XR500 (and similar) legends and lies thread

[10bikekid]

Page 1, let the lies begin

Will contribute the stories and pics from my 2x 1979 XR500's as time permits.

My Fav Shot, I wasn't big on safety back in 79 (not that an XR500 is every gona flip anyway:oi-grr: )
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/7c63110d-7a55-4949-9d00-a50dab087d02_zpsffd31b4e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/7c63110d-7a55-4949-9d00-a50dab087d02_zpsffd31b4e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7c63110d-7a55-4949-9d00-a50dab087d02_zpsffd31b4e.jpg"/></a>

[NordieBoy]

We need to get together and lie about the good old days of endless wheelies and legendary status :cool:
Wheelies?
<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/mybikes/racing/others/slides/20041212-123408.jpg>

<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/mybikes/racing/others/slides/20071021-173140-000288.jpg>

<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/mybikes/racing/others/slides/20080202-102849_01000.jpg>

<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/mybikes/racing/others/slides/20080202-140859_00259.jpg>

<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/dirt/20101212%20Fairhall%20Rd%20Xmas%20Classics/slides/20101212-141309-0175.jpg>

Legendary status?
<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/mybikes/racing/others/slides/20080202-141129_00253.jpg>

[dino3310]

im loving this thread already:headbang:

[T.W.R]

My old girl
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286705&d=1377221161

Playing up Ashburton lakes
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286704&d=1377221124

Mates at a race meeting at Woodford Glen 1980
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286706&d=1377221203

[NordieBoy]

Mates at a race meeting at Woodford Glen 1980
Ouch!

Talk about punishing the bikes!

[T.W.R]

Ouch!

Talk about punishing the bikes!

:lol: Them were the days when a enduro race was just a mix of XRs, TTs, the odd DR400 and the rest were KDXs. That was the biggest jump on the whole circuit. Circuits like Ogg's Farm & Teddington were where it got interesting basically just a series of hill climbs one after the other :cool: the ground used to literally shake with a full field of 40+ bikes thundering around :2thumbsup

Here's another pic from Woodford Glen an old RM250 getting pushed around by a new KX...there's a river just 20m behind them, the back straight ran beside it with no barrier to stop anyone from going in :wacko:

[merv]

I loved it in the 70's when we got international riders at Teddington and Woodford Glen - Rahier, Wantanabe and the like when the Suzuki 2 strokes ruled the roost just like that photo above. When do we see world champions racing here these days not counting Shayne King and Ben Townley. Back to topic, shame those guys didn't throw a leg over an XR500.

[fridayflash]

xr500s rule. and i'd give both testicles for a tidy original A model right about now:crazy:
i test rode this one last year..should bought it..

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=280214&d=1363764743

[fridayflash]

and yes it had the original pipe to go with it (new old stock)..and yes it wheelied beautifully!

[T.W.R]

I loved it in the 70's when we got international riders at Teddington and Woodford Glen - Rahier, Wantanabe and the like when the Suzuki 2 strokes ruled the roost just like that photo above.

Those photos were taken at the meeting when Suzuki NZ had Wantanabe there promoting the new RMs with Full Floater suspension :niceone: seeing him barrelling down the rear straight where the whoop de doos were was unbelievable...absolutely smooth as silk :cool:
John Woodley was there with some of the Malaysian GP team also as they were racing at Ruapuna the following weekend

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=22755&d=1135742431

[10bikekid]

Looks like we may have started something here, I'm finding it all a bit emotional all those memories flooding back :crybaby:
(perhaps when I get a hold of myself will actually post something)

Will also admit to an inner struggle to go and spend some money I do not have to go relive those good old days :facepalm:

In the mean time :corn:

[Sensei]

Funny how the old school bikes are becoming so popular now aday , good job there are still some tidy ones still left out there .... just have the XR 500A to go which is hopefully be in the shed very soon to keep the others company !

[10bikekid]

Now your just showing off :bleh:

Think this one might be for you http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=628022171

[Woodman]

Great thread, will go and dig up some xr500 photos (you know papery/cardboardy ones in an envelope) from the box in the shed and post em up.

[fridayflash]

Great thread, will go and dig up some xr500 photos (you know papery/cardboardy ones in an envelope) from the box in the shed and post em up.

eeeexcelent :corn::corn::corn:

[Racing Dave]

Paper photos scanned...

My Honda XL350 is of the era - in fact pre-XL/XR500. Here's mine in 1977 at Hobsonville, in what was a new subdivision then.

The other is my XR500 motor in an RM125Z frame (built for me by Peter Sales) at Wigram sometime in the '80s. This was in the "good old days" when we used to run open bike racing there at the weekends. Now, of course, that's a new subdivision.

Cheers

[helenoftroy]

Fantastic ! - TWR your shots bring back memories (was an Ashburton girl ) my brother & his mates, including Ross Horsborough racing motocross meets (Scrambles back then )

Only new bike I have ever owned was an XL500,I was 22 & I loved it.....:woohoo:

[thepom]

Is that you on the back wheel dave?...again...!

[T.W.R]

Fantastic ! - TWR your shots bring back memories (was an Ashburton girl ) my brother & his mates, including Ross Horsborough racing motocross meets (Scrambles back then )

Only new bike I have ever owned was an XL500,I was 22 & I loved it.....:woohoo:

Used to have heaps of pics from meetings around Canterbury; all the good old tracks :yes:. Got a few more up at the Ashburton lakes too.

geez just did a count on these damn things :facepalm: the XR500, 2x XR250s & 2x XL250sa :pinch:

[Kickaha]

The other is my XR500 motor in an RM125Z

Little bro bought one of those from Eric the Hood probably in the late eighties, got a ambulance ride the first night of ownership, lunched the motor two weeks later, got it rebuilt and we all thrashed it without mercy, not sure where it went in the end but it was a fun ride, had a bunch of HRC shit in it

[Racing Dave]

The first is a rather spirited two-up crossing of the Okuku River in Lees Valley, and the other taken on the road to French Pass, in the Marlborough Sounds, overlooking D'Urville Island.

[10bikekid]

Cool shots Dave :niceone:

One of the benefits of being, shall we say maturer, we have cool old pics :yes:

[brp]

Kool topic 10 - clothing a crack up - some of it looks few decades older than the bikes :D

[10bikekid]

Kool topic 10 - clothing a crack up - some of it looks few decades older than the bikes :D

Yer, some good shots being posted

your comments reminded me of this shot, the guy would kill me if he knew I posted (paints and boots from the 60s bikes from the 90s)
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/38b6c1c7-9c2a-4288-b46c-676bc33bb2ec_zpsf9a3f709.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/38b6c1c7-9c2a-4288-b46c-676bc33bb2ec_zpsf9a3f709.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 38b6c1c7-9c2a-4288-b46c-676bc33bb2ec_zpsf9a3f709.jpg"/></a>

And this pic of my Hallman Mach 5 desert racing body armour which I bought from the States in 80s that still does dirt bike duties today (unsure if its still considered modern but am to old to care)
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/5a371a1b-e2a2-4bd2-8203-08456022aef6_zps88457a7b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/5a371a1b-e2a2-4bd2-8203-08456022aef6_zps88457a7b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5a371a1b-e2a2-4bd2-8203-08456022aef6_zps88457a7b.jpg"/></a>

[10bikekid]

I promised a story so here goes, (you judge if its true or not)

Some of the locals had just purchased a brand new CR250M (red with red frame) and apparently it was the fastest thing on two wheels.
An unamed said XR500 owner was sort out so they could promptly embarrass him with their whole clan spectating at our local drag strip (near 1/4mile straight on the back road to the local prison)

Said XR rider agreed to a duel, and a start flag and girl member of family to wave it.

Two smoke and XR sit at start line revving, flag drops, XR immediately lifts its front wheel though rider is on tank trying to hold it down.
XR shift into 2nd wheel still in air cant see CR so shift into third wheel still aloft and considers if it time to hunker down and get serios, cant see CR so shift into 4th, no CR shifts into fifth and continues on finally dropping wheel as the need to brake as end of road looms, turns around and CR is still coming

XR 1 CR nil

Strange thing is they wanted a second chance so XR wheelie was repeated in the opposite direction with same result.
CR family went home a little dejected and never bothered XR rider again (sounds feasible ?)

This is actual road said event occurred on back in about 1980
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/463eadd5-7dbd-4151-90b3-ce3d6ac4f81c_zpsd272c19c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/463eadd5-7dbd-4151-90b3-ce3d6ac4f81c_zpsd272c19c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 463eadd5-7dbd-4151-90b3-ce3d6ac4f81c_zpsd272c19c.jpg"/></a>

Think this was the CR as they were sold as play bikes brand new into the 80s so easy meat for an XR500 really
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RLyzTqWU9ME" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[brp]

:laugh: He looks like a twin of a dude that use to do wednesday nite rides down here, steel caps and all, only exception is
he wore one of those bikie type black facemarks, he was like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica following behind, eyes only visible
part - leaving Diamond Harbour late one night wound the tap on the XR and a stone dislodged from the E07 rear and exploded
the big round headlight on his 900 trumpie :D

Yah look like an old hardcore MXer in ya kit :cool:


Mate reckons he had a twin carb xr250r that he had spent $2000 on back in the day
and it could take down an xr500 in a drag - could it be possible ?

[avgas]

Still the best era of trail bikes. New ones just look like shit. Monoshocks and fancy plastic.

[DR Girl]

Cool pics & stories.
A baby version of the XR500 :msn-wink:
My 1979 XR185. Ordered before the 185 was released in NZ & the first in HB. Nothing like perth gumboots, jeans & an open face for protection :shit:
You should see what I wear now lol !!!

[Waipukbiker]

Finally, photographic proof of Robyns mis-spent youth :nya:

[10bikekid]

:laugh: He looks like a twin of a dude that use to do wednesday nite rides down here, steel caps and all, only exception is
he wore one of those bikie type black facemarks, he was like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica following behind, eyes only visible
part - leaving Diamond Harbour late one night wound the tap on the XR and a stone dislodged from the E07 rear and exploded
the big round headlight on his 900 trumpie :D

Yah look like an old hardcore MXer in ya kit :cool:


Mate reckons he had a twin carb xr250r that he had spent $2000 on back in the day
and it could take down an xr500 in a drag - could it be possible ?

