KX500 Street Legal Two-stroke Supermoto!?!

Street legal two stroke supermoto. 1988 Kawasaki KX500
12:02 is when I start the engine.
This has been a project build for a while. In this video, I explain a bit about my 1988 KX500 with a 1985 engine installed.

[@redrumreverse964]

This bike in Germany: *gets confiscated by police* In America: "It has 2 wheels? There ya go: street legal"

[@bumpstartnether]

redruM Reverse oh shoot yep that’s how it is here. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@sweat4179]

Ja😂 scheiß Tüv

[@redrumreverse964]

@@sweat4179 Aber der hat ja nichts alter, keine blinker, keine spiegel, kein licht, kein kettenschutz und dann auch noch das kennzeichen ganz hinten am blech dran wo man es nicht sieht. Wie? Einfach nur wie??

[@sweat4179]

@@redrumreverse964 ja die größte Frage die ich mir stelle ist warum er einfach ohne Licht fahren darf.

[@ericmacnichol3791]

You can't just ride any dirt bike on the street.

[@stfu4871]

This got in my recommended, good video.

[@bumpstartnether]

Thank you! Working on more bike vids soon!

[@BanKsyPhiL]

Same.

[@W3NKK1]

Loving that big 2 stroke engine sound and those pops when kicking it.

[@bumpstartnether]

Same here! Bit of a rush for sure.

[@GB-mi5he]

Please make a riding video showing this thing ripping

[@johnh1001]

A KX 500 Supermoto ? This is fantastic ! I want one !

[@williamfabiano543]

Love your compression release idea. Nice bike.

[@alexbozanich6477]

The dedication is insane

[@raredesign]

Brilliant job with the compression release!

[@Will805S]

Wow. Lol impressive. You deserve more views. The ultimate mcguiverer!! Very badass build my friend.

[@martinian0340]

Thank you KZbin for showing this video in my recommended, new sub

[@bumpstartnether]

Thank you for being interested!

[@SickofOhio]

Bro! This is awesome! I was just scrolling through 2 stroke videos and came across this!! Awesome video!!

[@bumpstartnether]

SickofOhio haha thanks man! I’m currently working on my next vids and trying to keep vids flowing. Shhhhh... currently working on a street legal YZ85 sumo 😏

[@BanKsyPhiL]

Good video. Glad it showed up in my recommended. Keep it up.

[@gonzalo4to]

Awesome video and great idea for the compression release !! Nice stuff

[@bumpstartnether]

Thanks 👍

[@ukrapstories6217]

That rear mudguard looks so good!

[@normasnockers323]

beautiful bike dude, thanks, love from london UK

[@danielolsen352]

a 450's worst nightmare

[@keva6856]

Any others supermoto worst nightmare

[@billallen4793]

Yeah but they're my Dr's wet dream..lol...or they were when me and those 500's were new....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe

[@oskarkrogsgard3014]

I can smell the exhaust through my monitor...

[@bumpstartnether]

Oskar Krogsgård 😂 🏍 💨

[@user-sv1zn9ef6l]

Compresión release the way u did it was the most genius thing I seen yet good f***ing job mate😂

[@anthonyadams9520]

It's look sick bro... Awesome... I like it bro 🤘🔥🔥🔥

[@wyatthood9015]

That’s a nice build good job👍

[@bumpstartnether]

Wyatt Hood thanks!

[@leoo8552]

What a fantastic lookin' Supermoto. Really enjoyed this video, u did a great job on this one! :)

[@bumpstartnether]

leOo855 thanks! I changed it up a bit recently quite a bit and I’m gonna get a video out. I hope everyone doesn’t hate it haha

[@GB-mi5he]

Omg this is the craziest supermoto out there

[@sudd2685]

Great work Seth, I want to build me a big bore two stroke dual sport, I have a DR650 I ride now, just another bike to sling some gravel. Thank you for your videos.

[@bumpstartnether]

Mark Suddreth thanks Mark! A big bore two stroke dual sport would be a hoot!

[@flangmasterj]

The little decomp mod is really cool dude. My XR650R had the decomp lever but even still on the odd occasion when she was being temperamental it was a foot killer.

[@bumpstartnether]

James Pugh the BRP is a beast!! Love those bikes and would love to ride one one day. I loved watching Jake The Garden Snake build up his XR650R

[@BanKsyPhiL]

Good video deserved a sub. Glad it showed up in my recommended. Keep it up.

