Two Stroke Motocross

Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Vintage Two Strokes => Topic started by: tjswigger on March 12, 2012, 03:01:29 PM

Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: tjswigger on March 12, 2012, 03:01:29 PM
New to the Site and I'm an oldies Guy ! 53 years old still race MX! I have a few other bikes but this is the "baddest of the bunch"

 


I'll be at "Vintage Days" this July looking for a new project for this winter.


Still have the 83 YZ490 and the 2002 KX500 would like a newer 250 to add to the bunch!
I have been enjoying browsing the old forum post great website!
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: SachsGS on March 12, 2012, 03:28:12 PM
I see we have a fan of the big bores,welcome aboard! ;D
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: cnrcpla on March 12, 2012, 03:34:37 PM
I love big bores  ;D Just the sound and the power you can hear is just mesmerizing  8) Great bikes though
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: twosmoke595 on March 12, 2012, 09:59:42 PM
WOW!!! what a collection!!

ive never seen a ktm like that before
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: tjswigger on March 13, 2012, 01:04:24 AM
Thanks Guys'
The colors of the graphics are not original here it was when I
purchased it as a basket case in the original colors!

Here is an original new bike 1988

I made changes that I liked I also have orange plastics and tank too!
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: cnrcpla on March 13, 2012, 02:12:08 AM
What does that second KTM gas tank go to in the bottom right corner of the pic?
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: tjswigger on March 13, 2012, 03:52:57 AM
They made an endure/cross country model too! The owner had this extra tank and it was part of the deal along with an extra set of 89+ wheels.The later models 89-96 had the red /orange hubs!
 No shrouds were used with the big tank as they were built in and held some extra fuel!
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: TMKIWI on March 13, 2012, 08:35:32 AM
Very nice looking bike. ;D
Welcome to the site.
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Turquine on March 13, 2012, 09:48:16 PM
Tjs, do you mean that the 88KTM 500 will beat either the '83 YZ 490 or 2002 KX 500 in a drag race? Does it actually have more power, or just feel that way due to an explosive power delivery? For instance, the 1981 KTM 495 "feels" quicker than say a 1995 KTM 550, but in reality the 550 will beat it through the gears. Just wondering. If indeed it can pull the KX through the gears then that is one badass dirtbike :-)
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: factoryX on March 13, 2012, 11:41:57 PM
What forks are those from? Either way those aren't stock ha. Very cool bikes.
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Coop on March 14, 2012, 01:11:04 PM
Awesome bikes. I am not a big bore fan, but love the 80's KTM's and that 490 looks great.
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: tjswigger on March 14, 2012, 07:53:58 PM
To answer the questions...The KX 500 will pull it by 1/2 bike length until 3rd gear then the KTM catches and passes it !
I have run them side by side numerous times to verify with me on each one.Drag racing is different than racing though...for woods and hills I would choose the KX the power valve motor is a little smoother off the bottom  with less wheel spin and just seems to be more woods friendly if you can call a 500 2-stroke friendly :D and the KTM excels at MX and doesn't feel as big on the MX track! It now handles better than the 2003KX due to geometry and massive suspension upgrades!

The complete front end triple clamps, forks,axle etc are from a 2008 Honda CR250F with an excel hub and rim! The bike now has a oversize 270mm Gaffer batfly disc on the front and fork internals reworked by Factory Connection...I also changed the rear shock to a newer OHLIN that has been revalved for the 500 and my weight.
 The swing arm is from a 1992 MX500 and rear disc and caliper are from the 94 KTM 550 there is no longer a torque arm link to the disc.
If you look close at the pictures you will see the Torque arm on the original going from the frame to the rear disc mount in my updated version I only have a kickstand there!

Torque arm is like the brake rod on old drum brakes!

The YZ is a fun bike but "NO" MATCH FOR THE KTM OR THE KX!
The white/red bike is a 2007 YZ450F I love this bike...Handles way better than the 500's and is just easier to ride..Will not beat the KTM or KX in a drag race but turns much quicker lap times in the 40+ class!
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Turquine on March 14, 2012, 09:57:27 PM
Thanks a bunch for the info, TJ!  I'm always trying to narrow down which was the baddest of the old big bore 2strokes. When somebody has actually owned and tested them side by side, with no axe to grind, it is most helpful. I wonder how your '88 KTM 500 stacks up against the '82 KTM 495, or their '90s 550s. I've also heard that the 1983 Maico Sand Spider (desert version, not MX) was extremely fast, if you could get one that ran as it was supposed to. Anyhow, here's a site that gives a brief rundown on some of the popular vintage big bore 2strokes over the years. He mentions the KTM 500, but in reference to the '89 and '91 models as being the monsters. That's in the honorable mention section toward the bottom. --->

http://antithumper.700hp.com/
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: tjswigger on March 14, 2012, 11:47:30 PM
"Turquine" The  KTM 550's are different....they pull longer and have just a bit more power as measured by a dyno, but by the seat of the pants... a stock Ktm500 the "MX" version pulled fiercely and more violently!
 The 550 ported and matched with mods carb ,pipe etc is a scary fast do anything motor.I frequent a Ktm site in the oldies section ktmtalk.com where 550's rule the roost! Owners of both bikes state the 89-91 mx 500's were scary fast motors as always the 500 two strokes are all mongo powerful!
 CR Hondas included.
I wanted something different and opted to have the KTM for a recent project!
My 1984 Husky500AE "Automatic" is not as quick as the others but will outrun all of them on top and can't be beat in the woods!


