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Author Topic: My First 88 LT500 Build  (Read 26699 times)

Offline Buckeye513

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My First 88 LT500 Build
« on: January 24, 2013, 09:09:56 am »
Creating this to show progress on my first ever 88 lt500 build also will most definitely have questions along the way and will try to keep them here in this thread will also ask opinions and suggestions. Ill post updated pics as I go along this is my start. I purchased this bike for $1500 it is dirty and rough but has brand new maxxis razor fronts an mud shark rear tires along with brand new steel itp rims all the way around. Not sure but I'm pretty sure the a arms are after market. Other than that it has a DG pipe and silencer (junk I know). My end goal is to have a really fast and reliable bike I will be predominantly dirt and field dragging it along with trail riding.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My first 88 lt500 build
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2013, 11:20:53 am »
Starting next weekend hopefully on the tear down I currently have all plastics off and all electrical off. Gonna pull the motor to do the clutch and while I have it apart I'm gonna sand blast and polish some case covers. Anything special or tricky I should know about installing the new clutch? Also any recommendation for a complete gasket kit?

Offline GrkGuy

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Re: My first 88 lt500 build
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2013, 12:04:46 pm »
when you are ready to take clutch cover off you must remove kicker and the clutch shaft arm,
take out the set screw that holds it in place then you should be able to pull it up, it takes some love to get it out
sometimes. you might have to put a pair of vise grips on it and then tap it up so it comes out. there is a thrust
arm with teeth on it, you need to make sure you have it set to grab shaft when it goes back in, or it wont let in drop
all the way in.
take a pic of the a arms we can tell you what they are, good luck with the build, we are here to help you all the way.
its fun to help other guys spend there money. :)

cometic amf gaskets are top of the line.. and come highley recommended
life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sidays totally worn out shouting "HOLY SH*T...WHAT A RIDE!"

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My first 88 lt500 build
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2013, 12:59:27 pm »
Thanks GrkGuy! Ill post a pic of the a arms as soon as I can the bike is at my brothers shop down the street from my house so I don't have to drive all the way out to my dads farm anymore which makes it nice. I appreciate all the help I can get its been years since I've spun wrenches on a 4 wheeler.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My first 88 LT500 build
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2013, 09:17:44 pm »
So the title for my Zilla says its an 88 but the guy I bought it from said it was an 87. Anyway to verify what year the bike is?

Offline GrkGuy

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Re: My first 88 LT500 build
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2013, 09:32:59 pm »
It's an 88, 87 have a different front a arm than you have.
but it's in the vin code to, someone will tell you the letters to look for.
I can't remember them.
life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sidays totally worn out shouting "HOLY SH*T...WHAT A RIDE!"

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My first 88 LT500 build
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2013, 10:06:58 pm »
So if its an 88 is that better or worse than having an 87 cause I know the 87's are unique in that they're different than every other year.

Offline Q2W

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2013, 10:04:38 am »
Judging by the white a-arms, I'd guess 89 or 90.

Check the vin on the frame.  think it's the 10th letter? 

H = 87
J = 88
K = 89
L = 90

The 88+ frames are much better than the 87's but still need gussets at the weak spots.

It could have the 87 motor installed though.  Easy way to tell is to look at the jug. 6 studs = 87.  7 studs = 88+

Also there is a number on top of the cases:

m107 = 87 and 88.
 

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 lT500 Build
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2013, 11:34:15 am »
Thanks Q2W ill check all of that stuff. So if its an 88 motor are those better or worse than an 87 motor? I know it has a Mikuni carb not sure what size and I'm pretty sure the a arms are aftermarket they're wrapped in a sticker that's a suspension company sticker but I can't remember what it says off the top of my head.

