Old School still rules

[Sensei]

For those lucky enough to have had or still have a Old school 500cc single then you will rememeber one of these .. Mate is doing some work on the bike pictured below , a 1979 XR500A that has being fully restored to even better than standard . I was lucky enough to take it up the road for a very carefull ride due to the fact it only had 50ks on a fully rebuilt motor & knowing how much time & effort had gone into getting this bike to where it is now , but what a great bit of kit . Very torquey motor with lots more to come once run in & it gets the supertrapp installed along with road gear & tyres it should be one sweet summer thumper , along with my Motard 79-TT500G afew other mates are getting their bikes ready as well a 1980 DR400T & a 84 XR500 roll on Summer Sinlges .. Hope a afew enjoy the pis

[maxlev]

Had an XL500S mid 80's, did about 80,000 km on it, crapped off in the gravel hard out in 4th, was sore for many weeks.
Traded an old grey XL350 with 420 kit, wish I still had it.

Might be bit hard finding the 23 inch front tyres for the 500 now.

[helenoftroy]

Sigh!!:violin:

That is one classic looking XR - nice !

Only bike I ever brought new was a XL500S when I was 22, did we have some adventures....& I mastered kick-starting the gorgus beast very quickly!

My 21yr old son has a XR650 atm

[240]

I had an 84 mono shock xl500r.Grouse bike but a bastard to start! the first day i got it i went to get some beer from the local bottle store.
Outside were some "hard" core bikers (on triumphs of course) looking at the lad on the jappa.
I got a six pack and hopped on the xl (no elec start) kicked it over and it hit back at me so hard that it ripped my shoe in half and tore my jeans up the calf.!
I remember slowly getting off as if I had forgotten something,I didn't look at any one and walked around the corner as staunch as and then fucken collapsed and I could hear those arseholes laughing as I leaned on a wall trying to regain composure.
Auto decompression? my arse!
I mastered starting it once my calf healed and it was a fucken grouse bike.:yes:

[Paul in NZ]

Man - thats great to see. Those things were everywhere once. Good to see it looking so well loved!

[Banditbandit]

Yeah nice .. but old school? I thought this thread was going to be about Manx Nortons and BSA Gold Stars ...

Those are newish bikes as far as I'm concerned.

[Edbear]

Yeah nice .. but old school? I thought this thread was going to be about Manx Nortons and BSA Gold Stars ...

Those are newish bikes as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah, at my old school the boys had Matchless and AJS 500's. The rich kids had the Triumph 650's and I was poor and had a BSA B31... :bye:

[Banditbandit]

Yeah, at my old school the boys had Matchless and AJS 500's. The rich kids had the Triumph 650's and I was poor and had a BSA B31... :bye:

Same ... but I had a B33 (plunger frame model - 1950 ...) The I graduated to a 650 Trumpy

[Edbear]

Same ... but I had a B33 (plunger frame model - 1950 ...) The I graduated to a 650 Trumpy

Yeah, I lusted after the 650's esp the irridescent green but my next bike was a T500 from a mate who was going to Aus, hence my love affair with Suzuki's began.

[Crasherfromwayback]

For those lucky enough to have had or still have a Old school 500cc single then you will rememeber one of these .. Mate is doing some work on the bike pictured below , a 1979 XR500A

While the XR500's go quite well, they can't hold a candle to your Yam as far as looks go mate!

[Indiana_Jones]

mmmm old bikes :)

Looks very nice.

As with some of the others here, I'm a fan of the old Brit junk :yes:

Sadly I can only afford a Hinckley Triumph, funny isn't it? lol

-Indy

[Banditbandit]

Yeah, I lusted after the 650's esp the irridescent green but my next bike was a T500 from a mate who was going to Aus, hence my love affair with Suzuki's began.

I must admit that before I got into the Brits (or even bought a bike) I liked the Suzuki 250 I think it was called a Hustler (or was that the 125) ... it was a twin .. much like a smaller Titan 500 ...

Then I discovered "cool" and went Brit ... and my Trumphy was irridescent Green .. it was an after-market job tho'

Now I own two Suzukis ...

[SPman]

Yeah nice .. but old school? I thought this thread was going to be about Manx Nortons and BSA Gold Stars ...

Those are newish bikes as far as I'm concerned.All a matter of perspective....to most people on here, this is old school. Goldies etc are prehistoric!

[Edbear]

I must admit that before I got into the Brits (or even bought a bike) I liked the Suzuki 250 I think it was called a Hustler (or was that the 125) ... it was a twin .. much like a smaller Titan 500 ...

Then I discovered "cool" and went Brit ... and my Trumphy was irridescent Green .. it was an after-market job tho'

Now I own two Suzukis ...

