1987 CR 500 Build

This is the fifth 500 I've built and the nicest one yet. This was a low hour bike someone took the engine out of for a conversion. I scooped it up quick. Those are the original side panels, it was clean.

I bought new oem front and rear fenders, fork boots and clamps, most of the oem mounting bolts and had the suspension freshened up with new seals and fluid.
I also pressed in new linkage bearings. The rear rotor wasn't quite what I liked so I ordered that along with a chain slide, guide and rollers. Lots of elbow grease went into the airbox and swingarm. It's coming along nicer than I expected for being a regular joe.

As far as the engine, my goal Sunday was to install all the new oem bearings and get them painted. I used the oven the heat the cases to ease crankshaft bearing installation and then baked my paint for an hour at 200F. I then assembled the engine with the oem tight and true crankshaft. Its going to have a fresh bore and piston which I'm still waiting to get back. I also have the newer right side cover to install but I need to paint yet. That's todays project. Going for a stock engine, I don't plan to ride this bike.

I ordered a works finish Pro Circuit exhuast, excited to see it on the bike. It should be here Tuesday. My other dilemma is the silencer, it has a nasty mark and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. Other than the mark, it's perfect any ideas? I'd like to use it.

I'll pust some glamour shots out in the sun when I get it rolling, need to mount the new rear tire and still waiting on the rotor to get here.

Oh, I'm afraid to peel the sticker off the front plate because Im not sure if the oem paint will stay. Also not happy with the front brake hose, going to be ordering one soon.