Thanks for the hardcore comments:D and in regard to xr250r, just to give an idea, XR500s were dynoid stock at 33,-34 rwhp, xr250r about 22rwhp, I doubt anything less than methonal breathing drag engine treatment would pull the extra 10rwhp required to allow the 250 to have a chance

I'm going to vote lies on that one

Just for interest sake the bikes my own XR500's conquered in drag contests, TT500, RD350, CB500four, KZ750twin and many smaller capacity victims (not boasting much :rolleyes: but actually never lost a drag and larger bikes were rare in those days and wasn't silly enough to seek out anything over 750cc)

[10bikekid]

Cool pics & stories.
A baby version of the XR500 :msn-wink:
My 1979 XR185. Ordered before the 185 was released in NZ & the first in HB. Nothing like perth gumboots, jeans & an open face for protection :shit:
You should see what I wear now lol !!!


Exactly, my Boss used to go nuts at me turning up at work in my red bands. (and remember regularly flipping my XL250Yellow&Black before work and Him having to bandage me up :laugh:

Nowadays I wont even ride out of my drive without full body armour :no:

PS, XR185 was a trick bit of kit back then :niceone:

[fridayflash]

im much the same..feel all wrong if i even go down the road not wearing full gear but back in the day my idea of safety gear was a pair of nomads and a jean jacket:cool: i rode from napier to wgtn like that aged 16, started to rain cold as ice in levin so i bought a couple of scoops from a fish'n'chip shop and stuffed it down my jersey front to keep me warm ;) bike was gt250x7

as for xr500s...ive never owned one but always wanted an A model. i had a 250A and was ok at wheelieing it but not enough power. a bloke i sold my a bike to recently told me he wanted a 500A but the napier honda shop wouldnt trade in his gt750 waterbus..so he rode to hastings and did a straight swap on the 'bus for a new ts250er then rode it over to the honda shop and asked to trade it on the xr...which they did! needs must huh ;)

[10bikekid]

Like the fish and chips Idea :niceone:

I rode my 74 DT250<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/t4Ln4AMx35Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> from Auckland to Matamata in the dead of winter when I was about 16, swaping my hands on the engine fins to keep any feeling in my hands, on arrival it took me half an hour in front of a roaring fire before could even move my fingers again, nowadays have handguards, super winter gloves and heated grips :rolleyes:

All those bikes you mentioned are Cool and I cant imagine someone trading a GT750 on a TS250 today :no:

[Waipukbiker]

The things we did back then, In 1972, I rode my new Yammy AG100 2 stroke from Wairoa to kaio (Waaaay up nth) via the east coast, stayed for a couple of days then back down the west coast to New Plymouth then back across to Wairoa. It never missed a beat and that was with a big pack on my back. One of the many trailies Ive had was a Yammy TT500, That was a serious grunter, would be very interesting to match one up against an XR. You can get brand new Chinese made carbs to fit any of the old XRs, Im getting one for my XR200A for about $80, Sick of trying to get the old carb to work properly due to slide and body wear.

[10bikekid]

The things we did back then, In 1972, I rode my new Yammy AG100 2 stroke from Wairoa to kaio (Waaaay up nth) via the east coast, stayed for a couple of days then back down the west coast to New Plymouth then back across to Wairoa. It never missed a beat and that was with a big pack on my back. One of the many trailies Ive had was a Yammy TT500, That was a serious grunter, would be very interesting to match one up against an XR. You can get brand new Chinese made carbs to fit any of the old XRs, Im getting one for my XR200A for about $80, Sick of trying to get the old carb to work properly due to slide and body wear.

Got a related story to tell to get some prospective

My first bike was a Yammy 50, it was my bench mark for power and could top out at 80ks (50mph) down hill and about 70 (43mph) on the flat,
(Closest thing I could find on Internet)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fH8EHzIfhMs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
a friend of mine had a 100 Suzuki which I procured a ride on, I was horrified at the amount of power it had and was able to get it to 65mph down hill pretty easy, things would never be the same again, my first Ride on a TT500 was a similar further step up and perhaps one of the greatest impressions I ever had of power (or at least until the modern era)

An AG100 for me as a 14 year old boy would have been a proverbial powerhouse and like a Sports Tourer to travel on back then (not taking away from your own exploits though)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Iu5m3NqXdis?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[T.W.R]

Found these :pinch:

The 500 halfway through its resto :niceone:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286954&d=1377689085

Out run the XR250 from the tree in the background by the HQ :first:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286956&d=1377689162

79 XR250 & 81 GX750
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286957&d=1377689187

80 XL250 & 81 XS850
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286955&d=1377689123

79 XL250 (was a POS, never went right) :(
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286959&d=1377689242

Mission ride on XL250; 2.30am somewhere around Kaikoura on the way to Picton to get 1st ferry crossing (just fuelled up from a jerry can) damn cold :cold:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286958&d=1377689212

[10bikekid]

Its no wonderer some of us have still got it in our blood, those were the good old days with good old bikes (apart from the tank covers :crazy:)

We were hard core back then :yes:

BTW, my little brothers KX80 <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Rnd9nahxC2A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>could out drag my KLX250<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/roHStw5BlLI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> everytime to the first corner

[brp]

Thanks for the hardcore comments:D and in regard to xr250r, just to give an idea, XR500s were dynoid stock at 33,-34 rwhp, xr250r about 22rwhp, I doubt anything less than methonal breathing drag engine treatment would pull the extra 10rwhp required to allow the 250 to have a chance

I'm going to vote lies on that one

Just for interest sake the bikes my own XR500's conquered in drag contests, TT500, RD350, CB500four, KZ750twin and many smaller capacity victims (not boasting much :rolleyes: but actually never lost a drag and larger bikes were rare in those days and wasn't silly enough to seek out anything over 750cc)

Yeah like the old adage "Yah can't beat cubic inch" , impressive scalps - remem those RD350's having reputation for one quick bike ...

Light bike - large torque :2thumbsup

[dino3310]

Mission ride on XL250; 2.30am somewhere around Kaikoura on the way to Picton to get 1st ferry crossing (just fuelled up from a jerry can) damn cold :cold:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=286958&d=1377689212

got my licence on that model, then traded to the DR500.... unfortunately all my photos are gone.....lost most of the photos between woman and the ones transfered/scanned to hard drive went south when one of the kids hit the reformat button:cry:
still got the awesome memories though:headbang:

[T.W.R]

Its no wonderer some of us have still got it in our blood, those were the good old days with good old bikes (apart from the tank covers :crazy:)

We were hard core back then :yes:

BTW, my little brothers KX80 could out drag my KLX250 everytime to the first corner

:yes:

lol there'd be a reason for the KX out running the KLX :laugh: the most powerful 80 against the softest 250 enduro at the time

[T.W.R]

got my licence on that model, then traded to the DR500.... unfortunately all my photos are gone.....lost most of the photos between woman and the ones transfered/scanned to hard drive went south when one of the kids hit the reformat button:cry:
still got the awesome memories though:headbang:

It was good fun that bike, that trip wasn't though :no: 1000km in 18hrs..... pulled bloody good wheelies off the line with all the high tech touring gear strapped on the back though :rolleyes:

[clint640]

Cool pics & stories.
A baby version of the XR500 :msn-wink:
My 1979 XR185. Ordered before the 185 was released in NZ & the first in HB. Nothing like perth gumboots, jeans & an open face for protection :shit:
You should see what I wear now lol !!!

Will have to scan some pics of our old 185. After nagging our parents since we could speak & doing untold jobs around the farm dad finally got me & the bro a bike in about 1990, it was an absolute minter of a '79 XR185. We promptly reduced it to a wreck doing all sorts of dumb stuff:facepalm: (as you do) Fortunately every 2nd farmer in the area seemed to have a broken down XL175 in the back of the shed we could use for parts to keep it going.

Cheers
Clint

[dino3310]

It was good fun that bike, that trip wasn't though :no: 1000km in 18hrs..... pulled bloody good wheelies off the line with all the high tech touring gear strapped on the back though :rolleyes:

:lol: i use to stand on the back pegs to get the front up, was a gutless pig but the perfect start to adv riding

[10bikekid]

:lol: i use to stand on the back pegs to get the front up, was a gutless pig but the perfect start to adv riding

Did the same thing on XR5hundy, but that was like taking candy from a baby

[T.W.R]

:lol: i use to stand on the back pegs to get the front up, was a gutless pig but the perfect start to adv riding

:yes: yeah definitely struggled to do anything exciting but easy to live with all the same; On that trip the pic was taken from every intersection I took off from the front would just float up without effort & if I gave it it's head it was long down the road before it touched down again :lol:


Did the same thing on XR5hundy, but that was like taking candy from a baby

:laugh: a wee pop of the clutch in most gears was enough & a good handful in 1st was dangerous...either the front reaching for the stars or the ass-end packing a epileptic fit :banana:

[10bikekid]

If I'm allowed have a few wheelie stories to tell ;)

In the meantime a few Vids
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/uV3-TWJht-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/f74TwEl59oU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[fridayflash]

im loving these old thumper stories..as i said ive owned an xr250a, and recently i rode an original one belonging to a mate of mine for about 20km on the napier/taihape road...what a ball! seriously i didnt want to get back on my dr, theres just somethingso right about those compact old twin shockers..and even the stock seat is good unlike todays grim contributions!

btw, anybody seen that lo-mileage original xl250s on trademe?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-562521678.htm

not cheap but tidy..shame about the dented tank huh

[puddytat]

Didnt Dave Curtiss from Hastings have the wheelstand record for a while on his 5hundy?
I remember a mate of a mate who roadlegalled an XR75 there as well & was good entertainment doing wheelstands in circles on the main drag in Hastings in front of the Burgerbar.
My first Xr was a 250 A & the first 5hundy was the Prolink with the white sidepanels but not the RFVC head. RC ?
I remember anotha fella from Waipuk who had one of the first 2hundys.....he was a friend of a girl who I was hopelessly luv with, I was so jealous of that plastic tank....

