Edited Date/Time
2/26/2022 7:20am
This video from AJ Catanzaro comparing a CR500 in its original frame vs a modern KTM chassis with a KX500 had me curious what others experiences were like?
My only 500 conversion experience was a KX500 motor in a KXF aluminum frame back in like 2011 or 2012-ish...and honestly, I hated it.
Anyone else here been able to dabble in both experiences? Are frame conversions for a 500 over rated?
My only 500 conversion experience was a KX500 motor in a KXF aluminum frame back in like 2011 or 2012-ish...and honestly, I hated it.
Anyone else here been able to dabble in both experiences? Are frame conversions for a 500 over rated?
Its an older one at this point, a 2006 CRF250R with a 1989 CR500 motor.
Amazing low end torque, great handling, its very lightweight.
For a Vet race bike I think the AF is better. But the older I get I’m sure the less it will matter.
Vibration is fine but it’s not a four stroke. Just keep crank bearings fresh, exhaust flange seal and headset tight and your fine.
Now that is a bike collection.
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bought my 94 in 2009, rode it for a few months in the original configuration to make sure the engine and bottom end were good. it handled surprisingly good, but my use has only been florida off road riding. haven't moto'd for decades.
had a guy in Southern Cal do the frame mod and then I put it all together. the guy did some awesome fabrications but was flaky and ended up ripping a lot of people off.
my conversion was done on a 2003 CR125 chassis. It handles well but you always feel the engine gyro effect no matter what frame the engine is in. they do vibrate but I don't really notice it while riding. sitting and idling, it is very apparent.
as far as suspension I have ohlins TTX front and rear. works well for off road. in the rear I' m using a titanium spring from a YZ 450F. ohlins TTX and YZ shock springs are interchangeable. not sure about the newer stuff.
a few rides ago I installed a recluse auto clutch. don't really see the need for one of these on my other bikes but when you're racing your bud's thru the woods and you stall going over a log or something having to use the starting "drill" leaves you all by yourself in a few seconds. I'm 155 lbs and 68 years old so just kicking the bike to start it real quick isn't an option. some guys go with a compression release in the head.
the bike has the most low end response I've ever experienced, and I've had a couple of 450's. I ride mostly in the sand or I think I would have killed myself by now. I had to stop riding for 4 years due to a health issue and just started again about 8 or 9 months ago. this bike was my every sunday ride before I quit. about 6 weeks ago, I took it out again for the 1st time in years and busted my ass. bounced off a small stump or something lost hold of my left grip and whisky throttled. that is a really bad experience on a 500 2 stroke. by the time I could bail it was going fast and I took about a 6 foot drop off an embankment onto my tail bone. still freaking hurts. first time since 2009 that I felt out of control on this thing.
1st pic is how I found it on Craig's in north miami in 2009.
Mine will fire up with a half- hearted kick just like a 250 when its warm.
Is for sure one of the best motors ever made though. Want to lug it around and take it easy? It will do it. Want to ride it like you are next years supercross champ? It will do it. So versatile and yeah, power everywhere. Will power wheelie in nearly any gear at any speed with a blip.
Pit Row
The KX motor in a linked KTM frame might be the right answer!
Loved the video of the CR vs the KX/KTM, watching them go decent speed while sounding like they were idling around the track brought back a lot of memories. Using the 500 grunt off idle was coolest thing to learn, made it so one gear could do 15 to 45 mph..
I like the more modern feel of the AF bikes, the older steel frames flex to much and don’t support the modern riding style as much as the AF does.
Going back to the 97-99 cr250 when the first gen aluminium frame came to production, many hated it because it felt stiff, but i get the same feeling riding old steel frames that flex way to much.
We can dream…….
Look at the Honda ARC technology for where it was headed before the silly rule changes.
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