Lack of use/what to do.

[Danger4u2]

This is for the person that bought, acquired or owns a bike that's been sitting for some time.
I haven't messed with my 2004 KX500 since I bought my 2011 BMW R1200GSA back in 2/2014.
Here's a picture to give you an idea how fun this bike is.  Runs almost like a sport bike
but still has the ability to jump a curb or hit easy trails.  Some use them on hard core trails-not me.
The extra set of wheels make it a very versatile bike.

[Danger4u2]

So now you see why I have neglected the K5.  As I or you get older your priorities change.
This story starts in a different way.  It takes something or someone to get the spark going in
a person sometimes.  In this case it was a new member, umberto. I haven't met him
but he lives near me.
He joined January 14, 2015.  He invited me to ride at CrossTimbers off-road riding area recently.
It dawned on me I don't have a dirt bike that's ready to ride.  I have 3 stock k5's to chose from so
I went with the one I know about all the history.  My 2004 I bought new in mid 2004. It's a low hour bike that doesn't have a lot of wear. So, if the bike your working with was wore out and put up dirty this will help but won't have all the answers you need. I'm going to post a picture of a problem that's very gory.
If your getting ready to eat or have a queasy stomach you might want to pass.
I will add to the story as I find time. This was a street legal bike, don't know if I will bring it up to legal status....this has to be a budget build.
I have a good start for this project....

[Foxx4Beaver]

cool plate.

[Brute]

Verrrrry Interesting... I hope this story does not have you getting injured on your K5... I have only started mine and ridden it around the yard and up and down the street one time in the last 6 months. Have bought three bikes and sold two in that amount of time but the K5 remains.
I will be 61 in a couple weeks and have what can only be described as a 'shredded' right shoulder that has been worked on twice before and will be worked on again soon in a last ditch effort to stabilize it. My priorities have changed from 'doing what I want' to 'preserving something' that I will be able to use 'some' for the next 20 years.
Life is a series of adjustments. Sigh.
Bike looks good. I like the plate too!

[umberto]

Now I'm dying to see what you're going to post that is gory.   

[Danger4u2]

I did the injury back on December 16 of 2004.  Ruptured patella tendon.
I'm in this for fun and going home unhurt.  I did start doing a light workout
2 months ago and recently revamped the road bicycle.  I'm pushing 59 years
old so everything in moderation.  A few more pic in the camera and I will down
load.

[umberto]

I normally ride with slower riders and guys on utility 4 wheelers, so you don't have to worry too much about me pushing the pace.   

[Danger4u2]

Sorry about that, I thought I had the gory picture on the last set
I down loaded. I had this guy get in my garage.  Mess with my k5,
I don't think so.  He must have been a University of Texas/Longhorn fan because he
took my University of Oklahoma/Sooner hat and shredded it.
So I gave him a Texas necklace.
I think he got his tail into the glue trap I set out
a few days before the Victor trap.

[umberto]

Wow, that thing looks like a small dog!  Are you sure your neighbors aren't missing a yippy dog?

[Danger4u2]

Ok back to the bike.  I've been guilty of not securing the bike before
working on it. I all most dropped my Kawi Concours on me from the
lift.  I always start with straps since then.

[Danger4u2]

I got lazy and didn't drain the gas because I kept saying "I'll ride next weekend".
Now it's been the better part of a year since I rode the bike.
It's only a few bolts or just pop the fuel line at the petcock and drain the gas
back  into your gas can.  Speaking of the gas can, the gas smelled ok because it's
one of the self sealing metal cans.  But don't risk it.  I dumped it and I'm starting with
fresh gas and oil.  When I say "dumped it" save the planet for your kids, dispose of
properly.  I use mine to start fires when we burn brush piles at my track behind the shop.
I don't need to say it but the bad gas stained my tank and looks ugly.  Plus it gummed up my carburetor.
When I first installed my desert tank I notice it sat dangerously close to the after market FMF pipe so I added a strip of pipe wrap fabric between the two. It melted into the tank.
This time I'm adding a few strips of heat tape, on the tank and both sides of the pipe wrap.
Finish with wire to keep in place.

[kxpegger]

This is for the person that bought, acquired or owns a bike that's been sitting for some time.
I haven't messed with my 2004 KX500 since I bought my 2011 BMW R1200GSA back in 2/2014.
Here's a picture to give you an idea how fun this bike is.  Runs almost like a sport bike
but still has the ability to jump a curb or hit easy trails.  Some use them on hard core trails-not me.
The extra set of wheels make it a very versatile bike.

Wow! Does that thing have reverse too?

[Danger4u2]

Some times I wish it had reverse.  Parking lot with a slope to the curb.
I don't even get on the bike, can't push it back very easy sitting on the bike.
It does have electronic suspension that I like and ABS I can turn off.
The new BMW's are unreal with lean sensors, traction control.........

An on going theme of this thread will be clean as you go.
I will do a few things that others won't .  Like take the subframe
apart to clean the air box.  I used No Toil air filter oil, it takes No Toil
cleaner to get rid of No Toil filter oil.  Soap and water or solvent make it
a gooey mess.  I've seen No Toil break down air filters, some very fast.
So I'm going back to the tried and true Bel Ray Foam Filter Oil.
You can clean it with solvent then soap and water.
I may get a little over simplistic but this thread is for the guy that wasn't born
knowing everything.  Look at the goo in there.  Look how clean the carb side
is.  Clean air filters are much cheaper than new motors.

[Danger4u2]

I'll mention little things like, you've cleaned the carb, make sure to clean the petcock with spray carb
cleaner and swish the tank with fresh mix gas.  Run it through the petcock and dump the rest.
Here's a good indicator my jetting was close but off.  Or more likely I rode into the next season
and should have rejetted for the temperature change.  While you have the carb apart, write down
your main and pilot jet numbers. Don't forget the clip position on the needle.
When you can, stick the bolts back into the hole they came out of.
When you can't, stick them in baggies and write where they go on the bag.  Or better yet write it on
a piece of paper and stick it in the bag.

[Danger4u2]

I'm a Bel Ray fan, ratio rite cup also.  If you do lots of riding and use
up the gas without storing the gas, plastic gas cans are fine.
But storage of gas in plastic makes for to much oil because the gas
evaporates.  It's called out gassing.  When money allows, get a quality
metal gas can and label what you did.  Some say your gas will stay good
for 3 months.  I like to use it up in no more than 2 months just to be safe.
I'm talking 100% gas that is readily available here in Oklahoma.
Gas with ethanol breaks down real fast, I don't recommend it at all for 2 strokes.