Bigbore four-stroke classics?

[Slorider]

its a hard choice-early 80's 500cc or late 80's 600........the latter rains supreme imo (considering either can be had for similar money) what do prefer and why

[Muzz67]

i guess the engines feel very similar to use, however the 600 has a smoother gearbox and at least it has an oilfilter!
Both start first kicker whether fuel is fresh or year old.

[kevfromcoro]

i guess the engines feel very similar to use, however the 600 has a smoother gearbox and at least it has an oilfilter!
Both start first kicker whether fuel is fresh or year old.
you ever had a kick back off one of these things
my xr dam near tore me anckle off
OUCH

[Muzz67]

you ever had a kick back off one of these things
my xr dam near tore me anckle off
OUCH

Nah, once you know how to kick a big single it's easy. Seem plenty of broken k/s shafts, bruised calves etc.Never had either.
Just past TDC, then kick with determination, any half-assed kick will bite ya!

[swarfie]

Nah, once you know how to kick a big single it's easy. Seem plenty of broken k/s shafts, bruised calves etc.Never had either.
Just past TDC, then kick with determination, any half-assed kick will bite ya!

Had an XR500A from new for 7 years (should've kept it:spanking:) and could start it with my hand, piece of cake if you knew how....technique is all.

[Muzz67]

Had an XR500A from new for 7 years (should've kept it:spanking:) and could start it with my hand, piece of cake if you knew how....technique is all.

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

[swarfie]

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

Yep, I traded my 1975 XL250 in on my 1st XR, was a 1979 250Z, one of the first shipment of 7 bikes to come into NZ. Did club Moto X and hare scrambles on it and loved it, but I really wanted a 500 but apprentice wages wouldn't stretch it at the time...Traded it in in April 1980 for a 500A and was in heaven :2thumbsup:cool:

[NordieBoy]

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

My '79 250 was a Z

[pete-blen]

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

Honda
79 = Z... XR 500RZ/CR250RZ/CB900FZ
80 = A... XR500RA/CR250RA/CB900FA
81 = B
82 = C
83 = D
ETC

Yamaha
76 = C... YZ250C/RD400C
77 = D... YZ250D/RD400D
78 = E
79 = F
80 = G
81 = H
ETC

usely miss O & I as they look to much like numbers...

[Muzz67]

79 = Z... XR 500RZ/CR250RZ/CB900FZ
80 = A... XR500RA/CR250RA/CB900FA
81 = B

R means Prolink,, 500R started in '81

[Oscar]

I have a XT500H with YSS shocks on it.
I loves it.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I have a XT500H with YSS shocks on it.
I loves it.

Let's see it Mr!

[Oscar]

Let's see it Mr!

Righty-dokey:

http://oscar.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Favourites/i-Kvzgxmb/0/X2/IMG_0755-X2.jpg

[Crasherfromwayback]

Righty-dokey:

[]

Fuck that's a beauty! I've always lusted after a Yellow TT500. But I love the polished alloy tanked XT too.

[Oscar]

Fuck that's a beauty! I've always lusted after a Yellow TT500. But I love the polished alloy tanked XT too.

It's a hoot on gravel.

[Crasherfromwayback]

It's a hoot on gravel.

I bet. Spent a bit of time as a yoof on a mates XR500RZ on gravel roads. True hoot!

[Oscar]

I bet. Spent a bit of time as a yoof on a mates XR500RZ on gravel roads. True hoot!

It needs a bit more power.
I can't decide if I should keep it stock or modify it slightly.

[Crasherfromwayback]

It needs a bit more power.
I can't decide if I should keep it stock or modify it slightly.

Hot rod it! Long as they look stock(ish) I reckon it's all good. I'm trying to keep my RM400T close as poss to period correct...but have cheated with twin leading shoe front brakes (gonna be a race bike and want it to stop)...and have modern black Tagasko rims. Other than that she's as they were in 1980.

[Oscar]

Anyone got any ideas on progressive fork springs for the XT500?
I can get emulators, but that's probably a bit over the top for the intended use.