Strongest year for the honda CR500?

[blsdmf]

What was the year that the CR500 had the strongest motor in it? I have heard between 85 and 87? What have you guys heard?

[BigTBones]

Not to hijack your thread but Also since we are on this topic...can any of these motors be moded to fit in a 250r frame. I thought only some years were able to? i know someone here makes frames?

[Orangecnty250r]

I always heard 85 was such a beast they tamed them down after that

[brapp]

i can honestly say my 92 was way nastie rthan my cousins 85 btu i also had a bills pipand silencer and soem light porting

[200x newby]

ive heard 87 was the best year.

[NINJA]

I always heard 85 was such a beast they tamed them down after that

I've heard the same thing numerous times. Kinda like the YZ250 from 94, the factory riders were using that cylinder for a couple years. Banshees were the fastest in 87 also, though I believe that had to do with the pipes. As far as putting a CR500 motor in your 250R, it's been done numerous times. Leager's actually used to sell a kit to convert the CR500 into a threewheeler. I think there is an article about that somewhere on this site.

[badasskfx]

these guys can help you
cr500riders.com

[tecat-z]

I've always heard the same 85-87. With 86 being the power pinacle. I have a test of all the open bikes of 88 and they make mention numerous times how honda put lots of work into making the CR500 rideable. And the 88 bike has been a success in that department. Smooth, yet still very fast. They new the had to take the edge off, just took a few years to actually do.

[MTS]

not bout being strong, its if you can handle it :)

[cr480r]

They all have the same potential... '85 is said to be the most violent... '86 is considered to be the fastest stock cr500... Any year can be made mean if thats what you want

[oldskool83]

any cr500 motor will be a lot to handle haha. ive heard it after 88 they tamed them down some, buy anythng from 85-88 so yeah.

[Black86tri-z]

forget trying to tame the power have fun getting it started,i had a 87 but sold it because it was too much to kick over and pop starting it would only drag the tire had to pop start it with my truck

[oldskool83]

yeah i heard they were hard to kick over. 250's use to be hard for me since i weight nothing.

[blue27]

I was always told the 85 was the most powerfull. We called it the "Devils Lightswitch". In 86 they started to smooth them out so they were easier to control. I have ridden many different years and they are all crazy.

[tripod]

In 86 the works ban came into effect.So all the manufactures dumped all the works technolgy into the production bikes.So i would geuss that was the year for a great motor.

[Scooter77]

The 84's aircooled engine is the is the most untamed, hard hitting engine of all the years. 87 is spose to be the best year of all as far as balance goes. I own a 89 and it has more than enough power for anyones needs. i will say though if you ride in your yard or anything like that....dont expect to have grass cause these things roost with the smallest twist of the throttle. Also Cr500 riders could be a good source for info but they have stupid rules to say the least. like the one about not posting unless you already own a complete Cr500. If you do go there...just act like you own one or they will give you the cold shoulder. :beer

[Huffa]

I had an 85 and really, they are all beast, but the 85 and a few other years had too potent of a power delivery and I learned from the pro's to on occassion drag the rear brake for tricky traction situations, that tamed it down, :D went thru rear brake pads quicker though.

[Hedbngr18]

I know this is an incredibly old thread, but I have a question for y'all. I traded a co-worker some A/C work for a 1985 CR500 trike conversion. I have decided to just put the engine into a spare 85 ATC250R frame. I am not a fan of how skinny the CR frame is, how small the tank is, as well as how small the foot pegs are (among other things).

My question is, does anyone on here have pictures of the Leager's trike kit? I have a +4 conversion swingarm to go with the CR frame (the frame has also been modified with a better rake angle on the forks). I want to sell whatever I am able to so I can put the $ towards an engine rebuild and time/materials necessary to modify the ATC frame for the 500. The only thing I am missing from the CR is the +2 axle that the previous owner can't locate. I'm hoping this generates some interest either on here or through friends of friends. :-) Thanks in advance.

