Newbie with KX500 Questions

[e36graduate]

Picked up what seems to be a good 1995 KX500 today.  Sorting out a few things and wanted to bounce some questions of the pro's:

It has a FMF fatty pipe/exhaust.
Pilot Jet is a 60
Main Jet is a 168
I have the needle clip at the second from the bottom position.  Air screw out about 1.5 turns.
Prior owner said he was running it around 30:1
Sea Level in Massachusetts

My first time on a KX500, but have had KX250, KDX175, KDX200, KDX220, RM250, YZ125 and currently have a 2001 Street legal WR426 with YZ mods.  Nothing seems to compare to the power, except maybe the WR426, but I think the KX is quicker and faster.......

However I feel the KX500 is missing something or needs some adjustment as it runs a little rough mid to full throttle....

Feels like when you first start out on your 2 stroke and you wind it up where it finally blows out all the gunk and takes off....this bike seems to feel like it it wants to get stuck in that just before it takes off...kind of running rough.

She smokes a little, but nothing like my old KDX175 with a blown crank seal.

Am I too rich?

[Motorrad]

168M
55P
#3 needle location..
1.5 on air screw

40:1 on oil

for 70+ degree weather

then talk to me    

[Foxx4Beaver]

I'd say you're pretty rich.I have a 95 also,and I'm in eastern Massachusetts.
     

          I'm running 165 main
                      52 pilot
                      2nd from TOP on the clip
                      1 3/4 out on air screw

It is extremely crisp/snappy and runs awesome.
I would start by putting the clip in the middle position,and put a 55 pilot in,then see how it runs...should be a huge improvement.From there,you can fine tune it,whether a little leaner or richer...I'm thinkin you could go leaner...depending on what kind of riding you're doing.

How is your top-end?

[Foxx4Beaver]

Oh yeah....and welcome to the site!!

[sandblaster]

It sounds like you are really rich.
Start with Motorrad's suggestion and see what happens...
Let us know.

[Polar-Bus]

Picked up what seems to be a good 1995 KX500 today.  Sorting out a few things and wanted to bounce some questions of the pro's:

It has a FMF fatty pipe/exhaust.
Pilot Jet is a 60
Main Jet is a 168
I have the needle clip at the second from the bottom position.  Air screw out about 1.5 turns.
Prior owner said he was running it around 30:1
Sea Level in Massachusetts

My first time on a KX500, but have had KX250, KDX175, KDX200, KDX220, RM250, YZ125 and currently have a 2001 Street legal WR426 with YZ mods.  Nothing seems to compare to the power, except maybe the WR426, but I think the KX is quicker and faster.......

However I feel the KX500 is missing something or needs some adjustment as it runs a little rough mid to full throttle....

Feels like when you first start out on your 2 stroke and you wind it up where it finally blows out all the gunk and takes off....this bike seems to feel like it it wants to get stuck in that just before it takes off...kind of running rough.

She smokes a little, but nothing like my old KDX175 with a blown crank seal.

Am I too rich?

Unlike 125's and 250's the KX500 pilot jet and needle clip position selection is critical to "clean jetting" especially for  casual "weekend" type riding. Unless you are an advanced level dune rider or you have some REALLY long dirt roads, your KX500 is NOT going to see substantial high rpm's. So it's advantageous to spend time getting the pilot jet, a/f screw and your needle clip position dialed in sweet. I ran a 168 main as well with excellent results (I tried a 165 and didn't notice much difference, and I was concerned I was possibly getting a bit too lean so I swapped back to the 168), but I was also leaned out considerably on my needle clip and my pilot jet. Remember this piece of performance  jetting : "it's better to foul a $8 sparkplug from too rich, than melt a $250+ top end from too lean" !!