KX500 fans check this out

[dafydd roberts]

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?threadid=169688

:gob::drool:

I wonder what one would be like in the technical stuff?

[flyingcr250]

http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/showthread.php?threadid=169688

:gob::drool:

I wonder what one would be like in the technical stuff?

sexy bitch.... 3 springs on the expantion chamber. looks pretty trick:devil2:

it looks way better than my old CR500

[cs363]

Those bikes are well sorted, Service Honda has been building CR500/250AF conversions for years and more recently CR500/250X conversions. They also built the Ali framed bike that Seth Enslow jumped that house with years ago and split his skull open on..... :)

[FlangMasterJ]

Yeah man, those guys do some awesome bikes. Check out their David Bailey replica.

[cs363]

Yeah man, those guys do some awesome bikes. Check out their David Bailey replica.

yeah :) that Elsinore 500 is pretty cool too!

http://servicehonda.com/

[FlangMasterJ]

If I had the coin I would be on this.

[Armitage Shanks]

I know of a guy who evidently has landed a Service Honda KX500 here in the South Island as per the pics , only heresay but you're looking around upwards of 20K and I'll confirm when I can. This was a few months ago.

[raglanash]

There was a guy on an AF honda 500 at Ardmore a while back, he has a race team in the UK, Hansen I think. Man was flying, hardly even made it angry around Ardmore, heaps of torque by the sounds of it. Climintie probably got some pics of him somewhere. Nice if you have the bucks.

[Armitage Shanks]

Nice Bike Dafydd.....And, if only.....

I gotta '04 KX500 ( Last model ) in the shed, stock standard apart from Moose Heel guards, Answer bars ( Honda fit ), FMF Gnarly Pipe and a V-Force reed kit ...also have a dedicated Moose sump guard which is hangin' on the hook and not fitted ...this bike is fast and fancy, but it has'nt been out for over a year ...Last of the big Greens and only 40 hrs from new and I guess probably poot poots....around the high 60's hp at the crank and 101 kg dry. This was the bike that Kawasaki did'nt even include in their '04 brochure .

Paid 10,750 for it, someone tell I did the wrong thing.

Remember no-one can say they know all about dirt-bikes till they've clicked through the gears on a 500 .....:niceone:

[KX500]

Paid 10,750 for it, someone tell I did the wrong thing.

Remember no-one can say they know all about dirt-bikes till they've clicked through the gears on a 500 .....:niceone:

You did the right thing :niceone:

Went for a blast in the weekend, said to one of the dudes that hadn't ridden with before take the 5 hundie for a wrap if ya want, the dude has had most dirtbikes worth having, Big Bore 2's and 4's "My first ride on a KX500" he said like an excited kid .............. when he came back "I'd kill myself if I owned this" :eek:

Excellent handling bike with controllable power.

[honda_power]

Excellent handling.

Really? Thought they would have handled like shit?

[Armitage Shanks]

Thanks mate, KX and you're the man.

Only my 2nd KX5, bought my first new in '97 and my current in Jan '04 ' Special order ' and one of three to the South Island only. I possibly have the nicest KX500 in the country but I stand to be counted.

Cheers , Mark

[KX500]

Really? Thought they would have handled like shit?

Why would you think that with a 99 KG bike ? Kept 14 year old recipe for a reason :)

Armitage - You can have nicest - I'll stick with the most original title :niceone:

[Teava]

If I had the coin I would be on this.

Same! my dad actually has the original David Bayle bike... well not his bike but same year 1986 cr250 i beleive, he pulled it out of the garage a year ago, started 2nd kick (had been sitting for over 4 years) takes it out to Ken Fells and win's it LOL That bike has the sickest power band EVER!!

[Teava]

There was a guy on an AF honda 500 at Ardmore a while back, he has a race team in the UK, Hansen I think. Man was flying, hardly even made it angry around Ardmore, heaps of torque by the sounds of it. Climintie probably got some pics of him somewhere. Nice if you have the bucks.

you forgot to mention that the guy is 47!! My dad used to race him back in the day, they had some good battles too.

[honda_power]

Why would you think that with a 99 KG bike ? Kept 14 year old recipe for a reason :)

Armitage - You can have nicest - I'll stick with the most original title :niceone:

99kg? Seriously? My yzs 92 i think... not bad. Still not convinced about handling though... They look like tanks!

[Teava]

you forgot to mention that the guy is 47!! My dad used to race him back in the day, they had some good battles too.

My bad i had the wrong person in mind, was thinking about the guy that was at Ken Fells early on this year on the CR500

[Armitage Shanks]

You did the right thing :niceone:

Went for a blast in the weekend, said to one of the dudes that hadn't ridden with before take the 5 hundie for a wrap if ya want, the dude has had most dirtbikes worth having, Big Bore 2's and 4's "My first ride on a KX500" he said like an excited kid .............. when he came back "I'd kill myself if I owned this" :eek:

Excellent handling bike with controllable power.