[@bumpstartnether]

Thank you!

[@BanKsyPhiL]

@@bumpstartnether very welcome my friend. Keep it up, hope to see some riding soon.

[@piehater65]

surprised this doesnt have more views, great vid

[@bumpstartnether]

Kameran Jensen thanks!

[@thecrewbmx]

Sick bike and video

[@interstellaraxeman4468]

"Janky",...Clearly,...it`s a technical term. GREAT adaptation skills in all the refitting involved.... **genius move with that decompression control. Nice work, cool build....very resourceful skills. I have to say, if I saw that bike out on the road, I`m one of those people who would flag you down and ask a million questions. Keep it Smokin`!

[@bumpstartnether]

Interstellar Axeman haha appreciate it! I work with what I have. Thankfully I have access to many amazing tools and fabricators. Definitely blessed.

[@dalesmooth55]

that bike is dope im on that same journey as we speak im rebuilding a kx 125 (2002) automatic sub

[@bumpstartnether]

Awesome! Thanks for the sub!

[@finster7582]

New sub here..like the way u explain everything n do things urself..good work..keep it up! 😆👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@bumpstartnether]

Brian M I appreciate the kind words!

[@Supernumerary]

I have a 2001 KX500 SuperMoto project. Not quite ready for the road. Note: A company named E-Line made a lighting coil for the KX500, so a battery can be charged, lights powered. I do have this lighting coil on my bike. I bought my 2001 KX500 in 2004, it was in excellent condition. I bought it because I could see that it was a “keeper”, and I wanted it to become a SuperMoto street bike. Thus I snatched up the E-Line lighting coil, nice wheels & tires, plastics, large fuel tank, and a steel subframe. What I have not had is time to work on it. So now my son is old enough to take ownership of the project and has made progress. Such as powder coating the frame and reassembly. All it needs is a spacer for the rear sprocket, to clear the wide tire. Maybe my son will allow me to ride it.

[@spicymeatball07]

Sounds nice great bike dude 👍👍

[@bumpstartnether]

Thanks 👍

[@thepsychicpeach8425]

This is some good quality content for such a small channel, subbed your channel is definitely going to get big at this rate.

[@bumpstartnether]

THE PSYCHIC PEACH appreciate it!!

[@rolandcrowell6219]

when i clicked this video in my recommended i looked at saw you had 174k subs then realized i said 1.74k... no way! this video was great. i like the build. thanks!

[@michaeledwards5527]

Nice work brother. Makes me miss my 84 cr500. That bike tried to kill me many times. Lol.

[@bumpstartnether]

Michael Edwards every time I ride it, i say my prayers 😅

[@TheMegatron673]

i can't imagine having a beast like that on the road 😁

[@bumpstartnether]

It’s an absolute riot. I have made many upgrades since this video.

[@micky2900]

The Power valve is only used to tame it down, much more fun with out one

[@DStabs720]

Awesome video!

[@bumpstartnether]

David S appreciate it!

[@dividebikes2515]

Loving man,subscribed

[@bumpstartnether]

DivideBikes thanks!

[@pewdsbetterthantseires84]

If I had to guess the fender is off a 2000s kdx, considering it looks like mounting holes for the taillight

[@brianjacobsen5762]

Had the same bike. Was licensed for the street. That's why I bought it. I never road it on the street.

[@Skyisnotalimit]

A tip for you guys kick'n those big twostrokes, go to a store that sells parts for cars or motorbikes and buy some inches of coolant hose. Cut a piece and pull it over the kick lever. This will save your shoes. //Former 1988 Kx500 and 1985 Husqvarna 500 owner.

[@bumpstartnether]

Skyisnotalimit genius advice!

[@ericg8012]

nice bike man im currently trying yo make my 2016 rm100 street legal aswell , nice bike budd💪🏼💯💯💯👌🏼

[@bumpstartnether]

Eric G awesome!

[@ApolloCrowe]

great build!

[@bumpstartnether]

Apollo Crowe thanks!

[@ApolloCrowe]

@@bumpstartnether where can I get a valve like that?

[@bumpstartnether]

Apollo Crowe it’s custom!

