Bought me a 1986 CR500. And so the madness begins...

100hp honda · Post by **100hp honda** » February 9th, 2011, 5:15 pm

nice machine. they still selling the pipes new or is it used from ebay ?

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 9th, 2011, 5:19 pm

They don't make it for the '86, but they do make it for the '87. So I ordered the '87 kit and eliminated the mid pipe. Done deal.

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 12th, 2011, 10:50 am

Here she is ready for the decal install. I've had all I can take from the incorrect red fork boots. Ordered the correct for 1986 blue boots today. Hope to have them by next weekend. I'm also going to order a new correct for 1986 reproduction seat cover. Found a place across the pond that makes them.

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 13th, 2011, 10:12 am

Got the decals on with the exception of the front number plate (still need to order a new one). The radiator shroud and swing arm decals went on with no trouble at all. They are much thicker than stock and seem to be of excellent quality. I got them from ebay seller "apache740". Great product and shipped quickly. The number plate decals were made custom by Decal Works and are also of excellent quality. The side cover decals needed minor trimming to fit the aftermarket plastics which is to be expected. They went on without issue.

So, what's left on this old girl? Blue fork boots, seat cover and bash plate. No, I don't plan on beating her up, but I do want to put a bash plate on it so the frame doesn't get scratched and gouged up by taking it on and off the stand. Maybe a new tank to go with the new plastics? I also have entertained the thought of buying new gold anodized rims and having my hubs laced to them with new spokes. Maybe when I have some extra cash laying around. We'll see.

Here's how she looks after the decal install.

sabreguy · Post by **sabreguy** » February 16th, 2011, 6:29 pm

Bike looks sweet!

Hey if you are getting rid of those fork boots wanna sell them?

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 20th, 2011, 11:03 am

sabreguy wrote:Bike looks sweet!

Hey if you are getting rid of those fork boots wanna sell them?

Unfortunately, the knobby ate the red fork boots up. Last owners did not have the front wheel aligned properly.

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 20th, 2011, 11:04 am

Got the correct blue fork boots installed today...

oggo69 · Post by **oggo69** » February 20th, 2011, 11:15 am

sweet job done there dude

enjoy

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 20th, 2011, 11:18 am

Thank you!

sabreguy · Post by **sabreguy** » February 20th, 2011, 3:05 pm

Widow Maker wrote:
sabreguy wrote:Bike looks sweet!

Hey if you are getting rid of those fork boots wanna sell them?
Unfortunately, the knobby ate the red fork boots up. Last owners did not have the front wheel aligned properly.

Bummer...... so where did you get your boots I need a set of red for my 88

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 20th, 2011, 3:38 pm

Believe it or not, I got them from Honda through my local dealer. Honda didn't discontinue the boots...yet.

beekums · Post by **beekums** » February 21st, 2011, 4:06 am

oggo69 wrote:sweet job done there dude

enjoy

x2

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » February 21st, 2011, 4:27 am

Thanks!

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » May 15th, 2011, 6:23 pm

UPDATE

As it turns out, the right side case cover DID have a little corrosion issue. I had coolant leaking into the tranny. After taking the cover off and looking at it closely, there was a small hole about the size of the tip of a ball point pen at the bottom of the front water pump spout. I cleaned, degreased, sanded and recleaned the spot and filled it with 2 part epoxy. So far, no more water in the tranny.

I really wish my '90 and '97 ran like this '86. They really are completely different bikes. The '86 has a much more pronounced hit and just keeps pulling and pulling without signing off suddenly like the other bikes. The '90 and '97 are more like tractors and the '86 is like a raped ape!

Big thanks to Roosty for letting me pick his brain as well as the awesome machine work on my cylinder and cylinder head. Thanks man!

kevin_s · Post by **kevin_s** » June 13th, 2011, 6:08 am

Great job,makes me want to go out and find one to restore.
Enjoy you're new bike.

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » June 13th, 2011, 7:41 am

Thanks!

Tharrell · Post by **Tharrell** » June 13th, 2011, 9:17 am

You can go race that bike in AHRMA now.
MX or cross country.
It's called the pre modern class, no disc on the rear.
No national points yet though, but it will happen probably next year.

kelroy_leon · Post by **kelroy_leon** » June 23rd, 2011, 10:51 am

have you thought about running a 90' clutch cover? aluminum and 2 piece design.

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » June 23rd, 2011, 11:06 am

I have, but unfortunately the swap to a '90+ cover creates issues with the mechanical rear brakes. The 2 piece covers are 10 millimeters wider than the 1 piece covers and you end up with clearance issues with the rear brake lever.

Since the repair to the original cover is holding up I'm going to run with it for now.

kelroy_leon · Post by **kelroy_leon** » June 23rd, 2011, 11:35 am

check out my $200 86' posting. i did the swap, no issues at all.

Widow Maker · Post by **Widow Maker** » June 23rd, 2011, 6:54 pm

Good to know it worked out smoothly for at least one person! If the repair on my original cover ever fails I'll give the late model 2 piece cover a go.

BannedCR500Riders.com

Bought me a 1986 CR500. And so the madness begins...