Good call KX and anything that'll pull the wheel at over 100 km's easily in top gear is special ...just gotta find the traction spot aye...:done:

Shame you can't buy em anymore ....the 4 strokes are fun but too loud and ....missing something ( power included ) ...my 5 cents

[CHOPPA]

500s aint all there made out to be, they are just big tractors like a big 4 stroke they dont have a real nasty power band like you would think and they dont rev out like you would think.

I still love them and you get instant respect but dont be fooled!

[honda_power]

can you put a crazy pipe on them or something to make them more "2 Strokish"? Got a rolling chassis for a 04crf250r and iv been toying with the idea of a 500af for a while

[CHOPPA]

can you put a crazy pipe on them or something to make them more "2 Strokish"? Got a rolling chassis for a 04crf250r and iv been toying with the idea of a 500af for a while

Theres heaps of diff pipes to change the power but because the power is right off the bottom your not gonna get that same whack like a 125 or 250

[KX500]

(500s aint all there made out to be, they are just big tractors like a big 4 stroke they don't have a real nasty power band like you would think and they don't rev out like you would think.)

Like a big block V8 when you have the cubes you do not need a powerband, The powerband of a 125 X 4 would be just silly, no traction would be had and you would have no arms.

You must have flung your leg over a crap 500 if you think they do not Rev out CHOPPA. Crikey when I jump off the dirty 5 onto me mates KX250 my first thoughts are "Geez this feels no different to sister-inlaws cheap flimsy - chinese try hard motocross bike".
Choppa if you get a buzz riding 250's etc I'd say I'd seldom agree with anything you post on dirtbikes, they are so easy to ride 250's - make anyone look good. You prob into rice burner cars too :) Big American cubes for four wheels for me. Cannot beat cubic inch no matter how many wheels.

As for handling - like any bike if you use common sense you can get the most out of them. Look like tanks ? Take the plastic off and they a very small bike.

Armitage - one of the three 2004's went to Timaru eh ? :) You checked out kxriders.com ?

Bottom line is the laws of physics - a 500 cc two stroke making power twice as quick as a 500 four stroke so no surprises Craig Hyde has left modern day four strokes for dead in Race To The Sky for years and the Burt Memorial most times - impressive given the amount of $260 a valve four strokes entered.

[CHOPPA]

(500s aint all there made out to be, they are just big tractors like a big 4 stroke they don't have a real nasty power band like you would think and they don't rev out like you would think.)

Like a big block V8 when you have the cubes you do not need a powerband, The powerband of a 125 X 4 would be just silly, no traction would be had and you would have no arms.

You must have flung your leg over a crap 500 if you think they do not Rev out CHOPPA. Crikey when I jump off the dirty 5 onto me mates KX250 my first thoughts are "Geez this feels no different to sister-inlaws cheap flimsy - chinese try hard motocross bike".
Choppa if you get a buzz riding 250's etc I'd say I'd seldom agree with anything you post on dirtbikes, they are so easy to ride 250's - make anyone look good. You prob into rice burner cars too :) Big American cubes for four wheels for me. Cannot beat cubic inch no matter how many wheels.

As for handling - like any bike if you use common sense you can get the most out of them. Look like tanks ? Take the plastic off and they a very small bike.

Armitage - one of the three 2004's went to Timaru eh ? :) You checked out kxriders.com ?

Bottom line is the laws of physics - a 500 cc two stroke making power twice as quick as a 500 four stroke so no surprises Craig Hyde has left modern day four strokes for dead in Race To The Sky for years and the Burt Memorial most times - impressive given the amount of $260 a valve four strokes entered.

My point is they are nothing like the perception people have of them, they dont feel much diff to the power on a 450, they dont handle to bad considering.

I get a buzz out of riding any bike, id get more of a buzz out of riding a 500 over a 250 but i was just saying the power band on a 125 or 250 is much diff as you agreed.

If you can rape a 250 and you have a 5hundy, laws of physics say that if i get my 95kg ass on a 125 you would be able to wax me?? :bleh:

[honda_power]

(500s aint all there made out to be, they are just big tractors like a big 4 stroke they don't have a real nasty power band like you would think and they don't rev out like you would think.)

Like a big block V8 when you have the cubes you do not need a powerband, The powerband of a 125 X 4 would be just silly, no traction would be had and you would have no arms.

You must have flung your leg over a crap 500 if you think they do not Rev out CHOPPA. Crikey when I jump off the dirty 5 onto me mates KX250 my first thoughts are "Geez this feels no different to sister-inlaws cheap flimsy - chinese try hard motocross bike".
Choppa if you get a buzz riding 250's etc I'd say I'd seldom agree with anything you post on dirtbikes, they are so easy to ride 250's - make anyone look good. You prob into rice burner cars too :) Big American cubes for four wheels for me. Cannot beat cubic inch no matter how many wheels.

