KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Aluminum Frame Conversion (AFC) => Topic started by: kxpegger on November 10, 2008, 03:52:40 PM

Title: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 10, 2008, 03:52:40 PM
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai001.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai002.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai003.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai004.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai005.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai006.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai008.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai009.jpg)

(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s301/peteegger/Wicked500ccofKawai010.jpg)

Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: traileater on November 10, 2008, 03:57:21 PM
Incredible, looks like its worth every penny  8-)
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: k5abuser on November 10, 2008, 05:34:36 PM
niceeeee bike kxpegger . now break it in easy .  :lol: :lol: :evil: :wink: you will have to let some of us live though your thoughts as you learn how much differnet it is from the steel frame KX500.
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: KX500freak on November 10, 2008, 07:51:41 PM
awesome ride  !!   8-)

did notice the dent in the crate ,some forkliftdriver must have had to much drinks :-o
sec.fourth and fifth pic
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: gowen on November 10, 2008, 11:54:19 PM
Oh my again. I do not know how many of these threads I'm going to read and pics I'm going to see before I lose my mind and buy one. Somebody stop me!!!!
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 11, 2008, 12:08:38 AM
awesome ride  !!   8-)

did notice the dent in the crate ,some forkliftdriver must have had to much drinks :-o
sec.fourth and fifth pic
Yeah, one of the side rails of the steel crate was pushed against the radiator shroud and it also had rubbed a spot on the pipe guard. Just some very cosmetic stuff that you really can't see unless you're up real close. There will be lots more wrong with it after my first ride today!
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: Danger4u2 on November 11, 2008, 12:28:33 AM
Mine had a fork lift dent also.  Pushed a dent into the front tire.  Just into the rubber
no scuff marks.  I've been looking at skid plates, trying to figure on easy to fit and the most protection.  Good looking bike.  (Looks just like mine.)
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 11, 2008, 12:38:59 AM
Mine had a fork lift dent also.  Pushed a dent into the front tire.  Just into the rubber
no scuff marks.  I've been looking at skid plates, trying to figure on easy to fit and the most protection.  Good looking bike.  (Looks just like mine.)
Service Honda offers a full skid plate as one of their options but I just went with the factory glide plate. I think that the pipe should protect most of the bike. Hmmm... although I do ride Nevada (moon craters)?
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: AJ on November 11, 2008, 01:48:42 AM
nice bike  :-D

Kxpeggers,
 my father and brother live in Nevada. NW part , fallon and carson/dade city area.
I've ridden a bit at *moonrocks* near reno..... fun area.

hope you enjoy the ride!
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: cr37 on November 11, 2008, 03:40:31 AM
Has anyone tried a glide plate from a 450? do you have to trim a little?
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: Danger4u2 on November 11, 2008, 04:04:48 AM
I was looking at the different glide plates because the pipe is going to take any impact before it gets to the water pump or stator.
Just need to protect the frame rails and bottom of the motor.
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: AJ on November 11, 2008, 10:58:36 AM
I use a works connection glide plate on the CR500AFs no troubles.
(as well as carbon fibre glide plates)


and while i havnt tried fitting one up on a KX500AF,.,.
i believe any "glide plate" style made for a KXF450 would fit well,
at least any of the carbon fibre or alum ones..likely would

however
a more coverage, /wider skid plate  might need trimmed i nsome areas .. to fit.
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here/ride report!
Post by: kxpegger on November 11, 2008, 12:21:14 PM
To tell anyone in this forum thread how fast the bike is would be preaching to the choir!

I've named the bike "Jihad" for now because it has to be a plot by sleeper cells in Indiana and Japan to wack as many unsuspecting dirt riders as possible! The thing is scary fast and for the first time in a long while I felt some occasional fear. Throttle control is absolutely critical and this bike takes complete focus if you're going to stay out of trouble! I did do a few wheelies though! 5 minutes into the ride at break-in speed I already had arm pump and realizing the bike had some brutal power and starting to wonder why I thought I needed this monster bike! I've been riding an RMZ450 for the last 3 years and can ride that thing all day. I thought because of this the KX500AF's power wouldn't be that big of a deal. I was wrong about that!

The only problems I had with the bike was after it warmed up it didn't want to start and would have some 1/4 throttle issues. Also the kick start lever would grind into the frame at bottom stroke but eventually wore in to where it's not a problem anymore. I'll touch it up with a grinder and "case closed".

