OzVMX Forum
Marque Remarks => Kawasaki => Topic started by: Tony T on February 22, 2008, 05:11:20 pm
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At the risk of sounding like a complete psycho...............
Would all of you owners of this model bike, be good enough to pm or email me with your details and the bikes numbers?
There was apparently less than 1000 sold worldwide and I'd like to know how many still exist.
Thanks in advance
Tony Tervoert
Tanunda S.A.
0410 504 815
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tony you will probably find ther wont be a lot of them they only brought in a certain amount
like my 85 500 they only brought in about 40. there seems to be more 1983 models, i am just one person
and i have had three see how you go 8)
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I actually should probably start at Kawasaki and try to find out how many came to Australia.
I'm just interested and would love to know how many are still being cared for today.
We'll see I guess....................
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Just to find medical records of sods with forced frontal labotomy's and very long arms;D ;D ;D
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let us know how you get on trying to find out production numbers from Kawasaki as i want to try find out the production numbers of my rare 82 PE which im now thinking is much rarer than i thought.
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Tony,
I get the details of the bikes. 2 x 83 & 2 x 84 500's
Interestingly one of the 84s, if you can believe the faded sticker outline on the fuel tank is an old Trevor Williams Team Kawasaki Australia bike.
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hey tony i know of 3 1984s that are raced in south east queensland
i dont think they use the forum 8)
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Great stuff, gentlemen. Thank you.
Buddy, I'd really appreciate it if you could pass on my contact details to those blokes.
And Bahnsy, my KX came with a sticker on it about TKA and Trevor Williams being Aust. Champions etc. Not sure if that's the one you're referring to? I'll find a photo somewhere.
I have spoken to Trevor Williams about this and he has no information as to where any of his bikes may have gone and his parts stash is long gone too.
I'm thinking I might compile this info into a small website. I won't share owner's names, just their location e.g. Melbourne, Gold Coast, whatever.
I can also put up photos, parts diagrams, owners manual, tests etc.
I know it's a very small market, but it's fun and I'm keen to find out where they all are. First indications seem to be that there's more than I thought still living out there. ;D
btw I haven't had any response from Kawasaki Australia or Japn re. production numbers as yet.
I'll keep you blokes posted. Thanks again.
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i know you are compiling for 1984 models Tony, i know of 2 1983 bikes and approx 6 motors by a collector. and no he won't part with any bits.
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I've thought about that Hoony. Maybe I should make it air cooled KX500's or something. Although the 2 bikes were quite different to ride and to look at, many engine parts interchange.
I'll think about that over the next couple of days.
Right now, I'm trying to catch up on work after being away actually riding bikes for a week. Very fun.......... ;D
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What a life, take some piccies for a couple of hours , piles of cash roll in for em , then off riding bikes for the rest of the month................. :D Cheers bugger Tim
Seriously Tony I will email you soon numbers of a 84 (not certain) 500 that we knew of , Was a mates back then . It was regrettably stolen by two young teen idiots one night and very sadly they crashed head on into a innocent driver in the dark. One youth died at the scene and his mate was crippled with brain injuries. The driver of the car could not cope and took his own life. The owner had the wrecked KX stripped and frame scrapped a little while later.
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What a life, take some piccies for a couple of hours , piles of cash roll in for em , then off riding bikes for the rest of the month.................
What can I say................ it's a living..................... :D
I actually went over to the high country to sort the bikes we'll be riding on the Childhood Cancer fundraiser. As a bonus, I got to help out with a test of the new Husky 250, Yamaha WR250R and DRZ250. I hadn't ridden a modern bike for a few years prior to that. So it was very interesting. These new 250 four strokes are great!
Very sad story about that KX, Tim.
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My 83 model KX500 has a 84 model swing arm on it and I just picked up a twin plug coil for a twin plug head I had to make because I couldn't find an original head anywhere. The coil came off a 84 model which is in a wreckers somewhere in Newcastle.
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You can't by any chance remember the name of that wrecker FireKwaka?
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Tony, one of the wreckers in newcastle is called "The Wreckery" 02 4950 2444 [email protected]
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Thanks Hoony.
Just emailed them.
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its newcastle bike wreckers they do have some engine parts but wont sell the lot has to be bought in pieces$$$$$$$$$ :o
he tony have tracked down another 84 i might be able to buy at right price will keep you posted
heres a piccy of my 83
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Tony the unfortunate KX500A2 mentioned above last three numbers read ***352 Owner was unable to read his receipt from new as mice have eaten and made nests in the shoe box it was in. It was an 84 model for sure. Tim
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Thanks buddy
I looked back at my records and I rang Newcastle Bike Wreckers last year when someone told me they had a complete engine, but they told me they had nothing at the time.