As for handling - like any bike if you use common sense you can get the most out of them. Look like tanks ? Take the plastic off and they a very small bike.

Armitage - one of the three 2004's went to Timaru eh ? :) You checked out kxriders.com ?

Bottom line is the laws of physics - a 500 cc two stroke making power twice as quick as a 500 four stroke so no surprises Craig Hyde has left modern day four strokes for dead in Race To The Sky for years and the Burt Memorial most times - impressive given the amount of $260 a valve four strokes entered.

what 250's are you talking about... F's? In that case I agree. But 250 2 strokes are not easy to ride for the less experienced, i I dont reckon they make anyone look good.

They all have their uses... 500s are for wide open. You cant tell me that you would get a kx5 through tight bush sections faster than a 250 or 450.

[KX500]

Yeah agree Choppa

Honda Power - I'm talking 2 stroke 250 - I must just be a naturally exceptional rider with my limited experience LMFAO.

(They all have their uses... 500s are for wide open. You cant tell me that you would get a kx5 through tight bush sections faster than a 250 or 450.)

Their intended purpose out of the factory is motocross tracks used by 250's as well, open class racing a by product.

When a 250 and 500 are on a trailer its hard to make out if there is any difference in size, as much as power has been exaggerated so to has cumbersome handling. I can stay in third gear round most tight tracks as I can faintly hear the 250 somewhere behind changing up and down all the time.

Comes down to two things - how big each ball is of the rider !

[honda_power]

Yeah agree Choppa

Honda Power - I'm talking 2 stroke 250 - I must just be a naturally exceptional rider with my limited experience LMFAO.

(They all have their uses... 500s are for wide open. You cant tell me that you would get a kx5 through tight bush sections faster than a 250 or 450.)

Their intended purpose out of the factory is motocross tracks used by 250's as well, open class racing a by product.

When a 250 and 500 are on a trailer its hard to make out if there is any difference in size, as much as power has been exaggerated so to has cumbersome handling. I can stay in third gear round most tight tracks as I can faintly hear the 250 somewhere behind changing up and down all the time.

Comes down to two things - how big each ball is of the rider !

thats just cause your used to a 500... its the same with me, thought my 250f was fast, got a 250 2t, rode the 250f the other day and it might as well have pedals.

back when i was 14 or so i had a ride on a cr500 and though it handled like shit. wasnt a real ride though. flat paddok.

i guess im real picky when it comes to handling then... i think my mates kx250 is bad. And early yzfs... terrible.

i guess its just what your used to. it only goes as fast as you twist the throttle. might get a cheap one just for the hell of it sometime soon.

they would be terrible on larger jumps though wouldnt they?

[KX500]

CR's cannot be compared with a KX500 as the power delivery is rough which effects handling. The dirty 5 a smooth bike to ride, mines stock standard which I thik is key - wee japa man spent millions getting right recipe :)

Poor Handling, Jumping - where do all these pre-concieved ideas come from "young luke". What is key is getting your tyre pressuers right on the 5 hundie - 14 psi like in the book great for most work, want to test your mates out ya pump them up to 30 psi - handful in the wet stuff :)

[honda_power]

young luke? im nearly 19 now... iv been drooling over 500's for years and read many things on the net about them. thats where the ideas come from.

[KX500]

Like Choppa said don't be fooled by all yah here.

Just about 19 :) old enough enough to be my boy - 20 years on 19 :)

Be a good investment for you, what four stroke KTM boys pay for one valve you can do your top end. They last for years and years like a V8 without being touched. Always take it easy on one to it well warmed to look after your crank seals.

And when the vintage racing years increases they will be worth gold.

Mines a 90

[Armitage Shanks]

CR's cannot be compared with a KX500 as the power delivery is rough which effects handling. The dirty 5 a smooth bike to ride, mines stock standard which I thik is key - wee japa man spent millions getting right recipe :)

Poor Handling, Jumping - where do all these pre-concieved ideas come from "young luke". What is key is getting your tyre pressuers right on the 5 hundie - 14 psi like in the book great for most work, want to test your mates out ya pump them up to 30 psi - handful in the wet stuff :)

KX , agree with your comments and 10 points, been riding and racing the big girls for a long time , YZ360B, then a WR500 , two brand new KX500's ( including my 39 hr '04 ) and I have a CR500 '01 stored away, still brand new ....I have to go, my missus just shouted ' :soon:Dinner ! '

[Armitage Shanks]

Hope I didn't scare you away KX...>>>>>>:2guns:

Keep in touch and 2-strokers united...