I figured out by the end of the day what the performance issue was. The air screw on the carb was out almost 4 turns. Screwed it back in and then out 1 1/4 turns and screwed the idle in about 2 turns solved all the problems and now the bike snaps off of idle! The only other issue is to find the shorty spark plug the bike uses. It's about a 1/2 inch shorter than a standard plug and used for clearance because the tank bottom is close to the spark plug and wire.

The only other comment for the moment is I think the bike should have come with fat bars and flex levers for the money. Overall I'm very pleased with the bike and I hope I don't "off" myself on it!

Does anyone know a cheap online source for these plugs?

Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: stewart on November 11, 2008, 12:32:46 PM
thats sounds fun..
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: Mick on November 11, 2008, 02:35:20 PM
Looks awsome!  d**n I want to ride one of them...
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: bunk on November 12, 2008, 04:31:40 AM
What a clean lookin bike!  I cant believe kawasaki doesnt produce this.  I would love to own or even just ride one.
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: AJ on November 12, 2008, 06:03:04 AM
sorry about the air screw , thats is weird as we do set them 1-1/4 out.

on the plug , we carry them..;)


as well as

sparkplugs.com


BR8ECMIX

its the iridium version of  stock plug in many KTM and a few KX models



on riding the bikes, if its giving you arm pump..
best techniques to help are

1, shift up..it has a lot of bottom end, use it..and let it pull dow nlow, it may sound like you arnt going fast..or "on the pipe"
 but you will be goin gplenty quick. ;)

2, try to grip the bike with your legs.. not the arms :)
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 12, 2008, 07:20:18 AM
sorry about the air screw , thats is weird as we do set them 1-1/4 out.

on the plug , we carry them..;)


as well as

sparkplugs.com


BR8ECMIX

its the iridium version of  stock plug in many KTM and a few KX models



on riding the bikes, if its giving you arm pump..
best techniques to help are

1, shift up..it has a lot of bottom end, use it..and let it pull dow nlow, it may sound like you arnt going fast..or "on the pipe"
 but you will be goin gplenty quick. ;)

2, try to grip the bike with your legs.. not the arms :)



Not really a problem on the carb AJ once I deducted what was going on.

I grew up on a few of the older open class bikes like the YZ490 and also owned a "76" RM370 that was respectable and was one of my favorites for handling. It's just been a long time since I've been on one. The arm pump should subside significantly once I get over the fear factor and start to relax a little more. I just can't believe how much more power it has than my 450.

You guys build great bikes!

Thanks! AJ
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: KXcam22 on November 12, 2008, 01:35:53 PM
KXpegger,
  Nice bike.  I seem to recall that those shorty plugs are a KTM item.  My local NAPA has a huge amount of NGK plugs in their system and can special order for cheap. I got my 450 plug there plus a set of iridiums for every bike in the family. Cam.
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: uncle albert on November 13, 2008, 10:38:57 PM
Congratulations, you've got a great bike! Get used to entering the first corner in this position:

(http://)
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: holeshot buddy on November 14, 2008, 12:29:23 AM
you are gunna luv it :-D
i have one and its the greatest :-P
eat four strokes for breakfast 8-)
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: uncle albert on November 14, 2008, 01:08:51 AM
Just out of interest, how many Service Honda KX500AF's have been made and sold? Anyone (AJ!) know, or is it an industry secret  :wink:
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: AJ on November 14, 2008, 08:10:48 AM
uncle albert

very nice holshot!
thanks for sharing!

as far as how many..
I can only work so many hours in a year lol
and with already doing a 1 or 2 hundred CR500AFs annually ,
it  doesnt leave a lot of extra time for any other projects..
!!  (and i have the junior bikes and ATV models to do also)

while i have done quite a few KX500AFs' it was  maybe half (or less) the number as compared to hondas.
still thats quite a few and they are increasing in popularity each month!

perhaps because of holeshots like that ;)
but mostly because they are just so much fun to ride, and that what most of us are looking for in any bike? the "fun" factor? :)

Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: k5abuser on November 14, 2008, 03:11:04 PM
fun !fun! someone say fun . where's it at ill push start it up hill if have to , to get to ride one. :evil:
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: jfabmotorsports.com on November 14, 2008, 05:36:40 PM
Very nice bike!!!! So nice that I decided to build my own. It was finished about two weeks ago. Number two on the way! Check out the JFABMOTORSPORTS KX500....build photos for anyone who wants to see them......http://jfabmotorsports.com/Projects.html  8-)
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: BDI on November 15, 2008, 09:09:20 AM
I believe I talked to kxpegger today on the phone. A buddy of mine ran into him at the local riding spot and I happen to call  when he was talking to him. I have been thinking about using a klx450 to build my hybrid so that way I can put a charging system on the bike easily.
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 15, 2008, 10:16:52 AM
I believe I talked to kxpegger today on the phone. A buddy of mine ran into him at the local riding spot and I happen to call  when he was talking to him. I have been thinking about using a klx450 to build my hybrid so that way I can put a charging system on the bike easily.