Offline Quadster

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Re: My First 88 lT500 Build
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2013, 12:28:03 pm »
Change the clutch before you pull the motor, makes it a little easier.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 lT500 Build
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2013, 01:01:17 pm »
Welp it's an 88 frame and motor and those are the stock white a arms. So how do I change my thread title lol

Offline El Diablo

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2013, 01:20:08 pm »
Welp it's an 88 frame and motor and those are the stock white a arms. So how do I change my thread title lol

fixed
Brian
1988 Suzuki LT-250R (The HPR test mule)
1987 Suzuki LT-500R
1990 Suzuki LT-500R
1982 Honda ATC-185S
1982 Honda ATC-250R

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2013, 02:07:51 pm »
Nice even edited my first post. At least I know the title is legit.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2013, 02:19:13 pm »
Tried to get a top speed run with GPS street was short and GPS didn't have a max speed setting so it was a fail did get it up to 71 an was just getting into 5th but had to get out if it case ran out if room, street was only about an 8th to a 1/4 mile or so.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #14 on: January 29, 2013, 08:34:52 pm »
Got the junk stock header off the clutch case and clutch assembly apart air box of fans carb off tonight all said took about an hour and a half of relaxed wrench spinning. Clutch plates look to be in not so bad condition. Found a lot of dirt build up in the interior walls of the intake tube. The tranny fluid was dark blackish brown with no substance to it really. I would venture to guess it hadn't been changed in a few years. I will take pictures in the next couple of days to show my progress. Really thinking about striping the frame and going with a different color scheme. Blue and yellow just says loser to me but hell that's probably just the Buckeye in me talking! Lol

Offline GrkGuy

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #15 on: January 29, 2013, 08:54:37 pm »
where you at in ohio,
life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sidays totally worn out shouting "HOLY SH*T...WHAT A RIDE!"

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #16 on: January 29, 2013, 09:10:35 pm »
Cincinnati

I almost forgot there is no power valve in the exhaust port. Through the sight glass it looks like its there but one I got the exhaust off and stuck my finger in to feel for it it's just an empty cut out.

Offline GrkGuy

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #17 on: January 29, 2013, 09:16:59 pm »
motorman is close to you then, and no pv, are you sure.
life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sidays totally worn out shouting "HOLY SH*T...WHAT A RIDE!"

Offline Deebo

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #18 on: January 29, 2013, 11:05:29 pm »
Cinci is about 3.5 hours from me.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2013, 03:46:01 am »
Pretty sure the notch out of the case where it should be feels empty unless it can be adjusted Dow 2 to 3 inches inside where it goes than its not there.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #20 on: January 30, 2013, 06:13:26 pm »
Why would someone remove the power valve on a bike that has a stock pipe and DG silencer? How hard is it to get a power valve to put in?

Offline GrkGuy

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #21 on: January 30, 2013, 06:30:45 pm »
did you take off the actual pv window and there is no pv in it, or are you sticking your fingers in the exhaust port and down into the pv chamber.
life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sidays totally worn out shouting "HOLY SH*T...WHAT A RIDE!"

Offline Rider414

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #22 on: January 30, 2013, 07:07:21 pm »
Take the PV window off. Rotate the PV and see if you can feel it close off the chamber in the case.

You need a PV!!
Ain't ever seen it......but I have heard it.

Offline Buckeye513

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #23 on: January 30, 2013, 07:19:54 pm »
Throught the window I can see a nut and what looks like the power valve to be in there but when I put my fingers in the through the exhaust port and feel in that cut out where the valve should be there is nothing there.

Offline GrkGuy

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Re: My First 88 LT500 Build
« Reply #24 on: January 30, 2013, 10:18:27 pm »
hey bud, take the pv window off, there is a cylinder in there. it turns, and has a cut out in it for the exhaust.
you should be able to move it when you stick your fingers in the hole, unless you got some fat sausage fingers.
if you see the screw and the arm for the pv its in there, just like prego. lol  it could be froze tho, or stuck.
depends on what oil was used and if bike had any pm work. they do get gummed up sometimes.
life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sidays totally worn out shouting "HOLY SH*T...WHAT A RIDE!"

 

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