'89 CR500 clutch cover

[Husky500evo]

         I have an '89 CR500 that I want to freshen up, as soon as I can find some spare time. So, I was going to ask the Honda gurus out there about the clutch cover. I haven't pulled it apart to have a look yet, but is the inner cover made out of magnesium (and have trouble with corrosion) and do the later model aluminium covers fit ? I am not sure if the later covers are still available from Honda, but I have seen some new '94 onward model clutch covers for sale around $250 US and don't know if I should grab one while they are still available.
          I have fitted the bike with a WP shock and intend to fit the front end from a USA spec '89 KX500 (conventional 46mm forks), that I bought off ebay when the Aussie dollar was high. I found the standard USD CR500 forks to be very harsh.  The WP shock also needs a stiffer spring to suit my 100kg fat arse. Also have a flywheel weight to fit, hopefully to mellow out the snappy power delivery.

[Husky500evo]

Bump. I have had a bit of a search on the internet, only to find conflicting stories on if the '89 CR500 inner clutch cover is made out of aluminium or magnesium. Also wanting to know if anyone out there has fitted the '89 USA spec KX500 forks to their Honda and if there is any dramas with having to modify the steering stem to fit ? Apparently XR650s use the same size (46mm conventional) forks, so it might work out easier to use a set of XR650 triple clamps rather than the KX ones. Getting a bit keen on riding this CR500 now, especially after watching some of the evo class highlights from the VMXDN at Farleigh . I have a new Pro Circuit "platinum" pipe that I have to try on it as well.

[AdamN]

Have a look here:
 
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=46A785EDE929BDCE&id=46A785EDE929BDCE%21320

It explains all the differences.

Adam

[Husky500evo]

Thanks Adam, but I can't seem to get that skydrive link to work for me.

[09.0]

It seems to be common knowledge that the 89 has an alloy cover.

[Hoony]

Check out CR500RIDERS.COM it has very good info on water pump case conversions

[Husky500evo]

It seems to be common knowledge that the 89 has an alloy cover.

OK, sounds like the '89 is the first one with an aluminium cover. This is a bonus and saves me having to fork out for a new one. It did have a minor coolant leak around the water pump cover, last time I looked and assumed the worst, but this might have just been caused by a loose hose clamp or a buggered seal. Next question that I have to move on with is the KX500 fork conversion. Might see if I can change the thread title or start a new thread.

[evo550]

I had an '89 with a Magnesium cover   


  Honda (Aus) still have clutch covers from about '93 on still available for about $350 and they fit. There are two different part numbers for the later alloy cr500 clutch cover, but they both fit, IIRC sometime Honda added another clutch plate which created a wider clutch basket/cover area.