'87 Honda ATC 500R ??

**Maico 500** · 03-22-2003, 12:59 AM

Hello All!! I'm 35 yrs old and have rode Honda ATC's for years. I'm also new to this forum. Great forum too. Anyway...has anyone else heard the same rumor that back in '85,Factory Honda had built 5,ATC 500R 3 wheelers?? I was told by some ex-engineers that they were scary fast,handled far better than the 250's and were going to be put into production for the '87 Honda line up when the government pulled the plug on 3-wheelers. Any one else hear of this ??

**J.D.** · 03-22-2003, 01:25 AM

Dunno, but one of those would be AWESOME!

**Howdy** · 03-22-2003, 04:18 AM

I have heard the rumors of the ATC500r before. How ever not one shread of proof. Without proof it will remain a rumor.

As far as my personal opinion: if the rumor was true I would think Honda would have used the 500cc motor in the TRX chassis. Could you imagine the sales they could have gotten selling a TRX500r? They probably would have had a hard time selling the TRX250r's.
That is my 2 Cents. Good or Bad that is how I see it.

Howdy

**tony_250r** · 03-22-2003, 04:49 AM

I've never heard of that either but I'v seen more that a few custom ATC CR500's. I can't see how a 500cc will handle bettet than a 250cc.

**Maico 500** · 03-22-2003, 08:36 AM

After doing quite a few 500/ATC swaps,I feel as though the handling does improve. I believe it's due to the extra weight of the 500 power plant. The 250's are slightly twitchy. The suspension on both ends needs to be re-sprung to compensate for the extra weight and speed the 500 produces. But that's just me. God bless America and the 500 ATC !!

**200x Basket** · 03-22-2003, 10:08 AM

i loved mine but starting it was pain. i only managed to kick start it one time

i am planning to build a tecate 500 now

**Maico 500** · 03-22-2003, 10:21 AM

I didn't have too much of a problem starting it as I've been riding Maico 500 and CR 500 dirt bikes for years now. Not to mention my 210# fat ass helps get the motor lit !! LOL!! Takin' the rear fenders off every time kinda sucked though. A 500 tecate will be REALLY cool !! I had a chance several years ago to pick up an '86 Tecate 250 for cheap and never did. Could kick myself in the ass a million times for not buying it.

**ATC crazy** · 03-22-2003, 10:29 AM

I would love to build a 500R. It would be sweet. I don't believe that there were any ATC500R's. There may have been a prototype or two but...come on...You can barly keep the fromt wheel down on the 250's. Ever since the 250R's died out, Honda has never really built a high performance machine again (w/ the exception of the 400ex which is wimpy now compared to the DZ400 :x )

**Maico 500** · 03-22-2003, 10:36 AM

The ATC 500R's were prototype's...I was told there were 5 total. Believe me..with the extra weight from the motor,the front end lifts LESS than the 250's. With the extra power,it just breaks the rear wheels loose. Now on pavement,it's whole different story !!

**200x Basket** · 03-22-2003, 12:09 PM

on pavment my 500 was way to scary. in the dirt it would blow paddles away. the one time we took it drag racing i would loose the hole shot from tire spin but i quickly caught up. i sold it because i never rode it and honestly i thought it had too much power. did i just say that :?:

**ATC crazy** · 03-22-2003, 02:02 PM

TOO MUCH POWER!!!....Is that what you said?...You can never have too much POWER!!!

**Maico 500** · 03-22-2003, 02:13 PM

Too much is NEVER enough !! MSD ignitioned,Alcohol breathging,Nitrous sniffing 500cc of balls out,bugs in your grill.... FUN!!

**KASEY** · 03-22-2003, 06:25 PM

MAICO DUDEwe need to talk ,,, what did you do for a kicker on your 500r conversions!!!!!!! clearing the brake pedal makes it stick out way to far to leave on for comfortable riding ,, i need a little help on this one ,,,, here is my 500r

**200x Basket** · 03-22-2003, 06:33 PM

nice conversion. what pipe is that? what year kicker are you using? fisrt i clearanced my frame. then i bought a later style cr250r kicker. it cleared the frame but the kick was to short becasue it hit the brake pedal. i just made a new part that i think would have solved it all. i took a kicker shaft from a 500 and the bottom kicker boss of my of my old kicker. i cut the shaft ont he non spline dend until it was the right lenght and then welded the cut end to the old boss so it would receive the splines on the engine. i basically lenthened the kicker shaft about 1 1/2". if the camera was here i would take a pic.

**Maico 500** · 03-22-2003, 06:52 PM

Nice lookin' ATC !! On my conversions,I used the stock '85 CR 500 lever only modified it slightly. Down at the knuckle,right where it starts its upward bend.I cut it and moved it FORWARD 1". That way it's still in the same position when folded in,just 1" farther forward. When you unfold it to kick start,it's now further away from the frame. Here's another trick. It costs a couple of $$ but makes life MUCH easier in the starting department..COMPRESSION RELEASE. Have the cylinder/head modified to use a comp. release like the old Maico 490's had. Your right foot will thank you .

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'87 Honda ATC 500R ??