[@tico4940]

Starts video like I was at an "AA" meeting lol,Hi,my names Seth,im and alcholic,kidding of course.Like what you did,I had a 250R 3 wheeler licensed for street in Sitka Alaska,left hand mirror and squeeze horn haha.That was a blast on the street

[@bumpstartnether]

TICO ahh that’d be so sweet. Scary enough on the dirt, man a 250R 3 wheeler on the street... yikes!

[@b-rad1568]

Yo that's clean for an 88 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@poweroftheschwartz]

Dope 500 my dude! I am building a yamaha YZ490 for similar reasons! these big bore two's are simply wicked!

[@bumpstartnether]

Lyndon Schwartz they definitely pull your arms out of your sockets. Also I just love ripping around town and seeing people’s reactions. It’s nutty.

[@poweroftheschwartz]

@@bumpstartnether im getting close to rippin on mine. just rejetted the carb and wrapping up electronics. i swapped out the tank and made a seat. more like a scrambler, but just as crazy!!

[@bumpstartnether]

@@poweroftheschwartz Sounds sick! Do you have a video of it? I'm building a 1996 XR600R scrambler. Love that look.

[@poweroftheschwartz]

@@bumpstartnether I have a few "build episodes up on my channel, but I'm behind on video's vs. Reality.

[@bumpstartnether]

Lyndon Schwartz just watched your ep3. Gonna be a sick build. Is it a street legal title on the frame?

[@Chuffin_ell]

Seriously good compression release.

[@bumpstartnether]

Chuffin 'ell thanks!

[@2000freefuel]

If that were my Bike I'd look into fitting a small brushless hub motor and use it as an alternator for your electrical system.

[@arzop3576]

2stroke powahhh babyy 🌬

[@porcupinebob7907]

Bad ass!

[@Robert-hf5xr]

That is sweet wow

[@Julian-ug7hz]

respect+

[@jetlee88]

i love this

[@quadadiks6049]

That’s bad ass

[@stephencrisson3595]

Man that's a awesome bike u can redo the cylinder yourself I think it's called muriatic acid it's made to take the heat transfer on cylinder walls from the piston off it works really good I've used it once and then flex-hone if you have special nickel plated then you would have to get the special Flex hone and they're great for cross hatching but seriously nice ass bike like a dream for me I wish I had one of them on the road

[@bumpstartnether]

Appreciate it! It’s been through many revisions from this video. I will be uploading updates soon. I have many more trick parts installed now. It’s amazing on the road.

[@jackblack375]

You get a sub from me brotha, keep up the good work and good job on the custom shit for this build

[@bumpstartnether]

Jack Hoff appreciate it!

[@sicksideworldwide1599]

💚it superb job 😉

[@bumpstartnether]

Sick side Worldwide thank you!

[@benspeedschannel888]

Awesome bikes, wish I’d never sold mine! They were virtually worthless here in the UK in the late 90’s now they are all £5000 😳😳😳

[@bumpstartnether]

Benspeed's Channel virtually worthless?! Wow. Yeah they just keep going up and up in price.

[@benspeedschannel888]

Bumpstart 'n Ether yeah you just couldn’t sell them, my first kx 500 was a 1986 and I payed £100 for it in 1998, it was a running and riding but needed a fair bit of tlc. The second one I bought was 1987 which was in better condition but had been partially stripped, that was £100 as well. I worked in a motocross shop that broke bikes for spare parts intermittently from 1998 to 2006 and they used to get offered them regularly, there wasn’t ever much call for spare parts

[@joshchatwin8179]

Wow just wow

[@milan5159]

100k subs content 😍

[@throttlebuzz9312]

what sprocket sizes are you running?

[@fzracing_inc3709]

What size front tire are you running?

[@patrat03taliaferro3]

how did you do the head light and break light im trying to build a cr and im not sure what to do

[@bumpstartnether]

It's a total loss battery system. I made my own wiring harness with a 9800 mAh lithium battery in the airbox. I have a pressure switch on the hydraulic front brake that I wired in to the brake light system to actuate the brake light. The LED front bar has a on/off switch as well so I don't have to run it all the time.

[@ansoncritchlow1770]

I dont blame you for fitting the compression release valve at all.. Unless youve tried kicking over these old dinosaurs you cant comment..... There hideous Great build!!

[@jasonbrown7258]

How did you get a plate for this. My 98 kx 500 said off road use only on the title. Must be different in other states.

[@danielbell5487]

New sub bro

[@matth5552]

dude i started on a yamaha dt 250 2 stroke also oh how i miss her, she was a 1977 i was only 10

[@bumpstartnether]

matt H amazing!! That’s a lot of bike for a 10 year old!

