Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I just got my Kx500 all ready to ride. I bought this bike 2 years ago with the engine completely apart in a bucket with an unknown amount of parts missing. Finally I have her back together and running great. I spent a lot of time and effort in putting this one together Its a completely fresh build. With an overbore tmx carburetor, flywheel weight, psi pipe, custom head( wanted original compression for this bike and only head gaskets available are thicker then original so I had the head modified) I rebuilt the suspension and installed new tires and brakes and bearings. Now I finished the engine break-in in my yard and I am ready to go ride the monster. Was going to go ride her this weekend but I found out the Public Trails in Md at green ridge were closed. Then I found out that the trails at savage river were also closed. Does anyone in the area know if the other trails are worth me driving 5 hrs to get there? I haven't been to the others and I prefer not to waste the trip.

Wow a KX500?

That might be one of the scariest bikes ever made. I can't help you with the trails as the one in CT is probably not worth the trip up from MD. I'm sure there has to be tons of them in PA?

As for the KX500, I think it made the CR500 tame in comparison. I knew a kid who was doing a standup wheelie on his KX500 and he gave it more gas and it must've hit the power zone and the bike stood up so violently that the handlebar hit him in the forehead and knocked him off the bike. He still has a scar mark on his forehead where the handlebar hit.

If all the info I have is correct...... The 86 was the worst too. Part way through the year it was sold they made the dealers install a thicker head gasket to lower its compression. With the low quality of fuel these days I decided to just bite the bullet and use cam 2 in it and i set it up for 13.1 which was the high end of oe spec. I changed the carb to a tmx flatside for a little more control at the throttle at the bottom. I also had to put a flywheel weight on the thing cause I couldn't stand how twitchy it was. I mean at idle just riding around the yard it snapped the bike forward each time it fired. I sold the 1991 KX500 I had, to buy a bike for my now ex so I haven't had a chance to ride a monster in a couple years. The main thing I remember about that one was torque everywhere but it was lazy from lower performance design. It scared a long time 250 2st rider friend of mine in about 50 feet that he shut it off and waled it back to my garage. He wont even put a leg over this one lol. Now shes gone so I finished this one up. I cant wait to see how This thing rides as I am very partial to the older dirt bikes. I have been to the western MD trail at green ridge its great there but they are arguing with environmentalists about how to proceed with repair or moving them to better locations. I have also ridden at tower city PA years ago before it was a for profit type place but now its expensive and you have to join the CLUB and do clean up days, I have no problem with that but its such a ride to begin with........

Do you still have your 86 KX500? I just got one and am having trouble with the topend rebuild. Can't seem to find a piston for it - Have been told a 1985 piston will work with some modification but I'm not so sure.