anyone got a cr500?
- Thread starter vilguy
- Start date
I had 2 CR500's a 1987 & a 1989 models, used to race AMCA motocross and the weston & Southports beach races.
The first was bought from a friend who used to race ACU motocross and was ranked in the top 50 in the UK, when I got it home I could not start it and thought I had bought a pup, he came round and jumped on it and it started first prod.
Within a few weeks I was entered in the Southport beach race, horizontal rain and the wind blowing the tide in and a straight about 1 1/2 miles long, I can honestly say I was the fastest thing on the straight apart from a nutter on a trike with a CBX engine in it that topped 130mph. Shame my progress through the dunes lost me a lot of places made on the straight. Finally lost drive due to the erosion of teeth from my rear sprocket (I learnt to use a steel spocket on sand that day) so had to push from there. anyway I was absolutly knacked after nearly 3 hours so took a short cut around rather than over a dune and was docked 1 lap for course cutting?
Got a 2nd place in my class that day and still really proud of that.
On a separate tack, I met Jamie Whitham in a hotel in Assen last year and we got chatting, he also did Southport the same year and finished 50th, how about that then.
Anyway back to the CR
I would never try to start it without boots, the compression was such that you had to gently work it over TDC and then get the lever at the top of the stroke and then put all of your body weight down on the lever - the only parts of me touching the bike was my hand and my right foot.
I used to say that no one could steal it cos no one could start it except a select few who had the knack.
It had massive torque from almost zero revs and then some, a sound I will never forget is the noise through the airbox when the throttle was wide open in a high gear.
I have been quietly looking out for one for a few years now and will have one one day when I find the right one.
Sorry for the trip down memory lane but it is a really special bike that people who have never took the time to get to know will struggle to understand.
The first was bought from a friend who used to race ACU motocross and was ranked in the top 50 in the UK, when I got it home I could not start it and thought I had bought a pup, he came round and jumped on it and it started first prod.
Within a few weeks I was entered in the Southport beach race, horizontal rain and the wind blowing the tide in and a straight about 1 1/2 miles long, I can honestly say I was the fastest thing on the straight apart from a nutter on a trike with a CBX engine in it that topped 130mph. Shame my progress through the dunes lost me a lot of places made on the straight. Finally lost drive due to the erosion of teeth from my rear sprocket (I learnt to use a steel spocket on sand that day) so had to push from there. anyway I was absolutly knacked after nearly 3 hours so took a short cut around rather than over a dune and was docked 1 lap for course cutting?
Got a 2nd place in my class that day and still really proud of that.
On a separate tack, I met Jamie Whitham in a hotel in Assen last year and we got chatting, he also did Southport the same year and finished 50th, how about that then.
Anyway back to the CR
I would never try to start it without boots, the compression was such that you had to gently work it over TDC and then get the lever at the top of the stroke and then put all of your body weight down on the lever - the only parts of me touching the bike was my hand and my right foot.
I used to say that no one could steal it cos no one could start it except a select few who had the knack.
It had massive torque from almost zero revs and then some, a sound I will never forget is the noise through the airbox when the throttle was wide open in a high gear.
I have been quietly looking out for one for a few years now and will have one one day when I find the right one.
Sorry for the trip down memory lane but it is a really special bike that people who have never took the time to get to know will struggle to understand.
vilguy
Registered user
fancy a go when its finished then? 
Sounds like you have some fond memories there matey.
Im fortunate in that im tall and ... heavy... helps starting
Can start it first kick now everytime. Even in trainers! (though that was a bit scary the first time)
Road registered frames in powdercoating at the minute. Should be finished early next week.
Managed to source another crf front end as this one is doing my head in, trying to find a bloody caliper carrier is a nightmare. Cheapest i found was £40!!!! got a complete other front end, forks, yokes, wheel, caliper, master cylinder, and rear wheel for £250
So the spare set can go in my xtz750 rallye project.
Wiring loom is coming together, Service honda have stopped production of their 200watt stator kit unfortunately whilst its redesigned so im going to run the lights off a 5000 mah lithium battery pack i have lying around. It should give a couple of hours use for the HID headlight and all the bulbs. Which will always be plenty enough to get me home if it gets dark.
