New KX owner

[chaelvick]

Hi, I am a new KX owner and a new forum member.

My name is Mike and I reside in the Midwest.

Riding dirt bikes (2 stroke in particular) is my hobby but I also like maintaining and improving my machines.

For the most part ride non-competitive, I have been riding for around 6 years now.

A couple pictures of me and a couple of my bikes...






Now onto more about why ive joined.. I now own a KX 500. Its not showroom quality, I bought it from a knuckle-head and it needs some work, mostly chassis work however as the motor seems solid..

Here is a picture after bringing it home.


It has a FMF pipe and silencer, I was told the motor was rebuilt from the bottom up by a previous owner and I can only assume that's true.

So there ya go, I don't plan on investing too much money in this bike, id like to iron out all the things that's wrong with it which im sure ill take you all along with me in the correct forum.

Sorry for the novel but I just wanted to make a good introduction and I hope I can be as much help to others here as you might all be to me.

Thanks  

[Foxx4Beaver]

welcome aboard Mike!...
feel free to jump right in...
what year's the K5?...I see it's sportin' 01 tank/shroud graphics....but have you checked the VIN to be sure?

[chaelvick]

Hi Fox4beaver..

The frame checks out as a 93 and the engine vin checks out as 91 and up.

It appears some parts have been swapped maybe from other years, maybe the forks in particular?

I know only very little on the bike right now but i have the service manual a member listed here on this site, (thank you for that) so ive browsed over some general specs but i plan to learn more.

thanks!

[chaelvick]

I have been searching the site for the past couple hours and have come across a lot of good information. Thanks!

A couple immediate issues I have are a drippy drain plug ( 7/16 x 14 pitch bolt). It does not have the copper crush washer installed. I would love to take it back to the 10mm X 1.5mm pitch..

Leaky exhaust header, the exhaust mount on the upper frame is broken off.. I believe this is common.. I have read of someone else using the radiator mount for a mount..

[crooscroos]

It looks like it's in pretty good overall shape but it's hard to tell by the picture. What are some of the issues you are having with the chassis?

[chaelvick]

Hi crooscroos,

The chassis looks rough and maybe thats given me somewhat of a false impression..

I checked for abnormal play in the steering stem roller bearings and found none, I also checked for side to side place in the swingarm bearings and found none. Maybe I just so happened to luck out on this thing

But seriously I havent dug into it much yet, im going to wash it off real good tonight so I can see better.

Heres a couple things I do know.

1. The 7/16" drain bolt
2. RTV on the counter sprocket (Im thinking for circlip security?)
3. 1 broken radiator mount, another rad. possibly leaking.
4. Frame and sub look terrible, lack of paint.
5. Tires = shot
6. Missing some fasteners


On the good side it appears this bike has a newer set of forks? It has the compression and rebound clickers..

Thanks!

[crooscroos]

Doesn't sound like anything too major! Let us know if you run into any difficulties!

[chaelvick]

Here is a better picture of the bike after washing..




i pressure tested the radiators last night, put about 5 lbs. Into the rad cap hole with fluid and showed no leak on the guage..