86 or 87 cases will fit an 88 motor?

[umberto]

I know we've probably covered this before, but I couldn't find it with the search tool.  I am thinking about hoarding some extra parts for my 88, and I saw a set of cases for a reasonable price on eBay.  They are for an 86, and there is also a set for an 87.  The base gaskets look similar, and I know the exhaust valves will swap (I am using a set of steel 86 models in my motor), but does anyone know if all the internals are the same or similar?

Thank you!

[b4himdude]

well bro o know exactly which ones that ypu are and im having the same dillemma but other way. i know the 89-04's are the same but on the 88 om not so sure. im pulling out my cliymer manual and see who's money better be picking thosae up .. im not so sure im gonna see what i can find and youll know either way ill buy em if they match the newer and ill tell you if your olders are the same.

[b4himdude]

ok heres what the deal is the bottom end from 1983 thru 1987 are the same and then the 1988 matches the rest . and as far as how the jug drops on and the exhaust valve linkage connect up still looking. everything ive seen in the clymer m447-3 which cover all the 500's  they made. lumps the crankcase disassembly modes and exasmples into 2 separate instructions . 1 set for everything 1983 thru1987. then 1988 thru 2004 in their own. i messaged sandblaster a couple days ago asking him what he knew... HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK. THEY ARE NICE FOR THE PRICE BUT ID FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEM IF YOU WERE RIDING THE 1989 SIDE OF THE ENGINE ALREADY.  even at that om still not too sure oif i shouild grab em... see what else somebody knows and if you get them and find out they are going to be worth it ill buy em irff you because im p-retty sure the 1988 in matches. cluth cover may be where you could issues too. do your clutch covers blt onj to an 89 or newrer. check it out.

[umberto]

Thank you for the information b4himdude.  I also talked to Dave916, and he told me that the 86 and 87 are fairly similar to the 88.  The main difference is the transmission, clutch, primary gear, and one roller bearing in the case.  He told me to steer clear of the earlier cases, and much like you were saying stick to the 88 and up because the differences would be too hard to work around.  I will probably try to find some newer cases or maybe a complete motor.  Although having two 500 motors and no project to work on might be dangerous for my wallet.   

[dave916]

Pre 86 case are completely different {no kipps] { no water pump 84]  different topend
internals may be the similiar 83/87 but case are a lot different

Alot of  changes from 85/ 89 even thought same bore /stroke

[b4himdude]

dangerous for your wallet.... thats no s**t. good luck on the case hunt. for brand new one i think babbitts still stocks em. getting harder and harder to find..,.,

[umberto]

They show they still have the 88 cases in stock.  I placed an order, I'll let you know what I find out.

[umberto]

I'm thinking if they don't have the 88, I'll buy whatever 89 and up model they have.

[kmc14]

I ordered 89-04 cases from at least 8 different places to find out they are "discontinued". I checked at least 30 other places in the US and other countries only to hear "discontinued". I've decided to just look for a complete engine with good cases or a complete bike.

[umberto]

I remember your quest to find a set.  I hoping maybe these guys have some stock that they haven't depleted yet.  Of course as hard as cases are to find, I'm not holding my breath either.   

[kmc14]

Kawasaki parts house is Babbits that's my go to place and I tried them first. Maybe you'll have different luck.

[umberto]

I figure it's a long shot, but maybe they have the 88 cases because they aren't as popular as the later models.  I also have Sandblaster looking for me a set of nice ones.  I'm not in a hurry, this is more for emergency and because I think now is the time to hoard KX 500 parts.  I wish I would have been smart like Danger and snatched a couple of nice bikes to put away for parts and/or a rainy day.  Oh well, guess I'll have to start small with cases and a cylinder.   

[Foxx4Beaver]

one of members, I think it was RoostiusMaximus, had mentioned a year ago, that cases were discontinued.
companies have a 10 year "production law/rule" from the time the bike was last produced, to continue making parts available for that particular model...that ship sailed in 2014, since the 500 was last produced in '04.
that was why I mentioned in kmc14's K5 case thread, when he had no luck finding a set...that I said, "I think we all saw that coming".

[umberto]

I knew it was a longshot, but I figured maybe the 88 is not in demand and maybe they had a set collecting dust in the back of the shelf.  I still think Sandblaster is my best bet, but maybe I'll get lucky.

[kmc14]

I had read that also and knew foxx was right just hoping I'd find some new old stock where no one else had looked. Should have known better.