[KX500]

As you know takes a bit to scare a K5 rider :)

One of the 2004's in Timaru, you checked out kxriders.com yet or before ? You will see the other 2004 there, Timbowie the owner.
Guys on there helped me out many times, guy from Texas even sent me some crankcases for US$40

I appreciate what Choppa was saying but out the end of the day the 5 hundie still has the optimum potential with the laws of physics, granted the 450's have some get up and go but the 5 hundie way more if the K5 set up for ultimate traction.
With the smoothness of the 5 hundie think people do not realise how fast they are actually going, guy that took the K5 for a wrap reckoned I was hardly revving it when he was screwing his XR600 to keep up.

You had and have some nice rides, not many a man meet who has slung his leg over two brand new 5 hundies :)

(tidy 2004 on trade me)

[Armitage Shanks]

Good points and the Taranaki Trade Me '04 has been on the market for a while, cant figure why someone likeminded you or me has'nt snapped it up, there won't be another ...end of story. Go figure ...?

Still have the 2 Hundys in my shed and I'll send you some pic's ...be good to see yours too.... haha..keep warm , your E-address ?:Punk:

[Armitage Shanks]

KX ignore the two fingers thing on the Googly animated previous message , offence intended but misplaced ..... ta :mellow:

[sugilite]

WOW, cannot believe I've missed this thread! I have a 92 kx500 that I motarded. It's been mildly ported, fmf desert race pipe. The hardest thing about riding them in motard, is that initial hit steps the back out. I have carbon reeds with another cut down set behind them and a sealy fly wheel add on. it helps, but still hits like a MF :Punk:

I will NEVER sell it :done:

[KX500]

You could bang some photos in your album in your profile Armitage, theres photo of mine in my profile album.

Howdy sugilite, each to their own but I've found K5's that have been worked not as controllable overall than factory spec. Mate had one with all the hot add on's - I flipped it on a jump I had gone over a few times on mine, peppy in a word :)
Finding traction hard enough factory spec, guess you got to be competitive sugilite eh, be interesting see how factory spec go around same track as a modded one if more traction can be had, is there much difference ?

[Armitage Shanks]

You could bang some photos in your album in your profile Armitage, theres photo of mine in my profile album.

Howdy sugilite, each to their own but I've found K5's that have been worked not as controllable overall than factory spec. Mate had one with all the hot add on's - I flipped it on a jump I had gone over a few times on mine, peppy in a word :)
Finding traction hard enough factory spec, guess you got to be competitive sugilite eh, be interesting see how factory spec go around same track as a modded one if more traction can be had, is there much difference ?

Mr K, I'll work on the photo/ profile thing , we've just shifted and things are a little 'remiss' in terms of ordiliness but I'll get there. Thankfully I've kept a brochure of all the big green and red machines from about 14 years or so which are probably as misplaced as everything else :doh:

Shame the '04 KX brochure made no mention of the 500 at all, were they ashamed and PC?, guess that was politics but, gladly Honda had the 500 in their '01 Brochure...hmm

At least Kawasaki gave me a full spares kit in '97 as they did with my '04 .

Honda ? Bought the new CR in '01 and got nothing else , no spares kit , back up call = zip, just the Bike . Horses for courses.... I'd give Honda dealers a low score for a number of other reasons too ...


' No-one can say they all about dirtbikes 'till they've shifted through the gears on a KX500 ' DirtBike magazine circa 1997
At least I have my Pony's....

[cs363]

Here's one for you KX5Hundy fans :)

I'm sure one of you will recognise it (sorry no prizes..)

[sugilite]

Howdy sugilite, each to their own but I've found K5's that have been worked not as controllable overall than factory spec. Mate had one with all the hot add on's - I flipped it on a jump I had gone over a few times on mine, peppy in a word :)
Finding traction hard enough factory spec, guess you got to be competitive sugilite eh, be interesting see how factory spec go around same track as a modded one if more traction can be had, is there much difference ?

Howdy KX500, I bought mine of a member here (crasherfromwayback) it was very low hours and he is a meticulous owner, in short it was a goody! He had it mildly ported, more cleaned up...so not too wild :yes: When I motarded it (lowered suspension, 17 inch spoked wheels, big brake etc) I found I needed more revs on the road race sections. Hence the fmf desert pipe. Funnily enough, I found that intial power pulse cracking open the throttle was a big problem on the tarmac, rather than the dirt sections as in the dirt, I just rode it out, but on the tarmac, once the rear had broken loose, it just skated across the surface past the point of no return. This was just for 1st/2nd gear corners.

In 2003, I set a 1:18 flat round manfield, only late last year did a 4 stroke finally match that...I was trying a wiseco piston in a standard bore for that run, so it was running much slower than a standard piston as it expanded in the bore to quickly, lesson learned there :no: I reckon a 1:17 def possible on fast motor with standard piston.

