

I Just recently bought a 86 and have been doing massive reading on this site and all over the web for the past 3 weeks about the K5,I wouldn't worry to much about parts availability,just cause part #'s change doesn't mean they don't fit,there is full plastic sets on ebay,newer pistons fit,rod kit is the same for the entire k5 lifespan,clutch kits are still available,89-04 pipes fit,you can update to inverted forks,The powervalve is the only part on the 86 motor that I would worry about having a hard time replacing

[tcoop474]

I bought the new plastic kit on ebay very satisfied with it. Parts arent hard to get the availability isnt the problem the problem is the prices. 87+ parts a cheaper then 86. True you can get new parts and make them fit if you have the knowledge, time, and money for labor.
All in all im very satisfied with my 86 and dont let me discourage you from getting the 86 im just stating the facts from my 1 yr experience with mine and looking for parts that arent ridiculous IMO
its what you want if the 86 is your only option then by all means snag it ull be happy but if u can wait and get newer i would.
Just my .02