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Kawasaki KX 500

Make Model	Kawasaki KX 500
Year	1988 - 89
Engine	Two stroke, single cylinder, read valve
Capacity	499 cc / 30.5 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	86 x 86mm
Compression Ratio	8.4:1
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Exhaust	Expansion chamber
Lubrication	Premix
Induction	KeihinPWK39 carburetor
Ignition	Electronic CDI
Starting	Kick
Max Power	66 hp / 49.2 kW @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque	65,7 Nm 48.4 lb-ft / @ 6000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, cable operated
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Primary Reduction	2.538
Final Reduction	3.357
Gear Ratio	1st 2.000 2nd 1.450 3rd 1.181 4th 0.954 5th 0.791
Frame	High-tensile steel semidouble cradle with aluminum bolt-on.
Front Suspension	43mm cartridge fork with 16-way compression damping
Front Wheel Travel	292 mm / 11.5 in
Rear Suspension	Bottom-Link UNI-TRAK with adjustable preload and 16-way compression and rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel	330 mm / 13.0 in
Front Brakes	Single 220mm disc
Rear Brakes	Single 190mm disc
Front Tyre	80/100-21 51M
Rear Tyre	110/100-18 64M
Trail	122 mm / 4.8 in
Wheelbase	1514 mm / 59.6 in
Seat Height	960 mm / 37.8 in
Ground Clearance	325 mm / 12.8 in
Dry Weight	100 kg / 220 lbs
Fuel Capacity	9 Litres / 2.4 US gal

THE POWERHOUSE EFFEC
The competition better take cover in '88, because the Kawasaki KX500 is an all-new powerhouse with a stunning side effect.

Turning tracks green with envy.
There's more trench-digging low-end grunt. More berm-busting mid-range might. And more of the monster top-end you expect from a Kawasaki Open Classen
With an exclusive new Crescent Slide carb for instantaneous response when you crack the throttle.
With the Kawasaki Integrated Fbwer-valve System —still the world's only dual-stage
power booster—plus an integrated automatic decompression system for easier starts.

With a deeper-breathing airbox, new piston, new combustion chamber, stronger clutch, bigger pipe...
And a new cartridge fork and rising-rate UNI-TRAK® rear suspension for the kind of fancy footwork that'll let you waltz over the toughest terrain on the planet.
Put it all together and you've got one Open Class bike that produces the desired effect— winning.

The 1988 Kawasaki KX500.
•Two extra horses on top and a fatter band of mid-range power put the fun back into winning. •The new Crescent Slide carb delivers quicker intake velocity and throttle response. •Automatic decompression system makes for quick and easy starts. •New clutch delivers smoother, surer shifts.
•Adjustable UNI-TRAK rear suspension offers 13 inches of wheel travel. •For more comfort, there's trimmer bodywork and a longer new seat. •New front brake increases stopping power by 15%. •Bigger tank holds fuel lower in the chassis for more precise handling. •New 43mm cartridge fork gives you the latest suspension technology. •New ribbed swingarm with recessed chain adjusters adds strength, not weight. •Bolt-on aluminum sub-frame eases pit work.

1989