| MODEL | KAWASAKI KX 500 1983 - 1984 |
| Year | 1983 - 1984 |
| Engine Type | Two stroke, single cylinder, reed valve |
| Displacement / Capacity | 499 cc / 30.5 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 86 x 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 7.0:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 65 hp / 47.4 kW |
| Max Torque | — |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | 38 mm Mikuni carburetor |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Premix |
| Gear Box | 5 speed |
| Clutch | Wet plate |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Chrome-moly steel tubing, aluminum rear subframe |
| Front Suspension | Leading-axle, 43 mm air-assisted forks with adjustable compression damping |
| Rear Suspension | Uni Trak |
| Front Brakes | Single 220 mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | Drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 952.5 mm / 37.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 1514 mm / 59.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 325 mm / 12.8 in |
| Dry Weight | 104.7 kg / 231 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 114 kg / 251 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.00-21 |
| Rear Tyre | 5.10-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 9 Litres / 2.4 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | — |
The original 1983 KX 500 was Kawasaki's first 500 cc motocrosser, an air-cooled two-stroke with leading-axle forks. It is remembered for a poorly designed combustion chamber that forced a lower compression ratio, which the source says cut its performance. Its successors in 1985 onward added liquid cooling and other changes.
