Need some CR500AF info and advice...
Posted: August 23rd, 2007, 7:06 pm
OK, here's the deal - I was about to put my '05 CRF450R up for sale when I came across a guy trying to get a trade - his '97 CR500AF for a CRF450R. Being a predominantly desert rider, this naturally piqued my interest. I've always wanted a 500AF, and here is a chance. Besides being interested in such a bike, I also am fully aware of the fact thet there are about a million CRF450's for sale just about everywhere - therefore driving the resale price into the basement (~$3700 here in AZ for an '05). So, the way I see it, if the bike is in good shape, I can't really lose --> if I like the bike I keep it, if not I sell it for the same or prolly more than I can get for my CRF450. So, here's my questions:
1) For those in the know - does this sound about right? Do y'all think I can get ~$3700 for a nice '97 CR500AF? I know the new SH CR500AF's are quite pricey, and I have'nt any idea what a good price would be for a nice '97...
2) I know everyones' issues with the 1st gen CR frames - too stiff, etc... My roommate had a '98 CR250 - and I really liked the bike - everything except for the motor that is (no bottom - compared to my YZ250 at least). Is the '97 similar? Are there other issues I should be concerned with in the donor bike ('97 CR250)? BTW - This particular 500AF does have Showa forks - not sure what year, but they are Showas. The shock seems to be the stock KYB, as the guy who currently owns it is completely mechanically inept, thats all the info I have.
3) The current owner has no clue what year the motor is --> he's said '83 or '86. I dont know much about the CR500 motors' history, so is there some way to identify it? It is water cooled (I think this rules out '84 and earlier??) and it does have black cases and bare aluminum cylinder/head. And, if any of this sounds familiar - does anyone know if I need to run race gas in this thing? I'm pretty sure these 500's have relatively low CR so prolly not - but not sure...
4) The current owner says the bike was modded by on of the Service Honda 'Partners'. I'm not exactly sure what he means by that, but the bike does seem to have SH CR500AF graphics/decals on the shrouds and swingarm. So, is there some way to tell if SH did in fact do this bike?
5) With the Showa forks, bike runs strong, it seems to be real solid, all the welds for the mods look really good, brakes and all else seem to be good, also had a Magura hydraulic clutch and a Clarke desert tank. I think the bike is in real good shape all-around, do y'all think this'd be a good trade? I ride desert mainly, and will still keep my YZ250 for the nasty singletrack and woods. Basically my attraction to the CR500AF is that it'll haul a$$ like my CRF450, but I no longer have to worry about valves/rebuild costs as I ride hard and fast pretty much all the time. My YZ would suffice, but tops out at ~68mph, where my 450 tops out at ~90mph. I like that extra 12mph.
Any comments, advice and/or comments are appreciated. Thanks!
1) For those in the know - does this sound about right? Do y'all think I can get ~$3700 for a nice '97 CR500AF? I know the new SH CR500AF's are quite pricey, and I have'nt any idea what a good price would be for a nice '97...
2) I know everyones' issues with the 1st gen CR frames - too stiff, etc... My roommate had a '98 CR250 - and I really liked the bike - everything except for the motor that is (no bottom - compared to my YZ250 at least). Is the '97 similar? Are there other issues I should be concerned with in the donor bike ('97 CR250)? BTW - This particular 500AF does have Showa forks - not sure what year, but they are Showas. The shock seems to be the stock KYB, as the guy who currently owns it is completely mechanically inept, thats all the info I have.
3) The current owner has no clue what year the motor is --> he's said '83 or '86. I dont know much about the CR500 motors' history, so is there some way to identify it? It is water cooled (I think this rules out '84 and earlier??) and it does have black cases and bare aluminum cylinder/head. And, if any of this sounds familiar - does anyone know if I need to run race gas in this thing? I'm pretty sure these 500's have relatively low CR so prolly not - but not sure...
4) The current owner says the bike was modded by on of the Service Honda 'Partners'. I'm not exactly sure what he means by that, but the bike does seem to have SH CR500AF graphics/decals on the shrouds and swingarm. So, is there some way to tell if SH did in fact do this bike?
5) With the Showa forks, bike runs strong, it seems to be real solid, all the welds for the mods look really good, brakes and all else seem to be good, also had a Magura hydraulic clutch and a Clarke desert tank. I think the bike is in real good shape all-around, do y'all think this'd be a good trade? I ride desert mainly, and will still keep my YZ250 for the nasty singletrack and woods. Basically my attraction to the CR500AF is that it'll haul a$$ like my CRF450, but I no longer have to worry about valves/rebuild costs as I ride hard and fast pretty much all the time. My YZ would suffice, but tops out at ~68mph, where my 450 tops out at ~90mph. I like that extra 12mph.
Any comments, advice and/or comments are appreciated. Thanks!