[MrSciTrek]

"Modifying an EX500

I have an '88 EX500, and have done quite a few modifications on it over the years, many of which were mistakes and I have since un-done. I've also ridden friends' bikes in various states of stockness."

He then lists mods that worked for him, and ones that didn't. He had an original version.

http://www.shallowsky.com/ex500.html

 

[Art1989]

The Telefix clip-ons anyone know where I can get them or anything about them, I already put ex250 bars on it, but thats really not good enough want them lower and more forward.

 

[ChopperCharles]

I read that site before I installed my pod filters, but I went ahead and did it anyways. I think the problems people have with the pods is that they try and change too many things at once, and that they're using a Dynojet kit.

Dynojet kits are a huge ripoff. For the most part, they don't work at all, and it's a whole lot easier to use your OEM parts, with a few modifications, to get the bike to run correctly.

I installed two EMGO pod filters on my 1990 EX500. I didn't change the exhaust, and I didn't change anything in the carbs. Took it for a ride, and noticed that it pulled great in the upper rpm range, but midrange and low end hesitated. I pulled the caps and shimmed the stock needles with a .020" shim, and that fixed it. Bike runs GREAT at all rpms, and I can lug the engine in 6th from 20 mph on up to 75 (ran out of road). Going to ride the bike a bit and see if my plugs show I'm lean or not, only then will I consider a new main jet.

The problem with Dynojet kits is that they change EVERYTHING, and do it all at once. Drilling your slides to make them rise and fall faster, new needles that have a different taper than OEM, and that are at a different position than OEM, stiffer slide springs, and different main and pilot jets. I guarantee if you follow the instructions and do all these mods at once, the bike is going to run like absolute hell, and you're going to spend every waking minute trying to figure out why.

You CAN get good results just by shimming needles (IF necessary) and replacing jets. There's no need for different needle tapers (which usually way over-richen the midrange) or modifying the rate at which your slides open (chances are Kawasaki engineers, with years of experience in designing carbureators, know a lot more than the dynojet guys).

Heck, even if you do go with the dynojet kit, just go one mod at a time (just needles, or just jets, or whatnot) and find out how that makes the bike run, whether it's a good change or a bad, and how to fix the problem or whether to keep the OEM part in that case.

Anyhow, my EX is running great with pods, and I think the intake roar is tits! I suck small children off of sidewalks as I ride by, and I have to keep yanking squirrels off my intake. MWA-HAHAHAHA!

Charles.

 

[bastard child]

Just use the woodcraft clip-ons. there like 140 and totally bitchin. Thats what i mounted up and love em.

 

[ex_dsmr]

^^^ where can you get the woodcrafts? im thinking about getting me a set. even tho i have short legs i find the pegs to be a bit too high and foward. in order to get comfortable i often have my toes on the pegs.

 

[MrSciTrek]

^^^ where can you get the woodcrafts? im thinking about getting me a set. even tho i have short legs i find the pegs to be a bit too high and foward. in order to get comfortable i often have my toes on the pegs.

Is this the place? Pictures on site.
They don't seem like much for the $140.
http://www.woodcraft-cfm.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=12690

A telefix site (just Google to find such places)
http://www.whaccessories.com/Handle Bar Telefix.htm

Here's a site w/ a lot of hotlinks for parts:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-parts/mirrors-grips-handlebars.htm

 

[maverick9611]

chop, do u have a link for the pods?

 

[bastard child]

yes it's the woodcraft site. they make a damn good clip on. i run them and love them. the make a special set for the ex because with the fairing and triple locations there's no room for under the triple clip-ons. they make the bracket to mount in the stock loacation and give you about 7 degrees of angle or so. there worth there weight in gold, drop you down enough to be aggresive but leave you laid back enough to be comfortable.

 

[Oni]

I've got the Woodcraft clip-ons/risers on my EX. They rock! When I sell it later this year the Woodcraft's are going on the 250.

 

[MrSciTrek]

A guy put on wider-view mirrors...
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/145/1/18/

 

[ChopperCharles]

Sorry, somehow I missed the post asking if I had a link for the pods. They're 54mm EMGO pod filters. Check this ebay auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180065376508&

You'll need 135 main jets and one .020" shim under each needle. Bike runs GREAT.... but then, I've never ridden it with the airbox attached, so i can't compare and contrast.

Charles.

 

[Nick D]

Having done business with them before, I just wanted to give a link to Z1enterprises.
http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=221
While they don't actually list the EX (it's a site for older bikes), they have the Emgo pods for $7.84 each. I got a set of Emgo's and a Dyna ignition for my KZ, and the ignition was cheaper than direct from Dyna. Good guys over there, just wanted to throw out a shameless plug.

 

[Nick D]

Just as an FYI side note: I don't know if Charles has noticed this but I definitely have on my KZ - when you go to pod filters that are wide open to outside air, any passing vehicles (especially tractor trailers) can alter the air getting to the engine and cause surging. When I put on my new pods and hit the freeway I noticed that when I was just cruising and would get passed by something big or something fast my RPMs would dance around and the bike would be unsettled a bit. It's not horrible, just something to be aware of.

 

[ChopperCharles]

That hasn't happened to me at all. Those pods are well shielded by the enormous gas tank. I've noticed no surging at all on the highway or anywhere else.... although I will admit that my highway speeds are pretty low compared to other sportbikes.... without a windshield the wind wants to tear my helmet off above 70mph. Going to install a tiny little flyscreen to help deflect it.

Charles.

 

[90ex500]

The Telefix clip-ons anyone know where I can get them or anything about them, I already put ex250 bars on it, but thats really not good enough want them lower and more forward.

Whats with the ex250 risers? Do they have a dif. angle, or are the risers just shorter? My stock ones measure 3&7/8" from the bolt heads to the tip of the riser.

 

[JimmyD]

Holy zombie thread batman

 

[elanimal28]

Just as an FYI side note: I don't know if Charles has noticed this but I definitely have on my KZ - when you go to pod filters that are wide open to outside air, any passing vehicles (especially tractor trailers) can alter the air getting to the engine and cause surging. When I put on my new pods and hit the freeway I noticed that when I was just cruising and would get passed by something big or something fast my RPMs would dance around and the bike would be unsettled a bit. It's not horrible, just something to be aware of.

Very interesting. That is enough for me to mess with them. Very valuable inf in deed.

 

[JimmyD]

I suppose it would act like a really crude supercharger, eh?

 

[MPA]

I had pods on my 250 and never experienced that when passing other vehicles or trucks. They did however make the intake sound louder then hell even around town. I liked it at first but it got old on long rides

 

[wvninja]

A little off topic but, Nick D are you a member over a KZrider.com? If not you should check it out.
scott