The 250 was the Hustler, the 125 twin was the Stinger, My cousin had the 125 with the upswept pipes. I loved it! My B31 was a '51 and the plunger model.

[Edbear]

All a matter of perspective....to most people on here, this is old school. Goldies etc are prehistoric!

Hey! Who you callin' pre-historic! :angry:

[Sensei]

I am very lucky to have my Mentor who has being restoring & building old Brit etc bikes for over 30ys & specialises in BSA B31's etc 350 & 500cc Goldies singles which I get to try out when ever I go to visit , which is fairly regularly .. & I have given him my TT500 to take out for a blast to show him how it goes compared to his sweet 5undys he has .. As well as my TT500 I have just brought a 77XT500D for VMX which is getting Ohlins shocks a Pe400 swingarm I'm fabricating into the back end ready for summer racing . Have to agree with ya Pete the XR's where always abit quicker than my stock TT/XT500's back in the day but not by much . Tryed 540-580cc kits in 4 of the 6 XT/TT's I'v owned with mixed results even worse when I tryed Methenol on a the 580cc Kit didn't work to well as I could hardly start it ! LOL Better put a pic of my lastest XT 5undy beast which makes excellent trenches in my back paddock .

[unstuck]

Two very nice looking bikes. Great pics too,cheers.:yes:

[Crasherfromwayback]

. Have to agree with ya Pete the XR's where always abit quicker than my stock TT/XT500's back in the day but not by much . Better put a pic of my lastest XT 5undy beast which makes excellent trenches in my back paddock .

Very nice mate! Look forward to seeing you at a VMX meeting one day soon then. I'm thinking I may race my CR after all. Sourced some Fox Factory Forx from ebay, and may put a Mugen rep s/arm in it with the Fox Air Shox I have lying around...that, or simply race the next RM400N I have being built for me! Geezer in the first pic is pretty keen. He's racing a 400N in Australia, buy the guy in Arizona that builds mine for me.

242882242880242881

[kiwifruit]

The TT looks great. Both are super tidy, well done. Thanks for pics

[Edbear]

The TT looks great. Both are super tidy, well done. Thanks for pics

+1 !!! :yes:

[Sensei]

[QUOTE=Crasherfromwayback;1130107520]Very nice mate! Look forward to seeing you at a VMX meeting one day soon then. I'm thinking I may race my CR after all. Sourced some Fox Factory Forx from ebay, and may put a Mugen rep s/arm in it with the Fox Air Shox I have lying around...that, or simply race the next RM400N I have being built for me! Geezer in the first pic is pretty keen. He's racing a 400N in Australia, buy the guy in Arizona that builds mine for me.

I see you looking at the Fox shocks on Trademe I bid to $900 , afew sets on E-Bay but they weren't a great shock then or today .. Had some on a PE400 I use to have with RM topend , they would shit themself all the time & once they got hot lost most of their damping which wasn't very controlled to start with .. Your RM/CR look sweet Pete just about to nice to ride . A guy here has a shed with heaps of odd big bore 2strokes Maico's /Husqvarna/CZ etc who is right into his VMX . I'm trying to get round to his place to check out some of these bike so will post some pictures once I have visited ... " Ya have lived till ya had a Single ! "

[Crasherfromwayback]

I see you looking at the Fox shocks on Trademe I bid to $900 , afew sets on E-Bay but they weren't a great shock then or today .. Had some on a PE400 I use to have with RM topend , they would shit themself all the time & once they got hot lost most of their damping which wasn't very controlled to start with ..! "

No mate. Hate to disagree with you, but Fox Air Shox once set up correctly are fucking fantastic. Can you imagine being able to run factory GP quality Ohlins shocks & forks on your track day bike now days?

In the day (late 70's to very early 80's), even factory moto-x teams used them. Now, you and I can buy the same shit the factory teams used in the day.

Yes modern Ohlins spring/oil shocks etc are better, and you'd fucking well hope so. But period shit is the way to go I reckon, and Fox Shox rule for looks and performance.

[eelracing]

Very nice mate! Look forward to seeing you at a VMX meeting one day soon then. I'm thinking I may race my CR after all.


Bring it on Pete...the more the merrier mate.But does Rach know your taking over her ride:shit:

MOMCC have got a track bash coming up at Himatangi on the 21st this month.
They want to run a VMX class but it's going to depend on numbers...get both of the old beasts out,oh yeah and the bikes too.:shutup:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Bring it on Pete...the more the merrier mate.But does Rach know your taking over her ride:shit:

MOMCC have got a track bash coming up at Himatangi on the 21st this month.
They want to run a VMX class but it's going to depend on numbers...get both of the old beasts out,oh yeah and the bikes too.:shutup:

She's having her own built mate...I'm thinking of using mine, as I sold the 4 hundy...waiting for another one to get built!