[big specht]

Do you have any pics of you bike frame? I know a guy that is going to be out your way next month

[Hedbngr18]

Do you have any pics of you bike frame? I know a guy that is going to be out your way next month

I can post pics of all parts I am wanting to part with after the 2nd of January. I leave for New Year's vacation tomorrow morning early and get back late on the 2nd. Everything will be first come, first served. I hope we all can help each other with our projects! Thanks in advance.

[Hedbngr18]

Okay everyone. Everything has finally settled down for the new year. I have a long weekend starting tonight, so I will make sure to get some pics posted of everything I am willing to part with from the CR500 trike. I am actually considering that custom chromoly frame I have seen pics of floating around on here. So, anything that I can put towards that will help. Otherwise, I have a spare '85 ATC frame lying around that my fabricator friend can make a new cradle for. Cheaper and faster for sure. My main issue with this project is that it has the classic water pump/right side case corrosion that I have to either fix or replace. That'll be my first move. Hope a few of you can make use of some of these parts! Have a good Friday.

[Hedbngr18]

Alright everyone. Here's the list so far:
85 CR500R: Tank, Maier Shrouds (no cracks), Airbox with intake boot, Full Leagers CR500 trike conversion subframe with +4" swingarm and bearing carrier, original CR500R frame with adjusted rake for better handling, Radiators.

I also have a complete pair of 350X forks. There is a bit of rust on them between where the triple clamps attach. I have pictures of everything, but you will have to PM me for them. I don't have permission to post them on here yet.

[lndy650]

I agree the 84 has a super radical powerband its uncontrollable to an extent. Toward the late 80s into the 90's they changed the port timing to tame the powerband a little but they are still fast as hell. i had a few 480's an air cooled 500 a 86 500 and ive rode a bunch of others.
I prefer the kawasaki kx500 powervalve. With the powervalve you have more low end and its a smoother transition into the high side of the powerband. the powervalve kx 500 is a really smooth bike and i much preferred it over the cr. thats just my opinion though. As far as sheer power Ive never felt a faster bike than the suzuki rm 500 4 speed i have. that thing just insane and when you got off you would be shaking from the adrenaline rushing through your body. its a wonderful sensation :)

[Hedbngr18]

I have the stock 500R rear shock too. I may try to use it on the trike, but I haven't looked at it yet to see if it's at all possible. If any of you on here have some insight into that, I would appreciate it.

I also have 2 1985 stock swingarms for the 250R. Both are in excellent working condition and are still gold with decals. Would need to be stripped and painted to be showroom quality, but they could be installed and ran with no issues whatsoever. One unit has the rear carrier, the other does not.

I have yet to decide on prices for anything, as I need to do some research to see what it's all worth. I want it to be fair for everyone (including myself). This $ will go into repairing my 85 R, registering both my 85 and 86 R's, as well as getting started on the 500.

Pics available through email upon request.

[yaegerb]

I have the stock 500R rear shock too. I may try to use it on the trike, but I haven't looked at it yet to see if it's at all possible. If any of you on here have some insight into that, I would appreciate it.

I also have 2 1985 stock swingarms for the 250R. Both are in excellent working condition and are still gold with decals. Would need to be stripped and painted to be showroom quality, but they could be installed and ran with no issues whatsoever. One unit has the rear carrier, the other does not.

I have yet to decide on prices for anything, as I need to do some research to see what it's all worth. I want it to be fair for everyone (including myself). This $ will go into repairing my 85 R, registering both my 85 and 86 R's, as well as getting started on the 500.

Pics available through email upon request.

Price and pictures in the post please. Forum rules.

[6bt]

85-86 were the short rod motors...they even kinda sound like 125ish...quick to rev. 87 was supposed to be the compromise between older and newer. My 92 cr500 feels pretty mellow. My 01 kx500 feels stronger, with a harder hit.

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