KX500 AIR COOLED LAST MODEL WHEN ?

[ELC hunter]

About to look at kx500 am told its the last air cooled model.Not sure of model no's or serial no's forks are gold coloured. i'm told side plates have room for numbers.Any chance some one would some numbers so i' know what i'm looking at. hopefully get to eye ball this week ELC hunter.

[Moto]

Gav,
     No good to you,you will only hurt yourself.Can you pass on to me the guys ph no and I will save you some pain.      TC.

[ELC hunter]

Whats life with out pain!

[BAHNZY]

How about sharing the pain.

The simple external differences. (Air Cooled)
1983 first production KX500, gold rims, gold swing arm, single plug cylinder head, round slide carb.
1984 last production KX500, silver rims, silver swing arm, twin plug cylinder head, flat slide carb.

From there you get to the nitty gritty poins where about the only common part is the engine bottom end. The 83 and 84 are completely different bikes right down to the wheel hubs and spokes so be real carelfull when looking for parts.

[cbc]

84 intake 4 bolts
83 intake 6 bolts
 Is a good one that some else mentioned another time this topic came up!

[JohnnyO]

'83 Black seat
'84 Blue safety seat

[BAHNZY]

The rest of the Nitty Gritty.
There are others, but i just cant remember them all.

* = Same
# = Completely different Different between both models

# - Hubs
# - Spokes
# - Frame (84 has an addidtion brace for the cross over suspension link)
# - Swing Arm (Aside from the color, the 83 uses the old style axle pullers. 84 used the internal type system)
# - Triple clamps (84 has bosses for the front guard brace on the lower clamp)
# - Carburettors (83 round slide, 84 flat slide)
# - Seat (83 500 Logo, Blue, Std Seat. 84 KX logo, Black, Safety Seat)
# - Exhaust (Different Spigotts into the Head and different OD on the stinger)
# - Cylinder (Different exhaust port to accept the different chambers & reed block fixing)
# - Muffler (Different pipe diameter to accept the larger stinger OD)
# - Head (83 single plug. 84 Twin plug)
# - Electrics (Differ for the twin plug system)
# - Rear Shock/Suspension (different rocker ratios)
# - Final Drive (Different ratios)
* - Plastics (Tank aside, they are common)
* - Fr Brake Caliper & Disc
 

[holeshot buddy]

YOU FORGOT GEAR SHIFT DRUM

[BAHNZY]

SHIT .....

[ghostrider]

 looking at all these differences between 83 & 84 kx500  I NOW NEED SOME HELP  ,Is it possible to bolt an 83 cylinder & head to an 84 bottom end and have it work?I recently salvaged an 84 from the tip and after reading this thread I have noticed the fore mentioned condition.I have not tried to fire this beast because I have split the case and about to rebuild the crank. I am now busy tracking down an 84 cylider and head somewhere(maybe someone out there wants a swap) just in case this 83/84 combo wont work ,or should i press on with the 83 barrel?

[holeshot buddy]

84 barrel and head will fit 83
and visa versa no problemo

[ghostrider]

 thanks rusty, that being the case (83 cylinder/head on 84 bottom) will the electrics still be compatable if I change the ignition coil from twin leads with a single lead,operating with 84 rotor//stator set up?/Or should I find a complete 83 electric setup and transpose onto the 84 bottom end

[holeshot buddy]

stators are the same its only the top coil
different twin or single to suit whichever head
put a single coil on it
it will be fine  cheers rusty