2001 RM250/ 1994 KX500 conversion. The "Kawasuki RM500"

[mikectanker]

Finally went to the track today!.... only to find out my head is probably bad.
Fired the bike up and coolant kept spewing out the radiators overflow.
This dam head is probably what caused my ported cylinder to seize.
When I swapped cylinders I used the same head.
So time to order a head gasket and use the other head..

I don't have time for this... but some day I will start testing my suspension out and get it right.

Also my service kx500af pipe seems to be melting the ignition cover. May need to buy an aluminum cover.

[mikectanker]

Almost got it back together.  Had to pull the whole engine just to swap heads.
Supposed to rain for a few days.  Maybe I can have some luck and ride on some fresh moist dirt later this week.

[mikectanker]

Ready to ride again!
Jetting changed, new head gasket,  and brand new tires.
Gotta find some fresh dirt for the new tires.
I can't waste the new knobby edges at a cement dustbowl.

[mikectanker]

I finally have a ride report on this thing!
Went to my local track today.
Jetting felt spot on from idle.
Bike handled just as good as a Suzuki should in the turns.
I need to add 1/2 inch of sag and play with the shock settings a little. The shock was kicking a little more than it should. Wasn't as stable as an RM could be on fast rough straights. I think Pro Action did a really good job on the shock, but I need to fine tune it a little.
Forks felt great!
Brakes felt great.
Ergos are good.
I'm unsure about my gearing currently at 14/49.
I only went out for 2 or 3 laps 4 times.
Had to call it a day when my out of shape arms started becoming prone to wiskey throttle.
I didn't get the gopro out because I'm so rusty it wouldn't be worth watching. Hope to ride next weekend and maybe get a decent video up.

Overall I am very happy with the build at this point.
A hydraulic clutch, auto clutch, and steering stabilizer will put the finishing touches on it.
It will be a while for that stuff since trucking is a little rough right now and I'm trying to grow the business.

[sandblaster]

Vid-e-o! Vid-e-o! Vid-e-o!

[mikectanker]

Got the shock set better today. Rained yesterday and the local track was disced up nice.
This thing feels perfect.  I over jumped a double which is part of a pretty big triple, and my bars rotated into my lap but every thing felt great on the bike.  Now if I could just hang on longer. ...

[mikectanker]

Good news- just ordered up everything to make my RM250 match with green and white plastic instead of green and black.

Bad news- Not enough time to fix my bike hauler or go to the track. Little things going wrong because it never gets driven. Work will be slowing down before July at some point to go ride. Going 2 months without a day off to play with dirtbikes sucks, but I get a lot of time off after spring. Gotta get that auto clutch and steering damper still to 99% finish the 500. Bikes are never 100% finished.

[sandblaster]

Bikes are never 100% finished.

That's the truth...

[umberto]

Gotta get that auto clutch and steering damper still to 99% finish the 500. Bikes are never 100% finished.

Which auto clutch are you going with?  Bikes are never done; I think that's part of the fun of owning them.

[mikectanker]

Going with the EMF auto clutch eventually. Its expensive, but I  don't think there's another good option out there.

[umberto]

The one I have in the KDX hybrid bike works really well.  The way they add the centrifugal parts to the outer hub instead of removing plates should make it a lot more durable in a K5.  Plus the K5 model will allow you to use your clutch lever still.  My KDX model did not, because the lever pulls on the hub while the K5 pushes.

[mikectanker]

No clutch lever on any bike would seem too risky for whiskey throttle.

I hope the durable part is true. I left the extra space when my 2 piece cover was fabricated. Just got the wife a gently used car with 21000 miles so I should be clear to blow a couple grand on bike parts this summer.

[umberto]

Well played sir, well played.

The KDX doesn't have a ton of power, so whiskey throttle isn't a big deal.