[@revengeof1307]

Dont be shy, ride it.

[@williamfabiano543]

Interesting . how can you register a Kx500 street legal? In Massachusetts, they wouldn't let mopeds slip by with sticker unless they had peddles on them. I had more cop trouble with my mopeds than my motor vehicles.

[@bumpstartnether]

Fortunately I bought this KX500 with a title that had “MC” as the body style. Therefore, it’s able to be registered for street use. My state doesn’t care what engine is in the frame, the title just has to be “MC” body style. Furthermore, titles in Ohio can be changed from “offroad only” to “MC” (on road) with an affidavit.

[@johndelorean7353]

Looks good but i'm not sure how you can register it? Dirt bikes don't have papers like regular bikes or I am missing something?

[@tecrigfx]

In finland we do it this way: so dirtbikes have a serial number too on the frame, so we take a serial number from some other bike's frame, that's street legal and does have plates. (like in this situation it would be kdx) Then illegally transfer the serial number to the dirtbike and mount the plates. So basically if police checks it he checks that the plate and serial number match, which they do. And if the bike isn't like completely different than the serial number says they mostly believe it. Also in the 90s here you could register dirtbikes, dont know bout the us tho. Sorry if my explanation was bad, tried my best :) edit: u were talking bout papers so ofc u then use the street legal bike's papers.

[@tejdz1337]

replate a steel sleeve ? dont they make oversize pistons for kx500s ?

[@bumpstartnether]

You're correct, I apologize. Idk why I said to replace a steel sleeve. I will just bore it larger and then get an oversized piston.

[@geno7404]

Thats an FMF Silencer as well, I have the same system on my 91. It's just missing the FMF sticker off the side. Question, I'm also in Ohio and Looking to street legal my KX500, How difficult was it to get titled and ready for plates? What all did they require you to have on the bike at inspection?

[@bumpstartnether]

If you have the off-road title, it's super easy. just go to the BMV and ask for a "change of body style affidavit"

[@armoi539]

Nice bike 👍

[@carlgriffith4660]

Seth, how difficult a journey is it for a non-machinist guy who just turns wrenches, to take a KX500, later year model, and make it into a street legal motard? Seriously, for a non-technical non-engineering type, is it doable with a KX in good repair? Also, what is needed beyond, tires, wheels, lights? Any suspension changes, or ride height? Thanks!!!

[@Tdavsforreal]

Hey man looking to update the plastics on my 97 and i dont think you covered what year those front plastics were! Could you help a brother out?

[@bumpstartnether]

Front fender is the generic Acerbis Supermoto front fender. Number plate is the Cycra Stadium in Kawy green. Stock radiator shrouds.

[@Tdavsforreal]

@@bumpstartnether awesome thanks! Your bike looks killer btw🤙

[@bps.1]

on the back of the carb u can buy the carb boot for the intake that goes on the back of the cyl they make two styles one that is straight like what u got and one that is angled which is the one u need ive been therough that issue so i know what it take to fit a kx 500 into differnt bikes i fitted mine with a 2001 ktm

[@we-are-all-one6433]

Beautiful bike! Can some models be registered and plated?

[@bumpstartnether]

Yes all models can be registered and plated in US.

[@Sumo_boi]

Link to the battery pack?

[@megapet777]

11:55 damnn :D

[@ericmacnichol3791]

Pretty awesome I like that, but unfortunately too much power for me,

[@kchungry821]

Wow - nice work - does it ride or just start up? # RIDEIT!!!!

[@bumpstartnether]

It does both!

[@realone2321]

400 what a steal

[@joshchatwin8179]

Love one go on that

[@bumpstartnether]

It sure is a blast

[@CainSample]

Sweet bike id love to have that...wanna trade for a cr500r? 😜✌

[@bumpstartnether]

Actually though... haha

[@x2Dubz]

Front fender from a 2010+ KX80?

[@bumpstartnether]

William Wear nope. It’s an Acerbis supermoto front fender

[@daltonnadeau1339]

Do you know what front fender you have?

[@bumpstartnether]

It's the generic Acerbis SM front fender

[@daltonnadeau1339]

@@bumpstartnether thanks!

[@evan937]

What state are you in? Some states still would not allow you to register this because it still has a dirt bike serial number.