And thanks for the info Tim. At least that's one more I can account for even though it's dead.
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How many air cooled 500 models were their?
Was it just 83 & 84 & then the 85 was water cooled???
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There was only the 2 year models that were air cooled 500's, Geoff. '83 and '84. 85 was the first water cooled one.
I read somewhere that only 899 1984 models were made. I tried to confirm this with Kawasaki but they claim that information is confidential . What a joke.................. :D
btw I've given up the idea of the register. Only bigK and Tim gave me any details so it's not worth me chasing the others.
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Thanks Tony
Also did both the 83 & 84 models have gold rims?
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No, in '84 the main changes were silver rims/swingarm etc changed from gold, twin spark plug head, flat slide carburettor, blue 'safety' seat and different tank.
A lot of engine parts will change over though. I've got a list somewhere.
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Thanks Tony
From that info then it seems it may be an 83 model that I have been offered. If it ever happens I will be sure to ask more questions.
Cheers
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Paul's right. They are coming out of the woodwork. ;D
'83 models do seem to be more common.
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hi tony will have some numbers thurs for you i got to dig some other bikes out of the way first to get a look i think she is 1984 (silver rims ect) but will confirm with numbers
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Hi ya Tez
Thanks for that mate. I'm just amazed at how many of these things are still out there.
There hasn't been much response to my register idea, but I'm still interested in recording every one that comes up. I'm just not chasing it that hard at the moment.
Maybe once my charity ride is over and I've got a bit more time on my hands I might get back into it a bit more. And get the bike done I hope.
Maybe I should CD6 my deadline for bringing it back out into daylight................ 8)
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heres another
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-154279720.htm
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I used to own that bike that you have Tony, its the one with the mount Gambier Kawasaki sticker on the swing arm, I think I may still have some bits for that Junka, I'll have a bit of a squiz.... :'(
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im getting a bit lost which bike is the one with the stickers on the swing arm .is that the one tony originally own way back when , and the same bike he bought back from the guy in qld
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Yup, thats the one, I bought it from a guy in Queanbeyan and sold it to Hillsy....
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There was no muffler with the bike when I got it, the muffler that went with the bike was one that I got off ebay in the US, the seat from that bike was stuffed also and the one that went with the bike came from Penrith motorcycle wreckers. I had 3 of these KX500's at the time and they were all in pieces so I presume a lot of stuff got mixed up.
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Hi Tony - Is this a 83 or 84 model. All I remember is that a mate of mine had just picked this brand new bike up on the day these photo's were taken. If it is an 84 model, I will contact him just in case he knows where it is now.
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Forgot to attach this one!!
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Thanks for that mposs!
Was that one registered too, if you can remember?
Mine was but the lights didn't work, they were only for show.
Thanks again for the photos. ;D
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Whats with removing all your posts Tony T? didn't you want to talk to me?
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Gents - may have found an 84 to buy at an OK price - I gather from this thread they are rarish - whats good, bad and otherwise about them? Also any photos of an 84 to make sure it isn't an 83 - or maybe what were the engine numbers for the 84?
thanks in advance.
Rossco
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84 had twin spark plugs silver wheels and swingarm safety seat they are the most obvious
83 gold wheels and swingarm normal seat 8)
sometimes people chop and change these models :'(
but you should be able to get an idea
these bikes are great no real issues to look for ;D
just normal maintenance stuff like shock and linkage bushes etc
there was more 1983 models imported to australia than 1984 models
in 1985 there were only 35 imported from japan by kawasaki :o
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thanks for that HB - I also found a photo on bikepics and yes you are right they differ cosmetically so easy to tell the difference.
Now next plan is how to get it past the boss if I get it..................
;D
Cheers
Rossco
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With all the old 80's eastern states mx photos showing up,Did you have register finder luck Tony. 8)
cheers
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There were up to 1500 1983 KX500A1 models made according to the 1982 to 1985 Kawasaki Model recognition manual. The 1984 model starts at frame number 1501 and judging on the poor response to the 1983 bike I doubt they made more than a thousand of them, in the USA Kawasaki did not even release many 500A2's to the magazines for testing as they were fed up with the criticism of the 83 model. Its amazing what a cult following they have - great old bikes.
