Lowered the 500R down some...

[Billy Golightly]

Just slid the stock CR500 forks way on up in the tripples. Its about 7.5 inches from the ground now under the engine cradle. And when I get on it, it sags alot. I'm gonna try and convert the front end back to 85-86 250R so I dont have so much fork sticking out the top, and maybe get a tiny bit more rake on the front. Overall it handles 100% better with it lowered down in the front then before. I just dont like the forks sticking up way above the handlebars. Enjoy the pictures, testing out a new picture hosting site...

[Orangecnty250r]

That 500 r looks like a rabid wolve just ready to tear up anything it encounters. I agree changing the front would be a good idea. That thing is just awesome for lack of better words.

[Billy Golightly]

Hahaha thanks man. My next thing I'm doing to it is building an aluminum subframe. I'm using 3/4 aluminum square tubing. So thats what I'll be working on for the next couple weeks. Probably gonna have to do a little bit of thinking to get the seat mount fabbed up right but it should turn out pretty good I think and be really light weight.

[Jeb]

Looks cool Billy!

You could take those forks and have the tops cut down and re-threaded for the caps. Then cut the springs down. Or dissassemble and cut the springs and re-arrange the piece you cut off under the top-out spring.

Use that JWR manual on the site as a guide.

[Billy Golightly]

I was thinkin about that Jeb, but then I'd need to cut the dampening rod too, or it would just spring back up the full length of it when I'm on the throttle. I think? I'll checkout the JWR book and see what it says about the forks. Been so long since i looked at it.

[LonesomeTriZ]

If you are going to make it a dedicated straight liner I would suggest looking into 200X front forks. I got a set to lower my go straight Tri-Z and they looked great and put the front end right where I wanted it. The only problem is I do not like mixing brands. So I had a connection of mine build forks for the job. It might be something worth looking into. I’ll let you try my 200x forks if you want to experiment.

[Billy Golightly]

I've actually got 200x front forks and tripple clamps but the only thing is (I haven't verrified it though) is that the hole in the tripples where the steering stem presses in is not the right size. I guess it could be bored out though.

[LonesomeTriZ]

Either way, they will lower your front end and lookg when they do. It is a very clean look. I will try and send soem before and after shots if I have time to swap them out on my Z.

[ATCWRENCH]

with the forks drawn up that high you can put clip on handle bars for weight transfer to keep the front end down

[ATC crazy]

Boy....looks like it would hurt if you went over the bars!

She looks good Billy....I dont even mind the forks sticking up, which dont look that bad at all

[AZ250R]

with the forks drawn up that high you can put clip on handle bars for weight transfer to keep the front end down

That might look intimidating @ the track...

[Jason Hall]

Hey Billy You Could Use The Front Frame Section From The 200x,(Kind Of A Shame To Ruin It). But You Could Put Some Rake On The 200x Forks & Weld A New Gussot In (SWEET). I Have Also Heard That Its Hard To Keep Those 500's From Tearing Themselves From ATC Frames, I Would Be Carefull Going With Aluminum Frame. Most Guys Up Here Leave The 500 In Bike Frame.

[Billy Golightly]

Hey Jason,

The CR500 frame is actually divided into 2 parts. The "main frame" which is the engine cradle, and the gooseneck that the tripple bolt onto. Then the "sub frame" bolts onto the back of that. Its what the seat and originally the airbox would bolt to. I'm not gonna make a whole new frame, just the subframe that bolts on. One of these days I'll get an aluminum swingarm or one of those nice chromoly tubing ones.

[Jason Hall]

I Meant The Round Section Where Steering Stem Bearings Go, If You Could Cut That Section Off & Weld It To The 500 Frame. You Could Rake The Front Out Where You Want It Then Weld In A New Gussot. I Did It To My Snowmobile Powered 3 Wheeler. I Used 250-R Frame & Forks On That One. I Don't Know It Might Be Easyer To Just Machine Your Frame To Fit 200x Tripples. I Would Imagine The 500 Stuff Is Bigger, So You Would Have To Weld It Up & Turn It Down.

[LonesomeTriZ]

I Meant The Round Section Where Steering Stem Bearings Go, If You Could Cut That Section Off & Weld It To The 500 Frame. You Could Rake The Front Out Where You Want It Then Weld In A New Gussot. I Did It To My Snowmobile Powered 3 Wheeler. I Used 250-R Frame & Forks On That One. I Don't Know It Might Be Easyer To Just Machine Your Frame To Fit 200x Tripples. I Would Imagine The 500 Stuff Is Bigger, So You Would Have To Weld It Up & Turn It Down.

You have to post some photographs of that thing.