[dino3310]

im loving these old thumper stories..as i said ive owned an xr250a, and recently i rode an original one belonging to a mate of mine for about 20km on the napier/taihape road...what a ball! seriously i didnt want to get back on my dr, theres just somethingso right about those compact old twin shockers..and even the stock seat is good unlike todays grim contributions!

btw, anybody seen that lo-mileage original xl250s on trademe?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-562521678.htm

not cheap but tidy..shame about the dented tank huh

fark shes a tidy wee beasty. i would if i could

[T.W.R]

fark shes a tidy wee beasty. i would if i could


Not that tidy....have a close look at the stone chips & rust on the swing-arm, burred side cover fastners, sag of shocky springs & the chaffing on the dampers etc done a lot more than the speedo says ;)

[Drew]

Just subscribing. Nothing to see here, move along.

[dino3310]

Not that tidy....have a close look at the stone chips & rust on the swing-arm, burred side cover fastners, sag of shocky springs & the chaffing on the dampers etc done a lot more than the speedo says ;)

yeah true mate, lucky i dont bid from my tablet. looked a bit flasher on the smaller picture:scratch:.
still like it but

[Stylo]

Good thread and just picked it up , Early '79 and picked up my new first model XL500S ( Z model ) at age 17 from Forbes and Davies in Nelson St ? in Auck. Couldn't afford the 2750 in cash so I put a down payment of about $ 600 and paid the rest off by going back to the shop every month and paying it off as required. I was like a pig in shit.

I remember the XR500's were about $150 more expensive not sure why, the young salesman at the time gave me a demo bike, un- registered, of course, and let me take one for a test ride on a Saturday morning down the hill and up Queen St and back up the hill to the shop. I remember riding the big loud red rooster and looking at the simple, speedo- only dash as the wheel lifted as I headed up Wellesley St.


niceone:

[dino3310]

If I'm allowed have a few wheelie stories to tell ;)

I>

way cool vids mate, they had a fantastic sound:clap:
i got the more modern wheelie king but still cant wheelie like that:laugh:

[Ocean1]

I never managed to get my hands on a 500.

I had two XL350s, both early blue ones. I spent hours in the garage on the first one, and fuct up pretty much everything. I learned, the second one got a Fiat piston and an eccentric crankpin, which made it 420cc odd. The head got bigger valves and the cam a bit more overlap, it took me two heads to get the ports right. Can't remember what the carb was from, big Keihein, and the pipe was from 1 1/2" stainless, with an inversion cone. A mate bought some Fox shocks, they arrived while he was at work and by the time he got home I'd stripped them, measured them up and reassembled and repackaged them. Couple of weeks later I had some brand new copies, with slightly bigger shafts. The only reliability issue was 3rd gear, I put two in it, along with some expensive collateral damage the second time...

I spent hours and fucking hours on that thing, and I could punt it around a track faster than the new CR250s. Wish I still had it, it was one of the funnest machines I've ever had.

[fridayflash]

a lotta legendary wheelie kings had xr's n tt's back then..a mate of mine bought a 500a new as did his mates and theyd wheelie muriwai to woodhill and back on the beach, here in napier i well remember a bunch of bodgies who got around on tt and xt500's scrapping at parties and wheelieing EVERYWHERE, up and down taradale road, kennedy road, up and down napier hill, down tutaaekuri river etc etc.
i knew another guy here in the late 80's who had a custom wheelie bike tt500 with a hot motor and an oil feed tank tucked up to feed oil down into the topend to avoid wheelie seizure:banana:

[fridayflash]

napier 1982, note ne-wish dr500s beside furniture truck, jet helmet and sidi boots yeah!!
lotsa triumphs and even a harley out for a funeral ride (of another local wheelstanding cop dodger)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=279869&d=1362989859

[Muzz67]

Hopefully there's a few pics of my XR in allsorts of action.
Just took a knackered old pair of Sidi's to the recyclecentre last weekend!

the old girl was surprisingly good around Ruapuna, well, good at corners, not so good on the straights. Meybe 150kph tops?

[10bikekid]

Nice Muzz, someone who still owns one:clap:, I have to wait a while till someone I know gets sick of their minter and will sell it to me at a reasonable price

Remember seeing 165kph on my XR's speedo once, was probable down hill though:blink: (think had 1 tooth bigger on the front and a 43 rear (original was a 46 from memory)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just checked the Original Honda Shop Manuel that I've still got and it says 48 rear 14 front so memory not that good but am still going to go with 15/43 ? combo as my 100mph gearing set up (might have been 14/43 ?)

Still has my original purchase price on it (a fair whack back then when I was earning about $120 a week)
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/04d4730a-8793-4b89-ba60-397585a2cba6_zpsfcd12a66.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/04d4730a-8793-4b89-ba60-397585a2cba6_zpsfcd12a66.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 04d4730a-8793-4b89-ba60-397585a2cba6_zpsfcd12a66.jpg"/></a>

Nice pic below Nordie :headbang:

[NordieBoy]

Pig Valley...
<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/mybikes/racing/others/slides/mini-DSC06827.JPG>

[10bikekid]

Sweet (last post previous page) :Punk:

[NordieBoy]

Nice...
<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/dirt/20070422%20Anzac%20Classic%20Capers/slides/20070422-092258.jpg>

<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/dirt/2005-02-06-Golden%20Bay%20-%20Old%20Thumpers/slides/20050206-145356.jpg>

<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/road/Nelson%20Port%20Races/20050102%20Nelson%20Port%20Races/ThePits/slides/20050102-090339.jpg>

<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/dirt/2003-02-09-Golden%20Bay%20-%20Old%20Thumpers/slides/mvc-856f.jpg>

[dino3310]

motor spares
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/complete-engines/auction-634874637.htm

or the whole thing
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-635006930.htm

[10bikekid]

Nordie stop it please :drool::weep:

Dino, got my eye on the second one but think he wants to much for its condition (and unsure :(if could ride one that wasn't a minters as my XR memories:weird: are of brand spanker's)

like this one that I'm not telling anyone where it is :nono: (think it has about 8000miles on it from new:shutup: )
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/Pictures018_zps3d0d4c72.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/Pictures018_zps3d0d4c72.jpg" border="0" alt="XR500Z Mint photo Pictures018_zps3d0d4c72.jpg"/></a>

[dino3310]

:clap::clap:

[fridayflash]

...ok, not a 500 but i took my son for his first road/gravel/adv ride on saturday on a borowed off a mate xr250A yeahhhh!!!! was a 160km round trip from taradale up to the mangatutu hot springs. he enjoyed the ride and only put the xr over a bank once :nono: no damage done as the big clumps of grass made for a soft landing! gotta say it was dead cool having my teenage son out on an old twinshocker..although he reckons the brakes are a bit grim!
low seat height made it an ideal learner adv machine, although the lad has a decent amount of trailriding experience albeit on smaller xr100 and xr200's
im kinda hoping he'll be keen for more riding, but time will tell...he's xbox generation afterall :nono:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287372&d=1378885409

[dino3310]

thats awesome mate, cant think of a better bike to learn on.... shit brakes shit suspension shit power if he masters that he'll be a pro:laugh:

apart from all the shits its still got the old skool cool appeal

[fridayflash]

lol, yep...all the shit boxes ticked! yet so much fun, easy to start, comfy seat and reeeaaalllyyyyyyy economical:2thumbsup

[10bikekid]

Back in the day a few of my mates had the 250's (think they were scared of the 500's) but they went really well and im pretty sure I saw 150kph on one on a favourable day :banana:

Still remember that brat brat sound they used to make
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/r4lWdBmzRbc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Drew]

well and im pretty sure I saw 150kph on one on a favourable day :banana:

Fucken hell, did you happen to have a ten inch rim and tyre on the front to get the speedo to read that high?

[10bikekid]

Nah mate, stock front wheel, actually think could have been 155 but didn't want to exaggerate :shutup:

I'm pretty sure a tail wind, slip streaming a 5hundy, higher road gearing, an after market pipe and a nice loose engine helped a little though :msn-wink:

[Night Falcon]

Still remember that brat brat sound they used to make


Arrhhh the quaint sounds of cam chains rattling - music to the ears aint it :yes:

[dino3310]

Nah mate, stock front wheel, actually think could have been 155 but didn't want to exaggerate :shutup:

I'm pretty sure a tail wind, slip streaming a 5hundy, higher road gearing, an after market pipe and a nice loose engine helped a little though :msn-wink:

i saw 135/40 down the 1ton straight heading towards waihi from tauranga, the 2fiddy was flying :lol:

[10bikekid]

i saw 135/40 down the 1ton straight heading towards waihi from tauranga, the 2fiddy was flying :lol:
:banana:

I think the old one's went better than the wheezy new emission one's

[DR Girl]

Will have to scan some pics of our old 185. After nagging our parents since we could speak & doing untold jobs around the farm dad finally got me & the bro a bike in about 1990, it was an absolute minter of a '79 XR185. We promptly reduced it to a wreck doing all sorts of dumb stuff:facepalm: (as you do) Fortunately every 2nd farmer in the area seemed to have a broken down XL175 in the back of the shed we could use for parts to keep it going.

Cheers
Clint

They were great wee bikes. Looked great & were tough. Though not as easy to kick over (especially when heading up hill) as my orange XL175. My '79 XR185, never came with a key ignition so I had to get one wired in after getting sick of padlocking the bike all the time!
Looking forward to seeing your scanned pics Clint :2thumbsup. No pressure :corn:

[DR Girl]

[QUOTE=fridayflash;1130610606] ...ok, not a 500 but i took my son for his first road/gravel/adv ride on saturday on a borowed off a mate xr250A yeahhhh!!!! was a 160km round trip from taradale up to the mangatutu hot springs. he enjoyed the ride and only put the xr over a bank once :nono: no damage done as the big clumps of grass made for a soft landing! gotta say it was dead cool having my teenage son out on an old twinshocker..although he reckons the brakes are a bit grim!
low seat height made it an ideal learner adv machine, although the lad has a decent amount of trailriding experience albeit on smaller xr100 and xr200's
im kinda hoping he'll be keen for more riding, but time will tell...he's xbox generation afterall.



