CR500 Year Differences

[battleax]

I have an "89 my son has a "86 he does not want. What are the motor differences through the model years? I am mostly looking for power differences. Which is fastest? Which has the widest powerband? I am thinking all years not just "89 and "86. What is his running but worn "86 worth? Thanks Guys

[Roostius_Maximus]

burn your leg on the 86 pipe, and the 89 will be a keeper

I'd stick with the 89 for suspension and the way the bike fits you is alot nicer than the 85-86 style

[87CR500Rider]

The upside down forks on the 89' suck. The forks on the 86' work and work well unless you're riding SX and who does that on a 500? The 86' engine is more explosive than the 89'. What's the 86' worth? Show a picture of it and you'll most likely get some replies.

[Roostius_Maximus]

I agree on the fork, but the 85-86 shock sucks, the 87-88 is awesome.

[AlisoBob]

That stock pipe sucks ass.....

Ship it to me, and I'll toss it in the garbage for you.

[87CR500Rider]

I agree on the fork, but the 85-86 shock sucks, the 87-88 is awesome.

Agreed. Most people think that upside down forks are "superior" to conventional forks but they actually kinda sucked when they first came out. I haven't ridden a CR500 newer than a 94' but the fork didn't work as well as my 87'. That was in 94' too. Go figure.

[battleax]

Thanks for the replies, I did not explain myself very well, I penned the post when I was in a hurry.... I bought my resto '89 after I got the boy's '86 running. After I rode his, I thought "hey that wasn't so bad" so I bought my '89 (that I had known about for 2-3 years) it was very dead. And went through it stem to stern. After a complete redo the engine runs great and I haven't rode it enough to hate the forks.
The kid's bike is functional but tired and is mild compared to my bike. He says he wants a modern 4 stroke and I have been trying to talk him into restoring the '86. I have to tell you it handles like crap! I really don't want to do it for him, so I am waiting until he rides my good running (but subpar suspended '89) and get him excited about the possibilities of his old bike.
Just for my amusement I wanted to hear about the engine characteristics of the different years. Were does the '86 compare to the rest? Where does the '89 compare to the rest? That sort of thing.
As for as my forks go, I plan to ride it a bit if the ground ever thaws (Iowa) and if I am having fun, look for some later forks for a swap.... or something.
Thanks again, Joe

[87CR500Rider]

I kinda look at it like this. 85 and 86 were arm snatching beasts. 87 and 88' were less brutal but a good compromise in my opinion between the 86 and the newer engines. If his 86' is mild compared to your 89' it is seriously worn out. When running correctly that 86' is as far from a 4 stroke, electric powerband as you can get. Your 89' should do that better.

[Roostius_Maximus]

I built a sweet 86 engine and put it in my '88

[AMA714]

Where are you and how much do you want for the 86?

[battleax]

Iowa, I'll ask the boy. Joe

[dannygraves]

'89 is arguably the best year motor... long rod, older porting in the newer jug, lighter clutch than '90+ and very agressive timing from that cdi. '87-'89 were the fastest. '84-'86 had the most off the line torque making then very difficult to ride. the '86 has a wide ratio trans, the '89 does not, you'll max out 5th on the fire roads and be trying to click into imaginary 6th in no time.
both are good bikes IMO, but if he isn't into the '86, he won't get into it, you have to love that bike to ride is because its an unforgiving asshole!

[battleax]

This is the kids '86, in response, Iowa he's asking $1100

Joe Byrd

[ISBB]

thats one clean 86