[Banditbandit]

The 250 was the Hustler, the 125 twin was the Stinger, My cousin had the 125 with the upswept pipes. I loved it! My B31 was a '51 and the plunger model.

I had a mate with the 125 - with upswept pipes ... it was the first bike I rode on as a pillion .. and once he let me ride it on the front ...

[Sensei]

Yea Pete don't doubt they are excellent when sorted mine weren't tho & to be fair back 25+ys I didn't know fuck all about anything apart from going as fast as I could .... Still love the look of them hence I bid on the auction but wasn't going to pay more then another set of new Ohlins which don't look out of place on the TTor the XT even today .

[jasonu]

[QUOTE=Crasherfromwayback;1130107520], buy the guy in Arizona that builds mine for me.

AZmikes by any chance???

[Crasherfromwayback]

[QUOTE=Crasherfromwayback;1130107520], buy the guy in Arizona that builds mine for me.

AZmikes by any chance???

Yo mate. Nah...he's waaaaay too dear. I can get any early model Suzuki RM built for me (including the donor bike!!!) for only $4500.00.

[martybabe]

My Father in Law gave me his XT500 way back when, he'd only had it about six months from new but he could never master the kick start. Poor bloke used to go purple in the face trying to crank it over :facepalm:. I have to say that it started first time every time for me, then again I did read the instructions.

Great memories, thanks for posting.

[Edbear]

My Father in Law gave me his XT500 way back when, he'd only had it about six months from new but he could never master the kick start. Poor bloke used to go purple in the face trying to crank it over :facepalm:. I have to say that it started first time every time for me, then again I did read the instructions.Great memories, thanks for posting.

You mean you cheated..? :yes:

[scumdog]

Had a XL350 in a past life, great for getting into hunting areas - and getting there at pace.

Not so great to pick up in a steep muddy gully...:shutup:

[ukusa]

brings back memories of a ride several of us did into the Lake Sumner area back in the 80's. I was riding an XR350RE, other I remember going in with were a PE175, XT400, TT600, XR250. I have some old photos somewhere, maybe time to hunt them out. Used to stay at the old no.2 hut (well since gone).

[Sensei]

Abit more 80's porn .... this time a brand new complete unput together geniune 3" Supertrapp muffler .. If ya had a TT / XR / DR or big single then this was the only thing to have at the end of the exhaust .. Apart from the 3 I already have 1 on each of the TT & XT 500's this will be put in the cupboard with the 28+ spare s/steel rings & other spare parts to keep the others going not that they need alot of attention .... Run 20 plates on the TT & 26 on the XT which has a 1-3/4" header so it is very loud which is how it should be for a VMX dirt digger ..

[Crasherfromwayback]

Abit more 80's porn .... this time a brand new complete unput together geniune 3" Supertrapp muffler .. If ya had a TT / XR / DR or big single then this was the only thing to have at the end of the exhaust ..

Nice work...and too true! I must post a couple of pics of some nice bits I found on Ebay for my next RM400...

[Crasherfromwayback]

244242244243244244
Abit more 80's porn ......

And some more! Fox Factory Forx. I finally found a set!!! 44mm tubes, and 13" of travel. Whoop whoop! Pluse a nice set of period correct restored Ohlins for the old girl. Can't wait till the bike arrives.

[Sensei]

Great find with the forks Pete ... love the Ohlins .. Have PE400 swingarm to go into the XT next so I will see how things go this weekend being awhile since I last did one so will take my time .. Look forward to seeing ya new Machine when done ... I have a exhaust system to build for a mates XR500R Prolink as well as a DR400 system then a Alloy rear subframe for a road bike not enough hours in aday but love fabricating stuff myself & it helps with
the extra cash ..

[Crasherfromwayback]

Great find with the forks Pete ... love the Ohlins .. Have PE400 swingarm to go into the XT next so I will see how things go this weekend being awhile since I last did one so will take my time .. Look forward to seeing ya new Machine when done ... I have a exhaust system to build for a mates XR500R Prolink as well as a DR400 system then a Alloy rear subframe for a road bike not enough hours in aday but love fabricating stuff myself & it helps with
the extra cash ..

Cheers...can't wait to get it all sorted. Make sure you post pics of your work as you go...I love seeing stuff like that coming together!

[thumper13]

The TT500 G is a 1980 , rebuilding one now and am looking for an ally tank if anyone has one

[Crasherfromwayback]

The TT500 G is a 1980 , rebuilding one now and am looking for an ally tank if anyone has one

Ebay is your friend Bro

[Sensei]

The TT500 G is a 1980 , rebuilding one now and am looking for an ally tank if anyone has one

My TT is NZ registered 1979 so one of the first to be sold .... as above with what Pete has said E-bay .. have brought all my NOS gear from there , One place I deal with has 5 Warehouses 3 stores high of Yamaha parts new & secondhand & they sell back to Japan .... Just got brand new NOS sidecovers & Supermotard front fender the same as my TT's from them for my 77- XT500 VMX ... plenty of tanks for sale but most will have the odd dent to sort out tho ...

