OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Honda => Topic started by: John Orchard on August 21, 2014, 10:22:31 am

Title: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on August 21, 2014, 10:22:31 am
Just bought it from DDR in Queensland, looks like quite a low-hour bike.  Now I impatiently wait for it to come down here :-(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD2o7D_v_z8&feature=youtu.be

http://ddr.net.au/node/2213
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: YZ250H on August 21, 2014, 10:52:43 am
Looks like a good pick up John.  Well done  8)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: smed on August 21, 2014, 11:15:19 am
Welcome to team red mate  :)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: bishboy on August 21, 2014, 12:23:33 pm
Welcome to team red mate  :)

John, are you leaving team green  :'(
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on August 21, 2014, 12:29:03 pm
Welcome to team red mate  :)

John, are you leaving team green  :'(


I've sold one 250A5, have the second one up for sale but keeping the 400, will put lights on it and use it for vinduro.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tahitian_Red on August 21, 2014, 03:09:54 pm
Once you go Red, you can't get it out of your head.  ;)

Welcome to the club John!  Up until a couple of years ago I had an Ohlins shock for an 1984 CR250/500.  :(
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on August 21, 2014, 03:48:01 pm
Once you go Red, you can't get it out of your head.  ;)

Welcome to the club John!  Up until a couple of years ago I had an Ohlins shock for an 1984 CR250/500.  :(


Ah don't tell me that Jay!  ;-)  I'll start lookin out for one.  Your 480 made me realize I need this bike; nuthing like horsepower to get you to turn-1 first  ;-)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Husky500evo on August 21, 2014, 09:11:40 pm
I have a WP shock to suit an '84 CR500 Honda, if you are interested. It needs a rebuild though and owes me $400, so that is what I am after for it.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: 80-85 husky on August 21, 2014, 09:44:59 pm
I didnt think the farm needed ploughing john????
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tahitian_Red on August 22, 2014, 02:49:32 am
Quote

Ah don't tell me that Jay!  ;-)  I'll start lookin out for one.  Your 480 made me realize I need this bike; nuthing like horsepower to get you to turn-1 first  ;-)

I think all the '84 needs is the comp release and squish band head mods and a carb change to perform as well as the CR480's. 

I am also refreshing CR480 number 2, but keeping it mostly stock (except for spring rates) and she will be awaiting your future return.
 ;)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on August 22, 2014, 07:52:02 am
Thanks Jay, I'd love to come back for next years SoCal Classic, I'll have to stop buying bikes so I can afford it lol.  I like the idea of a 'stock' 480 (maybe we borrow the Ohlins ;-) )

What squish-band mods do you speak of?..... wider, narrower?  I'l check that the clearance is about 1mm, maybe machine-out the dome if comp is too high?
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: bigk on August 22, 2014, 08:09:07 am
I know a guy who has just gone through all the above with his CR500, he likes a talk too. I gave him a head to modify so he still has a standard one which would now possibly be spare. He's a machinist & did all the work himself so is probably someone good to talk to about this. I can pass his number on if you like John.
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on August 22, 2014, 09:25:08 am
Yes I would be interested to talk to him Mick.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tahitian_Red on August 22, 2014, 04:24:23 pm
Thanks Jay, I'd love to come back for next years SoCal Classic, I'll have to stop buying bikes so I can afford it lol.  I like the idea of a 'stock' 480 (maybe we borrow the Ohlins ;-) )

What squish-band mods do you speak of?..... wider, narrower?  I'l check that the clearance is about 1mm, maybe machine-out the dome if comp is too high?

(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Tahtitian_Red/DSC05383_zps26e02de8.jpg)

(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Tahtitian_Red/Head_Mod_zps85abe594.jpg)

(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Tahtitian_Red/IMG_1240_zps6e76503f.jpg)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on August 22, 2014, 05:14:32 pm
Ah thanks  :-)  I guess a narrower squish improves top-end (not that I really need any more lol) and lowering the comp will help detonation.  I'll try it with some good gas and take the head off to see how it looks.

Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tahitian_Red on August 23, 2014, 04:51:46 am
Ah thanks  :-)  I guess a narrower squish improves top-end (not that I really need any more lol) and lowering the comp will help detonation.  I'll try it with some good gas and take the head off to see how it looks.

Thanks for the info.