Awesome pic Ed & what experience for your son to ride such a cooooooool classic. Looks like you both had fun. Lol re the brakes. I'm just grateful my DR200 has at least one disc to bring me to a quick stop. Even 30 years on, the rear drum brake ain't much better !!!:no:

[fridayflash]

lol thanks robyn, he did have a good time...must get him on a learner licence soon ;)
ive been looking at dr200's for him but he'll have to be pretty keen before i buy him another bike..they usually end up gatherin dust!

[dino3310]

this would be a good bit of fun http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-642216845.htm

[dino3310]

my old DR500
rough old beasty but went well
287926
287927
287928

wanted it to look like this
287929

new owner made it look like this
287930

[dino3310]

:drool: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-642980786.htm

[10bikekid]

XL500s was a great bike, In truth they were better on the road and better at slow speed off road as they had the pumper carb and didn't do the stalley the the XR did if you went to slow

Minuses, not as cool and a bit slower in the top end (also not as good at wheelies)

Great example this one (except for the pipe :() and if I had a dollar spare would buy for the garage

[10bikekid]

my old DR500
rough old beasty but went well
287926
]

wanted it to look like this
287929

new owner made it look like this
287930

Nice, Pretty rare these things and its a pity we cant keep all our old bikes :weep:

[dino3310]

79 http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-644211553.htm

[NordieBoy]

NutBuster Expert Class:
78th overall, Micheal Paterson, Nelson, Honda XR500

[unstuck]

79 http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-644211553.htm

Very nice.:2thumbsup

[fridayflash]

79 http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-644211553.htm

really really noice...does that look like a 23" front or a 21" to you chaps?

[dino3310]

really really noice...does that look like a 23" front or a 21" to you chaps?

23 me thinks :scratch:

[Muzz67]

brake hub is correct, and there was only a couple of 23inch knobblies available-- thats one of them.

[10bikekid]

23 me thinks :scratch:

Best front wheel for wheelies :not:

[fridayflash]

Best front wheel for wheelies :not:

absolutely agree with that :devil2:

[dino3310]

Best front wheel for wheelies :not:

yeah mate kinda like us Honda riders we got an extra 2inch advantage as well:killingme

[Drew]

yeah mate kinda like us Honda riders we got an extra 2inch advantage as well:killingmeTwo inches deeper in your arse?

[10bikekid]

look what you've done by boasting Dino :rolleyes:

Bought the Richard Heads to our nice little thread :facepalm: :laugh:

[dino3310]

Two inches deeper in your arse?

i know you want it 288150 288149

but ya just cant have it mate, im into pu288151ssy

[10bikekid]

Not my normal subject but are you a tease,:Police: Bi maybe :shutup:

[NordieBoy]

i know you want it but ya just cant have it mate, im into pussy

You look much better from the front :love:

[Drew]

Carmen Electra doesn't do it for me much.

[dino3310]

Carmen Electra doesn't do it for me much.

i'd think i'd rather be riding this thing http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-647833831.htm im sure they both would have been round the block a few times:laugh:

[10bikekid]

Nice chooses, :cool:

[Waipukbiker]

Who remembers riding these, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=649890028379245&set=gm.734637416553379&type=1&theater

All owned by members of the Hawkes Bay Classic motorcycle club

[10bikekid]

Not me I'm to young :msn-wink:

Being from the modern era my first Honda was a yellow and black ;)

[DR Girl]

Who remembers riding these, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=649890028379245&set=gm.734637416553379&type=1&theater

All owned by members of the Hawkes Bay Classic motorcycle club

I sure do Ross !!!!!:2thumbsup After my first bike (SL125) I brought a MT125!! (then a XL175 and XR185). Use to love the look of the XL250 shown in your picture. Alas the 250 was too heavy for my weak little arms to pick up :lol: to pic up. My love for the SL & the XL250 definately came from the Honda 'NO1 UNDER THE SUN Ad on TV in 1973.
For those of you TOOOOOOO young to remember, here it is . . .

http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/sellebration/view.php?id=146

[10bikekid]

Cool bikes, and hanging out with you oldies makes me feel good :confused:

[Waipukbiker]

I had a 1974 XL250 for about 3 years when I was in the big Green Machine, Rode it regularly over the Napier Taihape rd, (All shingle back then) from Waiouru to Wairoa. Also did a lot of riding in the Army training area on it. It never let me down once, proved to be a very reliable bike. Quite a few of us had trail bikes in Waiouru and to name a few, Yammy DT250, Honda Elsinor,
Suzy 2 strokes , TS models from memory, Honda XL175, XL250, there were others but cant remember them.
(Wish I was as fit as I was then)

[DR Girl]

You get the big tick & punk head banger from me Ross.:Punk: Join the cool squad :woohoo:
Yes you are right re the Suzuki's being two strokes & TS's.

LOL 10bikeyoungin. . . .Heres another to make you feel even better !

http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/sellebration/view.php?id=154

[DR Girl]

Dual purpose Honda SL 125 & XL250 Ad vs the Suzuki RM250??? Ad
Not quite a level playing field.
Split Enz composing & singing 'Suzuki Blow Your Mind' a nice touch for NZ market tho:-)

[pete-blen]

Who remembers riding these,

All owned by members of the Hawkes Bay Classic motorcycle club

Yep.... Had a 74 XL250 K1.... Hardest bike I have ever owned to start...
Bought it from Honda city in Mancheaster street... there was a MT250 there
as well.... should have bought that instead... But was like $75 more...
Sounds silly now... but back then that $75 was a big leap...
think I payed $645 for the XL250..

[10bikekid]

Ok so we are talking about XL250's, my memories is a bit wanting now days :wacko:so some of the facts may be a bit jaded but here goes,

I had a Trusty 74 DT250 for a while and spied this Shiny Yellow&Black K something (5 or 6) 76-77 model, it was 1978ish so the thing wasn't very old, hence the $1200 price tag, Next thing I'm riding out on this shiny supertrap fitted monster. She was fast and quickly showed that a good four stoke is quicker than its two smoke trail bike buddies (much to my brand new TS250 riding workmate disgust:brick:)

Had it for a year or so till MR XR arrived and must say she was like a rock, unstoppable up the hills (you seldom had to change down) and would cruise all day at 100kph, great bike great days :sunny:

Would show pics but having problems with camera at the mo :angry:

[pete-blen]

You get the big tick & punk head banger from me Ross.:Punk: Join the cool squad :woohoo:
Yes you are right re the Suzuki's being two strokes & TS's.

LOL 10bikeyoungin. . . .Heres another to make you feel even better !

http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/sellebration/view.php?id=154

There was another Suzuki ad.. way back when... It had the first PE250 in it..
Some may remember the very first PE250 had a steel tank... "basicly a RM with lights"


<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sNrs4aWMl-s?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[10bikekid]

There was another Suzuki ad.. way back when... It had the first PE250 in it..
Some may remember the very first PE250 had a steel tank... "basicly a RM with lights"

Yep remember them well, was still at school and the working guys used to come down to show their new bikes off, Still can see that canary yellow rocket ship power wheelying up the hill from Long Bay College

Only one I ever saw one the road and according to the magazines I still have they made 22 and bit Hp at the treads, so perhaps not as frightening as we thought at the time, though given the 2 stroke power pand thing the may have felt a bit scary in the day

Just remembered, had a TM250 for a while back then (probable similar power) and it was a frightening thing to ride :woohoo:

Maybe that mag had a slow one :facepalm:

[pete-blen]

Yep remember them well, was still at school and the working guys used to come down to show their new bikes off, Still can see that canary yellow rocket ship power wheelying up the hill from Long Bay College

Only one I ever saw one the road and according to the magazines I still have they made 22 and bit Hp at the treads, so perhaps not as frightening as we thought at the time, though given the 2 stroke power pand thing the may have felt a bit scary in the day

Just remembered, had a TM250 for a while back then (probable similar power) and it was a frightening thing to ride :woohoo:

there was a couple of things that made the old 2 strokes a bit scary even thow they did not have alot of power by 2days standards...
1 - The way the power hit.. all and everything at once..
2 - The rest of the bike was not up to what power they did have..

I had a TM125M... my first real dirt bike...

don't think the plastic tank PE's turned up till 79 "maybe 80" ?

[10bikekid]

there was a couple of things that made the old 2 strokes a bit scary even thow they did not have alot of power by 2days standards...
1 - The way the power hit.. all and everything at once..
2 - The rest of the bike was not up to what power they did have..

I had a TM125M... my first real dirt bike...

don't think the plastic tank PE's turned up till 79 "maybe 80" ?

Agreed

Got a clip of a TM250 (not ridden in anger though)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/TrnnDcurs-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Had a brand new PE175 twin shocker as well about 1980 me thinks (had a plastic tank yes)

PS, think the TM"s were worse the bigger the cc's so 400 was unridable for reason you mentioned and 125 was probably the pick of the bunch as don't remember the 250 being that manageable off road :shit:

[10bikekid]

Founds some PE175 action, getting a hanker for another 2smoke now :yes:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/9LlhFnmH9io" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[dino3310]

81 do-er upper http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-649053340.htm

[gav24]

there was a couple of things that made the old 2 strokes a bit scary even thow they did not have alot of power by 2days standards...
1 - The way the power hit.. all and everything at once..
2 - The rest of the bike was not up to what power they did have..

I had a TM125M... my first real dirt bike...

don't think the plastic tank PE's turned up till 79 "maybe 80" ?

Plastic tank on my 79.
Got it a few years back as a barn find in pieces with a broken 3rd gear. The gear broke in 81 so sat since then with a new rear tyre, chain and sprockets, boyesen reeds, piston and rings in a few boxes since then. Presumably the rebuild was going to happen with the new bits but the pre eBay cost of a new gear stopped it in its tracks!
I bought it, got a replacement gear and a set of seals and gaskets off eBay, rebuilt it over a weekend and raced it for a season of vmx!
It still has live plates and I raced it with the original lights, horn, switchgear and the plate on!
In effect it looks like a 2 year old pe250 that's sat in a barn for just over 30 years!
I keep thinking about selling it but it's just too original and cool!