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Yes i have the '83 Motocross Action mag where the KX finished last in the 4 bike comparison test and copped a bagging and Kawasaki wouldn't give MXA a bike for the '84 shootout!
I own an '84 500 cos they are so cool..
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I have an old Trail and Track test on the 84 which says it could be the best open class bike ever built. The old mags are a good read but sometimes seem to say whatever the sponsors want. I also have an ADB mag which reckons the 83 is a sensational bike ?? Got an 84 coming on a boat as we speak - can't wait to get my hands on it.
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I know the thread is for the 84 model, but in my mind, the 83 is the better looking bike. (bit more old school)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs068.snc4/34781_144431132236728_100000095260657_402948_951291_n.jpg)
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Those nos rear guards are getting expensive for these Kwackas,a mate of mine just brought one for his 1984 KX500 resto for USD$400, ouch!!
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Hi Gents, new to this forum and would like to let you know another 84 KX500 has been uncovered and is going to be restored back to its former glory.
This ones been hiding in the back shed on the Mid-West coast of Western Australia. Purchased it off a mate for $1500 who was going to butcher it and turn it into a dirt drag bike. Had my eye on it for a few years now and have just been waiting patiently for it to fall into my hands. Always liked Kwaka's and have some slightly newer little brothers in the form of a 06' KX450F, 08' KLX450R and a 09' KX450F (EFI) to keep it company in the shed.
Bikes complete apart from the front number plate and silencer (has a home made job). Plastics are faded and brittle and it looks like it has a 83' (recovered) seat on it. Frames straight with no rust and the expansion chamber has no dents in it. The gearbox oil is clean and the bike has no oil leaks. Overall its in pretty good condition and was told it still runs but has a ignition problem.
After it's restored I am looking at doing the odd VMX race on it for a bit of fun.
Tony T, the frame number is KX500A-002211 and engine number is KX500AE002215.
Hope to hear back from any other 83'/84' owners and also to find out how many of this model were built and how many are still around.
Cheers
AUS613
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bugger - I missed that one!
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I also have one - frame# 2301 and motor# 2318 - imported from Canada
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This 83 is still around.
http://s582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/ted84photos/?action=view¤t=002-2.jpg&newest=1
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Hiya guys I got one frame # 002381 engine # 002409 i,ve got 83 swing arm/wheels I like the look of the gold
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Hey Piney, do you intend to use the 83 swing arm in an 84 chassis?
If so I’d be keen to understand the end result. It was reported back in the day that the 83 was a pig of bike, mainly due to the rear suspension, in respect of the linkage ratio and the shock absorber. My experience with my 83 was that I never felt comfortable with the rear end until it got an Ohlins fitted. I have heard that some owners have fitted 84 rear ends into the 83 chassis as a means to fixing the 83 but I’ve not heard of someone doing the reverse.
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thanx for the heads up Bahnzy, i'll be sure to check that out, problem is my 84 swingarm has an ugly side stand weded to it
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just remembered i have a 84 and 83 in pieces under house ;D
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Didn't Kawasaki Australia have 150 of these that could be registered that they put together here in Australia. Much like the CRE500 Honda's in 2002
Just a run out thing for the air cooled with the water cooled ones just about to hit the dealer floors or already on the floors at the time.
For some reason 150 is the number that has stuck in my head for years but it may not be right.
I can remember reading it in ADB there was a picture and a bit of a story, about a third of a page. A kdx/klx headlight was used, can't remember much about the silcencer, rear guard or lighting system.
The Mt Ebenezer 12 hour was a bit of a popular race at the time with Trevor Williams blowing the doors of Lovett. maybe one of the companies that did the lighting mods for the 12 hour did the electrics. They were pretty good value for money from memory , maybe cheaper than they were as a MX only bike earlier in the year or only $150 more can't remember accurately. Could have possibly been towards the end of the first water cooled year even. It was deffinatley mentioned in ADB at the time that it was a way of getting rid of excess air cooled KX500 stock.
I was close to finishing school at the time and have always remembered them and wanted one but never even heard of them mentioned much since and I have still never seen one of these registerable ones to look at or purchase that I can remember, only in ADB so the memorys are getting less as time goes on .
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Two of my mate's had registed 1984 KX500 they got it from K&J Thomas in Whitelsea on the same day for $1900. I have a felling they were some sort of primary producer reg though not full ADR reg. This would have made them one of the fastest and best looking ag bikes ever.
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This would have made them one of the fastest and best looking ag bikes ever.
You've obviously never come up against my KAWASAKI KL 250 Stockman.......