The gearing I was running will crack you up, 16 on the front with about only 1mm of clearance to the crankcases, and a 37 tooth on the rear with the chain ohhhh so close to touching the sprocket holding bolts lol, and it pulled it just fine! I remember pulling along side Dennis Charlett (07 600 road race champ) riding a 650 Huseburg while he was topped out, and then I selected top gear :lol:

[Armitage Shanks]

Here's one for you KX5Hundy fans :)

I'm sure one of you will recognise it (sorry no prizes..)

Looks my ol' 97 ....though she did'nt wear googles then.....

[Armitage Shanks]

Ps ...And only for those that give a shit...Check my previous message....Thats a pic of your's truly standing next to my brand new 0 hour '04 just before the first ride ( Jan '04 ) . I had the PC pipe transplanted in the shop from my old '97( now running a new Gnarly, PC's are unavailable) and the plastic heel guards are now alloy moose items, motor is standard but sucking through a V-force reed kit, Answer bars XR650 bend and raised three chocks, std bars are way too low , Moose Hand guards ...of course with a new KX5 I dropped the needle 2 clicks as they're way too blubbery off the floor and it's magic.

My '97 was dropped off at the shop in ChCh on a Saturday afternoon as the trade and when I went back at 10am on the Monday to look at my old bike and pay the balance for the new one....my old Bike was already gone. SOLD

Nice to know there's still a few likeminded out there and cheers ...:shifty:

[cs363]

Looks my ol' 97 ....though she did'nt wear googles then.....


:lol: Well it's actually Larry Roessler's infamous Baja 1000 winning KX500 prepared by Pro Circuit. The 'goggles' are actually quite a trick set-up and have a very intricate pivot system to make them turn with the bars. Whilst at first glance it looks fairly stock there's some quite trick little bits of engineering on that bike. The bike now lives in their showroom on permanent display along with a huge range of their other championship winning bikes.
It's a shame they stopped production of the PC pipes for the KX5 as they were acknowledged as the best pipe for the beasts.
Sadly it's probably the way a lot of older two stroke pipes will go now there's so little demand for them in the US.
Here's the other pic I had of it.

[cs363]

Thats a pic of your's truly standing next to my brand new 0 hour '04 just before the first ride ( Jan '04 ) .

Very sharp! :D

Where's that pic taken, looks like out near Ruapuna but I'm probably totally wrong!

[Armitage Shanks]

Very sharp! :D

Where's that pic taken, looks like out near Ruapuna but I'm probably totally wrong!

Not wrong at all CS...That's a pic taken at Mcleans Island...sure you'll know that one....:Punk:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Howdy KX500, I bought mine of a member here (crasherfromwayback) it was very low hours and he is a meticulous owner, in short it was a goody! He had it mildly ported, more cleaned up...so not too wild :yes:


You wanna watch yourself buying ex race bikes from him mate!!

Amazed you've still got it actually. Join the 4 stroke revolution Mate. I've just got a new injected RMZ450...and it's fucking unreal.

[cs363]

Not wrong at all CS...That's a pic taken at Mcleans Island...sure you'll know that one....:Punk:

:lol: yeah, about the only part of Christchurch I regularly get to :)

[cs363]

You wanna watch yourself buying ex race bikes from him mate!!


Yeah, I'll second that....:shifty::shifty: :lol:


Nah, just taking the piss, he's not as bad as he looks.....


Amazed you've still got it actually. Join the 4 stroke revolution Mate. I've just got a new injected RMZ450...and it's fucking unreal.


'Spose you'll be wanting to bludge some go fast bits next..... :whistle:

[Crasherfromwayback]

'Spose you'll be wanting to bludge some go fast bits next..... :whistle:

Bludge? How rude.

[cs363]

Bludge? How rude.

Well, you know me! That's why we get on so well!! :bleh: :lol:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Well, you know me! That's why we get on so well!! :bleh: :lol:

Right then. Let me 'bludge' some 17" rims and huge brakes so I can return to Wanganui this year.

I want my prize money from '05' and then some.

[cs363]

Right then. Let me 'bludge' some 17" rims and huge brakes so I can return to Wanganui this year.

I want my prize money from '05' and then some.

Well I haven't got wheels in the 'big shed' and don't have the brakes any more but I can swing you a farkin good deal on wheels through 'a man I know'....maybe the same on the brakes

Give us a bell at work tomorrow in between Steinies and hand shandies or whatever else you get up to in that office....

[sugilite]

You wanna watch yourself buying ex race bikes from him mate!!

Amazed you've still got it actually. Join the 4 stroke revolution Mate. I've just got a new injected RMZ450...and it's fucking unreal.

Best cared for 2nd hand bike I ever bought :yes:

I have no doubt about your RMZ. I spent about 6 hours on an 08 CRF450 and it confirmed exactly Why I have the KX500. I also rode the ex works ktm of Briggs at Taupo, on the 500 out of the hairpin, the 500 would go WAAAP and instantly slide, and seemed to say "FUCK YOU ARSEHOLE" at the same time lol. Briggs ktm was so polite in comparison, it talked all the way, "I'm about to slide, I'm now gently sliding, want the back end a few more inches out sir?

