KX Riders
General => Introductions => Topic started by: b0dem on April 20, 2006, 03:06:29 AM
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Hey guys, just bought a 87 kx500 a few weeks ago. Are there any tricks to getting these d**n things to kick over easier? Also I was wondering if 99 or some newer kx plastics would fit on my bike. Im trying to go black.
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Welcome. I also have an 87 500 that I have completely rebuild from ground up.
Kick start easier? Is your engine hard to start? Mine was hard to start when I first bought it. My float height was off by about 5mm and I changed the jetting on the pilot side. I don't care what year 500 you have there seems to be a process to get them to start. Each bike may be alittle different. At first I had to lean the over on the left side until fuel ran out of the vent lines and then pull up choke kick it one time, push choke down and then a little throttle and second it was running.
Newer plastics? The newer shourds will fit. front fender are the same for the most part. I have not tried the rear fender. Side panels will need some mod to make them fit.
It looks if you had a newer sub frame that would allow you to mount the side panels and a newer seat. But you would want newer gas tank so it would fit the seat.
Denniskirk.com has UFO Plast side panel,rad. shrouds,front and rear fenders,front number plate, and a IMS 3.7 gallon tank for our bikes. All in green only.
Post any info you need? I have spent alot of time finding parts for my bike. I might be able to save you some time.
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Well my foot is bruised up on the bopttom so no more kicking for a few days. My roomate got on it today and 2nd kick it started. I just ordered a new clamp that holds the handle bar on, and new pro taper bars. I havent got to openm her up yet. how fast are these 500`s? my roomate said they are like a 250, but with more torque.
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Welcome! One thing about the KX5 is you have to be real serious about each and every kick! It does not forgive you if you give it a wimpy kick! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Where are you from?
Alan :-D
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Nothing like a 250 :lol:. The 87 has a light switch power band (On / Off) It gets better with jetting. I made a mod to mine to keep the power valves from opening as fast and not over close and it worked. It's like a tractor going up hills. It seems I have more control of the power. You will need to play with the pilot and air screw. Check the float height. Mine starts great. It sat for about three weeks last month and it took three kicks and she was running.
DO NOT KICK START IT WITHOUT YOUR RIDING BOOTS. No tennis shoes allowed.
Try this.http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,1730.0.html
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Welcome! One thing about the KX5 is you have to be real serious about each and every kick! It does not forgive you if you give it a wimpy kick! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Where are you from?
Alan :-D
Tennessee, about 20 miles south of Nashville. I wish my foot wasnt f`ed up, it just rained here and I wanna play in some mud. :|
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20 miles south of Nashville? I live in North Georgia. We need to hook up and ride. Check out highlandparkresort.com this place is about an hour from my house and has some great single track trails.
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There is a tuner on ebay that sells compression release kits for the KX500 and makes it like a 125 type kick. Give them a shot.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Compression-release-CR500-KX500-KTM-LT500-QUADZILLA_W0QQitemZ4632821386QQcategoryZ10066QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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20 miles south of Nashville? I live in North Georgia. We need to hook up and ride. Check out highlandparkresort.com this place is about an hour from my house and has some great single track trails.
hell ya man, that would be fun! I use to ride alot, but havent in the past 6 years or so, so I might slow you down a bit. 8-)
how far are you from chatanooga? My sister in law is in Douglasville.
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30-40 mins. south.
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When I went to ride my '03 for the first time last week, I exhausted myself kicking the beast.
As I had fresh mix, new dual-stage reeds, a new plug, jetting according to the chart and a reed spacer that is supposed to make starting it easier, I figured it was me.
I came back and did a search on the forum. You'll find a few posts with all the right info. It worked for me, doing the rock back and fort gear engaged got me to start cold with 2 kicks, and with giving more throttle I usually start one kick warm.
Once thing you have to do though is make sure the kick lever engages as high in the stroke as possible, so that you can get a good full kick...
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how do you post pics on here?, i got my machine all muddy yesterday, first time i had it out! I think I need some carb work, because when I floored it on the street it hesitated at high rpm`s, esp in 3rd, 4th, 5th. First and 2nd tottally RIP though. The handle bar clamp broke, so i got one on order, also what kinda bars should I get? My dealer has pro tapers on sale for 60.
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here is a link to a pic from a snowmobile forum
http://www.snowmobilefanatics.net/b0dem/2
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You have a 88 or 89 KX500 it's not a 87 KX500. Here's some new shrouds for an 89. I would go with Pro Tapers. Do you have a service manual for your bike? Float height needs to be checked before any jetting can be done properly. You should not have a problem getting black plastic for that year. Go to tufracing.com and get their phone number and ask to speak with Dave. Tufracing is a UFO Plast dealer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-1989-KX500-NEW-Radiator-Shrouds_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35583QQitemZ4633140559QQrdZ1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KX500-FRONT-FENDER-BLACK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35584QQitemZ4632930327QQrdZ1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-1988-89-KX125-KX250-KX500-FMF-Seat-Cover-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35589QQitemZ4633125320QQrdZ1
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The guy i bought it from said it was a 87? he also wrote it on the bill of sale. What do you see that makes it look like its a 88 or 89? Also can you get a title for one of these if you wanted? I know some people have titles for there dirtbikes and i was concidering it.
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From 87 to 88 they changed to the body style that you have. 88-89 was the last two years for the conventional forks. 90 model went to inverted forks. The graphics on the shrouds of your bike are 89 style. It would not take much to turn that girl into a looker. My 87 was in worst shape than that when I started.
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Well I just paid dennis kirk 260 bucks for some new plastics n stuff. cant wait till it gets here. I ordered:
Front fender (black)
rear fender (black)
side plastics (green)
new clutch, brake levers
# plate (black)
and a grafix kit
Now all i need to do is get some carb work, it still isnt running top notch for me.
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Can't wait to see her. I bet with the age of your bike the float height is off. Do you know anything about carbs? You can do the work yourself.
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a bit, not too much about carbs. I need to invest in some BOOTS
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Welcome to the site, lots of excellent information very little b.s.
As to what year your K5 is the 10th digit in the serial no.(VIN) no.will tell what year your bike is. H=87 J=88 K=89. when in doubt twist hard and hang on tight .
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Welcome - Check out in the kx500 topics - best way to start the 5 hundie.