Name's Karl and I live in Jönköping, Sweden. Born in 1975 (you figure out my age. I've stopped counting) I work as a emercency call (911)-operator and Fire/Rescue dispatcher. I do a bit of hunting and IPSC-shooting when I'm not riding bikes or looking after the kids (3 girls). Got my first motorized 2-wheeler in 1987 and I've been doing it ever since.
This fall I said to the missus that I wanted a bike I could ride all year and keep the anxt from going Superbike cold Turkey at the beginning of october at bay. Autumn in Sweden is quite cold, dark and rainy and riding a 160+ hp bike on wet leaves is far from preferable, let alone the snow and ice of winter. I can't ride streetbikes for six months of every year over here.
-"Sell your GSXR750 and buy one then." she said, and that was it... That set the ball rolling. Since buying my GSXR1000K5 in 2007 the 750 got relegated to a track-hack and the one I lent to buddies without their own bikes. I didn't sell it before because of all the money I've put into it and the small amount I would get back but after ten years on it, everything can't be counted in dollars, can it? Thousands of fun miles are worth something as well aren't they?
Anyway I started thinking about what would do as an all-year bike in this climate and got stuck on CR500AF's. Buying one from SH is out of the question as I've got a house and three kids to look after as well so building my own is the only option.
So far I've bought a CRF450 '02 chassis on Excel 17" rims but without the engine, and in November 2010 I finally found a good CR500. It's a 1999 model and hasn't been ridden much. Bored out just one time and semi-well kept overall. It needs new linkage-bearings and maybe a new exhaust. The FMF on it is quite dented.
Here are a few pictures:
I'll try to keep posting as the build gets under way but don't hold your breath. I guess I'll start in a year or so
This winter I'll just enjoy the thrills of the big 500!Here's my Youtube channel. Mostly bikes and shooting sports:
http://www.youtube.com/user/KMan750
// Karl, Sweden
Collection!
