OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Kawasaki => Topic started by: paul on December 20, 2008, 10:13:58 am

Title: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 20, 2008, 10:13:58 am
should this model have a twin plug head
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 20, 2008, 12:12:27 pm
i just look at this hot rod itsay 84 but single plug head so it must be a 83 engine
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230314688621&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013#ebayphotohosting
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 20, 2008, 08:10:05 pm
 kx500a1 83". frame kx500a 002470
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: E74 on December 20, 2008, 09:08:04 pm
Its seems to be a 84 model,  even has the original rims (hard to find)

84 models all had twin plug heads, it may well have an 83 model motor  ???

I have a complete decal kit for it for you paul if you nail it..  ;)

Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: holeshot buddy on December 20, 2008, 09:14:08 pm
who cares what year, 83 and 84 were
both great bikes ;D
good buying but will probably
go for much more ;)
i didnt think you were a kawasaki man paul :o
that bikes not far from you 8)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: E74 on December 20, 2008, 09:48:26 pm
Its a 83 model motor or top end, 84 inlet has 6 bolts, 83 has 4 bolts
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 20, 2008, 10:36:00 pm
i went and looked at it ,looks better in pics .ill just say that   
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: cbc on December 21, 2008, 11:01:40 am
Well the "shitbox" has just gone over $3000 in a very quick period!
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 11:32:07 am
means nothings   get a couple of mates to bid it up  and hope for the best ,it happens all the time , a certain ebay person bids his own stuff all the time and then give  him self good feed back and the trys to sell his new cz 125 engine again ,i i think hes sold it 3 time so far lol  ,how many new engines can you have last time i looked it ,the engine was for auction in  a ktm frame he must have a pallet load  lol .Hello were all stupid
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: cbc on December 21, 2008, 12:19:50 pm
Paul are you bidding on it? Almost four now. You think its fake bids? If thats the case ebay should do more and ban anyone caught doing that. Dont know how you would police it may be Ip address's but people could easily find away around that too I guess.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 12:41:25 pm
im not bidding on it   if it was a 84   i would off thought about it but it needs a total  going over in my way off thinking  but it would make a good project for some one i suppose  BUT NOT AT THAT PRICE
 THE OWNER TOLD ME HIS FRIEND SAID IT WAS WORTH 10 K  AND I HAD A GIGGLE  TO MY SELF WHILE THERE  .
BIG K  SOLD ONE EARLIER THIS YEAR  AND IT WAS ADVERTISED HERE  ,IM NOT SURE WHAT PRICE HE HAD ON IT BUT I THINK IT WAS RACE READY AND CHEAPER THAN THAT EBAY BIKE (correct me if im wrong)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: Maico31 on December 21, 2008, 12:48:37 pm
I'm surprised at the price of this bike but pre '85 big bores are getting hard to find and it's pushing the prices up. Yeah Paul i've seen that CZ125 engine sell on ebay at least 3 times, he's bidding on his own stuff for sure. Cracks me up when i read the feedback he leaves for himself then he relists the stuff.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 12:52:04 pm
this is the other one im talking about
(http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/ozmaico/KX50084007.jpg)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: LWC82PE on December 21, 2008, 12:59:05 pm
that one looks pretty nice
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 01:13:30 pm
i think it was around 4k   a couple off months ago
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: E74 on December 21, 2008, 01:15:19 pm
KTM is King of the 84 Big Bores  ;D

(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n208/hemiy09/ktm-495mc1984.jpg)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: cbc on December 21, 2008, 01:18:43 pm
That was a nice KX 500. I bought one from Tony. Starting to think I got a good deal.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 01:20:55 pm
walter has the king twin  maico engine monster trencher /excavator/ underground pipeline digging monster
which hes  said im getting for my birthday lol ;)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 01:22:09 pm
it was a good deal nearly bought it my self .have you got all the bits for it yet
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: cbc on December 21, 2008, 01:27:03 pm
No just sarting now paul. Had some other projects happening at the same time. Not even sure what I need yet. Pipe, pastics decals ect.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: E74 on December 21, 2008, 01:28:54 pm
That was a nice KX 500. I bought one from Tony. Starting to think I got a good deal.

Man that thing gets around, I still have its original owners manual, I will find it and send it to you!
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: cbc on December 21, 2008, 01:33:27 pm
Thanks E74 would really really appreciate that. Call anytime if you want! Did you own it at some stage? Ph 0428281818
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: E74 on December 21, 2008, 01:33:46 pm
walter has the king twin  maico engine monster trencher /excavator/ underground pipeline digging monster
which hes  said im getting for my birthday lol ;)

 ???


The KTM495.CO.UK forum (but where is the site ?)
The fastest real dirt bike ever was the KTM-495. When I was the editor of Dirt Bike Magazine, we geared one to the moon and had Rod Bush do 123.75 miles per hour (200km/h) on El Mirage Dry Lake with that particular bike. I believe the year was 1981. I have not heard of any other true stock dirt bike go faster under verifiable conditions.

Rick "Super Hunky" Seiman
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: E74 on December 21, 2008, 01:36:42 pm
Thanks E74 would really really appreciate that. Call anytime if you want! Did you own it at some stage? Ph 0428281818

Yes I owned it along with 3 others, I bought it of the guy who bought it from tony who sold it to me and I sold it to Hillsybadboy and he sold it to Tony and he sold it to you!!!
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: cbc on December 21, 2008, 01:38:43 pm
LOL ;D Sure sounds like its been around then. Done more kms being transported than ridden. 
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 01:44:39 pm
didnt tony have the bike new  .when he got it back i would often send him ebay links for parts i would find
i think it needed a twin coil and a flat slide carb from memory. amounst other stuff
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: cbc on December 21, 2008, 01:53:29 pm
He did get a lot of stuff  for it . I think he did get it from new. He definetely was attached to it 
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: bigk on December 21, 2008, 02:30:26 pm
I have an '84 KX500 in the shed if anyone wants a project. It's mostly all there including a new set of plastics from Nightmare Racing and a set of decals. It will probably run although it feels a little down on compression, the front wheel has a massive dent, the pipe is in a couple of peices and it has the wrong shock in it. It's a non reservoir shock which works well and could be used no problems, it's just not right for the model. The seat foam has been cut lower. The frame is a bit yuk, but there's a really good frame to go with the bike as well. It'll be a long time before I get to it, so if anyone wants it $2k, non negotiable. You should end up with a nice race ready bike for under $5K. I also have some other projects which can go if anyone is interested: 1981 KTM250GS, 1981 KTM390GS, 1974 Husky SC125, 1974 KX125, 1976 KTM125MC5, 1978 Montesa VB360, 1979 CR250R, 1976 CR250M2, 1974 Montesa VR250. There are also a couple which are half done but will be expensive: 1979 Honda CR250R (360 kitted) & 1977 Suzuki RM370 MotoX Fox replica. There's the other one as well Paul, if you're still interested.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: BAHNZY on December 21, 2008, 04:35:59 pm
"KTM is King of the 84 Big Bores"

To 1990 KTM managed only a 3rd place in the 1987 world titles with Kees van der Ven in the saddle.
Speaking with riders from the time, KTM would have won every years title if the competition was drag racing. When KTM went about buiding the 495 they must have spent all there R&D on the engine and plain forgot about the brakes and suspension. At the same time, Kawasaki must have had spies in the KTM camp, cause the 83 & 84 KX500's were a disaster in the brakes and suspension, just like the KTM's of the same era.

I don't know what it is about the 83/84 KX500's, perhaps its the rear guard design, but they have some kind of strange appeal. I hope that this auction is for real and not a beat up because these types of auctions can (but not always) set the benchmark for upcoming auctions.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: holeshot buddy on December 21, 2008, 08:08:15 pm
hey bahnsy whats wrong with kx brakes and suspension
i rate the brakes front and rear as excellent
front forks as good as anything
rear shock a bit  doey but quite usable
i thought you were talking about a cr500 honda  ;D ;D ;D
i thought you had one
have you traded camps ;D ;D
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: 090 on December 21, 2008, 08:19:56 pm
That price is unbelievable. Especially when people generally aren't buying at the moment. I would expect it to be sitting on that sort of money as a restored bike with 40 minutes to go.
Gee you sure know how to talk a bike up there got no buddy. Seems to be any bike you own though!!!! :P
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: E74 on December 21, 2008, 08:27:08 pm
Hey Bahnsy, I have a '84 CR500 very close to completion, it will be stunning when its finnished a couple of weeks into the new year,


