KX500 water pump modification

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Sandblaster
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

Post by Sandblaster »

Ordered a set of temp gauges (Water and head) for the sand bike today.
It will be interesting to see what kind of numbers it produces..
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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Sandblaster
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

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Here's the packaging for the temp gauges.
temp gauges boxes.JPG
temp gauges boxes.JPG (66.2 KiB) Viewed 29687 times
I made a simple mount out of a piece of 1/8" x 1" aluminum.
Drilled two holes and bolted it down.
temp gauges mount.JPG
temp gauges mount.JPG (51.59 KiB) Viewed 29687 times
I used the peel and stick method to stick the gauges to the mount, only I did not use the tape that came with the gauges as it is too weak.
temp gauges mounted.JPG
temp gauges mounted.JPG (49.77 KiB) Viewed 29687 times
I mounted these the same way I did on my K5SM, head temp on the left, water temp on the right.
It would be hard to mount the water temp on the left because they don't give you a lot of wire to work with.
Now I just need to finish the wiring and take this beast out to the dunes...
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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Sandblaster
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

Post by Sandblaster »

Sand Bike.
This is the first direct test of a relatively stock KX500 cooling system excluding the radiators.
They are some Chinese brand at about 30% more capacity then stock.
I am running 100% Engine Ice.
This is from start up so 20 minutes run time.
At 5 minutes I started wicking the throttle 2-3 times at 30 sec intervals.
5-24-13 TEMPS.PNG
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Sandblaster
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

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This is the first direct test of a completely stock KX500 cooling system with earlier black radiators.
I am running 50/50 Prestone.
This is from start up to 20 minutes run time.
At 5 minutes I started wicking the throttle 2-3 times at 30 sec intervals.
5-24-13 TEMPS SM.PNG
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Sandblaster
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

Post by Sandblaster »

The completely stock system heated up quicker but then stayed cooler....
Hmmm, I will have to try some Engine Ice in this system and see if it gets hotter.
If not, then I may be looking for another set of stock radiators :shock:
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Sandblaster
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

Post by Sandblaster »

20 minute town ride 75 deg 37 hum Head 167 Water 138

40 minute town/freeway 75 deg 37 hum Head 161 Water 135

Super moto
TEMPS 2.PNG
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Motorrad
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

Post by Motorrad »

Your numbers have me scratching my head
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Motorrad
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

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Was it the starting temps?
I copied and pasted the header and forgot to edit it.
If it was something else, let me know...
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

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82F Humidity 27% - 6/7/2013
40 MINUTE FREEWAY followed by a 5 minute in town at end
HWY Head temp 185 F while cruising at 60 mph.
HWY Water temp 165 F while cruising at 60 mph.

After riding on the hwy I hit a stop light and watched the temps go to a max of Head 199 F, Water 175 F.
As soon as the light turned green and I went through the gears the temps went right down...
6-7-13.PNG
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Re: KX500 water pump modification

Post by Sandblaster »

Did some town riding yesterday.
It was 80 F but I don't know the humidity.
25-45 mph, stop and go traffic.
Head temps were 162-179.
Water temps were 140-165
I wasn't really fussy about recording the numbers but these are close.
If bikes are for kids I'll never grow up.
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