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Before and after of my recent KX500 restoration.  I've owned this beast for over 20 years.

So Mardy, the RD with Spec II porting and pipes and stock carbs isn't running 100%.  Ignition is points with coils from Spec II also.  I spent lots of time doing my best to set the points up correctly.  Seems to run well most of the time, far better than it had been while I dealt with jetting.  But when I'm twisting the throttle, I have some issues.  I live in the Ohio River Valley and ride up and down some pretty steep hills.  The petcock is stock also. 

Could I be experiencing fuel starvation?

If so, is there a way to mod the petcock to flow a bit more?

It's a bit out of the norm for 2SW but I'll share.  In January 2008 I bought a KX250 that the PO had stuffed a KX500 engine into.  I rode it around my yard once, and put it in my shop to check it out.  Man... what a hatchet job.  So I tore it apart and started the rebuild.  This was going to be my old man dirt bike.  All nice and decked out.  The last dirt bike I'd ever need.  The rebuild was well under way when....   the fire broke out.  My oldest son took it on and got it running but there were some details that needed attention.

Now that Mardy is done, this beast gets attention.

Actually, I call it Mardy.  5 years ago, this 6,000 mile bike was in my shop when a fire broke out.  It was sooty, rusty, and just plain nasty.  I nearly put it on the curb for the garbage man.  Fortunately, what little bit of conscience I have wouldn't let me do it.

I documented most of the build here in another thread.  Many, many, many thanks to all those who answered my questions and gave advice.  Even more credit to Mark for reviving 2 Stroke World so we all have a place to keep these old zingers running.

Anyone have any experience with Ebay spokes from Thailand?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-RD250-RD350-A-B-1973-1974-1975-FRONT-DISC-REAR-CHROME-SPOKE-72PCS-A/360446180953?hash=item53ec443e59:g:eUIAAOSws65Tp-ka

Who needs a speedometer?  Not me!

I wanted to mount just the tach.  Simple.  Took a piece of 3/4 inch aluminum, cut to size, drilled a few holes and it's done.  At first, the cup was mounted directly to the aluminum.  Lots of vibration.  So I cut some closed cell foam to use as a cushion.  Nylock nuts hold it snug but not tight.  As soon as the outside temp warms up, I'll test it.

Right now I'm using a Y boot with an unoiled Uni filter.  No air box.  My plan is to oil the Uni and put an Outerwear sock on it.  That way the filter oil won't get all over the bike.  I'm kinda worried that the filter oil will gum up the Outerwear.

Thoughts?  Better ideas?

One of my pals, an old school two stroke racer, saw my silver pipes with black spooge running down from the heads.  He commented that he used to take string and wrap it up inside the exhaust spigot to act as a gasket of sorts.

Anyone else try anything like this?  With success?

Finally got my green monster running pretty well so it's time to focus on tuning.  At WFO and higher revs, I hear pinging.  Attached are shots of the plugs.  Not a surgical plug chop.  They've got 20 miles on them.  They look sort of OK but look at the ceramic. 

Thoughts?

So for years, I've been using cheap box store outboard oil bought by the gallon.  Back in my youth it was Lawnboy mower oil.  It was free because we sold it at our store.  Now that I've got a nice bike with a nice top end on it, let's have an oil discussion.  I'm using the factory injection system. 

You've all seen the memes:

Cheap oil is fine.  Change my mind.

Ya see I have this thing for bright green two strokes...

Many thanks to Mark for bringing the place back to life.

I'll add to the content with a teaser of my '75 RD350.  I know everyone's been dying to find out what progress I've made.

Before and not quite after.