[10bikekid]

Plastic tank on my 79.
Got it a few years back as a barn find in pieces with a broken 3rd gear. The gear broke in 81 so sat since then with a new rear tyre, chain and sprockets, boyesen reeds, piston and rings in a few boxes since then. Presumably the rebuild was going to happen with the new bits but the pre eBay cost of a new gear stopped it in its tracks!
I bought it, got a replacement gear and a set of seals and gaskets off eBay, rebuilt it over a weekend and raced it for a season of vmx!
It still has live plates and I raced it with the original lights, horn, switchgear and the plate on!
In effect it looks like a 2 year old pe250 that's sat in a barn for just over 30 years!
I keep thinking about selling it but it's just too original and cool!

Very cool. Don't sell it :no: (unless of course I want to buy it :msn-wink:)

Check out this 1980 one, its almost overdone and shames some modern bikes for trickness (FYI start up is at 13.20 min as guy takes a while to get to the point)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5QNKZk6VL-k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[10bikekid]

How about this PE400, it puts a shiver up my spine as I remember riding one of these on the road and it was seriously quick and did vicious wheelies in the lower gears and if my memory serves me correctly, wheel would come up even in top
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/drcSy2KYcRI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[gav24]

My 1979 PE250 so original, no modern stuff on my old school rides! (Well ok, the bars are new!)
A friends 1978 RM400, which lives with me so I get to race it!
And my baby 1980 CR80 Elsinore, first proper bike I owned, so had to get another, except this one has modified XL200 forks and longer shocks so I can still ride it... Carefully, don't want to break it!!
Enjoy!

VMX racing on lees road, feilding this Saturday if anyone wants to see a heap of these old bikes in action...:scooter::woohoo:

[10bikekid]

Very cool :Punk:

[fridayflash]

lovin the PE pics guys, and gav that cr80 looks great! a kid i went to school with had one..which was quite rare (all rm80's and yz80's in this neck of the woods) i thought the red motor was choice!...and speaking of PE175's a mate of mine crashed his down at the taradale shops back in the eighties and lost a testicle in the process (seriously) talk about 'ball tearing power' eh!

[puddytat]

A fella I knew in Taupo back in the day, got so fucked off with his PE175 that in front of us all he picked up an axe & proceeded to smash it to bits :shit::gob:
He was good at losing it......:weird:

[MIXONE]

I had a 78 PE400 which had the plastic tank.Used to commute in Hamilton on it.Tore the sole off more than one pair of work shoes starting the bitch but it was very economical on front tyre wear!:devil2:

[10bikekid]

I had a 78 PE400 which had the plastic tank.Used to commute in Hamilton on it.Tore the sole off more than one pair of work shoes starting the bitch but it was very economical on front tyre wear!:devil2:

Yep, can confer on the tire wear thing:banana: and we must have been tough back then to commute on things like that :crazy:

here's some cool PE convos from the archives http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archive/index.php/t-81979.html

Found this wheelie shot (it not a PE but it is yellow and funny)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/bOWJ2H_s1H4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[dino3310]

i had one of those tri-motos a couple years ago, had to sell it when i moved into town... had a shite load of fun on that thing

[gav24]

I remember when they first came out just as trikes were banned from sale,so poor Yamaha had to recall them all a fit a quad front end - in the uk anyway. Talk about bad timing!:brick:

Consequently all tri-moto's in the uk are quads?!?! Qua-moto's...:Oops:

[dino3310]

they were dangerous in the wrong hands.....
when a mate or 2 were around for a beer i use to pull the bike out for a play, use to piss my self watching them, they were all cool doing wheelies but when it came time to turn thats when my fun began:laugh:
i used to get a kick out of sliding around on two wheels, they were fantastic down the beach... wish i still had it, it would make a good fishing hack

[gav24]

Bloody trikes! Turn left, starts to tip right, foot down, run over your own leg!

Ouch!:laugh:

[pete-blen]

Bloody trikes! Turn left, starts to tip right, foot down, run over your own leg!

Ouch!:laugh:


Yer forgot.. then smack yer head on the handle bar as yer get thown forward bit...

[dino3310]

thought this would be of interest as they getting harder to find http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/wheels/auction-657190175.htm

[XF650]

Padmei's dream bike - XR500 with FT500 wheels

[10bikekid]

thought this would be of interest as they getting harder to find http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/wheels/auction-657190175.htm

I'm thinking I might buy that to stick on the wall in the lounge (for 5 minutes till wifey sees :Police:)

[10bikekid]

Padmei's dream bike - XR500 with FT500 wheels

XR or XL <_< Not bad either way :Punk:

[dino3310]

the other marquee http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-658035454.htm

[10bikekid]

the other marquee http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-658035454.htm

They look very XRish in that guise :blink:

[dino3310]

i like the older DRs, cooler look

[gav24]

Yeah, I had an 86 dr600 last year whilst working in France. Bought as a cheap substitute for my dr650 but in many ways it was a better bike!
They come as standard with a big tank, rear rack, bash plate and pretty good suspension. Terrible front brake though and very strangled engine as stock - like the newer 650. No leccy start but the kicker is easy with the de compressor.
Got mine with 33,000kms on the clock as a light road use only bike for 900 euro's, about 1800 nz so wish I'd filled a container with them (no shortage of big traillies in France!) if they fetch $1700 for 2 snotters.....:blink:

[dino3310]

i think i remember a couple of those posts

[dino3310]

would love to have this in the stable for a bit of weekend warrior http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=653626460

[fridayflash]

im with you there dino, ive been salivating over that too....be cool for the odd natural terrain motocross:first:

[dino3310]

noticed it getting to the end of my watch list and thought bugga still no lotto:facepalm:

[10bikekid]

would love to have this in the stable for a bit of weekend warrior http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=653626460

It needs lights :mellow:

[dino3310]

It needs lights :mellow:

thinking more VMX, trails, farm land:msn-wink:

[10bikekid]

Would have to agree as far as comfortable seats and being able to touch the ground fully with both feet go. My Honda 700 Transalp
I bought 2 years ago wins on open road side wind stability though. My old XL500 was like a sailboat in the wind on the open road.

Dont remember any stabilty issues with XR, just that it was cool and fast :rolleyes:

[10bikekid]

thinking more VMX, trails, farm land:msn-wink:

Just Between you and me XR's were rubbish offroad:nono: unless you were in wide open spaces (will delete this post soon):shit:

Though I do remember passing Shawn Stanbridge's RM125 down a metal road in a Hare&Hound and it would have been all of 2 minutes in the dirt stuff before he got me back, a polite waves of mutual respect with the NZ Champ as I moved over for him (arh glory days) :headbang:

[dino3310]

Just Between you and me XR's were rubbish offroad unless you were in wide open spaces (will delete this post soon):shit:

them some fighting words mate, ya better watch ya back:laugh:

i think farm land and vmx is wide open enough for me:msn-wink:

my DR500 (to me) felt better off road than my mates XR but it didnt have the power of the XR plus the XR seem to be a lot less viby, loved the 23inch front

[10bikekid]

them some fighting words mate, ya better watch ya back:laugh:

i think farm land and vmx is wide open enough for me:msn-wink:

my DR500 (to me) felt better off road than my mates XR but it didnt have the power of the XR plus the XR seem to be a lot less viby, loved the 23inch front

Updated my previous post just temper comments. :shutup:

XLs were better in slow stuff as the XR500 would flame out and stall at slow speed once moving they were fine if not a touch slow steering due to 23" but super
stable

In Hare scrambles in Woodhill XR5 was a match for non pro riden YZ250's of the day (though In fairness I weighed about 65kgs and could easily lift my body weight back then:weep:)

[dino3310]

tidy as and cheapish chook chaser http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-669593445.htm

[10bikekid]

tidy as and cheapish chook chaser http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-669593445.htm

Add has expired, we will never know what could have been :(

[dino3310]

was a TT500, the yellow/black silver one real tidy 3K something:drool:

[10bikekid]

was a TT500, the yellow/black silver one real tidy 3K something:drool:

I know what you mean :drool::weep:

[dino3310]

I know what you mean :drool::weep:

you couldnt afford it anyway as you keep spending your bike money on Holidays:lol:

[10bikekid]

you couldnt afford it anyway as you keep spending your bike money on Holidays:lol:

Tis my cross to bear (twas a bit of a work/ministry holiday anyway)


Looks like the other Mark is trying to take over the Bike collecting reins in my absence :facepalm:

[Slorider]

anyone else here that actually still owns & rides one of the said 'legends'?

[dino3310]

anyone else here that actually still owns & rides one of the said 'legends'?

not me i sold my DR500 about 5 years ago:crazy::weep:

[10bikekid]

anyone else here that actually still owns & rides one of the said 'legends'?

I gona nominate my (our) DRBIG for an honourable mention :mellow:

[dino3310]

I gona nominate my (our) DRBIG for an honourable mention :mellow:

:not::not:

i like the word.... OUR:2thumbsup

[Slorider]

in the late eighties their were four mates who cruised around town on their various TT 500's...as I was a lot younger then I thought those bikes were slow pos compared to the looks and rocket like performance of my 85 yz 80.

[10bikekid]

in the late eighties their were four mates who cruised around town on their various TT 500's...as I was a lot younger then I thought those bikes were slow pos compared to the looks and rocket like performance of my 85 yz 80.

Its not right to mention a TT 500 and a Yz 80 in the same post, cool bikes separately but at complete opposites and bear no comparison

PS, 80 would win for 100 metres then peak out and the TT would be gone (remember TT guy weighed 120kg with a pot belly and the Yz guy was a scrawny 50kgs)

Ridden properly the TT would take about 50m to gather in the YZ then disappear (having ridden both bikes)

Love those 80s though :2thumbsup

[Muzz67]

Well, I still get the old 79XR500 out for a hoon occasionally. Last time I get her out she hadn't been started since last summer, and still
fired up on the first kick. Stale fuel, whetever, always first kick,, THATs legend! Not sure a BG DRZ qualifies as legend (lol):bleh:

[dino3310]

my favorite 500 of that era
290848

[husaberg]

anyone else here that actually still owns & rides one of the said 'legends'?