[insomnia01]

:drool::drool::drool: Had a PE 175X model in my day while all my buddies where riding prolinks then moved onto a PE 250T which had a fully blue printed & balanced motor of some sort ( brought already all done up so unsure of true spec's ) absolute evil bike on the road, would be great to do something like that now but motard it :2guns::2guns: look forward to your progress, just brings back so many memories might have to look around myself :shifty:

[Sensei]

:drool::drool::drool: Had a PE 175X model in my day while all my buddies where riding prolinks then moved onto a PE 250T which had a fully blue printed & balanced motor of some sort ( brought already all done up so unsure of true spec's ) absolute evil bike on the road, would be great to do something like that now but motard it :2guns::2guns: look forward to your progress, just brings back so many memories might have to look around myself :shifty:

Done that with both my PE250T & 400, modified heaps .... don't go there have put alot of big 2strokes onto the road , all end up with the same problems .. piston failure & rooted big ends .. just not built to be held at high RPM's for long amount of time ... Still shit loads of fun till they cook themself ..

[Crasherfromwayback]

Done that with both my PE250T & 400, modified heaps .... don't go there have put alot of big 2strokes onto the road , all end up with the same problems .. piston failure & rooted big ends .. just not built to be held at high RPM's for long amount of time ... Still shit loads of fun till they cook themself ..

If you want a gorgeous unmolested 79 CR250 to race...sadly, mine has to go

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=401803637

[Pseudonym]

Cool, my old boss had a XR500, and probably still has.
But as for old school, I have a Velocette Venom in need of engine cases, which should be fun to start once complete.
Last big bike I kicked over was a Gilera Saterno 500, not something I wish to repeat.
It’s so nice having a button!

[shrub]

I had a TT500 back in the early 80s - lovely bike. Weighed a ton, but once you got the hang of it, starting was always 1 kick (excluding getting the piston in the right place). I won many a jug with challenging people to start it in 1 kick. Everyone thought they could and almost nobody did.

A few years ago it crossed my mind to buy one and build a cafe racer - then I saw how much they were selling for, so that was the end of that idea.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Abit more 80's porn .... this time a brand new complete unput together geniune 3" Supertrapp muffler ..

Thought you might be interested in this one on TM mate...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/performance/auction-402183493.htm

[Sensei]

Yea Pete have on watchlist but have 4 now along with the brand new one I have just shown on this post but will grab it if I feel like it .. Your CR250 is very sweet & a shame to see going for such alow price but , I know all to well when ya want something bad enough something has to give to make way for it ... Can ya tell me where I can find when /where the VMX meets are ? , have joined the NZ VMX Livewire site but not alot of info there about them .

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yea Pete have on watchlist but have 4 now along with the brand new one I have just shown on this post but will grab it if I feel like it .. Your CR250 is very sweet & a shame to see going for such alow price but , I know all to well when ya want something bad enough something has to give to make way for it ... Can ya tell me where I can find when /where the VMX meets are ? , have joined the NZ VMX Livewire site but not alot of info there about them .

Yeah well...I've got a new one coming for Rachel, and another RM400N being built for me. So it has to go for now. I'd rather sell the bike, than the Fox Forx I finally found! Hopefully I'll be able to find another one as nice next year to put back in the lounge!

email me here at home mate...then I'll be able to send you any stuff I get about meets etc.

ren668@xtra.co.nz

Pete

[Sensei]

[QUOTE=Crasherfromwayback;1130138158]Yeah well...I've got a new one coming for Rachel

LOL Have the same interest in bikes & the same named partner , my ladys name is rachelle also Nice !!

[Crasherfromwayback]

[QUOTE=Crasherfromwayback;1130138158]LOL Have the same interest in bikes & the same named partner , my ladys name is rachelle also Nice !!

Funny as! If she's anything like mine...you're a lucky man!!!

[slowpoke]

LOL Have the same interest in bikes & the same named partner , my ladys name is rachelle also Nice !!


[QUOTE=Sensei;1130138311]

Funny as! If she's anything like mine...you're a lucky man!!!

You guys should swap!
















Bikes, ya dirty buggers.

[Sensei]

Well got afew hours spare so pulled the backend out of the XT so I could get the new swingarm in there & get some messurements for the spacers & to check alinement of the chain & shock mounts .... from doing this 25ys back I know that it wasn't to far from stock so wasn't to much of a pain to do ... Should have written down spacer sizes etc back then but ya don't think about that at the time like you do know adays ... So afew pictures of the PE400 swingarm in place I must say looks bloody tasty , this week I'll get my machineshop to make up the spacers & new swingarm axle & then its off to RT's for some more Ohlins to finish it off ..

