85 Kxt500

[Swinger]

Im starting a T3 500 build and found a 87 kx500 that I want to use for my powerplant. Anyone have any info on this motor, good, bad, anything at all. The whole bike is cheap because the guy says it has no spark but am going this weekend with tools in hand to check it out and maybe get an idea what it needs. I wanted a newer motor but this one is in my budget at the moment. Any help or advise would be appreciated

[just ben]

leave the tools at home. if you get it sparking chances are they will back out. they suffer from the same stator woes as the kxts. maybe bring a meter too see if the stator is within range. also the coil has a seperate terminal to ground it rather than grounding on the mount like the kxt's. alot of times that ground wire breaks and = no spark. check the compression also. if its cheap enough pick it up the 500's are getting tough to find at a decent price. I have the stator test specsfor the 500 if you need it

[86T3]

I'm pretty sure that a lot of the 87 parts are one year only which will make your life more difficult. I picked up my 2003 KX500 for around the same ammount that they sell just the engine for on ebay. Look around and find a nice bike and you'll have less into the build than buying a basket case. I've done it before, trust me.

[Swinger]

I was going to just see if the fly wheel or the stator is shot, not try and get it running on the spot. I figured they had the same problems as the kxt's. Just curious on what it will cost to get her running again. I was looking at the newer motors on ebay and they are over tripple what I could get this whole bike for but do appreciate the news on 87 being only yr like that, sux!!! May check it out and if its a loose wire or something stupid like Ben says gonna be hard to pass up for $400 obo!

[Swinger]

What about the suspension? Will the T3 be enough or should I upgrade? If so what is my best matchup?

[fabiodriven]

Whatever suspension you're using for a 250 should be fine for a 500. There isn't much of a weight difference between the two motors.

[Swinger]

Ok, thanks Fabio! Im sending the frame I got off of Ben to the federal prison so the prisoners can get it all fixed up for me. I dont know who they got welding up there but is one hell of a welder!! Cant beat the price either!! FREE!! I will get some pics up as soon as it gets back and start a build thread.

[slowman9786]

You can get stuff welded by prisoners?

I'm in a welding class at a community college and paid $300 to take it, maybe I should of just went to prison.

[TatTooL23]

just don't send it in with nice new rims..... it may come back without them.... lol

thats crazy u can have prisoners weld stuff for u though

[just ben]

you need the correctl puller for the kx flywheel but I wouldnt worry about pulling it the magnets a screwed on not just glued like t3. no need to pull the flywheel to test the stator. what else do they do at this prison? I have all kinds of stuff I could drop off for them to do lol.

[Swinger]

They welded parts for a backhoe that was cast and turned out great. Was thinkin on making up some stuff and haveing them produce a bunch for us. ha ha

[Chazz of Blades]

Gotta love Alabama for that reason too!

[oldskool83]

87 was a 1 off year...88 to 04 is 100% the same, if honestly look elseware. using the dirtbike motor wont solve longevity problems unless you use somthing standard and current...any reasoning on why not doing a cr500 motor? way more aftermark support vs kx.

[Addicted]

Because^ do you understand how wrong it is to put a Honda in a Kawi?

[Swinger]

I want to keep this machine all green blood. Thanks for the info on the 87 motor am now looking elsewhere and gotta just be patient. I tend to rush into things and get screwed so thats why I am asking for help from the all mighty 3ww guys. I appreciate all the help. 88+ motor hunt is on!! I may just wait till after xmas and get a redone one

[fabiodriven]

I didn't realize the 87 motor was a one year only. I've got an 86 motor. Are they really that different? I've not had any issues getting parts for my motor.

I'm all for keeping it all green as well.