Couldn't be arsed reading the whole thread, but i still have a 501 berg and a CR500.
love to do the CR500 into a Bailey Rep.
http://www.canoniani.it/public/imgsforum/2011/3/CV4E4329.jpg
http://www.hsaracing.eu/public/honda-cr-500-replica-david-bailey/cv4e4313.jpg

[10bikekid]

Well, I still get the old 79XR500 out for a hoon occasionally. Last time I get her out she hadn't been started since last summer, and still
fired up on the first kick. Stale fuel, whetever, always first kick,, THATs legend! Not sure a BG DRZ qualifies as legend (lol):bleh:

Ok then, 89 DR750BIG not good enough, will see if I can find pictures of the 83 YZ265F (GN) I still have

XR500 Does qualify you here though :yes:

Loved my ones and am still trying to pry the mint one out of the hands of the guy down the road (will need about 8k as its mint:facepalm:)

[Sensei]

anyone else here that actually still owns & rides one of the said 'legends'?

Yea & enjoy all of them

[10bikekid]

Yea & enjoy all of them

Nice, hows about a comparo between these bikes (mini road test):headbang:

[10bikekid]

[QUOTE=husaberg;1130648527]Couldn't be arsed reading the whole thread, but i still have a 501 berg and a CR500.
love to do the CR500 into a Bailey Rep.


Got fond memories of all my CR500 rides, remember once getting onto a metal road easing here up into top gear and gasing it at about 70kph, the thing thought it was in second and threw its front wheel in the air like a crazed animal, by the time we had finished it had near peaked out in top gear and I had to return to base for some new undies :crazy:

[Muzz67]

Yea & enjoy all of them

I see you have them in the order of importance too. Well done!

[husaberg]

[QUOTE=husaberg;1130648527]Couldn't be arsed reading the whole thread, but i still have a 501 berg and a CR500.
love to do the CR500 into a Bailey Rep.


Got fond memories of all my CR500 rides, remember once getting onto a metal road easing here up into top gear and gasing it at about 70kph, the thing thought it was in second and threw its front wheel in the air like a crazed animal, by the time we had finished it had near peaked out in top gear and I had to return to base for some new undies :crazy:

I have a similar story except i thought it was in third and it was in second, predictable results. me skidding down the road wearing out my finger to the bone.
the motard set up i have will lift it in 3rd (on track gearing which is std 5th gearing)on the throttle.
They are not super fast but they are super fun. i would not be able to wrestle it around a supercross track that's for sure.
The berg i could ride all day and is probably similar in peak power plus is lighter. Not the same though.

[10bikekid]

[QUOTE=10bikekid;1130648572]

I have a similar story except i thought it was in third and it was in second, predictable results. me skidding down the road wearing out my finger to the bone.
the motard set up i have will lift it in 3rd (on track gearing which is std 5th gearing)on the throttle.
They are not super fast but they are super fun. i would not be able to wrestle it around a supercross track that's for sure.
The berg i could ride all day and is probably similar in peak power plus is lighter. Not the same though.

Its the abruptness of the 2 strokes power deliver that makes it both fun and hard to ride on the dirt, if you look at a Dyno comparison say between you Husaberge and the CR as you say the Hp peak will be similar but the CR will build it in half the rev range like a supercharger effect making for a hang on for grim death experience, Motard gearing would be you only saving in regard to mellowing that out

I'm sure you fully aware that but its fun to talk about it anyway :woohoo:

[dino3310]

[QUOTE=husaberg;1130648591]

Its the abruptness of the 2 strokes power deliver that makes it both fun and hard to ride on the dirt, :woohoo:

its not hard .... just pin it.... hardest bits not falling off

[10bikekid]

[QUOTE=10bikekid;1130648617]

its not hard .... just pin it.... hardest bits not falling off

Aah mate your not 15 anymore, it hurts now when you crash :eek:

[dino3310]

a similar thread over here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/139940-Old-School-still-rules

[10bikekid]

a similar thread over here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/139940-Old-School-still-rules

Like post 1, could go over there and tell some lies :eek:

[dino3310]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-682853060.htm

[Slorider]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-682853060.htm

and what does this model xr (79/80)offer in the oil filtration department-NOTHING and thats exactly why im not too keen on them vs the later offerings of an extra 100cc's ,oil in frame with a screen and an oil filter in the event something grates inside plus better brakes,suspension all for similar money if not cheaper..........ok bike for its time I guess but poor design compared to yamaha's TT500 of the same era

[dino3310]

and what does this model xr (79/80)offer in the oil filtration department-NOTHING and thats exactly why im not too keen on them vs the later offerings of an extra 100cc's ,oil in frame with a screen and an oil filter in the event something grates inside plus better brakes,suspension all for similar money if not cheaper..........ok bike for its time I guess but poor design compared to yamaha's TT500 of the same era

' ok bike for its time' ........ 'poor design compared to the TT' ................
i'll save the debate and agree to disagree .

[oneblackflag]

' ok bike for its time' ........ 'poor design compared to the TT' ................
i'll save the debate and agree to disagree .

Nah come on dino, tell us what ya really think...

[fridayflash]

and what does this model xr (79/80)offer in the oil filtration department-NOTHING and thats exactly why im not too keen on them vs the later offerings of an extra 100cc's ,oil in frame with a screen and an oil filter in the event something grates inside plus better brakes,suspension all for similar money if not cheaper..........ok bike for its time I guess but poor design compared to yamaha's TT500 of the same era

are the xr500's only a fling filter? regardless the tt500 whilst being a great machine is streets behind the xr, which would you rather ride in offroad competition in 1980?

[Ocean1]

are the xr500's only a fling filter? regardless the tt500 whilst being a great machine is streets behind the xr, which would you rather ride in offroad competition in 1980?

Think so, same as my 350s.

Not sure about "only" though, that centrifugal pot on the end of the crank worked bloody well.

[fridayflash]

yeah, it proved to be fine...just wash em out with a litre of diesel between oil changes (honda dealer mechanic advice to me years ago) allow it to drip dry with the sump bung out for a while then add oil

[Muzz67]

I have had a twinshock 250 for 25years,, always wanted a TT500 tho... Long story short, ended up with a twinshock XR500 instead.
Found the 500 very different to the faithful old 250,and didn't like it much.
Found a guy with a TT who wanted an XR500, so we went for a decent long ride together swapping bikes regularly.
Found the engines, despite being totally opposite in design--long stroke 2 valve vs short stroke 4 valve,, were very very similar to ride!!
XR gearbox much better to use.
While the XR is fairly heavy, the TT weighed o TON!
Lined them up on a gravel road, and in every gear the XR was better, regardless who was riding.
Needless to say, I still got the XR500,, have grown to love it.
Sure, its got no decent oil filter, no bearings on the cam, a clutch which only just copes, but it still goes great.
Started 2nd kick after 12 months on old fuel, purrs.
Go to any VMX meeting and see what the majority of 4strokes are-- Bet ya its XR500's!

[actungbaby]

Fucken hell, did you happen to have a ten inch rim and tyre on the front to get the speedo to read that high?

I did 155 kph On Honda Xl 250 rf radial valve around diamond harbour way in chch

That was on the speddo ;-) was fun

[actungbaby]

I did 155 kph On Honda Xl 250 rf radial valve around diamond harbour way in chch

That was on the speddo ;-) was fun

Yamaha It 400 man was that fun week i had that bike . left my cousins place

was in second gear hit the gas and all saw was blue front guard ;-)

Love on of those again went from a c 90 step thu to that hence i gave it back after a week.

Only time ever done a wheelie on the road ;-)

Friend jumped on it for first time did wheelie up to 4th gear he chould really ride the thing

rip neil heslip your legend mate

[Muzz67]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-684298997.htm
Wonder how long the 250 gears will last in there?
Looks like its in pretty good order, and well priced too.

[dino3310]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-684298997.htm
Wonder how long the 250 gears will last in there?
Looks like its in pretty good order, and well priced too.

with counter balances removed it should rattle like a TT:laugh:
dont see the point in a six speed, theres enough torque to cope with higher geared sprockets for some longer legs on the open road, would imagine it to vibrate a fair bit with the balances gone:crazy:

[Ocean1]

with counter balances removed it should rattle like a TT:laugh:
dont see the point in a six speed, theres enough torque to cope with higher geared sprockets for some longer legs on the open road, would imagine it to vibrate a fair bit with the balances gone:crazy:

Reckon. Probably be better off changing it to a 4 speed...

[T.W.R]

It'd be a simple job to get it back to standard if all the bits are there :yes:


this isn't to bad either and cheap enough

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=684343236

[fridayflash]

It'd be a simple job to get it back to standard if all the bits are there :yes:


this isn't to bad either and cheap enough

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=684343236

shit, thats a good buy...im starting to get xr500 fever again:banana: i always liked the look of the '81 and '82 prolink models even tho they dont have the same wheelieing capability (allegedly)

[T.W.R]

shit, thats a good buy...im starting to get xr500 fever again:banana: i always liked the look of the '81 and '82 prolink models even tho they dont have the same wheelieing capability (allegedly)

Wouldn't take much to get it lookin mint, the forks look a bit tired & the rear sub frame needs a tweak but it's all there basically.
81 RB had a lighter flywheel & a reed valve set-up in the intake port but still easy as piss to loft the front up :msn-wink:

[fridayflash]

thats right, i forgot about that reed valve thingy. yep, wouldnt take much to get that one lookin good...a more stock looking tail light wouldnt go astray either, the xr500 is still exempt for indicators and rear brake light i think, only requireing basic honker horn, speedo and a mirror to get a wof:cool:

[XRJohnny]

Hey Friday Flash, I'm glad you are having XR5 urges again, cos so am I! :scratch:
Great to read the post from MUZZ67, as I am having the XR vs TT debate at the local pub, :argue: & the only people who can
truly debate this are the lucky one's who rode them back in the day.
Keep those stories coming.

