88 Kx500

[BigGreenMachine]

Wondering about the transmission and cylinder of the 88 KX500. Tranny a close ratio five speed? Is the cylinder Nikisel? I'm guessing 125lbs is a low compression number? Is the carb on these a 39mm PWK? If the Nikisel isn't damaged then you just re-ring it? $575 shipped to Newfoundland (Canada) a good deal on all electrical, complete running motor, carb, motor mounts and all switches?


James

[MTS]

575 SEEMS good to me, For a motor that needs an overhaul, they go for 900+ here.......No PWK on them far as i know tho.......300$ upgrade....

[oldskool83]

thats to much, ive sold runing motor for 300 shipped, i would never just re ring a bike, put a new top end on it, do it right the 1st time or loose your ass later

1988-03 were the same

it was a race bike so it was a close raito tranny, its nickel plated also. never buy an engine you cant see in person. pictures never tell the full stroy. only buy from trusted people as on this forum or people you know.

[BigGreenMachine]

Whats the stock top speed of the KX500? What kinda Hp numbers from 88? Best piston kit and mods for these motors? Do they become tempermental like a 250 does when you start modding it? Peaky powerband or is it like a tractor?

I won't be touching the motor at all until after I get it all swapped into my Tecate.

[BigGreenMachine]

Anyone got some first hand KX500 info?

[darrel632]

Different entry into the powerband than the 250 a little smoother mine has a Mic 39mm which I beleive is stock-- probably into the high 40's tops for HP on a stock motor, Wisco makes a good piston kit, I had mine cold honed which isn't supposed to destroy the Nikasel sleeve, I don't ride it anymore (2 years +/-) though, It causes massive amounts of back pain for some reason and is a very uncomfortable machine to operate, poor brakes, forever tries to skate out from under you downshifting, just not a machine for any type of pleasure or trail riding in my opinion (I'm to old for it!)

[BigGreenMachine]

Imagine riding your Tecate with a KX500 motor in it Darrel.

[darrel632]

I've got a Tri-z that now has a Rotax 400 fabed into it Just idleing around it scares me I'm now going to take it apart sand and paint and finish the frame and suspension and see how it goes from there-- I'm either going to rip it apart and sell the motor(its supposed to be 52 HP 2nd overbore ), or if the deal comes through I'm trying for I'll take it 6 over and if its usable I'll sell it as it sits for about 2500.
And I'll never put a KX500 into a T-3 we don't have enough sand here to justify the power, and you could never trail the thing other than on ultra wide trails, again, 0 fun factor -- shows I'm old when I'd rather ride a Big Red than a 2 smoke, eh??

[BigGreenMachine]

hehe! Yeah you must be getting up there Darrel.

No, we don't have that much sand here either. Its going to be a trail trike (tight, technical trails/mud/roots/rocks) 1st and a drag/sand bike second. I think the 500 will be easier to ride then the 250 smoker simply because of the torque and not always having to work the clutch to get over obstacles.

Darrel, any pics you could send me to post up of that TRI-Z 400?

[darrel632]

When its done I'll do a start to finish, even if I put it together one last time to do just that. I don't think much of the 500 as a tech riding unit, I really think you'll hate it when its done. And me and my trike are 68 years young when we did the race combo thing this year and we did ok in the handicapping, its just after 2 back surgeries that kind of power (even the 250's) leaves my legs numb if I'm competing, trying to slide and jump means one day of competition instead of 2 or 3 and a week of more of physio if I dump it. I've been riding a KLR 650 the last while and having fun on it, the trikes have had a quiet summer

[BigGreenMachine]

As long as you still enjoy riding Darrel. Maybe time to upgrade to a 4x4 quad? Dad has a 05 450 Kodiak thats quite comfortable and plush over the rough stuff and goes everywhere.

I'm only 21 and quite active/fit. If it doesn't do what I want then no big deal, I'll be out working (possibly owning a home) in Alberta after I get my welders trade done in June so I'll upgrade to a nicer trike/bike to suit me.

[darrel632]

Got a 650 brute, again its a putz mobile, read TANK!!! I still want to compete, its the fact that rodeo when I was younger, dirt bikes and years of abusing the crap out of myself in North Africa are finally catching up. I still try to ride with the kids (you) I just can't do it for more than a day or 2 without suffering for it

[BigGreenMachine]

Darrel, have to give you lots of respect for still being out there. Hope I'm as spry of a fella when the years catch up with me.

[BigGreenMachine]

50-55 hp at the wheel is what I'm hearing. Fat bars filled with foam and bar slugs plus a frame filled with foam is the fix for vibration.

[4cylinders]

hey, just for your info, nicasil cylinders can be replated. they can even be bored and replated.