1983 KDX 500 Phase 2 ?

[ghostrider]

Out yesterday on a trail blast on one of my many fav trails , rode past a rider taking a break on what seemed to be a 1983 kx500 with lights and a rear silencer so long you could hitch a trailer onto it .I stopped to investigate ,and questioned this enduro-ised VMX rocket .The elderly owner informed me that he had this thing from new from kawasaki back in 1984, complete with light ,tripmeter, softer suspension and a legal ADR muffler (did not have a compliance plate)
  My question to all , was this thing for real or BS? (I did not have my camera on me ,,,,DAMN)

[LWC82PE]

Most likely would have been sold/set up like that from new by Murray Tainton from BTX Motorcycles.

[ghostrider]

 Thats the one,(and in relatively the same condition).The gentleman that owned the bike explained to me that in the day there was a bit of a surplus of KX500s ,and that he paid about the same price that the KX was for the KDX (with spares).Learn something new everyday.....

[monaro308]

I think i do remember Murray selling them. His brother lived about 10kms up on Stud rd from me and i'd take a sticky beak whenever i'd drive through.There'd always be a big bike trailer/hauler in the drive for the safaris.I think Phil was doing the RGV 250 production class engines for riders if i remember too.
When i had my88/89 KX250,there was an optional light coil kit that was available.

[BAHNZY]

They were an easy conversion given that the front wheel was factory ready for a speedo drive.

I'm pretty sure my 500 was one of these bikes as it was fitted with the same headlighht and taillight as shown in the picture. 

[Boyracer]

What a classic, that would of been fun through the sticks.

[mustanggrahame]

I don't think anybody could ride a 500 as fast through the bush as a 250 or 175. It might be scary fun though.
Cheers.

[Nathan S]

Was an article in ADB back in the day, which pretty much confirms all of the previous posts.
Don't think it was a BTX-special though - they talked about it as coming from Kawisaki Australia.

Will see if I can find the article.
 

[luke.5000]

 hi to all, i have  a 1983 kdx500 a1 which is build number 43 of 50 bikes from what i was told that was imported into australia from kawasaki.. and yes the last handfull that wasnt sold were converted over for enduro..i purchased it  last year from victoria of ebay which i thought at that time it looked a bit strange with  some kdx gear on it, the 2nd owner didnt ride it due to no spark,,,  a soldered wire that had worked its way loose of the stator  killed the spark so it just sat in his shed,, the drill holes are still in the rear oval mud guard for the break light,, both  sidecovers have kdx stickers on them,, the speedo gear drive is still on the bike, however the headlight, trip meter is missing and the stator has a few exra wires coming of it,  id like to purchase the missing parts so i can keep it original ,, it has a large de restricted rear pipe on it,, i tracked down a dg rear pipe in mint condition.  but i need a 1983/1984 kx500  clutch cover,, front pipe   and a few ods n ends  regards luke ph 0430438998   email  luke5000@tpg.com.au