Have to use a special charger for the lithium cells though.
Also need to modify the magura hydraulic clutch to fit the cr's case's. Have found some rather sexy looking ignition and clutch covers out of cnc'd aluminum... i think it deserves it Also the clutch will then hold an extra 100cc's of oil which should help increase its life.
They will also look cool, the ignition ones as standard are some 'orrible nylon jobbie and the clutch ones all scuffed and looks cack.
Sounds like you have some fond memories there matey.
Im fortunate in that im tall and ... heavy... helps starting
Can start it first kick now everytime. Even in trainers! (though that was a bit scary the first time)
Road registered frames in powdercoating at the minute. Should be finished early next week.
Managed to source another crf front end as this one is doing my head in, trying to find a bloody caliper carrier is a nightmare. Cheapest i found was £40!!!! got a complete other front end, forks, yokes, wheel, caliper, master cylinder, and rear wheel for £250
So the spare set can go in my xtz750 rallye project.
Wiring loom is coming together, Service honda have stopped production of their 200watt stator kit unfortunately whilst its redesigned so im going to run the lights off a 5000 mah lithium battery pack i have lying around. It should give a couple of hours use for the HID headlight and all the bulbs. Which will always be plenty enough to get me home if it gets dark.
Have to use a special charger for the lithium cells though.
Also need to modify the magura hydraulic clutch to fit the cr's case's. Have found some rather sexy looking ignition and clutch covers out of cnc'd aluminum... i think it deserves it
Also the clutch will then hold an extra 100cc's of oil which should help increase its life. They will also look cool, the ignition ones as standard are some 'orrible nylon jobbie and the clutch ones all scuffed and looks cack.
vilguy
Registered user
Well its all been happening in the higgs garage.
Frame swap is presently in progress. Last few bits to swap over... .like the engine & rads then its done.
Loads more goodies bought, CRF rear master cylinder, zeta brake clevis, brand new oversize enduro tank (to feed its drink problem), brake reservoir extension (triples the capacity of the crf reservoir), all new brakes, new headlight, tug strap (dont imagine needing that!)
Total costs so far - £1867.. .for a bike that isnt presently running haha
Its really looking great though. I think the only things left to purchase will be a really trick looking set of heavy duty wheels.
Frame swap is presently in progress. Last few bits to swap over... .like the engine & rads then its done.
Loads more goodies bought, CRF rear master cylinder, zeta brake clevis, brand new oversize enduro tank (to feed its drink problem), brake reservoir extension (triples the capacity of the crf reservoir), all new brakes, new headlight, tug strap (dont imagine needing that!)
Total costs so far - £1867.. .for a bike that isnt presently running haha
Its really looking great though. I think the only things left to purchase will be a really trick looking set of heavy duty wheels.
LEIGH
Guest
when I was a teenager in the late 80's a lad in town had a road legal CR500 with some strange road wheels fitted, he said it was a new thing out of France called SuperMotard. he was a riding god.
Tank
Registered user
I have a 1988 CR500 lunatic machine. I have owned it for about 6 years now and rarely ride it as we have had the garden here seeded and the parking area finished off and SWMBO has banned me from even starting it unless it is in the lane outside the house!!
When I first got it I just could not start it, tried bump starting it but no way even in 5th with my not too light 18 stone on it, it just kept locking the back wheel solid. I read an article on an CR forum about starting it and it basically said to gently work the kick start up and down until you feel the compression and then kick the Mo Fo like you mean it, works every time
It is one of the best bikes for digging trenches with and although I don't really use it now I used to rip round fields in North Yorkshire and generally scare myself on it!!
I did think of getting it on the road but that is a no go here in France as would be almost impossible to do. I also thought of using it for sprints and hillclimbs but not sure the old bones would be up to it now
I guess I will just keep looking at it for now until I can come to terms with letting it go!
I look forward to seeing piccies of your completed bike vilguy.
When I first got it I just could not start it, tried bump starting it but no way even in 5th with my not too light 18 stone on it, it just kept locking the back wheel solid. I read an article on an CR forum about starting it and it basically said to gently work the kick start up and down until you feel the compression and then kick the Mo Fo like you mean it, works every time
It is one of the best bikes for digging trenches with and although I don't really use it now I used to rip round fields in North Yorkshire and generally scare myself on it!!