I first rode a friends KX500 maaaany years ago when I was 18, to this day it is the only bike that truly scared me. (faulty front brake had something to do with that too lol) I remember thinking, shit, no way am I ready for one of these, stick with the 125 of the time and get a 500 when I'm 30 or something lol. I bought it of you when i was 32 me thinks lol

Anyway, I digress lol Modern bikes like your 450 are just to nice for me. If i were racing serious, I'd have a 4 stroke most prob. But for me, I like to throw a leg over the 500 as it commands utmost respect, I love the way the razer edge is so sharp and it is just waiting to bite you if you give it the slightest chance. Keeps this old prick on his toes and helps keep the dementia at bay eh. No farking marshmallow 450 4stroke for me :lol:

[KX500]

Yeah sugilite know where you coming from with the rear coming around to "3 O'clock" - (shingle) soon straightens out eh, could see the problem on tar with continuing to skim along the surface. Dudes over at kxriders probably have "the oil" how to overcome the problem. Yah tried those new Metzlers out with the tapered edge ? Front ad rear set up to complement each other.

Nice skills Armitage, like the green and black colours the best, started of in 90 and finished with same colours.

cs363 more baja titles than you can chuck a stick at eh - got to get me one of those big tanks, anyone know whats the biggest dessert tank can get for the mighty K5 ?

[honda_power]

check out clarke or ims tanks

[cs363]

cs363 more baja titles than you can chuck a stick at eh - got to get me one of those big tanks, anyone know whats the biggest dessert tank can get for the mighty K5 ?

I think it was at least 10 Baja 1000 titles, plus a swag of ISDE titles as well not to mention all the other 'minor' titles he won. Probably didn't hurt having Mitch Payton (owner of Pro Circuit) as a good mate either!

honda_power is on the money with Clarke & IMS tanks, they are both good quality items. From memory Clarke made the biggest version, not sure whether they still do though...

[KX500]

Cheers Honda Power and cs363, will check them out .........

[Armitage Shanks]

I must admit, it's been about 14 months since I straddled my K5 and took it for a squirt ...work, new house and job stuff ...blah blah. ( excuses )..looked at it today, might even get some gas and fire it up tommorrow . I used to run a 20% Avgas mix with 91 Octane but seeing how I've stopped flying and can't get the Avgas readily ...what should I run it with ?

[honda_power]

I would imagine 98 would be sweet... 98 octane would prob have a higher final octane than 20% avgas and 91. BP Ultimate is good shit.

[KX500]

Meant to run cooler to the higher the octane, find 95 Shell works well too. See it says 91 or up in the book.

Last time went out used 98 BP and front wheel was lifting nicely through the gears.

The guy with the 2004 in Timaru knows his mechanicals and he runs Amsoil oil at 100:1 so he has even more octane, here's the distributor

Wayne Hill Cars LMVD
313 Lincoln Road
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND

Phone: +64 3 338 3255
Fax : +64 3 338 3230
E-mail hillcars@es.co.nz


Might give it a go myself, use Castrol fully synthetic at the mo.


14 months - sheks thought I was slack at times lollol :)

[Crasherfromwayback]

The guy with the 2004 in Timaru knows his mechanicals and he runs Amsoil oil at 100:1 so he has even more octane, here's the distributor


100:1? Best way to fuck your engine in no time. 30:1 is better...20:1 better still. 2 Strokes make more power and torque with more oil in em. Better ring sealing.

[KX500]

It does seem extreme but the guy been running his 2004 constantly on it since new.

20:1 far to low, you start throwing into much oil and the bike starts to run rich cause the consistence of "your brew" is to thick and does not run through your carburettor jets as efficiently - great way to seize a motor.

[cs363]

100:1? Best way to fuck your engine in no time. 30:1 is better...20:1 better still. 2 Strokes make more power and torque with more oil in em. Better ring sealing.

Yes, a popular misconception and whilst modern oils have undoubtedly improved since this article was written http://www.bridgestonemotorcycle.com/documents/oilpremix6.pdf the basic premise remains the same. Though like anything there are some exceptions and variations but at the end of the day if your engine calls for 32:1 or 40:1 it's usually best to stick to manufacturers recommendations, or close to them.
Unless of course you enjoy building engines...

[cs363]

It does seem extreme but the guy been running his 2004 constantly on it since new.

20:1 far to low, you start throwing into much oil and the bike starts to run rich cause the consistence of "your brew" is to thick and does not run through your carburettor jets as efficiently - great way to seize a motor.

