At my wits end on project 500X....

[Billy Golightly]

It deffinantly sounds like timing. I have an 82 500r and The reeds are no problem. You should concentrateon your cam and ignition timing,, but like ou said it ran before, so your cam is probably fine,,, is there any chance you have a valve stuck open? And even though you have good spark, you need to make sure it is at the right time also,,,,, Good luck

My thoughts too, ignition timing is about the only thing that could be the problem. I'm kind of running a hynds breed of igntion parts on it..the stator, CDI, and the pulse generator are all from an XL500 (The motors are nearly identical) I'm beginning to wonder though that if some how thats part of my problem.

[Billy Golightly]

Welp, I've come to the conclusion (With no substantial evidence) that my igntition system is bad. I've almost had all I can take of the the thing. According to Service Honda I can go all new on all of my electrical stuff except for a flywheel for a little over $400. The expensive peice is the stator, $171. Everything else is under $100. Heres a quick list I made.

Ignition Parts- 1980 XR500


304000-429-00 CDI Box $ 97.28
30500-428-013 Ignition Coil $ 56.02
32100-429-000 Wire Harness $ 48.94
30303-429-305 Pulse Generator $ 35.86
31120-429-004 Stator $171.39

Total: $409.49


Seems kinda rediculous to me. But if I do go all new, I'm almost guarunteed it'll run. Because the timing is perfect, it is dead on, I checked it for the 3rd time. If I spend $400 on ignition stuff, then I'm left another couple monthes without money to finish up other things it needs, which means it won't be at Haspin and in the meantime I'll be riding a cobbed up pos...

[86350X]

Before you buy all that stuff, I would try just the cdi.... If you have spark, everythin else is probably fine