[Crasherfromwayback]

So afew pictures of the PE400 swingarm in place I must say looks bloody tasty , this week I'll get my machineshop to make up the spacers & new swingarm axle & then its off to RT's for some more Ohlins to finish it off ..

Looks fucking choice in there! You may have to file away a bit of alloy from the swingarm in front of the shock mount so the spring collar doesn't snag it on full shock compression.

[Stylo]

Nice Bikes and, I too bought the new XL500 twin shock for $2750 in late '79 ( from memory the XR500 was about $100 more ? )

Probably when the death knell started sounding for the big strokes like my old DT360 ...

[Sensei]

Looks fucking choice in there! You may have to file away a bit of alloy from the swingarm in front of the shock mount so the spring collar doesn't snag it on full shock compression.

Yea Pete ... the RM250 at Rob's has had the front of the main plate ground to allow more room , as I will be doing to this one ... After putting the original swingarm back in it looks reallly short & small . May look at putting my Twin muffler system I built for my TT onto the XT yet will have to see how things go ..

[Sensei]

Well raining on sunday so thought since I will not be riding anything I may as well see about fitting my 38mm Mikuni I have had sitting in my things to do draw in the shed .... not only did it fit straight up but it started & idled after the
2nd kick , once warm it showed sign's of the pilot jet being to lean so will change it out with afew sizes bigger & then check the plug for top end which should be to far of as I have put 1 size smaller main jet than what is in the original carby so overall very happy with the new carb & can't wait till I can get it fully sorted & road test .....more to come !!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Choice! Big ride coming up soon. Pity our bikes won't be here for it...

[Crasherfromwayback]

.. Your CR250 is very sweet .

Check Rachel's out...it's all but finished!!247945247944

[Sensei]

Looks very nice Pete

[Crasherfromwayback]

Looks very nice Pete

She'd better let me ride it!!

[eelracing]

Can ya tell me where I can find when /where the VMX meets are ? , have joined the NZ VMX Livewire site but not alot of info there about them .

Just scroll down abit...http://livewire.gen.nz/livewireblog/?cat=4&eventDisplay=upcoming Rd 1 Halcombe October 16th.

[Sensei]

Well all going well the 77 XT500D will get its first taste of racing 2moro at a flat track maze paddock race .... Got the Ohlins fitted 2day & set up , then rejetted the carb main to 280# for abit more top end .... Looking forward to it , hope the body doesn't let me down to much .... Being afair while since I have raced on the dirt so will take it fairly easy & see how I go .. Pic of the old girl

[pritch]

Well all going well the 77 XT500D will get its first taste of racing 2moro at a flat track maze paddock race ....


So - howdit go?

Oh, and how many bikes have you got there now? You'll soon be needing a bigger shed.

[Sensei]

Well day started with me riding the bike down the side of Mountian Rd to the 3A intersection where the racing was, got afew funny looks ride across the main road into the parking area .. Setup bike on stand & fueled up with race fuel rechecked oil & had a quick drink then down to the start line for first 10 lap blast , My bike which is 34ys old all the others were 2000-2011 CRF YZF KXF 250-450 stood out alot LOL , so thought Oh well haven't raced for near 10ys so I will just follow everyone else round . Starter held his arm up & bikes all reved there arse off with me sitting right at the back of the 38 bike racing , rope goes flying across in front of us & we are off .. plenty of dirt flying & off to the first corner which was a 4th gear tapped left hander Fuck I'm mid field yehar the next 10lap all seemed to go very quickly with some unreal feet up dirfts round the 2k course .. white flag then finish flag out & I ended up about 20th out of 38 bikes very happy . Next race more of the same mid pack again , 3rd race mised my start & ended up lining up with the Senior Pro's bugger 45+ bikes the pace was unreal with the front runners laping me in the 12 laps but still had came in around 30th place ... Afew thumb's up from some of the young & older guys with my effort ... Last race for me was another 12 lapper & the track had gotten fairly cut up into the coners but still got myself into the middle/end of the feild of riders . All in all a excellent day for me & the body held up way better than I thought , nothing sore at all to day so went out my back paddock & did afew more laps 2nite ... VMX racing is looking well on the cards & will see about getting me & the bike there after abit more modifications to it ... Go The 500 !!!!

[Sensei]

Well though the my XT & the TT may need a new friend so it just so happend one came up in town so now have another .. a 81-TT500H , bike is in pretty good original condition for its age , have changed over my road gear off my 79 TT500 onto it so I can test it out round the local back roads with my mate on his XR500RE ...

[Edbear]

I'm only a wee bit envious! :first:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Love yer work mate!

