XR500 (and similar) legends and lies thread

**XRJohnny** · 17th November 2014, 11:45

Originally Posted by DR Girl

Well done Ed

It's a good days riding. What a reliable beast the XL500 is

AWESOME !
Last MMMMM ( done on the Sunday) Bernard & I added the Putere/Raupanga gravel on. Twas great

Did you end up doing the ride on your own or were you the only one who had to go get gas at Ruatahuna LOL?

Post you ride on HB Rideouts also Ed.

Hey dirgirl, Are you BLONDE??
Anyone could see that those gas pumps at Ruatahuna have not been used since 1983!!
Ed just stopped there for a photo op & to try & steal food off the old people.
We were laying low at Murapara at the time, having dropped Steve.S off at the Airport for a bit of Skydiving.
REMEMBER . . . . . don't ride on the road , in the rain , on Knobblies . . . . . They ARE Dangerous!!

**10bikekid** · 17th November 2014, 20:28

Originally Posted by fridayflash

cheers muzz, yes rev counter is standard, bike is an '82 model...i know the 79/80 models have the speedo and idiot lights combo unit. im tempted to fit xr headlight, single speedo, seat, shocks,forks,rear guard and tool pouch as ive got all the bits on a xr250z ,,i just love the twin shock 500 look.
fuel economy is good so far..but i havent worke out my exact k/pl yet..its really only the second time ive rode the bike, but id guess its around 160kms to dry at the mo, i hope to get a bit more out of it than that, could drop the needle one clip as its marginally rich atm. the bag bungied on the back is holding 5L of go-go juice

p.s as a lapsed (collapsed) catholic i told those heathen JW's in no uncertain terms that i couldnt break bread with them,,,unless they had alter wine and irish stew..then i crossed myself and left them in a hail of gravel dust

Being a Pentecostal I would have left with Tongues of Fire coming out the exhaust

**husaberg** · 17th November 2014, 21:29

What are the shocks like I seem to remember the other Hondas of the vintage had the FVQ's I always thought it stood for F-ed very quickly....
That was in the 80's, I guess they may mature, mch like fine wine though.......

**fridayflash** · 17th November 2014, 21:38

berg, the shocks are...you guessed it..shocking! well really one is the orig xl500s unit and its pukeru, the other is an xr250A unit and thats really good so overall i cant complain, shocks and forks both work fairly evenly and the bike does handle good (in a retro kinda way)

**Muzz67** · 18th November 2014, 05:56

Despite what Mr Honda says, the shocks can be rebuilt. Bit fiddly, but with new oil and seals they can be pretty good.
I made mine 30mm longer too, to match the front height better.

**fridayflash** · 18th November 2014, 12:21

did you do the work yourself muzz? that might be a bit beyond me..do you give them a charge of nitrogen too? the extra ride height is needed at the rear i agree, for sure ill run the xr shocks i have, theyre 30mm longer

**Muzz67** · 18th November 2014, 18:27

Originally Posted by fridayflash

did you do the work yourself muzz? that might be a bit beyond me..do you give them a charge of nitrogen too? the extra ride height is needed at the rear i agree, for sure ill run the xr shocks i have, theyre 30mm longer

Yes, once you figure out how to pull them apart, it's not too bad.
I was goin to buy 12mm hard-chrome shaft at great expence, till I found 1/2 inch shaft on one of those exercize machines at the dump!
had the other end re-threaded to suit the honda eye, all good.
Had the thread longer then normal, and fitted a 30mm spacer between the eye and the spring seat.
No more travel than standard, just raises seat a bit.
Any more and the chain would tear the chain-slider to bits.

**fridayflash** · 19th November 2014, 16:22

hehe classic stuff!! i wonder what was in the 'terry kit' that gave better suspenders and increased travel for xr500/250 i saw one on trademe a few years ago..new old stock!

**puddytat** · 19th November 2014, 17:21

Baz from taupo years ago came up with the idea to move the swingarm shock mounts forward on my XR250....over did it a tad & it ended up with the turning ability of a trials bike.

Looked awesum with mega travel, handled like shit

**staq50** · 19th November 2014, 22:36

was a great ride all round, rained, blew, sun, had it all, awesome
These are taken at the lake, and on the waipunga section

**Muzz67** · 30th April 2015, 19:51

Anyone know where to get new 23inch tyres?

**Kickaha** · 30th April 2015, 20:53

Originally Posted by Muzz67

Anyone know where to get new 23inch tyres?

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product..._23_trail.aspx

Getting a 21 inch front rim laced on would give you a far better selection

**pete376403** · 30th April 2015, 21:57

Not sure if they are road legal (pretty sure they are not) but speedway bikes use 23" fronts. Trials universal-like tread pattern. Should be ok for easy offroad tracks, a bit light for sharp rocks

http://goldentyre.co.nz/cart/index.p...&product_id=73