I did think of getting it on the road but that is a no go here in France as would be almost impossible to do. I also thought of using it for sprints and hillclimbs but not sure the old bones would be up to it now
I guess I will just keep looking at it for now until I can come to terms with letting it go!
I look forward to seeing piccies of your completed bike vilguy.
vilguy
Registered user
haha sounds like everyone has fond memories of the cr500
fancy a go when its finished then?
Can start it first kick now . Even in trainers! (though that was a bit scary the first time)
.
You're a brave fecker
It's not that long ago I chucked my old guerne MX boots out that I used when I had my CR. The sole of the right boot was torn down to the steel shank from the bloody thing. They are the only stroker I've come across that kicks back
Oh, yeah, another fond memory I have is the time I fired it up after rebuilding it without the silencer on. My pop's came flying out house screaming blue murder because he'd nearly shat himself.
You've gotta try that
vilguy
Registered user
Did that the first time i started it. I hadnt checked it over and the exhaust wasnt being held on.
Sounded rude!
Engines in the new rolling chassis now. And looking extremely sexy. I want to lick it
Im waiting on a new cnc machined clutch cover to come from america and then need to save up a few pennies to get a matching ignition side.
Otherwise my mate darren thorpe has sorted me out with some engine mount bolts (as there wasnt any on the original bike)
should have it up and running this weekend, if i get me finger out.
Sounded rude!
Engines in the new rolling chassis now. And looking extremely sexy. I want to lick it
Im waiting on a new cnc machined clutch cover to come from america and then need to save up a few pennies to get a matching ignition side.
Otherwise my mate darren thorpe has sorted me out with some engine mount bolts (as there wasnt any on the original bike)
should have it up and running this weekend, if i get me finger out.
vilguy
Registered user
Filthy dirty engine case porn
Bit of anodised casing porn for those who like it like that
Bit of anodised casing porn for those who like it like that
vilguy
Registered user
Its all assembled, bar some chain and sprockets and bleeding the brakes.
However. Went to start it.. nothing!
No spark!
However. Went to start it.. nothing!
No spark!
vilguy
Registered user
ITS ALIVE!!!!
Kicked up today after 2 days of trying to figure out what was wrong with it...
in a rush i hadnt wired power into the ignition coil
but here she is!
all she needs now is some chain and sprockets (on order) few little jobs like the headlight wiring up and we're away!!!!
Kicked up today after 2 days of trying to figure out what was wrong with it...
in a rush i hadnt wired power into the ignition coil
but here she is!
all she needs now is some chain and sprockets (on order) few little jobs like the headlight wiring up and we're away!!!!
Deleted account 211025001
Registered user
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Great news
'tis looking good too
Are you still intending getting 17" wheels for the beastie?
Andres
vilguy
Registered user
i think when funds allow. Im getting a nice set of 21 & 19s laced up first.
vilguy
Registered user
Well i finally rode it for the very first time today. It wasnt completely finished.... but close enough to have a go
Well it rides! and bugger me its pretty quick. I have to admit to almost putting a little pea of poo in my pants when first dumping the clutch but to be honest... its not very scary now that ive ridden it.
1/2 throttle in 3rd results in pretty impressive wheelies. And this is with road gearing!!!
There was a few little niggles to sort out, but then on such a big project there was bound to be some.
oh and it needs a chain guide at the back and front.
almost forgot.. i need to fit a rear brake too haha and the exhaust is being sent off for ceramic coating.
Otherwise... who wants a go?!
Well it rides! and bugger me its pretty quick. I have to admit to almost putting a little pea of poo in my pants when first dumping the clutch but to be honest... its not very scary now that ive ridden it.
1/2 throttle in 3rd results in pretty impressive wheelies. And this is with road gearing!!!
There was a few little niggles to sort out, but then on such a big project there was bound to be some.
- The forks werent straight in the yokes (easily sorted straight after the ride)
That hole in the crackcase is leaking oil but its not too bad so im going to try some chem metal to hold it time being.