[Renegade]

Check Rachel's out...it's all but finished!!

that looks mint, bet its all muddy now :jerry:

[Crasherfromwayback]

that looks mint, bet its all muddy now :jerry:

Nah..it's not here yet. The Geezer that bulds them for us is building me a new RM400N, and when it's done, we'll ship them together.

[Pedrostt500]

I went to have a look at a yamaha DT3 last night, but allas it was just a bit to much of a basket case for me to do any justice to it, it would have been ok as a spare parts bike.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Well though the my XT & the TT may need a new friend so it just so happend one came up in town so now have another .. a 81-TT500H , bike is in pretty good original condition for its age , have changed over my road gear off my 79 TT500 onto it so I can test it out round the local back roads with my mate on his XR500RE ...

Oi...you NEED this swingarm mate! Trick.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ProFab-Yamaha-500-aluminum-swing-arm-XT-TT-SR-VMX-ahrma-vintage-motocross-/140659672815?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item20bff846ef

[Sensei]

Have a PE400 swingarm as well as this RM400N Banana swingarm so have more than enough parts , have seen that though thanks Pete

[Crasherfromwayback]

Think that's 400C?

[Sensei]

I think your right there old Boy looked at auction & they thought it was off the same thing ..... Getting orange plastic's underway to make a TT500F as well as the 77 / 80 / 81 ...best thing about having afew spare bikes I can make what ever model I feel like still have a spare tank for the TT500E Yellow model ..

[Sensei]

Well as parts are turning up my next model TT is slowly taking shape ... this time a 79 TT500F Orange model , Tank is off to the painters next to be done to my look .. then to get a KTM rear fender to match the front KTM SX65 front guard & afew other bits & pieces & all should be ready . Next will be the last spare Alloy tank which will be done to a 78 TT500E Yellow , then I'll have pretty much covered the whole range apart from the TT500C which my 77XT500D may tranform into ?? not sure as she is pretty much original & looks good as is ... Picture of course or it didn't happen !!

[Sensei]

Well all parts here so it was time for another model change .... & must say the Orange 1979 F TT500 is now my Fav .. Enjoy I did taking it out for a showoff !!

[Crasherfromwayback]

The Yellow one (78?) is my fav. Gorgeous bike all the same.:love:

[pritch]

Lookin' good :yes:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Rach and I are rebuilding this nasty basket case 400T.258120

[Sensei]

Owned both the PE & RM 400T excellent bike in its day . Not many 1978 E's about so not that well known or seen so not alot like the Yellow . In say that the last spare alloy tank I have will be done to Yellow spec's to complete the full range of TT's ...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Looky looky what I got for my 400T race bike... will match the Fox Factory Forx nicely...258283

Were rebuilt for a 400N Brad Lackey was going to race, but didn't get used as he was sponsored by Works Performance at the time.

[bluebird]

I still remember my 1978 DT400 and 1973 RT360 if only they had made decent road tyres for them back then! :crazy:

[Sensei]

Well being awhile since finshing my TT500 Motard so have just picked up a new toy to Hotup ... A 1979 XL500S from out of Seattle USA with only 941 original miles on the clock , Parts list is aready well underway so will post up pictures as things move along .. But for now the as it is pic's ..

[Sensei]

Well while looking round Trademe happend to notice a Rare Carby sitting on the back of a SR500 engine , afew question asked & a quick finger on a buy now & I owned a Keihin Full Magnesium body CR Special race carb .... Yesterday was time to fit it , which took bit as a small gusset had to be trimmed down as did the cable holder but nothing to hard , once sort out for a shake down run through the back roads to check fueling & whether it has made any difference to the power .... OH He'll yes !!!!! Massive increase right from idle to full throttle & that was on pump gas not race fuel which the bike is tuned for , so looking forward to filling it up with Avgas ... Have a disc front end ready to put onto the bike after Xmas & still more stuff to do to my other XT & TT 500 as well , so plenty to keep me busy for next year ...
" Go the 5undys "

[Crasherfromwayback]

I owned a Keihin Full Magnesium body CR Special race carb .... "

Fucking horn!

[Sensei]

Well my Carb guy has let me buy some more of his very trick TT500 stuff , this time a very rare Whitebrothers Banana swingarm with all the parts for a great price considering there isn't many of these things in this condition left .. Some
pictures for the lovers of all things 80's Blingl

[Crasherfromwayback]

Well my Carb guy has let me buy some more of his very trick TT500 stuff , this time a very rare Whitebrothers Banana swingarm with all the parts for a great price considering there isn't many of these things in this condition left .. Some
pictures for the lovers of all things 80's Blingl

Very nice. Keep 'em coming mate!

