CR480 About To Rock

[Tahitian_Red]

Finally decided to "man up" this season and race one of the CR480's. 

[090]

Nice one mate. My weapon of choice also, i like the broad power band on them. What do you call the class it runs in and what is the cut off year?

[Tahitian_Red]

In the States, for AHRMA racing, it runs in the Ultima 500 class.  The cut off is basically 1983, but the 1984 Husky 500, Maico (M-Star) 500, RM500 and YZ490 run in the class also because it is limited to bike models that were produced and sold without disc brakes.  No KX's after 1982.


I've added a 38mm Mikuni, ProForm Pipe and a PVL ignition.   The forks have modified damper rods and I'm trying out a Works Performance shock that came one of my other 480's.  Hopefully I can hang on for 5 laps.   

[Hoony]

Very Nice 480 Red, my favorite aircooled big bore honda.

[holeshot buddy]

looks great nice model that one
i think they were better than the
84 cr500
how do you like the kickstart

[bultokid]

Hey Red, very nice 480. How do you like the Pro-Form pipe ? I'm waiting on mine to come in and replace the DG. Also the Mik 38 flatslide works great on it as do the RaceTech emulators. I broke down and ordered the Ohlins (just came in) . Frame and sliders are off at powdercoaters right now getting ready for '09 season. Is that a Hi-Flite seat on her ?

[Tahitian_Red]

Hey Bultokid,

I'll let you know how the combo really works after the AHRMA Arizona season opener this weekend.   

What kind of jetting specs are you using with the Mikuni Flatslide and DG pipe?

[bultokid]

Try these as I'm in Houston so should be close

’83 CR480 
main – 320
pilot – 40
neddle – 6FJ40 
slide – 4.0
jet neddle – 389 Q-8

[crabman]

Tahitian Red
Hi Bud, kinda expected to meet up with you at Speedworld this last weekend. I had not considered that you would be racing this weekend as opposed to last. Anyway I raced at Speedway in the AVDRA race, I managed a 3rd in the over 40 class. I have hardy ridden because of long standing business commitments. I thought I rode reasonably well. However I am stiff, very stiff. I was set to ride two classes, namely the 250 and 500. On my first lap coming out of a left hander the throttle jammed on the face of a step up jump. By the grace of God I was not hurt, it was frightening. Prior to the first heat, I tried to sort out the cable routing, was not to succesful, I decided after another hair raising moto not to ride the second heat. I enjoyed the opportunity of riding the RM 500, ABSOLUTELY an immaculately prepped bike. I think that it is considerably heavier than my CR 480 (like yours). I was amazed at the performance of the Maico's - they were amazing. I am going to get my 1973 and 1978 R 250 RACE ready for our local season as well as my CR 480 OR CR 500 aircooled. Before I race either bike I want to see if I can get my Maico 490 set up properly like these guys here in the USA.
PS if you need jetting specs for your Honda mine is dialled in for coastal altitude/ea level  riding.
Good Luck next weekend, I am returning to South Africa on Friday.
Regards
Gavin Williams

[Tahitian_Red]

Gavin,

I'm glad you had a great time!  Dave and his crew put on great events.  I could only get away after Feb. 2nd, so I couldn't make both AZ events.  Have a safe trip home and I'll e-mail you for the jetting numbers.  Thanks!

[Tahitian_Red]

Well cancel the big premier. 

I'm having PVL issues and it's not worth travel 12 hours with a bike that may or may not start.  I'll get it straightened out when I get back and report the reults.

[bultokid]

Red, I know this sounds stupid but.......I put a new PVL on the '86 M-Star 500 and it drove me nuts, made sure all connections were tight, then made sure all powder coat was ground off coil mount and all engine mount points....still nada PVL was very cool and helpful over the phone said send it back maybe a bad one even though all checked out with the ohmmeter. Well I refused to believe that it was bad as had used several PVL's on other bike all worked fine. SO went over it all again and found that one of the 2 wires was little loose on coil mount even though it appeared snug. Took it off crimped it down a little where it fit tighter than frogs hair, put it back on and first kick...BOOM fired right up....talk about feeling stupid.

[090]

Why use a pvl on a Honda? I can understand up grading from points, but i would think that oem electrics would be up to the task??

[Tahitian_Red]

090,

Back in the day one of the tricks on the 83 CR480's was to fit them with Motoplats, because the stock ignition shuts down after the midrange.  (S-D racing made these kits.) This also allowed you to run a flywheel weight that stopped the tendency to stall in slow corners.  I have one of these kits, but didn't want to run the Motoplat, because they do not make them anymore.  PVL makes a kit for the CR480 and has flywheel weights available.

I have lots of articles, info and tips at my CR480 Yahoo Group if anyone wants to join.  I've opened it up to any owners of Air-Cooled, Big-Bore, 2-Stroke Hondas (including Mugens)

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/CR480/


I think I can get past my PVL problems, but I installed a motor from one of my other CR480's, because it was "fresher" and there seems to be excessive compression, which prevents giving the motor a good spin with the kick-starter.  I thought maybe I was just used to 125's and 250's, but pushing it and bump starting it in 3rd or even 4th gear just resulted in one hit and then the tire skidding.  I'll deal with that when I get back from Arizona.  The mighty CANned-hAM will just have to save my lazy arse again.
 

[STW996]

PVL? fly wheel weights? I just use the clutch Power shuts down mid range?? I am not a factory rider so I would not know, can't beat the standard stuff for reliability I say. As for the starting problem have you heard about drilling the 1/16 inch hole from the exhaust port into the cylinder? makes them a lot easier to start (I can atest to that).

Shane