Out of the closet 86 t-3

[3 or die]

Take this for what little its worth, but on my 300 I have a 15/37 with 18's which is a final of 2.47 and with 18's is geared up considerably from stock and with a stock swinger pulls the front in all five gears and is a great woods bike. On my 500 it currently has a 14/35 combo with 18's which is slightly less tall and in my opinion could almost go up a tooth. It launches hard in second and with the stock swingarm has plenty of torque. These seem like pretty tall gears, even with the 18" tires, compared to stock, but I think your 12/39 will be really short. Again, not worth much, but your 14/38 with 18's will even be shorter than stock final ratio. Anyway, your pipe looks like it is going to fit great.

I'm glad you came in here becouse Im toataly guessing. Since I am out of my league here please help. I think its easy for me to explain if I just said I'm not looking for huge top speed. 65 68 70 at the most. I tend to prefer 18's for rear tire. What I think has me gearing it so low is I read that the kx trans is geared higher. I also just don't want it so tall that it's hard to get going say in the woods on a hill while slipping the clutch and it's trying to kill the motor. That's in my words cuz I don't know how to say it. In the end if I got it lower than stock I may be right on the money. Another thing I am thinking is the last time I brought a radar gun(certified) to st joe, the fastest top speed was 57mph. Now please fellas lets not fight over top speeds, but I know what I know. The stock t3's were running out of gear around 56. So does this mean I got a 500 geared for 50?

[just ben]

gearing can easily calculated with simple math but real world variables pretty much negate all of it. It's all trial and error basically. If you did any testing and number recording while the dirt bike was together and took actual measurements of tires (rear)you could figure out exactly where you were then go from there to where you want to be.

[nstyle73]

You are correct that is varies on how and where you want to ride, and the kx is geared more widely I believe. I would say my bikes probably run upper 70's on pavement flat out, so that may be a little high for you. I do like to be able to ride 50 without having the thing WO. I have the tranny specs for both if you want me to post them if that would help.

[3 or die]

Seriously, thanks allot fellas. Nstyle, if your 15/37 is putting you over 70mph I think my gearing could be right on. If anything it will be close enough for me to see what's what. I got all the brakes installed today, and more importantly a member contacted me about a pipe for sale. I'm gonna get it ASAP. In the meantime ill start working on the motor mounts.



Side note. It sure looks like I can use stock air box with tecate intake boot. Anyone ever see a stock 86 air box on a 500.

S

[nd4speed]

Side note. It sure looks like I can use stock air box with tecate intake boot. Anyone ever see a stock 86 air box on a 500.

S

Um...no....

[nd4speed]

Hey...if you can make extra steel motor mounts, I'm looking for some.....

Would be cool to see posts and pics of the project, cant wait to see some inspiration.

[3 or die]

I'll make some mounts, just may be a while. I bent the countershaft in my 250r so it is tore all the way down also. I'll go into town today and pick up a few things for ideas on the mounts.

[3 or die]

Top engine mount.

[3 or die]

[3 or die]

That's not easy on a iPhone, but it's done. Start with sharp tools, use center punch, and have patience. That's all it takes. Not perfect, not the best, but it will do. Some other day I will cut some spacers from steel pipe and weld them to brakets.

[3 or die]

Brakes are done also. I was surprised at how little of the kx stuff fit the t3.

[nd4speed]

Just realized that the 1986 head is probably different than the 1990's KX500 head that I have and the upper mounts probably wont be the same.

More interested in the front mounts anyway.

[3 or die]

I would have never bet that the air box would have worked. This thing is gonna be a sleeper. I've ordered new levers, grab bar, and number plate.

[3 or die]

If I had a pipe I could drive it!

[nd4speed]

Only issue I could see with just using any old KX500 is interference with the radiator. I forgot about that, hence the low boy pipe idea.

So the front motor mounts were just flat with no bends?