[GSF]

Well while looking round Trademe happend to notice a Rare Carby sitting on the back of a SR500 engine , afew question asked & a quick finger on a buy now & I owned a Keihin Full Magnesium body CR Special race carb .... Yesterday was time to fit it , which took bit as a small gusset had to be trimmed down as did the cable holder but nothing to hard , once sort out for a shake down run through the back roads to check fueling & whether it has made any difference to the power .... OH He'll yes !!!!! Massive increase right from idle to full throttle & that was on pump gas not race fuel which the bike is tuned for , so looking forward to filling it up with Avgas ... Have a disc front end ready to put onto the bike after Xmas & still more stuff to do to my other XT & TT 500 as well , so plenty to keep me busy for next year ...
" Go the 5undys "

Fuck, I was looking at snaffling that CR up for my SR500. You lucky bastard! :)

[Sensei]

Been awhile since posting .... Have being enjoying my new VMX meetings here with the bike going very well & with the new swingarm I have put into the bike & some more of own tuning it is running really hard , VMX shed nite 2moro so will get afew pictures of one of the best collection in NZ of some of the koolest old bikes bar none .... Any ways pics or it didn't happen

[pete-blen]

Nice bike....
Going by the colour & decal , that wouldn't that have been the
first XT500 with the low pipe by any chance ??

[Temporary-Kiwi]

thread of memories

man those old 500s were small. i had a 17' on the back of my RC xr500 frankenstein. with the 23' on the front it was great on the gravel

[Sensei]

Nice bike....
Going by the colour & decal , that wouldn't that have been the
first XT500 with the low pipe by any chance ??

No Peter this is a 77 XT500D you are think of the 76 XT500C .... Used the XT500 as they have a rubber Cush sprocket drive so don't smash the hub's like my TT 's use to back in the day

[Sensei]

Couple pictures of the my 79 XL500s with new Supermotard front guard on , small XR400 tail light , 140/70/18 BT45 rear & still the only 23" front tyre made for these as per the original days a Bridgestone Trailwing excellent & have used one of my 5 brand new Genuine 3" Supertrapp mufflers that I have brought over the years & stashed in the cupboard , it sounds just as sweet as they did 34ys ago .

[rok-the-boat]

I had a various XRs in the 1980s and ran a rebuilt DR500 2006-11. Big singles are great. Never had a Yamaha but have ridden them - maybe the future ...

[Sensei]

Saturdays ride out on more of our back roads ... Had a new rider that joined us for the ride on his original 79XR500A which went as good as it looked , next ride his bother will come along on his 77 TT500 , so the numbers are getting bigger each outing , was an excellent ride apart from mate seizing his DR400T by running it out of oil which was strange as it started the ride with a full sump , we managed to baby it home but the motor is toast , anyone know of a 1980 DR400 T engine lets know . Picture of the lads having a refreshment break along the way at Huiroa School

[dino3310]

Saturdays ride out on more of our back roads ... Had a new rider that joined us for the ride on his original 79XR500A which went as good as it looked , next ride his bother will come along on his 77 TT500 , so the numbers are getting bigger each outing , was an excellent ride apart from mate seizing his DR400T by running it out of oil which was strange as it started the ride with a full sump , we managed to baby it home but the motor is toast , anyone know of a 1980 DR400 T engine lets know . Picture of the lads having a refreshment break along the way at Huiroa School

Go the XR's:headbang:
dont know of a 400 motor but theres a primo 1980 500 on terdme http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-590611212.htm

[Sensei]

Well have had a plan in my head for an exhaust for some time now & had the bits ... So yesterday was the day I got off my ass & built my idea .... First cut to bits a YZ450 DEP Power Bomb header throw away every thing but the Bomb section & the exhaust intake then got to work cutting & fabricating the front section of the heading , then tack into place the power bomb unit to we're I believe it should be from measurements I had worked out then trial fit & tack in place the rear section of the header along with the connection end .... Afew runs up & down the road till I was happy with the way the bike was performing with afew pipe length changes to try different lengths & power differences ... Once happy with what I had it was to finially make up the rear link section along with one of my spare 3" Supertrapps with 20 rings in it & a few trail runs with plug checks a main jet change & Hey Presto my idea worked ... Took it to a VMX ride 2day & the bike was hauling majorly ... All the guy were most impressed with the noticeable power increase since they know how well the bike went before I made my new exhaust system so the only bummer for the day was I ended up ripping the valve out of the rear tube ending with a flat tyre , but no problems there since the day was pretty much a test run for the pipe & a new chain tensioner system I designed for the White Brothers swing to keep the chain set right due to it being a bent design shape , chain setting is hard to achieve perfectly but now all sweet ... Added a pic of my 79 XL500A with her new Ohlins on just for looks. As usual pics to show the Goods

[Slorider]

Would be neat to have an 'official' yearly thumper muster like they do in oz aye,could be nrth isl meet co-insiding with a sth isl meet but include XR'S as well to make it more viable/interesting since they are both limited in number nowdays,who's keen?