[XRJohnny]

Some photos from last weekend's ride out in the country. My girlfriend rode the Honda for the first time & thought it was great.
The shot of the group of bikes is from last year at the Hawkes Bay Classic Motorcycle Club clubrooms parking area. It was the last time I rode my XR650R , as it was stolen that night. :weep:292289292290292291292292

[Waipukbiker]

Im in the process of rebuilding a 1998 XR200R, Now lets see if I can get some pics on here:292304292305292306

[Waipukbiker]

Ooooops, One more. The 2 bikes in the background are my DR650 and DRGirls XR200R.
292308

[Sensei]

Great to read the post from MUZZ67, as I am having the XR vs TT debate at the local pub, :argue: & the only people who can truly debate this are the lucky one's who rode them back in the day

Not only road them still own them pictures of my 77 XT500 VMX & my 82 XR500R VMX both bikes excellent at what they do XT500 genuine Whitebro banana arm , sandcast ohlins my own hand built version of a power bomb etc & my newest toy 82 XR500R just put all new brake cables shoes & fully stripped down carby & reset up / tune by myself .... Then there is the mint XL500S 79 slightly Motard ohlins / tuned carb / another of my home made exhaust link pipe & genuine 3" Supertrapp ... Motard TT500H 1981 with my 1980 TT500G black gear on it & the TT500G with my own TT500H design orange tank paint job , all the TT500 have had a lot of time tuning & mods to suit road blasting ... The XL500 vs the TT500 on the road is the TT is not as quick getting to the top end of 100MPH but still does the magic TON .. But kills it through the corners with 18" wheels front & back compared to the big 23" of the XL500 , abit. Like the XT vs XR on the dirt the XT suits the flat maze paddocks & tight tuner from being so much lower & better bottom end grunt but loses out the the XR's massive top end pull both very fast though for 37 & 34 years old bikes . Must say Ohlins on all the twin shockers has transformed them totally & is a must if you are to ride these old bikes fast on both road & dirt ... Will time to stop typing & head out to my back paddock for some more practice enjoy !!!!

[fridayflash]

thats a fantastic lineup sensei...something special about big old kickstart, twinshock thumpers, especially on the road inflicting nostalgia on the middle age populace:cool:

[dino3310]

Awesome photos, keep em coming.
which i still had the photos of my old XL and DR, friggen ex biffed them... rather have had the kick in the nuts instead:eek5:

[fridayflash]

Hey Friday Flash, I'm glad you are having XR5 urges again, cos so am I! :scratch:
Great to read the post from MUZZ67, as I am having the XR vs TT debate at the local pub, :argue: & the only people who can
truly debate this are the lucky one's who rode them back in the day.
Keep those stories coming.


you musta been drinking down at the royal hotel again john? that drunken fisherman has a collection of tt/xt eh! get your brother down there to bolster the arguement of epic wheelies on xr500A's !

[Sensei]

Talking about DR's mate brougth this one & done it up as a DG racing rep colours . I fabricated a PE swingarm into the back of it & built one of my Exhaust for him & sorted a Geniune 3" supertrapp for him also to give it the real deal sound & look of the 80's ... Not the fastest thing out there but still a Hoot to blast the back twistes on . I'm looking at setting up a big carb onto it & another mate is going to attack the motor for afew more HP soon so may post up some pic's of progress as we go ..

[dino3310]

found a couple of picks of my old 500 the new owner sent after he done her up a little, he carried on and made it even better but cant find those pics 292335 292336 292337 292338

[fridayflash]

i post this for the view of the dr500 (?) at left alongside furniture truck, bike woulda been about a year old i guess (pic is 1982) check out sidi boots and jetstar helmet yeah!





http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=279869&d=1362989859

[dino3310]

the original 81 500:drool:
292439

[dino3310]

This is what the Blue one i posted up a few post's back looked like when i picked her up
292440 292441292442 292443292444

[fridayflash]

fuck they looked good new eh dino..even better when you put the long shocks on em!

[dino3310]

a works mates DR400 292449

[dino3310]

fuck they looked good new eh dino..even better when you put the long shocks on em!

yeah mate not wrong

[MXNUT]

fuck they looked good new eh dino..even better when you put the long shocks on em!

Sorry Guys but you seem to be remembering the early DR`s with rose tinted glasses.

My best mate had one back in 82 at the same time as I had my PE400, and compared to the XR500 and the TT500 they were a SLOW P.O.S.

[Slorider]

all those old four stroke 500's and 600's are slow,they are just cruisers in reality-eat my dust and rocks too signed the zippy RM!-and it aint a new one either!

[dino3310]

Sorry Guys but you seem to be remembering the early DR`s with rose tinted glasses.

My best mate had one back in 82 at the same time as I had my PE400, and compared to the XR500 and the TT500 they were a SLOW P.O.S.


all those old four stroke 500's and 600's are slow,they are just cruisers in reality-eat my dust and rocks too signed the zippy RM!-and it aint a new one either!

Funny that i dont recall them being fast or even saying they were fast, plus the thread title says:
"XR500 (and similar) legends and lies thread" and not a "mines bigger than yours twosmoke choker thread":bleh:

and yes Mxnut the DR500 was a slow pos but not all of us can ride your speed so it kept me happy:laugh:
my first KB ride was on one too

[Slorider]

ha ha looks like the short comings of the inferior 'legends' have upset Dino the defender.......sorry for not adding 'lies' as thread mentions however they are ok for what they are:crybaby:...........jst teasing!

[tri boy]

Only reason XR5hundy riders struggled to pass PE's, was on account of the white/blue fog that covered the landscape and following bikes.
(MXnut is still fecking fast though:rockon:)

[dino3310]

and while they were fecking around racing each other i was up and down the east coast:Punk:

[10bikekid]

you musta been drinking down at the royal hotel again john? that drunken fisherman has a collection of tt/xt eh! get your brother down there to bolster the arguement of epic wheelies on xr500A's !


Funny that i dont recall them being fast or even saying they were fast, plus the thread title says:
"XR500 (and similar) legends and lies thread" and not a "mines bigger than yours twosmoke choker thread":bleh:

and yes Mxnut the DR500 was a slow pos but not all of us can ride your speed so it kept me happy:laugh:
my first KB ride was on one too


ha ha looks like the short comings of the inferior 'legends' have upset Dino the defender.......sorry for not adding 'lies' as thread mentions however they are ok for what they are:crybaby:...........jst teasing!

RE: XR v TT (Two strokes don't count as weren't road registered or if they were wouldn't last more than a 100miles at a time before become a grenade or shaking your teeth out) road tested a PE400 from a bike shop once, it was wickedly fast but unbearable after only several miles

Upset, Upset we're not upset more like livid, :angry2:

Ok enough joking around now, Having Ridden Both TT's and XR500Z's (Z=1979 First model) in the day when they were new there is no doubt the XR was far superior in all ways, Drag races, comfort, wheelie ability and racing on and off-road, period :yes:

Will admit that today in coolness a TT is a Match for an XR though :cool:
<a href="http://s603.photobucket.com/user/800rider/media/463eadd5-7dbd-4151-90b3-ce3d6ac4f81c_zpsd272c19c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i603.photobucket.com/albums/tt119/800rider/463eadd5-7dbd-4151-90b3-ce3d6ac4f81c_zpsd272c19c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 463eadd5-7dbd-4151-90b3-ce3d6ac4f81c_zpsd272c19c.jpg"/></a>

[Kickaha]

(Two strokes don't count as weren't road registered or if they were wouldn't last more than a 100miles at a time before become a grenade or shaking your teeth out) road tested a PE400 from a bike shop once, it was wickedly fast but unbearable after only several miles

A friend of mine left Christchurch on his PE400 heading to Amberley, by the time he got to Waikuku he had to stop to regain some feeling in his hands and arms as they'd gone numb from vibration

[MXNUT]

The comparison that i was trying to make was that the DR500 when compared with the other 4 strokes of the time ( TT500 & XR 500 ) was a poor cousin.

I knew that that statement would upset Dino and a few others but there you go..... :devil2::devil2::devil2:

As for the 2 smokers of the the time, the same mate who owned the DR500 was do dissapointed with it that he sold it and brought and IT465.

That thing never spent any time with its front wheel on the ground. Off road the PE400 was a far better bike that the IT, but when back on the seal the IT had
power to burn and a fairly agressive power band and would leave black rubber marks for the PE to follow.

I did 20,000 + trouble free kms on the PE400 and ( rose tinted glasses here again ) it was probably one of the best bikes i ever owned.

I finally traded it for the IT490 when that came out, but in going from 465 to 490cc yamaha had tamed the beast a little and it was not as much fun to ride.
Off road the 490 was just to slow in the steering, but 170 kmh on gravel forestry roads was fun :shit:

[dino3310]

like waving a carrot in fron of a donkey:laugh:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-688623947.htm

[10bikekid]

like waving a carrot in fron of a donkey:laugh:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-688623947.htm

How annoying,:brick: the fact that its in Omaru is about all that could save me:( from buying it (don't trust TM pictures any more and you can't hear the motor run:weird:)

PS, told you there was a Z:shutup: (though this one has the wrong pipe if it is a Z)

[fridayflash]

ive had the 'Z' arguement before.... a mate who bought two xr500a's new (1st and second shipments into nz) laughed when i mentioned the 500z
had never heard of it, or perhaps assumed the 79 was an 'A' i guess:nono:

[10bikekid]

ive had the 'Z' arguement before.... a mate who bought two xr500a's new (1st and second shipments into nz) laughed when i mentioned the 500z
had never heard of it, or perhaps assumed the 79 was an 'A' i guess:nono:

Yer its a fun argument, I owned 2x Z's so always win :rolleyes: . Picked up my mates low miliage one (about 5000ks (miles?) after I sold mine to buy some silver :(, pipes and decals are different which I'm sure you know

Its weird I thought mine was old after a year out of the show room and time to trade after only 12.000ks (miles?) how wrong could I have been:facepalm:

Some of my best Riding memories come from those two XRZ's:weep:

[fridayflash]

now, was the first xr250 a z also? i assume it was..weird thing i remember a mates dad having one from new which had white guards...hmmm, dead
certain it was like that from new :sherlock:

[10bikekid]

now, was the first xr250 a z also? i assume it was..weird thing i remember a mates dad having one from new which had white guards...hmmm, dead
certain it was like that from new :sherlock:

Have pictures in an old Album but cant copy onto digital at night

Didn't care much about 250's at the time but 2 of the guys had them so could be fairly sure of the facts though

Will post later

[Muzz67]

1979 XR500'79




1979 XR500
It came in Tahitian Red
The "HONDA" tank decal was red
The top of the tank, side cover panels, and headlight cowl were black
The "XR500" side cover graphic was red and white
The front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18"
The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with two head pipes
The transmission was a 5-speed
The serial number began PE01-5000001



1980 XR500'80




1980 XR500
It came in Tahitian Red
The gas tank had a wing decal
The control levers and kickstarter arm were black
This year it had a smaller muffler
The front wheel was 23" while the rear was 18"
The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder with two head pipes
The transmission was a 5-speed
The serial number began PE01-5100001

[dino3310]

MMmmmmm tasty project to sink your teeth into http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-689902196.htm

[Slorider]

what makes the husky frames desirable in these applications,no oil in frame so you'd need to make n mount an oil tank-more problems to sort

[dino3310]

pod filter and put a oil tank in the air box maybe?

