View Full Version : Questions about an XR500, SM Possibilties, and CA Plates?
So I'm considering buying a 1983 XR500. It's cheap, it has a current title, a CA plate, and I don't believe the registration has lapsed.
First of all, thoughts on this bike? Will this bike be too overpowered for the dirt me to really be comfortable on it? It's a screaming deal and apparently street legal, and i'd like to get rid of my 929 and dump that money into my racing fund.
2nd of all: Will it be possible for me to keep the plate? I've heard rumors that Cali has been pulling "offroad" plates, and I'm 99% sure it's not an L model on the frame, just an XR with a baja kit on it.
3rd: Is there any possibility of rigging up a supermoto setup on this? Or would i be completely unable to do that? Again, i'm fairly ignorant in this area, i've done the basic research, but I'm really not familier with the different dirt bikes and the differences between them, and all of my limited experience is with the newer bikes.
Thanks a bunch, and I posted this here because i wasn't sure it the dirt area was correct for questions of street legality and the like.
waxxer
10-28-2007, 12:52 PM
The plates have likely been on this bike for a long time and will not be an issue.
THe problems that I see you having will be with mods and updates. The bike is REALLY OLD in contrast to what most people would consider a worthy SM. The XR500s were not considered fast by any means. The bike probabaly has the flexy standard Showa forks that will not take a new 320mm rotor and caliper. It also has a drum rear brake if my memory serves me correctly.
So in my opinion you would be waisting your money and effort--especially if you want to race.
You need to start with a much newer platform. I would not go back further than 1995 if you are strapped for cash. Again this is way toooo old for my tastes and modifying something this old is throwing good money into a a bike that will never deliver what you want.
Keep shopping...
The plates have likely been on this bike for a long time and will not be an issue.
THe problems that I see you having will be with mods and updates. The bike is REALLY OLD in contrast to what most people would consider a worthy SM. The XR500s were not considered fast by any means. The bike probabaly has the flexy standard Showa forks that will not take a new 320mm rotor and caliper. It also has a drum rear brake if my memory serves me correctly.
So in my opinion you would be waisting your money and effort--especially if you want to race.
You need to start with a much newer platform. I would not go back further than 1995 if you are strapped for cash. Again this is way toooo old for my tastes and modifying something this old is throwing good money into a a bike that will never deliver what you want.
Keep shopping...
Err, i should have made that more clear. I'll be racing an SV650, not this bike. :laughing This would be a daily driver beater/commuter, with the added bonus of some offroad riding and maybe some kind of swap to get some 17's on it. If that's not possible? No big deal, i'll ride it to and from work.
waxxer
10-28-2007, 12:59 PM
Err, i should have made that more clear. I'll be racing an SV650, not this bike. :laughing This would be a daily driver beater/commuter, with the added bonus of some offroad riding and maybe some kind of swap to get some 17's on it. If that's not possible? No big deal, i'll ride it to and from work.
It would be an excellent beater/commuter provided you are not going any real distance.
However it is highly unlikely that you be able to fit 17s on the bike unless you relace the existing hubs and stay with stock brakes.
Have fun!!
It would be an excellent beater/commuter provided you are not going any real distance.
However it is highly unlikely that you be able to fit 17s on the bike unless you relace the existing hubs and stay with stock brakes.
Have fun!!
Cool, thank you very much for your help!
Mistyz
10-29-2007, 09:49 AM
How long is your commute?
How long is your commute?
20 miles, mostly freeway, although i could take alternative routes if that beat the bike up too much.
Mistyz
10-29-2007, 11:49 AM
Ahhh thats not that bad. :) Good luck if you decide to do it.
Ahhh thats not that bad. :) Good luck if you decide to do it.
Thanks!
Here's the link to the ad, if anyone has any more comments? He seems pretty negotiable on the price.
http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/424326356.html
The 550 is a typo, obviously.
nadrojp
10-29-2007, 09:18 PM
id rock that! not for any more than 500 bucks though...
id rock that! not for any more than 500 bucks though...
I actually bought it. I paid 750 for it, it started up the first time he kicked it (I couldn't do the same, :laughing ) has new tires, chain/sprocket's in good shape, current registration, clean title, no problems, guy seemed to take good care of it. He's got the front fender and the repair manual for it as well. I'll check the valves/etc when he drops off the repair manual and see what happens with it. Good times. :D I basically had no real way of talking him down beyond getting him down to 750$, everything's in pretty damn good shape. :laughing
Here's a crappy picture.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e222/neosho/10-29-07_2002.jpg
nadrojp
10-29-2007, 10:26 PM
i meant, id rock that!!! but not for more than 750 bucks!
keep us posted on any sm mods tot his beast.
i meant, id rock that!!! but not for more than 750 bucks!
keep us posted on any sm mods tot his beast.
You got it! It's running a really narrow 17 inch rear, but i may or may not consider putting a 17 on the front...kinda up in the air on it at the moment, honestly. Besides, i think if i put a 17 on the front i'd probably want something besides air shock front forks (at least i think they are, why else would they have air valves at the top? :laughing ). That leads to other upgrades, and that leads to the dark side. :laughing
Nah, i may swap some road biased tires on it, but probably not much more than that.
waxxer
10-30-2007, 08:49 AM
You got it! It's running a really narrow 17 inch rear, but i may or may not consider putting a 17 on the front...kinda up in the air on it at the moment, honestly. Besides, i think if i put a 17 on the front i'd probably want something besides air shock front forks (at least i think they are, why else would they have air valves at the top? :laughing ). That leads to other upgrades, and that leads to the dark side. :laughing
Nah, i may swap some road biased tires on it, but probably not much more than that.
THe forks are Showa and they are spring/oil bath. The valves are to relieve pressure that builds up during riding. These forks are pre-cartidge design but should work fine. They will be a bit twisty on the street. You can pressurize them, but I gaurentee the results will be negative and your seals will weep.
:thumbup
THe forks are Showa and they are spring/oil bath. The valves are to relieve pressure that builds up during riding. These forks are pre-cartidge design but should work fine. They will be a bit twisty on the street. You can pressurize them, but I gaurentee the results will be negative and your seals will weep.
:thumbup
Excellent, good to know. I'm kinda stuck without any real understanding of the specs or anything like that at the moment due to not getting the repair manual yet.
Also, i've heard from another forum about rocker wear on these. Anyone else have some experience/hear about that?
jake28
10-30-2007, 09:51 PM
Throw the front fender and some street tires on it and call it a day. You got yourself a cheap beater, be content and ring its neck.
Throw the front fender and some street tires on it and call it a day. You got yourself a cheap beater, be content and ring its neck.
Yeah, i'm going to tear it down and paint everything flat black, but besides that it's pretty much good to go. I'll be riding with a new friend this weekend, so i'll keep the knobbies for now. If i end up selling the 929, i'll probably put some more road biased tires on it and ride the crap out of it :)
Thanks everyone who's weighed in :)
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