[Sensei]

Have already sorted out all the guys here in NP with group rides ... But more the merryier .. There is a XT/TT Rustling web site as well with rides going also

[pritch]

I had started to wonder why I hadn't seen you on the road. All is becoming clear...

[Sensei]

Thought the shed needed abit more RED in it so found some to fill the space & to keep the other 5undys company
NICE !!!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Thought the shed needed abit more RED in it so found some to fill the space & to keep the other 5undys company
NICE !!!!

Nice work Bro! You trying to corner the 500cc four stroke market?:msn-wink:

[Sensei]

LOL yea Pete .... Heard that from afew of my mates & my very understanding partner ... but most of them I have gotten into buying one themselves & most of us own over 9 bike each also , so it is getting abit of a game now I believe
" the most toys wins " how is your VMX beast's coming along haven't seen much of them lately

[Crasherfromwayback]

LOL yea Pete .... Heard that from afew of my mates & my very understanding partner ... but most of them I have gotten into buying one themselves & most of us own over 9 bike each also , so it is getting abit of a game now I believe
" the most toys wins " how is your VMX beast's coming along haven't seen much of them lately

Dangerous (read expensive) game eh!

All good here mate. My RM400T race bike is getting close. Might see you at next years Johnny OLds VMX meeting? I'm determined to ride even if I have to us my SR!

291155

[Tazz]

Dangerous (read expensive) game eh!

All good here mate. My RM400T race bike is getting close. Might see you at next years Johnny OLds VMX meeting? I'm determined to ride even if I have to us my SR!

291155

Oh hell yeah. Why bring the beer fridge to the garage when you can bring the garage to the beer fridge :cool:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Oh hell yeah. Why bring the beer fridge to the garage when you can bring the garage to the beer fridge :cool:

Lol. I live on the 5th floor of an apartment complex mate. The lounge is my garage. The spare room too.:msn-wink:

[Slorider]

care to share any tips for doing an XR&TT mtr up improvement wise,also approx costs,tia.

[Sensei]

Hey Slorider yea could point you in the right direction & relitve costs but that is abit of an open book to were you want to end up .... Give me a bit of time to put together what I have tryed over the bikes etc I have & owned ...

[Slorider]

im sure that would be appreciated by many here-personally im just into strong&reliable rebuilds with good componentry (carrillo rod etc) as I generally hoard my goodys forever.......don't mind a bit of minor tweaking but prefer mods like enlarging oil passages where possible/appropriate/recommended.I have an old 500a that's been sitting 6 or 7yrs but something else allways seems to pop up when im able to do something with it-like the xr you jst got-congratulations on what appears to be a good buy-much nicer than the A model once you part with the reeds aye?

[Johny Brando]

For those lucky enough to have had or still have a Old school 500cc single then you will rememeber one of these .. Mate is doing some work on the bike pictured below , a 1979 XR500A that has being fully restored to even better than standard . I was lucky enough to take it up the road for a very carefull ride due to the fact it only had 50ks on a fully rebuilt motor & knowing how much time & effort had gone into getting this bike to where it is now , but what a great bit of kit . Very torquey motor with lots more to come once run in & it gets the supertrapp installed along with road gear & tyres it should be one sweet summer thumper , along with my Motard 79-TT500G afew other mates are getting their bikes ready as well a 1980 DR400T & a 84 XR500 roll on Summer Sinlges .. Hope a afew enjoy the pis

Roger That !............. I'm jumping the ditch & I'm on my way over in 4 weeks time ( 29th Jan ) to spend 4/5 weeks riding round N.Z. on an SR-500 I can't wait ! Luv my Singles ....have 2 SR-500's & a XT-500 & other bikes too... but big Singles are just amazing ...loads of Attitude & Character. I'm starting of in the North Island going to the big Classic meeting @ Hampton Downs then after a few days heading down to the South Island to spend the bulk of my time there. I hope to take in as many bike events as possible i.e. luv to see plently of Street Racing , Classic racing, Swap meets, Rallies etc etc so if any of you guy's can PM me or email direct at.... leeshelford@bigpond.com with any details on Bike events like these....well I'd really be grateful & very happy to maybe meet up have an have a Beer ...even link up for a ride would be good too.I have no fixed plans or itinery & I'm travelling on my own & camping most of the time .As you can image it's a bit hard for me to know where & when I should go, so any help you can offer will be great & it will help form the basis for my route & time table. Cheers , Johny Brando ;)

[Slorider]

Attn sensei-How about starting a new thread regarding thumper engine rebuilds with some of yr tips/advice.Im sure this will generate a lot of interest and the knowledge shared would no doubt be very beneficial to many.