The engine reacts in a funny way when engine braking.. it changes note considerably... not in a good way either..
And it wont idle, but i think thats down to the seriously shitty fuel thats in it... (the stuff that was in it when i picked it up) Ive got a fresh can from michal so ill put that in, hoping that will be the end of the funny engine noise too.
oh and it needs a chain guide at the back and front.
almost forgot.. i need to fit a rear brake too haha and the exhaust is being sent off for ceramic coating.
Otherwise... who wants a go?!
vilguy
Registered user
coc*
The small hole in the crankcase turned out to also be a split. And the clutch actuator is directly behind it. When i pull the clutch in, it pushes the case apart.
1 New crankcase please barman... and a full engine strip too.
I dont know if ill be able to get it welded... with that shaft sitting directly over the missing piece it would have to be drilled and reamed to suit it... it would start getting expensive.
Oh well, itll give me a chance to go over some of the bits im not happy with and get them sorted.
I rode it again last night though and with some fresher fuel its started to come alive! it wont idle, it just stalls but from what ive been reading about them, its common to do that on the standard carb.
The small hole in the crankcase turned out to also be a split. And the clutch actuator is directly behind it. When i pull the clutch in, it pushes the case apart.
1 New crankcase please barman... and a full engine strip too.
I dont know if ill be able to get it welded... with that shaft sitting directly over the missing piece it would have to be drilled and reamed to suit it... it would start getting expensive.
Oh well, itll give me a chance to go over some of the bits im not happy with and get them sorted.
I rode it again last night though and with some fresher fuel its started to come alive! it wont idle, it just stalls but from what ive been reading about them, its common to do that on the standard carb.
vilguy
Registered user
well ive managed to get my hands on a replacement crankcase. It too is cracked (hence i got it for a tenner!) but its cracked in a location thats less important..
im gonna whip it down dave east engineering and let him work his magic. then its a new piston, full set of bearings, oil seals the lot.
Fancy getting it all vapor blasted too.. im not sure how expensive that is though? And maybe get the head anodised (is it possible to get that done?)
I bought a set of supermoto wheels for a wr400 as i wanted the 320mm brake conversion that they came with my my yze project. So might get some spacers knocked up for the cr... i dunno we will see.
Looking forward to getting it all finished soon and finally having one less project!
Im thinking of taking the large fuel tank off though as it really ruins the look of the bike, a shame.
im gonna whip it down dave east engineering and let him work his magic. then its a new piston, full set of bearings, oil seals the lot.
Fancy getting it all vapor blasted too.. im not sure how expensive that is though? And maybe get the head anodised (is it possible to get that done?)
I bought a set of supermoto wheels for a wr400 as i wanted the 320mm brake conversion that they came with my my yze project. So might get some spacers knocked up for the cr... i dunno we will see.
Looking forward to getting it all finished soon and finally having one less project!
Im thinking of taking the large fuel tank off though as it really ruins the look of the bike, a shame.
Redrooster
Registered user
Another nutter
Morning Vil,
i have joined the nuthouse brigade. I have bought a 91 Cr500.
Impulse purchase off evilbay. Spoke to the chap and he seamed honest enough. Come with a few bits and bobs. Going to collect it this afternoon.
I must be mad, i was thinking about doing a bit of greenlaning. Whoops but i always hankered after a Cr, when i was a lad watching Thorpey crank one to the max. Cripes if it's spits me off to many times i can always sell it on. Lifes to short to miss out yahoooooooo
Morning Vil,
i have joined the nuthouse brigade. I have bought a 91 Cr500.
Impulse purchase off evilbay. Spoke to the chap and he seamed honest enough. Come with a few bits and bobs. Going to collect it this afternoon.
I must be mad, i was thinking about doing a bit of greenlaning. Whoops but i always hankered after a Cr, when i was a lad watching Thorpey crank one to the max. Cripes if it's spits me off to many times i can always sell it on. Lifes to short to miss out yahoooooooo
Redrooster
Registered user
Second thoughts, i want to live a bit longer aaaaarrrrgggghh
Can't afford to keep buying the pants
Can't afford to keep buying the pants
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