[XRJohnny]

Hey 10bikekid, your quote " we didn't care much about 250's at the time " is so true.
Also didn't care much about anything else either, as we had the best bike you could get at the time.
I would like to hear some of your stories from back in the day on XR500's.
I also did not keep mine for long, which is such a shame, as I would dearly love to have more memories riding
what is arguably one of the best motorcycles of all time. :yes:

[T.W.R]

Found this wee gem in one of my old mags.

Cycle World's C & J Framed 500 Desert Racer

How they spiced it up :yes:

[NordieBoy]

C&J at the beach races...
<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/dirt/20080202%20Rabbit%20Island%20Beach%20Races/slides/20080202-092048_01037.jpg>

[dino3310]

Faark that looks awesome:headbang:

[10bikekid]

Hey 10bikekid, your quote " we didn't care much about 250's at the time " is so true.
Also didn't care much about anything else either, as we had the best bike you could get at the time.
I would like to hear some of your stories from back in the day on XR500's.
I also did not keep mine for long, which is such a shame, as I would dearly love to have more memories riding
what is arguably one of the best motorcycles of all time. :yes:

With you there Bro

Most of my stories involve wheelies and have posted at least one before, but here's another that comes to mind now

At school I wasnt really in the cool crowd:cool: but knew a few of them, once we left school we all went our seperate way, they drank all their wages in bear and I saved for bikes, DT250, XL250 Y/B and finally after working for 2 years a brand new XR500, during this time I'd learnt to wheely the Yellow and Black (after flipping many times) so the XR once run in was a breeze.(and even while running in:eek:)

Anyways cutting to the chase, I was at my local weekend haunt Murawai Beach and as usual mono ing up and down when these most cool:cool: old freinds arrived in thier beat up old Cortina:rolleyes: and recognised me as I mono'd past, they flagged me down and then I proceeded to escort them up and down the beach wheeling on the back pegs for miles, they forgot I wasnt cool and treated me more like a Rock star, the XR transformed thier opinion of me greatly

Shallow I know but hey I was young and very willing to play along :msn-wink:

I'm pretty sure they mused as they sipped their bears how I'd come to own such a beast and as they sat on their bear crates where that skinny school boy had acquired such skills :scratch:

[dino3310]

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

[fridayflash]

With you there Bro

Most of my stories involve wheelies and have posted at least one before, but here's another that comes to mind now

At school I wasnt really in the cool crowd:cool: but knew a few of them, once we left school we all went our seperate way, they drank all their wages in bear and I saved for bikes, DT250, XL250 Y/B and finally after working for 2 years a brand new XR500, during this time I'd learnt to wheely the Yellow and Black (after flipping many times) so the XR once run in was a breeze.(and even while running in:eek:)

Anyways cutting to the chase, I was at my local weekend haunt Murawai Beach and as usual mono ing up and down when these most cool:cool: old freinds arrived in thier beat up old Cortina:rolleyes: and recognised me as I mono'd past, they flagged me down and then I proceeded to escort them up and down the beach wheeling on the back pegs for miles, they forgot I wasnt cool and treated me more like a Rock star, the XR transformed thier opinion of me greatly

Shallow I know but hey I was young and very willing to play along :msn-wink:

I'm pretty sure they mused as they sipped their bears how I'd come to own such a beast and as they sat on their bear crates where that skinny school boy had acquired such skills :scratch:


great story ! craig guy, whos well known in napier/hasting motorcycling scene and previously owned a suzuki dealership there told me once that he and his mates bought xr500A's new and their stamping ground was muriwai too...wheelieng for miles down towards woodhill way:clap:

[10bikekid]

Ah those were the days, I try to relive them sometimes but my conscience:Police: and fear wont let me for long :no:

In those days not being satisfied with fun on the beach XR guys would then practice wheelies much of the way home on the road :facepalm:

[dino3310]

funny how when ya get to a certain age or point in life something clicks and ya stop the hoon,
when i think back i wonder how the hell i got away with it, and now its just full on Nana time wanting to click back but it dosent happen:laugh:

or is that just me:scratch:

[dino3310]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-693036031.htm

[10bikekid]

funny how when ya get to a certain age or point in life something clicks and ya stop the hoon,
when i think back i wonder how the hell i got away with it, and now its just full on Nana time wanting to click back but it dosent happen:laugh:

or is that just me:scratch:

Maturity, it happens to the best of us :facepalm:

[fridayflash]

Ah those were the days, I try to relive them sometimes but my conscience:Police: and fear wont let me for long :no:

In those days not being satisfied with fun on the beach XR guys would then practice wheelies much of the way home on the road :facepalm:

yes, theres so much i used to do that id never want to do again, like wheelstands from every set of lights, two up riding around town flat out and cornering as low as possible, riding rd350lc home in near paraletic state at full (full!!) throttle :nono: i bloody cringe at the thought of it now

[T.W.R]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-694281252.htm

Don't ask any questions on the auction Dino, you tend to make them disappear...... that RB vanished shortly after you told him what it was :shutup::lol:

[Sensei]

Fine day yesterday so we set out for another of our 250k round loops through some of Taranaki's finest gravel & sealed roads to end at the Whanga pub for refreshments & then head on back through Te Wera back roads for some more fantastic blasting on more twisty roads on the coolest bike being built for it to be done on a 500cc air cooled single ....

[10bikekid]

Nice

Been doing a bit of XR exploring myself lately or at least having a chance to compare one with the DR to see how the XR legend compares to what we imagined

[DR Girl]

Coooooooool XR pics Sensei (Karate Big Kid :msn-wink:) & 10bikekid :headbang::headbang:

[10bikekid]

Coooooooool XR pics Sensei (Karate Big Kid :msn-wink:) & 10bikekid :headbang::headbang:

These bike still do ok even in a modern world, I'm thinking of the possibility of one as a legit lightweight ADV bike. :cool:

[Muzz67]

These bike still do ok even in a modern world, I'm thinking of the possibility of one as a legit lightweight ADV bike. :cool:

Was daydreamin about doin the TransAmerica on the old XR500! Dont see why it wouldn,t be up to the task, aye.

[10bikekid]

Was daydreamin about doin the TransAmerica on the old XR500! Dont see why it wouldn,t be up to the task, aye.

I think so and I guess you would be qualified to say

I sold My XR's both at around 12,000ks or miles (cant remember which) but would imagine they would have been good to about 60.000 easy and then a little tickle up and away they'd go again, My dominator needed a new piston only at 70k :woohoo:

[Muzz67]

I think so and I guess you would be qualified to say

I sold My XR's both at around 12,000ks or miles (cant remember which) but would imagine they would have been good to about 60.000 easy and then a little tickle up and away they'd go again, My dominator needed a new piston only at 70k :woohoo:

Mine was on 21000k when I took the speedo off 15years ago! Done laidback rides, trailrides,VMX,circuit racing, etc untill semi-retirement 4years back. As far as I can remember its only needed swingarm bushes as a result of wear.
Thinkin I'll get her roadlegal again. Comfy, grunty,economical,good lookin, what more could ya ask for?

[Slorider]

grunty? oh well we are talking piglets here,at least until you reach the 650r then you MIGHT be onto something worthy of the meaning.....mx'ers are 'grunty' hell even the little 80's would give one a fright.Orig thread title translated= harleydavidsons of the trailbike variety aka cruisers

[Oscar]

grunty? oh well we are talking piglets here,at least until you reach the 650r then you MIGHT be onto something worthy of the meaning.....mx'ers are 'grunty' hell even the little 80's would give one a fright.Orig thread title translated= harleydavidsons of the trailbike variety aka cruisers

Step away from the bong.

[10bikekid]

grunty? oh well we are talking piglets here,at least until you reach the 650r then you MIGHT be onto something worthy of the meaning.....mx'ers are 'grunty' hell even the little 80's would give one a fright.Orig thread title translated= harleydavidsons of the trailbike variety aka cruisers

I wouldn't normally stoop this low:shutup: but MR fr50 :( are you speaking from experience :facepalm::msn-wink:

[DR Girl]

Just scanned in this pic of my '79 XR185
I was doing some work on the little beast at my flat. Bought her brand spanking :spanking: new in '79 before any had arrived in NZ:Punk:

[Slorider]

247-bong or no bong I know whats what. 248-TT&XR5,XR&XT6 are my trotters which are porky pigs while the RM&YZ 250'S deliver the frightning lightning everytime as did the old kx500.......fr50 is um-lets forget about that one for now-u might get all interested!

[Oscar]

247-bong or no bong I know whats what. 248-TT&XR5,XR&XT6 are my trotters which are porky pigs while the RM&YZ 250'S deliver the frightning lightning everytime as did the old kx500.......fr50 is um-lets forget about that one for now-u might get all interested!

So why don't you go and start your own thread about your fetid two stroke fantasies and stop trolling in this one.
This thread is, after all clearly labeled.