I also always wanted an 83 Maico490....someday!!!! I'm sure they are also on the rocketship list! :o
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: cnrcpla on March 15, 2012, 12:32:45 AM
If I could spend a day riding all these vintage monsters you have I would be a happy man  8) Great collection.
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Turquine on March 15, 2012, 04:53:43 AM
Thanks again for the info, TJ. That Husky is a real beauty! My brother-in-law had a 1985 Husky CR500. That thing was fast as heck with the 6 speed gearbox. I bit tall for me, but very stable at high speeds over bumps. I knew they'd made automatics, but didn't know they'd made a 500 auto. That thing must be a blast to ride. Bet it does great on hills too.
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: SachsGS on March 15, 2012, 03:45:32 PM
I've ridden most of the 500's over the years and own an 83 Maico 490 as well as newer Maico big bores.I recall riding an 89 KTM 500 - nice bike with that "Big block" feel.What are my unbiased critiques of the other big bores?(I also have some Florida swampland if you are interested). ;)

RM 465/500 - gutless
YZ WR IT 490/500  - I like them in spite of what the magazines say.
Husky CR XC 500 - very nice but weak compared to the Maicos.
Honda CR500 - Honda quality but too hard to start.
KTM 440 - horrible.
KTM 550 - sweetheart of a bike.
81 Maico 490 - As good as they say.
83 Maico 490 - fast and furious.
94 Maico 440 - smooth and revvy
Newer Maico 500s (powervalved) - ultra smooth and fast/easy on gas.

One thing I noticed racing Maico 500s is that on fireroads I could always reel in the the KX/CR 500s, the Maico always seemed to have an edge powerwise. ;D
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: tjswigger on March 15, 2012, 07:46:48 PM
SachsGS I do like your unbiased official unofficial critique.I also like the yz490 turns well but lands hard off jumps and yamahops in the whoops and really rough sections swaps a little!
The yamaha was much better with the wr tranny swapped in! I had trouble at one track in particular where I was looking for one more gear and swapped in the wr tranny to make it a better overall bike!
I did race the YZ490 in the 40+ class for a couple years in 2007 just for fun!


I put a Racetech emulator in the 1985 RM250 fork shown on this pic "notice" a front disc that came on late models!Rm forks were a bolt on!
Would really like a power valve maico or an ATK 600 :D
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: opfermanmotors on March 23, 2012, 04:34:16 PM
I always debated a KTM 500, there was one in craigstlist the other day, a 1990.  I had a 84 KTM 495.  Oh ya, I do have an 83 Maico 490 (more than one actually).  My friend had a KX 500 and I had a CR500.  The CR500 was hard to ride in the woods, the KX was definately much more friendlier for woods but not as friendly as the Maico, the Maico is much smoother than even the KX, much less wheel spin even.



Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: MetalMike1982 on April 04, 2012, 06:25:00 PM
Man youve got some sweet bikes . I'm in love with your yz 490 . I'm looking for one as we speak .

What kind of top speed did you get outto the 490 with the 4 spd tranny in it ?
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: tjswigger on April 08, 2012, 02:29:04 PM
Hi MetalMike! Wish I knew what the top speed of any of these bikes is.I have no way to measure them "No speedometer"! The YZ with the 4-speed was slower because the final gearing was higher. I think I was running 14 / 51 gears!The bike is also a MX bike so 4th was probably  1:1 ratio or close "would have to look it up to verify that" I put the WR transmission in to add an overdrive and liked the gear ratios and spacing better also! Look me up if you ever purchase a 490 and want to do the tranny swap, as I have 2 WR trannies in my parts collection!
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: MetalMike1982 on April 08, 2012, 02:50:01 PM
Quote from: tjswigger on April 08, 2012, 09:29:04 PM
Hi MetalMike! Wish I knew what the top speed of any of these bikes is.I have no way to measure them "No speedometer"! The YZ with the 4-speed was slower because the final gearing was higher. I think I was running 14 / 51 gears!The bike is also a MX bike so 4th was probably  1:1 ratio or close "would have to look it up to verify that" I put the WR transmission in to add an overdrive and liked the gear ratios and spacing better also! Look me up if you ever purchase a 490 and want to do the tranny swap, as I have 2 WR trannies in my parts collection!


 Yeah I mainly just wanted to know a rough idea of top speed . i just wonder because if i go trail riding with the 4 spd tranny I dont want to get left in the dust by my buddy's when we hit a strait stretch . Thanks man , and yeah hopefully I will own a 490 very soon . They are hard to find in my area but usually pretty cheap so its just a matter of time .I cant wait!
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Jump1979man on September 16, 2012, 03:30:00 AM
I just bought a 1988 ktm 500 and yours looks great.  Hopefully I can make mine look just as good.

Where can you buy parts for this thing?
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Logan Dewey on September 17, 2012, 01:12:30 AM
looks like a beaut!~
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: dragbikebam on February 17, 2013, 11:42:24 AM
awesome bikes man. you do great work! i do a lil restoring myself and need some help on a ktm360sx project. could you give me some tech advice?
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Helmut Clasen on February 28, 2013, 07:18:47 PM
  Sometimes I am able to help with KTM parts.

Just send me an e-mail...hecla...at...sympatico.ca


Cheers..
Title: 1988 KTM MX500
Post by: Coop on March 15, 2013, 02:16:05 PM
Quote from: tjswigger on March 15, 2012, 06:47:30 AM
My 1984 Husky500AE "Automatic" is not as quick as the others but will outrun all of them on top and can't be beat in the woods!


Great looking Husky. A friend just bought a 400 from around the same era. He's wanted another one for years, it was the first bike he ever bought brand new.