Sean Collier "project KX500"

Man, what a respectable approach from OP and all the way down the line. This is cool.

It looks great but does not work so great

Have you guys looked into something like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ZM6NxYIkI

Yeah, we have discussed it many times.
For what we are doing especially in light of the short time we have for this build we won't be taking that approach any time soon. We can balance it well enough that it's not really a big issue. However... Down the road a bit that may be a option. You never know what our R & D Engineer David Olsen may decide to do on a whim Or me for that matter...

I would be in for a t shirt, my 2 stankin tee is out for its 2nd outing this weekend.....
I love KX 500s and although mine is a little different to what you guys run I can see a bike much like Sean's in my future......
Here's mine.....

That is one ridiculous ride!
There is so much to look at...
I love the Aluminum tank.
Do you mind if I post some of your pics over at kxguru?

Thanks man.... Post away with the photos.

Jason at JT Engine works is doing a awesome job prepping the cases.







People talk about attention to detail... This is way beyond that...

I love that attention to detail... Keep those photos coming.

Is he prepping the cases for a reinforcement weld / reinforcement insert / attachment to be welded to the cases, in that 2nd picture?

I don't know a lot about KX500s and any trouble spots, that one may be wise to address before they have problems. I assume this area may be a potential problem?. I'm not knocking the KX engine in any way - all engines can have problems, and, of course, with 500s we are dealing with engines that are, potentially, very, Very long in the tooth.

I know I saw a fair bit of reinforcement welding (internally) on a very trick CR250 that was on the now defunct Two Stroke Motocross website a few years ago. I address some potential problem areas on older Ducati Pantah engines with some reinforcement welds and blocks that I weld in for customers.

I first want to say that we have never had a issue with a KX500 case cracking from casting flaws.
We have seen the normal chain breaks, stripped drain plugs, worn main bearing journals, warped mating surfaces, ect.
That being said we don't want to have a first time episode situation with a build like this.
In the second pic Jason is removing external area's that are recessed and sharp to help eliminate any potential for a stress crack to form. Likely this is a complete waste of time but Jason wants to do it so why not
On the internal mods, there is sound reasons to do them all. Some are more important then others.
I will be documenting everything we do on this build.
Measurements, specs, port times, pretty much I'm trying to make it so that others can duplicate what we are doing if they choose to.
This same info is being posted on multiple sites.
But the full info will only be available on kxgururacing.com
I simply don't have enough hours in the day to update so many sites
Feel free to ask any other questions and I'll do my best to answer you.

Hello everyone. Dropping by to drop off this link to the 2 minute preview video of our test at LACR. The final 30 minute video will be uploaded soon.....enjoy.


https://youtu.be/U1m3jJgygC4

You need replace ugly stock fuel tank with similar alloy fuel tank what Docwob uses in his builds

Love that tank... And yes, we are taking donations

Doc Wob uses a GMX alloy fuel tank the same as I run on the sidecar but I polish mine to a mirror finish, they are built to 250 specs so are a little smaller.... And mine was over £500 4 years ago, not sure what they are now.... GMX do have a website though.

Yep, those tanks are nice but for now we are concentrating on getting sponsors and the basics we need for building the engine. Unless of course you would like to donate one.... I'd be happy to send you a Tee shirt

And thanks to those that have made donations!
Once we get the things we need we can start looking at the optional cool factor parts.
Last I heard those tanks are running about 800 US...
Certainly worth it for the labor it takes to make one.

Here is some pics of a carb we have in testing right now...

Did I mention something about Tee shirts?

I think those tanks are manufactured by a company called GMX... oops bit late

I wish I could send you a tank.... I'm in a similar position to you guys though trying to get and keep support (thanks to Rob and his Dad at CCracing and Chris at Cornwall Kawasaki Centre) to keep our old girl on the track and competitive with newer bikes.... I would like one of those shirts though.... Where can I purchase and how much???

Oscar is in charge of the Tee Shirts.
The reality is we don't even have any made just yet... But we are working on it..
Oscar... Get some of the Tee shirts ready... I want some for Jason and I...

Ok... Keep us updated on your build and the tee's.... I'm going to the vmxdn at Farleigh Castle next weekend.... I will get some KX500 photos if anybody is interested, there will be 50-60 of them there....

Are you kidding me?
That's like one of the biggest event's of the year!!!
Yeah I want some pics.
Feel free to post them at kxgururacing.com
Or email me at kxguru@bikerider.com and I'll post them for you.

Man Sidecar, your ride is turning into a bit of a celebrity bike around here!

Sandblaster.... Ok man I will get plenty of photos for you....

Stuntman.... I spend ALOT of time working on it, fixing it, cleaning and polishing it, sidecars get a real beating when raced, the first 2-3 laps are like a demolition derby as 35 of us pile off of the start... It's carnage.... But fun. So after all that work and she's looking sweet again I like to take photos and then share them, on here mainly.

We need to figure out how many Tee Shirts we need to have made up.
So, we are taking pre orders for them.
They will look very similar to this pic..



On the front will be the KX Guru Racing although it is undetermined how large it will be.
We need to know sizes and how many you want.
Right now all I can tell you is that they will be made from 100% cotton, they will be black, and are a good quality tee shirt.

As soon as I know the price I will get that posted.
All the proceeds will go toward Sean's build.

I want to give everyone an update. Our graphic artist is still working on the design. The final print is going to be MUCH better quality and resolution than the example I posted above. Keep on posting your requests for shirts and as soon as the designer is finished and we are ready to print I will contact each and every one of you to make arrangements to get you your shirt. BRAAAAAAP

Follow the link below to the new thread to provide the shirt sizes and amounts you wish to purchase.

Vital MX Sean Collier Shirt Thread