Issues with 88 CR500

[Husk72]

Guys,on the weekend I thought I'd clear the shed out,and get my 500 out into the sunlight for a look see.
It had been stored for 12 years.
Did a basic clean up,consisting of:
Stripped the carb down,cleaned it,checked it out and replaced it.
Changed the engine oil,drained the fuel tank and cleaned it out.
Flushed the radiator and checked for leaks or water flowing into the engine and coming out through the sump plug (left it sitting there for half a day and overnight,no leaks into the engine).
New spark plug.
Got all excited. Kicked it..... over and over and over.
Kicked the crap outta it,and the poof wouldn't start!

Ok,the issues I need some help with,and guidance if I'm doing things right.
The spark plug I put in there is a BR8ES,set with a .55mm gap.On checking NGK plug guide,it says the plug should be BR8EG,for racing. Is that a major factor?
Checked the plug for spark,got that.
Checked the kill switch,and wiring for shorts etc,all ok.
Last time I rode the bike I used premium petrol at a 20:1 mix,as the previous owner instructed me.Is this too rich?
Oh,forgot.The aircleaner foam had rotted out,and haven't replaced it.Have covered the area with a home made air cleaner,would this cause a problem in starting?Its standard air cleaner foam I use on my DTs.
Any ideas or assistance would be greatly appreciated.


                                                   Cheers,Mark.

[Power Stand]

CR500 are a prick to start at the best of times. They need a bit of priming.

If you join this web site you can see the starting drill for the big 500. Water pump area is an issue with the earlier CR500 due to the housing has magnesium and reacts with coolant. Use distilled water and drain after each ride.

Pull the small water pump cover off and see if it’s blocked with gunk or eaten away.

http://cr500riders.com/cgi/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1132062351

http://media.putfile.com/Crankin-up

[Hoony]

to start it , pull the plug out and either do one of the two things below

:- spray "Aerostart" or "Start ya Bastard" down the plug hole

or

:- pour a little bit of two stroke fuel down plug hole

put plug back in and give it a big kick (i make sure it is just over TDC before i kick mine)

it should fire up. like power stand said they need to be primed, its not like starting a 250

[frostype400]

you could always sell if it gets to hard

[Power Stand]

to start it , pull the plug out and either do one of the two things below

:- spray "Aerostart" or "Start ya Bastard" down the plug hole

or

:- pour a little bit of two stroke fuel down plug hole

put plug back in and give it a big kick (i make sure it is just over TDC before i kick mine)

it should fire up. like power stand said they need to be primed, its not like starting a 250

Merti in all that, a little fuel down the plug hole would work well. It needs some vapor in the lung.

[Husk72]

Thanks guys.
Priming it was the trick.I knew about getting it to tdc. When I bought it off the previous owner he showed me a handful of times how to kick it over.
Thanks Power Stand for tip on water pump,did exactly like you said and removed cover. Still virgin in there, but changed to water anyway.
Ahhh Frosty, you're not in the hunt for one are you? Thought you was after a TM400.
Thanks again for the feedback guys.

                                            Cheers,Mark.

[frostype400]

Hey Mark got it going that is good nah not really after a cr got a rm400 bitsa to make though and still after a tm400 not desperatly though the rm400 is the only vmxer in my shed thanks Michael.

[Husk72]

Hey ya Michael,yeah I kinda was at loose ends starting the thing.
Don't give up on that RM400, witnessed one up in the evo class at VMX Nats and she flew. Although the rider (not gunna mention names) was on fire.
Since being on OZVMZ I've seen your posts searching for TM400s and I personally would love to get ahold of one but,so far no luck.
Keep hunting mate,ones bound to pop up somewhere.


                                         Cheers,Mark.

[frostype400]

Hi Mark i am keen to find one no rush though i am only 16 and i have about 7 to do up now so get the ones i have done first rm400 would be good i reckon id be happy with a 1975 tm400 even though they aint eligable for pre74 i dont get many chances to race cr500's are beasts but i am happy with my pe400's for what i do they are so fun on trails kept with my mates wr450f alright thanks Michael.

[Wood Duck Racer]

Mark,

The only way i can get my 88 CR500 to start after it's been sitting around is to take the drain plug off the carby, turn the on fuel for a second or two, put the drain plug back in, usally after 3 kicks it's all good.  I also find if you don't get top dead centre when you kick it over you can be there all day.

[frostype400]

i have found the beast way to start my big bores is two or three big kicks with choke and some throttle then if it hasnt started three really quick but hard kicks with the kickstart half way up seems to work good whatever does it is good once they are warm they go good

[Husk72]

Thanks Woody,and Michael. Every bit of advice on how to start the thing is appreciated,so's next time I'll have more options to try.
Funny thing with starting them big bores Frosty.I have absolutely no problems kicking the IT490 over.Same principle you've descibed,bit of choke,bit on the accelerator,couple half kicks and she's running.
Thanks to all,for the advice,kinda priceless you guys.


                                           Cheers,Mark.