The last pic is the head you ran at Glen Helen.  I put it on shortly before the trip down and that is probably why the jetting was off a bit.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: tony27 on August 23, 2014, 07:03:22 am
That looks exactly like the mod for yz490s from memory
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tahitian_Red on September 11, 2014, 03:00:44 pm
Any updates or video of the Beasty?  :)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on September 11, 2014, 05:02:31 pm
I'm expecting it to be delivered Tues next week  :-)  It's coming down from Queensland, he just got back from a big buying spree in SoCal.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: 80-85 husky on September 11, 2014, 08:35:01 pm
Groovy freighters at Yatala... great bunch
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: oldfart on September 11, 2014, 08:48:19 pm
 " Groovy freighters "   Thought they were in trouble with BOQ  ???
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: 80-85 husky on September 11, 2014, 08:57:05 pm
after the cheap rate to ship my husky down, its no wonder they are.... I hadn't heard
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Crabs on September 17, 2014, 09:42:36 pm
Hi John,
Good to hear you still love the dirt bikes.

Just remember big bore bikes don't run as clean as smaller bikes, so oil and amount of oil is very important so it runs clean, without fouling plugs etc.

Speak to you soon, now that I've just signed up.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tahitian_Red on September 18, 2014, 02:10:41 am
Did she arrive?  I have been stocking up parts.  ;)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 03, 2014, 04:24:33 pm
She's partly stripped, everything's been checked but the gearbox, head is now away at Stackers getting machined, wheel bearings are new, linkage & swingarm bearings checked & greased.  Cables lubed, new bars fitted, new aircleaner element, carb stripped & inspected, forks stripped.  Pipe cut up and reformed.

Just waiting on fork seals, throttle tube and cyl head to come in and then it's blast-time  :-)

(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i423/JohnnyRacer89/CAM00250_zps3dbab2ca.jpg) (http://s1093.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRacer89/media/CAM00250_zps3dbab2ca.jpg.html)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tahitian_Red on October 04, 2014, 01:26:34 am
"Pipe cut up and reformed." ?????

Top secret stuff or just fixing the dents and dings?
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 04, 2014, 09:20:32 am
"Pipe cut up and reformed." ?????

Top secret stuff or just fixing the dents and dings?


Just fixing the crushed header  ;-)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: 80-85 husky on October 04, 2014, 09:45:25 am
nearly got the massey ferguson ready to plow the farm eh?
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 10, 2014, 12:22:44 pm
Well, I rebuilt every part but the gearbox, thinking the bike has so little use on it that the box would surely be ok?  So I get the whole bike back together, every bolt & nut lock-tighted, about ready to start it for my first time but first put it into each gear and rock the bike back & forwards as a general check, well bugger-me, in top gear the engaging-dogs slip!  So tear it all down again, find it needs three gears on the mainshaft and the centre shift fork  :-(

So there you go, unless you are buying a bike from a true enthusiast, check every bloody thing!  I shoulda realized, all three KX250A5's that I bought had to be rebuilt from the gearbox & crank up.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: JohnnyO on October 10, 2014, 12:39:07 pm
Always check the dogs and shift forks when the gearbox is apart!  Common problem on vmx bikes, have rebuilt many gearboxes.
The KX250A5 I bought from DDR showed the bike running well in 1st gear on their video but the first lap I did on a track it wouldn't stay in 3rd gear and needed 2 new gears and a shift fork!
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: bigk on October 10, 2014, 01:57:08 pm
Therein lies the lesson. While most sellers will not outright lie, neither will they volunteer information. I learnt it long ago and now ask the hard questions. If possible I try to test ride everything I buy. Been caught on a couple of stolen bikes over the years as well, even from reputable people who had no idea themselves they were on selling a stolen bike. It can be a tricky situation.
K
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: sa63 on October 10, 2014, 03:13:36 pm
Ouch ouch ouch.. I saw the mob in the uk who do the Farleigh Honda bikes - phil Denton Engineering have manufactured  a complete new gearbox for the 480 - Big $ , but they may be able to help you out, not sure if any parts cross over , with the drive being on the opposite side to the 480?? was it a dirty dog racing bike?..
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 10, 2014, 04:00:45 pm
Yep DDR, I got stitched more-so when I bought an '88 KX250F1 from Robs Rides, that was a big cover-up/bullshit.  Shoulda learnt my lesson, have now .... do not pay advertised price!
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 10, 2014, 04:30:53 pm
The Cyl head with the squishband narrowed from 19mm to 14mm with dome blended to the radius'd edge.  Then the mating surface machined .7mm to close the squish clearance to 1.2mm and keep the compression up from machining the inner part of the squishband.