BDI

Talked with Hertz a little. That's a mint 500 he's got! Hardly a scratch on it. He was pulling a few decent wheelies today and I thought maybe he was a youngster. It was good to see another gray hair blast out some 5th gear wheelies! I thought I was the only gray hair that still had it!

I should be out at Apex again tomorrow if you want to see how Service Honda does it. I'm watching my grandkids tonight so I probably won't be out there until late morning, The wind was pretty bad today but I hope tomorrow is better. Look forward to meeting you. I also ride with another 500 rider who might be out there too. There's a Hawaiian group that shows once in awhile and there's about 03 of them that ride 500's!
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 15, 2008, 10:21:22 AM
Very nice bike!!!! So nice that I decided to build my own. It was finished about two weeks ago. Number two on the way! Check out the JFABMOTORSPORTS KX500....build photos for anyone who wants to see them......http://jfabmotorsports.com/Projects.html  8-)
Looks like you did a fine job!
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: jfabmotorsports.com on November 15, 2008, 01:15:02 PM
Thanks KXPEGGER...If if only I had seen your pic first.  Your close ups would have made my life a LOT easyer!!!
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: AJ on November 15, 2008, 06:40:05 PM
Quote
Very nice bike!!!! So nice that I decided to build my own

looks good!


Quote
Thanks KXPEGGER...If if only I had seen your pic first.  Your close ups would have made my life a LOT easyer!!!

well lol :)
 i thought the fun of building your own, was well.....    building your own ? ;)   

actually i do understand,  and just razzin' you,,

 but ,,  just sayin'....  ;)


BDI-
Our KX500AFX model is built on the KLX450 chassis.

, i've done  a few of those  and in fact was talking to *danger*,
 about the plus's/minusis of each , with the route he was intended for the bike..










Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: jfabmotorsports.com on November 15, 2008, 07:11:47 PM
Quote
Very nice bike!!!! So nice that I decided to build my own

looks good!


 Thanks AJ....I can't wait for the '09 MX season to thrash it!!  :-D
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: AJ on November 16, 2008, 05:05:19 AM
no doubt!
and i'm sure you'll love it..


bring on spring!
we have snow flurries here today..and just generally windy ,cold, nasty.
still, i should have went riding :(
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: jfabmotorsports.com on November 16, 2008, 05:25:13 AM
Im in Mo. Went to GA last week to P/U an '07 450 for a doner. I took my Kx450 just in case I found a track on the way. Well I found a nice one...Big finnish line jump, 20 feet wide everywhere, and 8 inches of SAND  :-(. Who would have thought. Should have taken the AF to try out.
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 16, 2008, 11:46:13 AM
3rd ride report:

Noticed some weepage between the carb bowl and carb. Probably just needs some tightening or a new gasket. Bike still screams.

Got a pinch flat today running 18 psi. Had to limp back to the parking area about 5 miles on a flat. Probably roached the rear tire but did not bend the rim!

My personal record for flats is 3 Saturdays in a row with heavy duty tubes and rim strips and minimum 18 psi. The place I ride can be very brutal.

The bike is holding up very well!

Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: Mick on November 16, 2008, 12:57:41 PM
Got a pinch flat today running 18 psi...with heavy duty tubes and rim strips and minimum 18 psi.

http://nuetech.com/ problem solved
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kxpegger on November 16, 2008, 04:13:06 PM
I hear ya!

Just not a whole lot of sand here in Vegas. After I pulled the tire I did have a bent rim after all! Taking it into work with me so I can use the press to get it straight. Used clear tubing cut in half so I wouldn't mess up the pretty painted rims! We'll she's broke in now!
Title: Re: KX500AF It's here!
Post by: kaw rider on June 29, 2010, 02:50:24 PM
you have some nice toys in the background.