Question about Jeff Ward's 91-92 500s

[SteelHorse751]

 I have been watching some old motocross videos on youtube and from the looks of it, Jeff Ward's bike "look like" a "normal KX 500.

 I am sure that the suspension has been worked, and I found the thread on Jeff Wards engine, so I know it was 'massaged".

 So I am curious if anyone knows if the frame geometry on his 91-92 500s are different than the Production KX500s.

 In the video from the 1991 500 USGP at Glen Helen, there is a good view of one of the 250/500 Hybrids that some of the guys were running back then.

 Just curious to know how much different the bike that I will be getting is from what he was running back then.

Thanks

[Motorrad]

My documented jeff ward bike is the same geometry...

suspension was Custom on the inside.
all welds on frame etc were done by hand
added guards
motor stuff
etc..

[SteelHorse751]

My documented jeff ward bike is the same geometry...

suspension was Custom on the inside.
all welds on frame etc were done by hand
added guards
motor stuff
etc..

 Thanks Motorrad!

 So at least with some suspension work I now know that the geometry of the original frame can work for what I want to do with the bike.

 Great news!

[Motorrad]

Also look into the Procirciut pull rods for the rear end...

[SteelHorse751]

Also look into the Procirciut pull rods for the rear end...

  When you say pull rods are you talking bout what some refer to as Dog Bones?

 If so, I read a thread on KXRiders about how shorter dog bones (pull rods?) raise the rear end some and help the K5 act better in the turns.

 I will keep my eye out for them as I also read that used or ebay is where they will have to be found now.

 Thank you

[Polar-Bus]

  So I am curious if anyone knows if the frame geometry on his 91-92 500s are different than the Production KX500s.

 

Per strict AMA rules the factories cannot modify the frames geometry different from the production bikes. However, beyond frame geometry and a fuel rule, the sky is the limit as far as mods. I have an old book deeply describing the factory works bikes of the 70's and early 80's and let me tell you the trickery and attention to TINY details is amazing !   

[SteelHorse751]

  So I am curious if anyone knows if the frame geometry on his 91-92 500s are different than the Production KX500s.

 

Per strict AMA rules the factories cannot modify the frames geometry different from the production bikes. However, beyond frame geometry and a fuel rule, the sky is the limit as far as mods. I have an old book deeply describing the factory works bikes of the 70's and early 80's and let me tell you the trickery and attention to TINY details is amazing !   

 Thanks Polar-Bus for the info.

 I didn't realize that about the AMA rule. The last time I was "really" into Motocross was at that same time frame you were talking about (late 70s-early 80s) and I remember drooling all over the pictures of the works bikes.

  I was just watching that video again of the 91 USGP and for production Geometry, Jeff could make that 500 turn on a dime. Of course that was Jeff Ward!

 Still good to know that a KX500 will turn and work well on a motocross track given the proper attention.

[crazyolbastard]

last time I threw a leg over a bike at a race track was in 82,
guess we`re showing our age, ain`t we steel horse
 

[SteelHorse751]

last time I threw a leg over a bike at a race track was in 82,
guess we`re showing our age, ain`t we steel horse
 

 You got that right!

 82 was the last time I raced as well. Had an 81 490 Maico.
 That was a nice bike.

 This K5 I am going to be picking up next month, with some work should do me fine too.


 

[Polar-Bus]

last time I threw a leg over a bike at a race track was in 82,
guess we`re showing our age, ain`t we steel horse
 

 You got that right!

 82 was the last time I raced as well. Had an 81 490 Maico.
 That was a nice bike.

 This K5 I am going to be picking up next month, with some work should do me fine too.


 

As many of us old guys my MX race track days are behind me, I just don't have the strength and stamina anymore and I have a life's agreement to not ride agressively tired anymore especially in race mode on the track. I worked for a Kawi dealer for about 10 years and I was fortunate to attend a Parts Unlimited dealer appreciation event at Southwick. We were able to "try" and ride Travis Pastranas practice RM125 factory bike , and I said what the hell, I had plenty of "wick experience. Let me tell you those factory bikes are so hard to ride (I am just a B vet rider) . Travis RM125 has so much midrange and insane peak hp that it was like hitting the nitrous . The suspension was like riding a cement slab, yet was very controlled. The brakes were equally amazing. The bike also felt like it weighed like 170 lbs....