KX500 "restore" on a poor mans budget

The idea I had going into this was that I wanted to get it ride-able and race it the coming summer in the open class. First things first I stripped it down to the frame and went through the engine. It had good compression still so I just took it all apart and put new seals and gaskets in it. Looking back I would have taken more pictures during the process but anyways this is the end result of the engine inspection

Next the frame wasn't very pretty and had some spots where it had been welded before (my uncle had a hell of a wreck on it once that broke the subframe and shock linkage mounting tabs) So I cleaned it up the best I could and then put some fresh paint on it.

After I got it all cleaned up and got the carb and engine in working order I bolted it all back up and we took it out for a test ride. We have a pretty hardcore sand track that me and my brother rode it on and holy shit! These bikes were made for sand. When we rode it the first time it ran great but the front forks were not very good at all. Upon inspection I found that the springs were way compressed and well under the free length they were supposed to be. After doing some research I decided that instead of fixing the conventional forks from the 89, I would instead buy some newer 96 model inverted KX500 forks off ebay to put on it. This was really simple because all the KX500s had the same steering stem. After getting everything I needed to make the fork swap work we went and rode it again. The 96 forks were much better however they were WAY undersprung for my weight. It was impossible to find any springs for those forks so I ended up having FC make me some custom springs for my weight. Also when we rode it with the newer forks the right side radiator decided it was too old for this shit and sprung a few leaks. So I ended up getting some GPI' rads off ebay for it. Another problem we found was the stock rims were starting to crack around the spoke nipples so I ordered some new tusk rims for it also. After all of that was done it was time to go racing. This is what she looked like at that point.

I rode it all summer with other small issues popping up here and there on the old girl. At the end of last season I ended up trading it for an 05 CR125 (I miss it but I don't regret it as the CR is a lot more fun to ride lol). Overall I had a lot of fun racing the green monster! I'm a bigger guy (6' 255lbs) so the motor wasn't too extreme for me. The engine was awesome, soooo much torque to just lug it around the track like a 450. It turned really well also but the shock was far from good and the forks were pretty harsh (compared to modern bikes) The only bad thing besides the old suspension was that the damn thing shook so much by the end of a moto my hands would be numb. All said and done I'm glad that I did it, it was definitely a head turner and there was something very satisfying about passing kids on fuel injected 4 strokes with the old smoker!

Here is a GoPro of one of the races I did on the bike. Notice my brother telling me I'm #1 before the gate drop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHFf8X3k5lg

Thanks! I would have liked to do more to the bike to make it nicer but my wallet said no.

I had some primer wipes from napa that cleaned the surface and scratched it up. Then I used some good quality automotive paint and put 2 layers on. It started to wear on the sides where your boots rub but other than that it held up really well.

I know it! It did have some sentimental value to it but I got a bike that I really wanted out of the deal. Before the trade happened I asked my uncle what he thought about me getting rid of it and he said "I don't care if I ever see that bike again." Ive never been told much about the crash he had on it that broke the frame and what not but he doesn't seem to think much of the bike nowadays! I also told one of his old riding buddies I was thinking of selling it and he said "I wouldn't give you $1 for it." The only thing I really miss about it is the engine but other than that I don't lose much sleep at night over it lol. I'm sure when I'm 60 and telling my grandkids about it I will probably regret it but as for now I'm ringing the tits off of the 125 and loving every minute of it!

Another reason why I don't miss it very much is that every single time I went to ride the thing I would have to go over every nut and bolt to make sure they weren't about to rattle out. That thing didn't give a damn what color of locktite you used or how much you used, it would still rattle shit loose every single time. I'm sure other people who have had KX500s know what I'm talking about. Its nice having a bike now that I can get on without going through a 45 min pre-flight check list lol

I have been keeping track of it so if someday I want to get it back (which I'm sure I will) I will be able to but as for now I'm happy with my last gen CR125. I understand the love for these big bore smokers though, awesome machines no doubt!