88 cr250 or 89 cr500?

rickymoto313
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rickymoto313
Edited Date/Time 4/13/2022 7:37pm
Hey guys , I’m currently trying to get into some more vintage racing (did the rewind at unadilla on my buddys 87 kx250 and was hooked) and currently have a 1988 cr250 that I’m doing some work on. Recently came across the opportunity to pick up a 1989 cr500 in pretty decent shape and a decent price for today’s market. If I got it I’d be changing the forks out but that’s a post for a different time. How are these bikes though , part of me just wants it for the badass factor of being a cr500 but the other part of me just thinks I’d be better off finishing my 250 and just running that. Pretty conflicted. I’m an expert rider if that makes a difference. Would be kinda cool to resto mod a cr500. I included a picture of the 88 the day I picked it up
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Bearuno
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Bearuno 4/11/2022 6:42pm
4/11/2022 6:42pm
If it's, as you say, in decent shape for a decent price, get that 500.

As, they are ever becoming more pricy.

Continue on with the 250, then go to work on the 500.

Then, you'd have quite the pair of great Motorcycles to ride.
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450exc115
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450exc115 4/11/2022 9:17pm
4/11/2022 9:17pm Edited Date/Time 4/11/2022 9:18pm
86-89 were very similar bikes both 250 and 500. 90-91 were updated chassis and the 90-01 CR500 kept the 90 cr250 chassis all the way to the last year. Honda started to detune the CR500 after the 1985 motor to make it more rideable. I think the 89 CR500 is one of the last years for the magnesium water pumps so it could be shot if someone used any tap water in it.
I raced a 91 CR 250 in the local vintage series with a 06 showa front end and a later year 96 shock with dual adjuster and it was a lot of fun.
JBird710
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JBird710 4/12/2022 8:54pm
4/12/2022 8:54pm
They are very different bikes and have be ridden in completely different ways. Like 450 said, the magnesium water pumps usually got eaten up and sometimes it got to the case as well. There is a company in Australia that offers replacement cases but they were around $400 - $500 dollars (before shipping) last time I checked.
FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 4/13/2022 7:37pm
4/13/2022 7:37pm
I found this someplace about adapting the later CR500 water pump case. The 89 also had the low boy pipe I believe, the 88 was a real calf burner, I still have scars.





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