1985 KX 500 Case interchange

[TecateDan]

So I got some parts, borrowed some parts from Fabio and well...... lets just say I'm not letting the cat out of the bag yet!!!!

I need to know what year KX500 cases will swap with what years. I have an 85 KX500 motor but want to find some new cases. Any one know what years are interchangable with regards to the cases??

OH and how can you tell what year the motor is with out the Vin. fabio said he thinks it's an 85 but the vin has been sandblasted off the cast so ???

Thanks guys

[86T3]

Try KXriders.com. its a great site and is geared towards 500s. I don't know for sure but i think you're looking for a very small ammount of years that interchange.

[just ben]

lets just say I'm not letting the cat out of the bag yet

It's kind of obvious what your up to. as far as the cases I would start with what you htink you have (85) and compare that to the parts fiche. then compare the part#'s with the next couple of years. Don't use bike bandit for the fiche, they only list their own part#'s. try kawasaki partshouse, I use that site alot when comparing parts

[nd4speed]

The 1985 was from my understanding a one off year model that had liquid cooling BUT no power valves. Should not say "KIPS" on it anywhere.

Served as a base for bottom end geometry but I do not believe any cases or top ends swap onto 1985 KX500 motor. 1986-2004 are all very similar.

[dcreel]

www.kawasaki.com is an awesome site for checking parts availability, as well as the bikes that used each part number..

According to the site only the 84 and 85 KX500 used the same cases.

The 85 KX500 cylinder was a 1 year model

The site also only lists the cases as a l and rh set, not each.

[fabiodriven]

I told you it's an 86 Bozo.

[TecateDan]

thank Christ its an 86 ... I couldn't find for 85 parts ... and u told me to check the vin to make sure but there ain't one...lol

[TecateDan]

Thanks for all the suggestions and I'll def check out those other sites and run through the parts diagrams. Will need to print for reassembly anayways. Here are a couple of pics. Oh and for the record this is not how i store my parts, All full of dirts and looking like a mess. It will be all squeaky clean soon and once I get some progress on the build I'll start a thread. You right Ben it's not to hard ot figure out what I'm doing but It's going to be a first gen not a second gen.... FYI Or maybe I should build a 500 missle like your 300? lol

[just ben]

to be honest I figured you adopted fabios whole project.If you need to modify the frame on the down tube I have a donor from an 86 t3 (or will as soon as I go get it) 84 t3 has a frame the was modded with a kx 500 section,I'm sure he would put some pics up to give you Ideas.I may still have some pics of that frame but I'm not sure I took any detailed pics of that area. good luck with the build I can't wait to see some pics when you get the project unerway.

[TecateDan]

Yea, it is Fabio's old project but he was going to do an 86 or 87 tecate. He has the frame with the split down tube and I have an 84 frame that we will mesh together. I just like the first gen and it's more tricky to do. I'll PM 84t3 and I'll get a build thread up once it's underway. If you got any pics send them my way.

[dcreel]

Video of it:

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u...est2008074.mp4

[fabiodriven]

I'm not a fan of the second gens either.

[fabiodriven]

I'll just give everyone the lowdown if anyone gives a shite.

So I started the 500 project probably 5 years ago or so. Back then I was full of piss and vinegar and I would start projects and actually see them to completion. I had a nice shed to work in with all my tools hanging on the wall and parts in labeled bins, etc... I spent a lot of time and money getting this 500 going and had it together and apart a number of times trying to get things dialed in. The first time I actually ran the motor, I found out really quick that the PO had busted the case, JB welded it, painted it, then passed it off to me as a good motor. So I ripped it apart again to change the case. At that point I had a big change in my life and I moved into a new (to me) house. I had to take all of my trikes, parts, tools, everything, and just throw it into my new garage in a pile. That garage got ripped down and I had a new one put up, into which I threw the pile of stuff again. I've not really had the initiative that I used to have and many projects have fallen down on the priority list, the 500 being one of them.

Dan and I have grown up together and built or repaired many, many things. We've always worked as a team on mechanical things and when teamed up there is nothing that we cannot fix or build. Dan is the kick in the arse that this project needed. I'd like to have it done for TF '13 and I think we've got more than enough time to do this.

Things change so we'll see what we come up with, but at this point we're shooting for an 84 model Tecate with the front drum brake, 4x4 wheels, and gold wheels/swinger. We'd like to do it so it doesn't look too far off from the original Tecate, at least from a distance.

[TecateDan]

do u know what the deal with that pipe is? that thing is sweet man

Video of it:

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u...est2008074.mp4

[just ben]

ok. Dan,Fabio please do not cut up that 86 frame to do this build! I offered a donor section because the frame is ed but the cradle is fine.I was'nt lookingto get anything for it.I would rather see you use the section I have than see a frame chopped. If you don't have any use for the frame I will take it and put it to use.