Restoring the 87

[GREENCANNON]

I'm doing a little restoration on the 87 KX 500 and was wondering how a new style PWK carb would work in place of the old Mikuni. Also wondering if anybody knows where I can get a quality aftermarket piston & ring set to replace the weak stock one.  I've checked Weiseco, Pro-x, Vortex.
Nothing available, unless you have them special made at a minimum of 25 pistons.

[ShanMan]

My '87 has the stock bore in the jug...no overboring as of yet. I have very recently installed an '88 Wiseco piston that works beautifully. The only significant design change was the addition of a second piston ring over that of the '87 piston. My suspicion is that the single ring allowed too much blow-by and probably smoked quite a bit. The '88 and up piston is readily available from Wiseco for about $140. I would think there is no reason that a stock '88 Kawisaki piston would not also work equally as well, but costs a bit more...like $180. Good luck.  

[cooltoy]

I also have a 87 KX500 with a 88 weisco piston and ring.It worked great and only cost $132.99.Now if i could just get this crank case full of antifreeze thing figured out i would be set.

[Paul]

Whats in the radiator? Bubbly, milky stuff??

[cooltoy]

Not sure,I didnt notice anything when i drained the coolent to pull the right side cover.I am hoping it is just the water pump seal.I just put the piston and rings in so i am hoping that the NEW base gasket and head gasket arent the problem.

[Paul]

That's not your problem, not possible. You're probably looking at a bad water pump seal.

[ShanMan]

I have a better idea....scrap the project bike and buy my already done...way fast...'87 KX5!