DR500,any good for VMX

[James Lee]

I just picked up a DR500,got it running and took it for a burn,Im quite impressed with the way it goes.Engine seems very good.Are these bikes any good for a VMX conversion?Mine has an alloy swing arm and wheels.It needs rear shocks so would like to hear of any that will fit and maybe an inprovement over the originals?Id like to run it this weekend at Biddabadaba if the meet goes ahead so would need to order some shocks asap.Any other mods that are easy to do?

[Graham]

HEAVY !!

[mustanggrahame]

No. Just enjoy it as a trail/ vinduro funbike. They are pretty rare now.
I think the early TT600s are very underrated. At least Yamaha tried and put current motocross suspension and brakes on it. It was also relatively light compared to the other 4 strokes and also bulletproof in the engine department.

[Tony T]

HEAVY !!

They're actually no heavier than a TT500 once you take the lights etc off it.
And everyone seems to accept the big old Yam as a "race bike", so I say go for it!! 

[TT5 Matt]

they imported 2 models of these bikes 1 with all the road gear and 1 without much road gear as it didnt pass adr's but it had alloy swinger/longer piggyback shocks and better forks,if thats the one you have then its a better base to start from.loose the boat anchor muffler and any other heavy items that can be replaced with light weight parts and there not a bad bike

[cloggy]

 I've got the DR400, the steel and ally swingarms interchange. The cheap DR400 mod in the UK is to put a set of Armstrong rotax 4 stroke army bike shocks on. They just happen to be 16.5" Ohlins. The Harley 350 shocks are probably the same. The bike got 3rd in the 83 Dakar. Last of the twinshocks and the smallest in the top 19
http://www.dakardantan.com/forum/photos-paris-alger-dakar-1983-vt1006-30.html   near the bottom of the page. I'd bore the yokes and shove in early 38s too, the stiffest Maico   springs go in, that's what hold up my bike. Piston rings for the 400 and 500 are identical, as are some of the bolt on bits.
 Tests at the time said the motor pulled better than the XR, it's probably tougher too.
 The UK never got it. We got everyone else's discounted 400s for a couple more years, yet another recession!
 In the USA the road going version of the 500 was designated the SP. As far as I can tell that model was sold as the euro DR. I doubt europe got the offroad version.

[Slakewell]

I had one back in the day I use to ride it to work. Fitted with Ohlins shocks. Forks were shit. It was as heavy as my EX wife and it used allot of fuel. Power was ok thou and with the Ohlins you could use it for casual trail riding.
Would I spend money to make into a VMX bike no.

[EML]

We won a Qld title on one-with an extra wheel -so they're not too heavy. We still have a couple racing and find them the most fun to play 'racing' on.
Give it to us and we will get a chair on it in no time flat. then get your ex (the fat one) in the chair and she'll lose weight quicker than you can find the dough to pay her out.

[James Lee]

Id be very keen on turning it into a side hack if your serious.My brother used to have a wasp outfit with a 750 honda 4 with 820 kit.He allways raves about it and when I told him about the sidecars at northgate his eyes lit up.What costs are involved in a conversion?

[TT5 Matt]

EML i like the part about slakewells ex still cant stop laughing about it

[bazza]

 RM forks and set GOOD shocks and reliable fun vmx bike. Take all excess off for weight,open up airbox?lighter pipe?

[oldfart]

James, they are a fun bike to ride and have a shit load of power from the bottom to mid throttle. Easy way to tell if you have a late model is that they have tapered top forks along with piggy back rear shocks 
There weak point is the carby  of which can be fixed by  tossing away the vacum set up and going with a flat slide.
See You Sunday.

[EML]

If you have a roller we can make an outfit for about a grand. I have a sidecar wheel and tyre and Wayne can build a chair for the cost of steel and alloy plus a bit for welding. We have one almost ready to go and if you like you can even try before you buy at Bidadababababa or Nudgee.
PM for details. AND bring your bother.

[James Lee]

Yes this one has the tapered forks and piggy back shocks.Im very impressed with the low down grunt,Ill bring it for a burn this weekend.I gave my brother my 83 RM125,he is keen on VMX now too so he will be there on the weekend.Just talked with him about the side car and he seems very keen.Would like to take you up on the offer of a test ride.They sure looked like allot of fun.Is the guy who got taken away in the ambulance OK?

[EML]

Ambo rides are optional not compulsary.