Reliability on the road.

[Packman]

As you know ive posted some pics up on my kx 500 project , now its only going to be used on the road back and forth to work 16 miles along the lanes plus some messing at the weekends. Its going to be quick enough in standard form so what can i do in the build to put in some relibility fuel & oil mixture , running in , warming up ect ect also whats a good pipe to use. 

[KX500freak]

i,d say go get a fmf fatty
mine has one ,also worked cylinder .larger squish by 2 x 1 mm headgaskets
the real bite is a bit flattened out ,so you can reach work kinda safe way 
mine does run 1:40 and i carry a measured quantity in a small container,
this way you always can fuel up 

i do my rides this way ,start it up then easy take off.
after a min or less i can start cleanin the pipe.
then when its clean i do  not rev the heck outta it .
i ride ease for another couple o miles ,then WOT

pic of my sweet

[Packman]

Thanks for that , have you rebuilt the engine  ?  im after some info regarding a rebuild and is there anything i can add to make it relible , im ok on 4 stroke but this 2 stroke thing is new to me 

[KX500freak]

actually ,reliability depends in majority how it,s jetted
if jetting is good ,no plug will foul
and quality oil for gearbox
also take the best premix
and keep the airfilter clean

even 2 more tips for reliable riding
 
i allways carry a plug and homemade plugtool everywhere we go (me & me kawi)
just to be on the safe side .

so to answer you ,best mod for use on the road is the double stock headgasket,
this lowers compression a bit and the machine is even more rideable then.
my bike has lights and brakelight .
the coil delivering that current also provides a bit swing(like a flywheelweight)

im on 15/42 sprockets and btw thats just ok forimo
 

[gowen]

I thought about buying a KX to make road worthy or even buy a on/off road bike. But, decided against it when a friend let me borrow his XR650L and I decided that it was too tempting to have a dirtbike on the road, since I found that over half my riding was doing wheelies and passing cars in the grass was too much fun. I'll stick to road bikes on the road, but to each his own.

[Packman]

Yes im going to rebuild the motor but i need to get hold of a manual or a spec sheet with tolerances also some info on setting up the KIPS valve as the more i read on this forum the more that it seems the timing is the main factor in starting and ridability.

To much to learn in so little time 

[KX500freak]

I thought about buying a KX to make road worthy or even buy a on/off road bike. But, decided against it when a friend let me borrow his XR650L and I decided that it was too tempting to have a dirtbike on the road, since I found that over half my riding was doing wheelies and passing cars in the grass was too much fun. I'll stick to road bikes on the road, but to each his own.

you,re right ,it,s not for everybody
i find myself racing around town for +- 40 min which is just why i have this bike for..
you can easely change direction on the 210 lbs kx500 i,ve discovered very quick after rebuild.
try that on a 500lbs zx1000 is not half the fun as on k5 imo

[gowen]

you,re right ,it,s not for everybody
i find myself racing around town for +- 40 min which is just why i have this bike for..
you can easely change direction on the 210 lbs kx500 i,ve discovered very quick after rebuild.
try that on a 500lbs zx1000 is not half the fun as on k5 imo

I just just see the tickets flying in as I am seeing if I could keep on the back wheel from home to work (15 miles or so).. Ha! No doubt, plus, I'd have a hard time pulling over for a ticket when I know I could just bolt down the powerlines. Too tempting and I'm too old.

[KX500freak]

yeah understood..

its the way you feel comfortable riding on .
i feel an incredible joy when im on my k5 streetard ,just due to the fact its a true dirtbike
not roadpurposed and right here i ride one on public roads
but the to old frase..how old is that if i may know ?
im 36 anyway..

[gowen]

but the to old frase..how old is that if i may know ?
im 36 anyway..

Well, I'll give you a few hints and let you guess the rest. I have two kids, the oldest just got her permit to drive a month ago! So, not quite over the hill and still a ways to go. Kids and driving give me grey hair.

[KX Newfie]

36....You are just a young pup my friend. I stared riding MX at 36, (not to be confused with trail ridin etc }....i rode all my life, but MX is just 5 years old to me....but i can hang with the young guns, & being quite modest here....beat them most days.
Fitness above all else is key...............they say the first thing to go when you age is your legs, & i believe it....by the end of a moto, i'm sitting on the seat goin off 70-90 foot tables 

[KX500freak]

but the to old frase..how old is that if i may know ?
im 36 anyway..

Well, I'll give you a few hints and let you guess the rest. I have two kids, the oldest just got her permit to drive a month ago! So, not quite over the hill and still a ways to go. Kids and driving give me grey hair.

ok,i,ll take a guess, maybe you are from around m.y. 64 ?
hope i didn,t offend you now,you left me to guess
either way your doughter probably has dads ridingskillz (4 wheeled)
so no need to worry 

_{hoping you,re fine driver lol}

36....You are just a young pup my friend. I stared riding MX at 36, (not to be confused with trail ridin etc }....i rode all my life, but MX is just 5 years old to me....but i can hang with the young guns, & being quite modest here....beat them most days.
Fitness above all else is key...............they say the first thing to go when you age is your legs, & i believe it....by the end of a moto, i'm sitting on the seat goin off 70-90 foot tables 

i believe you  i even know you will run me over ,as for beeing a smoker and all..
but the heck with it !!  we ride k5 so life,s fast,n good 

[martinfan30]

So, my question is...

How does the transmission hold up on road? No cush drive, right?

[KX500freak]

in the clutchbaskets rear end,thats where the cushions are placed.
i ride mine 2 years on the road .no issues what so ever