I will swap you it for you know what.... ;)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 08:30:10 pm
another secret bike mmmm     lol what is it  i wonder 
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: holeshot buddy on December 21, 2008, 08:31:06 pm
well they cant be that bad they won the aussie championship
back then against all those red ones :P :P ;D

e74 i am sorry to hear that  ;D
if i had a cr500 i would swap it too ::) ::) ;D
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 08:39:16 pm
 :o
(http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo263/ozmaico/IMGP1734.jpg)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: LWC82PE on December 21, 2008, 08:40:09 pm
looks like its ( ebay one) been used as enduro bike as its got a taillight

i think after this we can all realize these KX's are reallly valuable and sought after now

another nice one Paul. the modern hand guards spoil it for me though
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: Maico31 on December 21, 2008, 09:07:01 pm
That 500 is real nice Paul. What are the forks from, they look like modern conventionals with a nitrite coating and bigger than 43mm? Looks like it has billet clamps too.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: paul on December 21, 2008, 09:11:46 pm
dont know anything about it john ,that bike took my eye at one off the viper meetings ,its surely nice
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: VMX247 on December 21, 2008, 09:16:09 pm
Looks like the yellow one had more fun  ;D
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: Maico31 on December 21, 2008, 09:19:45 pm
It's cool.. Keen to get mine finished now.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: bigk on December 21, 2008, 10:09:29 pm
I think the forks in that KX500 are 50mm WP Magnums from a mid 90's KTM or Husaberg.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: BAHNZY on December 22, 2008, 09:22:36 am
Bigger than 43mm? – Yep
Billet clamps – Correct
50mm WP Magnums from a mid 90's KTM or Husaberg - Nope
50 WP Extremes – Nope

"Looks like the yellow one had more fun"
Not even close. It lunched itself on the first lap of the first race. Spent more time cleaning it than riding it. >:(

I have ridden the RM & YZ 465 the YZ 490 and the 83 KX500, and (in my opinion) the KX is way behind those bikes.
The rear suspension is the let down and Kawasaki must have been well aware of it. The 84 rear suspension, whilst it looks the same as the 83, is completely different. If my memory serves my correct, none of the parts are interchangeable. The articles that I have read thus far indicate that the 83 was shocker and Kawasaki reacted very quickly to re-engineer the bike. For 1984 a new frame was introduced with extra strengthening spars in the frame, a new rocker ratio and swing arm and a revised shock absorber. If you have a look at any of the bikes that Trevor Williams rode, you will note a shock absorber like no other with a remote reservoir the size of a muffler mounted to the sub frame on the opposite side of the exhaust.

Whilst they went someway to addressing the issue in 1985 where they threw the whole design out the window and came out with the new linkage system, it was still no better, in fact a quote from back in the day said “The fork performance was okay on this bike. They were still a tad harsh. The rear suspension left lots to be desired. Even with all the spiffy new "technological" gadgetry, no amount of rear shock adjusting would get the rear to work properly. Thanks to the totally abominable rear shock that defied adjustment, the handling was confused”    

All that aside, the 83 KX500 could handle worse than a postie bike and I couldn’t care less. The bike has got a personality that I feel the others don’t have.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: holeshot buddy on December 22, 2008, 10:46:53 am
funnily enough all the rear suspensions
back then except rm
were pox :o
yz490 cr500 were on a par with the kx
i remember trevor williams trying ohlins and white  power on the bikes
but found standard shock worked better
i raced back then on these bikes
and like all the models you had to set them up
also there was not a lot of guys racing kx500s
back then it was when mr mx went 250 :'(
so these bikes were just kept for aussie title meets
in standard trim the motors were the quickest no contest
i also raced a 85 kx500 these were a great bike
like night and day over air cooled i still have one
in my shed its the quickest out of all my 500s
and yes the 83 and 84 are a cool bike and it doesnt really matter
but remember the other models were not much better ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: Husky500evo on December 22, 2008, 11:58:15 am
Is this some kind of quiz on what the forks are on the '84 KX500 ? My guess is a set of (48mm?) conventionals off a ('97?) Suzuki RM , with titanium nitride treated tubes. I think Suzuki went back to conventionals just for one year & they were supposed to be pretty good . I bought a new KX500 in '83 & found it to be a difficult bike to ride. Lots of power , but it pinged like a bastard . Nice bike to look at though .
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: Maico31 on December 22, 2008, 12:20:50 pm
They look a bit like Ohlins conventional forks or late 90's RM Suzuki.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: BAHNZY on December 22, 2008, 12:33:44 pm
"They look a bit like Ohlins conventional forks" - correct. To the top of the class you go.
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: Husky500evo on December 22, 2008, 12:47:18 pm
Gee, they would have to be a nice cheap set of forks then  :o .
Title: Re: kx 500 /84
Post by: GMC on December 24, 2008, 06:18:27 pm
It seemed like a reasonable unrestored bike, it definately pulled a good price.

A mate had a road registered 84 model in the late eighties / early nineties. It came with a NOS barrel. When he eventually put the new barrel on he found out the new barrel was an 83 model. He made it fit but he had to fart arse around with a few things, reed valve, airbox connection & I think ovaled some bolt holes etc, allthough it was a long time ago now & can't remember the details.

Just curious if this may have been the same bike??