That's actually another misconception - the amount of oil added to the fuel has very little bearing on whether the bike runs rich or lean, that is handled by the jetting in the carburettor. And in fact the less oil you run the richer (in fuel) the mixture becomes....but we're talking small percentages here.
This explains it better than I could:

http://www.spectro-oils.com/motorcycle/dirt/tech.asp?action=v&id=31

[Armitage Shanks]

That's actually another misconception - the amount of oil added to the fuel has very little bearing on whether the bike runs rich or lean, that is handled by the jetting in the carburettor. And in fact the less oil you run the richer (in fuel) the mixture becomes....but we're talking small percentages here.
This explains it better than I could:

http://www.spectro-oils.com/motorcycle/dirt/tech.asp?action=v&id=31

Cheers guys, been running Motul 800 since new at 40:1, I could go a leaner mix ( not confusing oil ratio with carb settings ) and it runs fine. Also that's the mix I ran my , bought it new in 97 , KX5 and after about 80 hours I took the barrel in to have it cleaned up before I slipped a new piston in and was told not to bother ... " it's already been done by the looks of it ". And It had'nt been touched .......something about the Nikasil coating, sure, but also something about running good oil at a reasonably generous ratio . Gotta be one of the laziest and most reliable Dirtbike motors made ....or used to be made

[cs363]

Cheers guys, been running Motul 800 since new at 40:1, I could go a leaner mix ( not confusing oil ratio with carb settings ) and it runs fine. Also that's the mix I ran my , bought it new in 97 , KX5 and after about 80 hours I took the barrel in to have it cleaned up before I slipped a new piston in and was told not to bother ... " it's already been done by the looks of it ". And It had'nt been touched .......something about the Nikasil coating, sure, but also something about running good oil at a reasonably generous ratio . Gotta be one of the laziest and most reliable Dirtbike motors made ....or used to be made

40:1 with a good oil like that is probably a good compromise (KTM's are 32:1 correct?) most people I know tend to run around there with good oil. The main point is that the possible extremes like 100:1, given the information regarding lubrication, are probably unlikely to give extended engine life...

[Armitage Shanks]

40:1 with a good oil like that is probably a good compromise (KTM's are 32:1 correct?) most people I know tend to run around there with good oil. The main point is that the possible extremes like 100:1, given the information regarding lubrication, are probably unlikely to give extended engine life...

Not sure about KTM's but my '04 KX5 still has the little white sticker on the rear guard that says " 32:1 " same as my '97 , was gonna peel it off but I can't, it's so cute :niceone:

For the record my Victa grasschopper runs mineral at 25:1 and 91 octane possibly slightly less compression and I'm not certain whether it has a powervalve ?

[honda_power]

Amsoil is different to normal oil [dont ask me details] and can be run at ratios such as 100:1

[KX500]

I read the lengthy article - cheers for that. Oil technologies changed great deal since 1978 :) Between crasher and the article I'm going to give 32:1 ago from my usual 40:1 brew.

Yeah amsoil special stuff, ratios could goto 500:1 if there was some super dooper solution invented, fully synthetics probably have very little in common with the stuff that comes out the ground.

Wonder with the K5 being designed around 1990 would a mineral based oil be more appropriate/do the job ?

[sugilite]

Been down the octane route before...bear in mind that I was road racing my 500 at the time which stresses the motor way more than dirt riding. Here is the info I previously posted....

finally tracked down a article i did for supermoto.co.nz
My 500 had blown up and i went to the master of octane info, Robert Taylor.
heres the article...

The other Weekend my KX500 came to a grinding halt whilst racing at Manfield. After a top end tear down, the electrosil was found to have flaked off the barrel. Not good as I had not long just got it back from the platers. Turns out it was due to detonation. I was running BP Ultimate 98, so I was surprised to find that it had been detonating that badly. A respected motorcycle figure did some research on BP98 by contacting BP themselves. Guess what, you can forget NZ petrol octane ratings as they are quite misleading. Read on....

Here are some of the details supplied to me on the matter. (In italics)
The specs for BP98 are alarming. I don't know whether you are aware of same but all "pump" petrols (98 is a 'pump' petrol as such) have their octane ratings listed as the RON or research octane method. This is a little misleading and is not the information that racers really require.
Looking at the attached spec sheet the MON or motor octane rating of this fuel is in fact only 84. The MON number is always lower but not by such a huge amount.

Note that as a comparison the MON number of 91' pump petrol is 82, not a lot different.
Would you run your motor on straight 91'?
The respective anti knock index ratings are also not that encouraging.
Note that although the spec sheet is written / itemized a little differently for No. 1 / Avgas, but in fact the RON number is typically within 105 - 110
even though they don't rate Avgas in this way. The MON number is 100 or more, which is exactly the "territory" you need for your motor.
Note that BP "Ultimate 98" is an "Environmental" fuel, it is not marketed as a racing fuel as such and has low benzene count.

