The 10+ year KX500 rebuild thread

[Skub]

Salty enough for 15 years ago.

[KungFooBob]

I remember buying woodruff keys almost weekly when I commuted on a string of 100cc shitters in my late teens.

[derek badger]

Salty enough for 15 years ago.

Yea, that's what I thought. The price of NOS parts now makes me cry. It's been a heavy investment this project, but as you mentioned before...it's been spread out over a long period of time!

The other tyre should arrive tomorrow, I'll take them to be fitted Friday if my mechanic is about.

Another new coil arrives tomorrow after the multimeter showed it wasn't in spec. Then I'll check the stator readings, it's new and unused...but at least 10 years old. Then that's all the ignition replaced, if it still won't start I'll look at the fuel system again as compression certainly isn't an issue.

[derek badger]

Horn and button, speedo, kill switch and fusebox all arrived and put with the other wiring bits. 'Daytime' MOT to start, then I might look at basic lights. I've got 4 x 3.7v NiCd cells out of a head torch that might be of use wired in series. A generic reg rec might be another option to convert the AC lighting coil output. I'm getting ahead of myself though, but it's cathartic to buy parts during lockdown...

[derek badger]

Got the tyres, tubes and rim tape fitted today.







Some more wiring tomorrow and continue to try and start it.

[derek badger]

When you said rim tape I shuddered and expected to see green tape around the rims, but ISWYM.

Oh hell no, I can't stand that tat!

[GuzziPaul]

Them lime green gators look a bit manky next to the nice wheels and tyres.

[derek badger]

Them lime green gators look a bit manky next to the nice wheels and tyres.

It's just storage dust, they were brand new when fitted. The whole thing will get a good wash soon.

[derek badger]

Them lime green gators look a bit manky next to the nice wheels and tyres.

It's just storage dust, they were brand new when fitted. The whole thing will get a good wash soon.

Because the sun was out I put it's clothes back on and gave it a bit of a wash.





Still not got it started though, it fires most kicks but only runs for a second or two at the most. I've had the carb apart (again) and checked the jet sizes are mixture screw are correct and it's got a reasonable spark. I guess it's just perseverance but I end up a sweaty mess and I've bruised the fuck out of the left side of my right knee after bashing it on the exhaust a couple of times. I'll be keeping the seat on there when I try again...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

You appear to have let one of your children doodle on your leg

[Skub]

It's looking the part now man.

Get a tow and see if it starts.

[derek badger]

It's looking the part now man.

Get a tow and see if it starts.

Put yer specs on you old git...notice something crucial missing from you plan?

[Nidge]

It's looking the part now man.

Get a tow and see if it starts.

Put yer specs on you old git...notice something crucial missing from you plan?

Big enough balls?

[Skub]

It's looking the part now man.

Get a tow and see if it starts.

Put yer specs on you old git...notice something crucial missing from you plan?

It's still on a stand?

[cheb]

Ignore him, he's just pulling your chain.

[GuzziPaul]

Having only ridden CR and RM 250s, I reckon that will be quite silly when it eventually runs and has a chain connected.

[G.P]

Looks Ace Mr Badger. have you tried swapping the HT leads over? Its a common mistake. That and the cam timing.
If its not that, it could be that you've installed the wrong power band.

HTH.

[demographic]

Looks Ace Mr Badger. have you tried swapping the HT leads over? Its a common mistake. That and the cam timing.
If its not that, it could be that you've installed the wrong power band.

HTH.

Naah, I reckon its the starter motors too old and knackered.

[KungFooBob]

It's the glowplug!

[cheb]

He might be more successful if he takes it off the stand.