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joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
8/15/2025 5:29am Small update. I put a clear coat on the main frame. Came out very well. Clear powder goes on as a flat white.
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joelster Added a reply to First time owning 250 2 stroke, dose this sound normal?
8/13/2025 4:36am A compression test is usually an easy way to tell of the freshness of the top end. As the rings wear down, and the bore wears down the compression will start to drop. For a fresh 250 over 190 is a healthy engine. You can run them when they get lower than that, but when it drops below 140~ish, it...
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
8/10/2025 6:15pm Short video of the frame after the first coat, I gave it 2 coats.
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
8/10/2025 6:12pm Here's the powder colors, and what they look like when mixed.
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
8/10/2025 6:10pm Update time! I built a new powder coat oven which came out amazing. I used a rack from Amazon as the structure and then surrounded it with insulating sheets. Came out great. I asked a bunch of times for the correct color of powder for an 83-87 CR frame. Ask 10 guys and you'll get 10 different answers lol. The...
joelster Added a reply to Shock Shaft Scratching - Possibly My fault?
8/8/2025 4:39am Some grit got into the seal, also when you see a shaft start to wear down, sometimes the lower shock bearing is toast and doesn't allow the shock to freely float.
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/27/2025 7:25pm We went to Vintage Days in Ohio this past weekend. I was taking to a guy and inquiring about 2 YZ 490's that he had and I mentioned that I have a CR 480 project. I told him that I was planning on getting a cone pipe for it. Well lo and behold he happened to have a brand new...
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/24/2025 4:20am Got a little powder on some parts today. My oven is shot now. Time to build a new one. I'm going to do a big write-up on it when I'm done.
Bearuno Liked a reply to forum topic RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/23/2025 4:19am
Yes, general tear downs and the results you find, are a good indication of what you can expect / may be found. But, when I get MTBers chanting "Steel Is Real" - and I largely MAKE Steel frames - I also counter with : "Steel Rusts = Keep That In Your Mind" . I confess, I do like to give my fellow MTBers heaps - and, I Do Not Need anyone's purchase of my frames - so much 'Wankery' and BS abounds in the sport, and, my profession of making 'things'. I've always been a bit fanatical about regularly spraying...
This forum topic has 62 replies.
Bearuno Liked a reply to forum topic RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/22/2025 6:38pm
You may have already thought of this / done this: Check the lower frame rails / cradle for rust - before you paint it! Start at the OEM drain holes. If there are dings, scrapes, where it can be thin, they are the sorts of places you can have a bit of a gouge at the metal, or, drill tiny hole(s) to see if you break through rust. The most obvious places are at the lowest point of the cradle - if you don't know, brochure / ad pictures should indicate if there is a curve / dip as the...
This forum topic has 62 replies.
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/22/2025 6:07pm I will do that, but honestly it's in excellent shape. I'll go over it once again though. There are literally no dents or and big hit marks on the bottom. I don't think the bike was ridden very hard, and it was cared for based on how well everything came apart. The only rust that you saw was surface rust...
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/22/2025 5:41pm Did some sand blasting today. Got the frame, subframe, hubs, brake drums, upper triple clamp, and rear spring done. Took me about 5 hours total.
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/21/2025 5:51pm I will do that! Thank you for all the help! Vintage gold wheels will look amazing on this build!
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/21/2025 5:50pm Here is a side by side comparison of RAL 2002 (left) to ColorRite Flash Red (right)
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/21/2025 5:00pm The last CR I did I was able to paint the subframe and then compare it to the frame that wasn't yet stripped. The RAL 2002 was too orange compared to the stock color. Here's the subframe painted ColorRite Flash Red
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/21/2025 7:52am It's not just the anodizing, you have to get all of the scratches out, and deeper marks from tire irons, otherwise they will stick out like a sore thumb. On deeper cuts ideally you should weld them up, and grind them down. If you just sand out the scratches and cuts and follow up with a polish, you made the...
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/21/2025 5:01am Honestly that is likely where I'm going to go. That company produces a better gold color than the Excel rims. The price is right as well, plus they have a 480 on their website and it looks badass! I figure $500~ish shipped for 2 rims isn't too bad. People put those gold Excels on vintage bikes and I can spot...
dkurtd Liked a reply to forum topic RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/21/2025 5:00am
Not sure how much you want to spend on wheels but Tom at Full Circle Racing could help you out. He's helped me out in the past and is a great guy. Full Circle Racing LTD - Whats New!
This forum topic has 62 replies.
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/20/2025 9:34am Disassembled the front wheel today. Broke 2 of the longer spokes on the non-brake side. Needed the torch to loosen 12 of them. The rest came off no problem. The rim itself is in excellent shape, but I'm going to explore options of getting some gold rims. They look so bad ass on vintage bikes. If I can score a...
joelster Added a reply to RestoMod of a '83 CR480 (Completed Page 3)
7/19/2025 3:46pm There's a small dilemma about the correct powder coat color for 83-87 CR's. It's probably been beaten to death but a lot of guys swear by the paint code RAL 2002. I ordered 2 spray cans for my last CR project and it is too orange. Almost looks like KTM orange to me. I took a few pics of the...