XR500

[Natroy]

Just bought an '81 XR500, (or so I thought). Checked the engine number, and it turns out to be an XL500. It's in an XR frame. They come from the factory like that?

[mick25]

No they wouldnt come like that .
XR500 79,80,81,82 are painted black engines
XL500 79,80,81 are silver engines
There’s not to much difference between the XL and XR engine
The 82 XR500 came out with reeds 

[Natroy]

Thanks for that.
Mine has a black engine, but XL engine number. 
The engine number on the XR starts with PE and the XL starts with PD (which is mine).

[mick25]

The 1982 XL500 was the first black engine and they have bigger kick starter spline than all the other XL500 and XR500 models what’s a bonus because lots of folks break them not knowing how to start
them .
If your kick starter spline is 20.5mm in dia it’s a 1982 XL500 engine
If its 18mm then it’s the earlier model .