(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i423/JohnnyRacer89/CR500cylhead2_zps2c16fb47.jpg) (http://s1093.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRacer89/media/CR500cylhead2_zps2c16fb47.jpg.html)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 11, 2014, 12:49:41 pm
Coming together ...

Fitted new Answer 'Holeshot' front plate & Circuit 'DeBruizer' bar pad, WP rear shock, handlebars by KDX Geoff  :-)  Just waiting for shorty front barke lever & front brake hose guide.

(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i423/JohnnyRacer89/CR500LF_zpsa911ed3b.jpg) (http://s1093.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRacer89/media/CR500LF_zpsa911ed3b.jpg.html)

(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i423/JohnnyRacer89/CR500LH_zps7a8b67cf.jpg) (http://s1093.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRacer89/media/CR500LH_zps7a8b67cf.jpg.html)

(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i423/JohnnyRacer89/CR500RH_zpse7bef72d.jpg) (http://s1093.photobucket.com/user/JohnnyRacer89/media/CR500RH_zpse7bef72d.jpg.html)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Paul552 on October 11, 2014, 03:29:45 pm
Hey john looks nice.


Re the shorty leaver
I have a 250re and I always lock front when I use a shorty??
Standard lever and I ride better.

Mate please let me know if you can feel the difference as I think my placebo needs updating  ;D
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: 80-85 husky on October 11, 2014, 07:44:02 pm
you will be happy to know john that I purchased my near new wr 400 off Robz Rides..for next to nothing. he thought it was a totally rooted 240... ;D ;D ;D I laugh to myself every day....
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Hoony on October 11, 2014, 08:11:42 pm
Great Bike John, when is the first Blatt? Goodridge do a nice front brake Hose got one on Big Red .
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 24, 2014, 05:36:45 pm
Well found out the '84 model has a typical gearbox issue, it's fixed with the '85 model, which drops right in  :-) Just scored all NOS parts to make up an 85 gear set and new shift forks from the dealer as they are all the same up to '01.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Paul552 on October 24, 2014, 06:57:33 pm
Well found out the '84 model has a typical gearbox issue, it's fixed with the '85 model, which drops right in  :-) Just scored all NOS parts to make up an 85 gear set and new shift forks from the dealer as they are all the same up to '01.

That's good to know. 

Out of interest how much was all that NOS gearbox??
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on October 24, 2014, 08:49:15 pm

Out of interest how much was all that NOS gearbox??


I ended up getting the bits from all over the world, Germany, UK, US & Oz, I can't say how much in public incase my Missus finds out  ;-)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on November 13, 2014, 04:38:10 pm
I've really learnt my lesson about buying use vintage bikes, they might look ok on the outside but you find lots to replace on the inside; stuff that is hard to find & expensive.

So the CR now has a new '01 CR500 complete gearbox, new bearings & seals all through the cases, new '01 CR500 kickstart ratchet assembly, new bushes & seals in the forks.

Anytime in the future if I buy a used vintage bike, unless it has all new stuff inside, or atleast inspected to be good by someone that knows what they are doing, I aint paying jack shit for it.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: sa63 on November 13, 2014, 05:23:57 pm
Whats it like to ride then?
I feel your pain!
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on November 13, 2014, 05:56:32 pm
Riding it on Monday, will let you know  :-)
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: 80-85 husky on November 13, 2014, 06:03:47 pm
Farm being plowed for xmas now....
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: John Orchard on November 18, 2014, 10:49:57 am
ok, next update for any CR5 owners interested ...

MODS
Head surface machined .7mm (closed squish to 1.2mm).

Narrowed squishband to 14mm wide (down from 19mm).

Running either Boyeson dual-stage reeds or full-size carbon reed, trimmed-out four of the six ribs in the reed-cage (left the centre ones in for reed petal support).

Tried a DGL carb needle, as many riders suggested it on the web.  Too lean at 1/8th throttle and rich at 1/2, so have ordered a CEJ needle to try, will update once tested.

From years of jetting bikes, I live by the rule "where you shift power you must shift fuel", I also just found this with my KX/KDX400, with the mods to improve low-rpm power, I've had to go to larger pilot jets and needles with a smaller diameter straight section.
Title: Re: I just bought this CR500RE.
Post by: Tim754 on November 18, 2014, 05:25:38 pm
Fuel and Oxygen John ;) :) Cheers