[@bumpstartnether]

Evan93 Ohio

[@grantfuller2016]

My old boss had a full enduro spec cr500 that was street legal ( ish ) back in the late 80’s . Took it home for lunch to my parents house one day and cut a few trenches in the lawn 😂 , then stalled it ! Took me ages to get the bitch started again ( was seriously considering just pushing it back to work)

[@bumpstartnether]

Grant Fuller haha oof yep there’s no bumpstarting that one!

[@mikestillwell5566]

That's a CR for you... the KX is easier to start.

[@mikestillwell5566]

@@bumpstartnether just use 3rd gear...

[@olsson1985]

Sweet!! I would like to make my 500cc maico a supermoto to

[@bumpstartnether]

Fantastiska Sture please do! My goal one day is to get a Maico 700

[@olsson1985]

@@bumpstartnether yeah, but holy crap those maico 700 are expensive 😫

[@bumpstartnether]

Fantastiska Sture I’ve never seen one for sale! Unless you mean the new crate engines

[@olsson1985]

www.maico-bikeworld.de/en/motorcycles/neumotorraeder-2013.html here are the models they sell now. I live in sweden so I buy my parts from them. I gues its harder for you guys over sea 😅

[@ChuddleBuggy]

All that is pretty cool. What would be amazing is if you actually weren't an engineer by profession.

[@sebastian2751]

how much popcorn did he make in there??

[@quartusbuys6831]

Know now what to do with my 2000 CR500!

[@bumpstartnether]

Quartus Buys you better!

[@fishstickkitty8068]

Um...wow...this wouldn’t be street legal in many states but it makes me wanna move to Ohio :)

[@bumpstartnether]

It's great!

[@triggeredmonkey3439]

Where did you get the smaller rims and spokes? I'd like to do the same to my kx250. No more local places to put it in the dirt. So the street is my only option.

[@bumpstartnether]

I got them from FB Marketplace because they were already laced up to KX500 hubs. Companies like Warp9 and Excel should have what you need, depending on your budget. Expect to spend around $1,100 to $1,500 for a 17" wheel set. Sometimes there's deals/discounts from sites like motoxindustries.com.

[@triggeredmonkey3439]

@@bumpstartnether Awesome thanks. I'll bet with those smaller Wheels you can't keep the front wheel down. Are you running a larger or smaller rear sprocket and front sprocket?

[@triggeredmonkey3439]

@@bumpstartnether I'm not one of those how fast can it go kind of guys. But how fast can it go? I'm wondering if my KX250 would be suitable for sustained freeway speeds. If I keep it out of the Power Band it should be okay I think. Keep it Off the pipe so to speak. But it does have a power valve so the Power Band Isn't So harsh when it comes in so it shouldn't hurt it that "much"? What do you think?

[@bumpstartnether]

@@triggeredmonkey3439 larger front, smaller rear for better RPMs on the street. Not as torquey as the dirt, but it's fine

[@bumpstartnether]

@@triggeredmonkey3439 I think it would be horrible for sustained freeway speeds. That's a no go. It's a motocross 2 stroke. A KTM 300 XC-W is WAY more suitable with the wide ratio tranny. I understand all what you are saying, it's just not practical for highway. As I keep posting videos, you should see how I ride it and how often I'm changing gears/pulling in clutch etc... even on a 500 it's rough.

[@popebryanii7224]

Few men can start a cold engine on the first or second kick. Let alone the kx500.

[@dirtbikedave]

Dreams really do come true! How'd you get a street title, in Ohio? Pretty sure that rear fender is 94-98 125/250

[@bumpstartnether]

DirtBike Dave it was my lucky day and it came with a MC title 🙌🏻

[@dirtbikedave]

Bumpstart 'n Ether , right on. I've been wanting to do my 93 KX500. But a few years ago I was lucky to find an 05 CRF450R with street title 😎👍

[@osalcedoucmsae]

Bumpstart 'n Ether did you find it with a street title already? I wanted to do this with a CR500 in the future:)

[@gantz_pt3376]

Fucking beast top!!!🤩

[@Dostiempos.Canarias]

Great video, but please meeen...use oem rear fender 30€..

[@bumpstartnether]

Oliver I understand. It came with that one. I know purists like the classic “droopy” fender. Nothing about this bike is pure, so I’m ok with it.

[@ilfcaph2870]

you should put a purple seat on it