So there you go
folks, always be very aware of the octane sensitivity of your racing 2 stroke. Some motors may run happily on pump fuels but many are very sensitive and can detonate quite readily due to a whole host of variables.
Many of the late model highly tuned 2 stroke MX based bikes require at least
a 50% concentration of Avgas and 50% 96. Those most sensitive to detonation will require an even higher concentration and so on. As Avgas has a slower burn speed it is popular to use "cock tailed" with pump fuel to raise the burn speed for decent
engine response.

The flip side is that with very high concentrations of Avgas, reed petal life becomes shortened."

The other factor to be aware of is that in the autumn months fuel companies change the volatility of their fuel for easier starting in cold weather. "The fire lights easier" and burns more rapidly. This is no problem for your average passenger car, which accounts for 99% of the fuel company's market.
However, this can very often can be detrimental to a highly tuned racing motor, engine problems can suddenly appear in the
autumn months that weren't there during the warmer months.

By law of averages we are just a small minority and a relatively small annoyance to fuel companies who are only concerned about a bigger picture.
Nothing is ever as simple as it seems......................


I find it interesting that when approached at a technical level, BP say they market 98 as an environmental fuel, but in actuality, looking at the adverts for it at their stations, they seem to market it as a "fuel for performance vehicles"

[KX500]

Interesting stuff ! Cheerz

I asked the proverbial octane question on a KX site and got following link as the reply http://vpracingfuels.com/vp_fuelprop.html

[KX500]

(but in fact the RON number is typically within 105 - 110) Is that for 91 or Avgas ? Any idea of the RON number for 91 if not ?

Yep they advertise the 98 like its the performance pump fuel of all pump fuel.

[KX500]

Like the last scene in American Graffiti "Yep will take em all"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpxfFQM2Qzg&feature=related

Spot the one having the most fun :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZvjRWJjPn0


Was looking at getting a TL1000s, after watching first video might stick to original plan and get the dirty 5 road registered :)

[KX500]

Anyone for fishing ? (classic K5 Vid)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKrNlGhtLpA

[kezzafish]

(but in fact the RON number is typically within 105 - 110) Is that for 91 or Avgas ? Any idea of the RON number for 91 if not ?

Yep they advertise the 98 like its the performance pump fuel of all pump fuel.

ha ha haaa LMAO the 105-110 is for av gas. The RON for 91 is... surprise, surprise... 91

[KX500]

You forgot the F - lololllol got me MON's and RON's mixed up :)

[kezzafish]

It said the MON for 91 was 82 (although this'll vary depending on fuel brand i'm sure) and MON with for 98 being only 84 this is a bit of a shock

[honda_power]

it must be better than that, my bike pings on 91, 98 its sweet

[kezzafish]

that's what BP said according to the article. There is a difference (82-84) so maybe that's enough?

[Armitage Shanks]

Nice Bike Dafydd.....And, if only.....

I gotta '04 KX500 ( Last model ) in the shed, stock standard apart from Moose Heel guards, Answer bars ( Honda fit ), FMF Gnarly Pipe and a V-Force reed kit ...also have a dedicated Moose sump guard which is hangin' on the hook and not fitted ...this bike is fast and fancy, but it has'nt been out for over a year ...Last of the big Greens and only 40 hrs from new and I guess probably poot poots....around the high 60's hp at the crank and 101 kg dry. This was the bike that Kawasaki did'nt even include in their '04 brochure .

Paid 10,750 for it, someone tell I did the wrong thing.

Remember no-one can say they know all about dirt-bikes till they've clicked through the gears on a 500 .....:niceone:

Just assimilated the past diatribe and nice to read your comments, thanks ..

Have the '04 on the stand tonight and just lubed the chain, adjusted and tightened other things ( seat was missing a bolt ), cleaned the airbox ( it was clean anyway ) ...even polished the spokes and gave it a kiss when I was finished.....

Gonna lube the filter and maybe go for a squirt this weekend if I'm lucky but the forecast does'nt sound good ..14 months inactive , Gearbox oil is fresh, new sparklug ? or stick with the original, Bikes done 39 hrs only .

Looking fwd to getting back into the dirt....:Police:

[Armitage Shanks]

Just tonight, new fuel and the old plug...second kick and she's away ...very lean and high reving to start with but I guess that's understandable as the 04 KX5 has'nt been run for over 6 months ..settled down to the characteristic Ding...Ding after a couple of minutes.... New plug tommorrow and might see one of you guys up the Waimak this weekend, can't wait ( if the weather does'nt turn to shit that is ) :2guns:

Been a while .....

[telliman]

My bad i had the wrong person in mind, was thinking about the guy that was at Ken Fells early on this year on the CR500

it was greg henson i think, on a dave leary cr500, it still had nothing on toby summers yz450f with all his trick bits! didnt that cr win the dash for cash up north last year?

[KX500]

One for "Dirty 5 Fans"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twy8jkq0o8Q