Kawasaki FH500V (494 cc, 17.0 HP) Vertical Shaft V-Twin Engine: Specs and Review
Kawasaki FH500V Engine Specs
The Kawasaki FH500V is a 0.49 l (30.15 cu-in, 494 cc) V-twin 90° air-cooled 4-stroke internal combustion small gasoline engine with a vertical shaft made by Kawasaki Heavy Industries LTd. for general-purpose use.
The Kawasaki FH500V engine has a 68.0 mm (2.68 in) cylinder bore and 68.0 mm (2.68 in) piston stroke. The compression ratio rating is 8.5:1.
The Kawasaki FH500V engine delivered 17.3 PS (12.7 kW; 17.0 horsepower) at 3,600 rpm of maximum horsepower and 37 Nm (3.8 kg·m; 27.3 ft·lb) at 2,400 rpm of torque.
The Kawasaki FH500V engine has a vertical PTO shaft, a V-twin 90° design with cast iron cylinder liners, and valves mounted on top of the engine (OHV).
The engine has a pulse-type fuel pump and a float-type carburetor with a fixed main jet. The motor has a flywheel magneto transistor-type ignition system, a full-pressure lubrication system with a spin-on oil filter, and a dual-element air cleaner.
The engine has an automatic compression release system with a recoil or electric starter (12V solenoid shift starter or Bendix starter are available).

Kawasaki FH500V (494 cc, 17.0 HP) Vertical Shaft V-Twin Engine: Specs
Engine Specifications
| Model | FH500V |
| Type | 4-stroke, OHV, V-twin 90° |
| Displacement | 494 cm 3 (30.15 cu-in) |
| Max. horsepower | 17.3 PS (12.7 KW; 17.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm |
| Max. torque (crank PTO) | 37 Nm (3.8 kg·m; 27.3 ft·lb) at 2,400 rpm |
| Carburetor | Float type |
| Cooling system | Air-cooling |
| Ignition system | Flywheel magneto transistor type |
| Lubricating system | Full pressure with spin-on oil filter |
| Starting system | Recoil or electric starter |
| Charging system | 12 Volt – 13A with regulator |
| Fuel used | Unleaded gasoline (octane number 86 or higher) |
| Fuel consumption | 245 g/HPh |
| Cooling system | Pressurized forced circulation type |
Tightening torque specs
| Cylinder head | 25 Nm; 2.2 kg·m; 18.5 ft·lb |
| Connecting rod | 6 Nm; 0.6 kg·m; 4.4 ft·lb |
| Flywheel | 56 Nm; 5.7 kg·m; 41.3 ft·lb |
| Crankcase cover | 25 Nm; 2.2 kg·m; 18.5 ft·lb |
| Intake manifold | 6 Nm; 0.6 kg·m; 4.4 ft·lb |
| Valve clearance lock nut | 7 Nm; 0.7 kg·m; 5.1 ft·lb |
Dimensions and Weight
| Length, mm (in) | 425 (16.7) |
| Width, mm (in) | 359 (14.1) |
| Height, mm (in) | 441 (17.4) |
| Dry weight, kg (lb) | 32 (70.5) |
Maintenance Data
| Engine | |
| Maximum speed | 3500 ± 100 rpm |
| Idle speed | 1500 ± 100 rpm |
| Cylinder compression | 4.0 kg/cm2 (56 psi) at 500 rpm |
| Valve clearance | |
| Intake valve | 0.10-0.15 mm (0.004-0.006 in) |
| Exhaust valve | 0.10-0.15 mm (0.004-0.006 in) |
| Oil system | |
| Oil type | 4-stroke or an equivalent (SF, SG, SH, or SJ ) |
| Recommended oil | SAE 10W-40, 10W-30, 5W-20 |
| Oil capacity (with filter changed) | 1.8 litre (1.9 US.qt.) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | CHAMPION: RCJ8Y; NGK: BPMR6A |
| Spark plug gap | 0.75 mm (0.029 in) |
| Spark plug tightening torque | 22 Nm; 2.2 kg·m; 16.2 ft·lb |
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Final Words
This concludes our discussion of the Kawasaki FH500V (494 cc, 17.0 HP) Vertical Shaft V-Twin Engine specs and review; however, if you have any questions regarding this article, please submit them in the comment section below. We will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible.