An old friend comes home for X-mas!

OnAnySunday

Big Pig

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Nov 20, 2000

997

3

lost in the deserts of NM

• Dec 10, 2008

• #1

After what seemed like an eternity, the local "vintage bike master" found an '82 xr500 head.
Just got it put together, and had her out for a spin.
(didnt matter to me that it's only 27 degrees out, i was all over town with her)
It's so good of a feeling to have an old friend back.
(obsolete or not)

She runs even better than before with the XR head!
(i actually got teary eyed when i heard her start up again!)
Richard Elsesser, if your reading this, many thanks again and God bless!
He's a great mechanic and loves to keep old iron running.
:ride:

 

T

TRexRacing

Member

Jul 23, 2002

440

0

• Dec 11, 2008

• #2

Cool.Old bikes are fun too.

 

2

2strokerfun

Member

May 19, 2006

1,500

1

• Dec 11, 2008

• #3

That is one cool old bike!

 

J

jackflack44

Member

May 3, 2008

490

0

• Dec 11, 2008

• #4

Sweet. :)

 

Z

zrxrider

Member

Nov 24, 2008

55

0

• Dec 12, 2008

• #5

Nice! I had a '79? XR500 5-6 years ago. It was the duel shock model. Man, what a beast that was.

 

OnAnySunday

Big Pig

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Nov 20, 2000

997

3

lost in the deserts of NM

• Dec 15, 2008

• Thread starter
• #6

Just a f.y.i. to vintage Xr guys.

The '82 top ends were unique.
The shape of the valve cover where it meets the head is different than a '79 to '81.
The '82 has a sqaure corner the earlier ones had a rounded edge.
They would interchange exept for that.

BUT '82 XL & XR will interchange.
The only difference is the XR has a reedvalve head (like a 2 stroke).
And it apparently makes a difference in low speed tourque.
It wheelies like it never did before!
Top end seems no different.

PS: If anyone needs a '79-'81 head, ive got a nice one for sale! :)

 

B

boardwine62

Member

Feb 6, 2009

6

0

• Feb 6, 2009

• #7

Old friends are never obsolete my friend and are worth shedding a tear. When I ride my Hodaka I am more at home than on any other bike I own despite grossly overloading it with 46 years of overeating!

 

S

schmanman

Mi. Trail Riders

Member

Jan 9, 2007

437

0

• Feb 7, 2009

• #8

wow! that was when four strokes were built to last, without valve adjustments every two rides! :nener:

 

OnAnySunday

Big Pig

LIFETIME SPONSOR

Nov 20, 2000

997

3

lost in the deserts of NM

• Feb 8, 2009

• Thread starter
• #9

boardwine62 said:

Old friends are never obsolete my friend and are worth shedding a tear.

Click to expand...

Yea, it's kinda funny how we sometimes get attached to old rusty machines.
I often think of my old 125, and how i regret selling it.
I thought the 500 was done for good, and suddenly we found the old xr head.
Just had it out last night in fact. Got a new battery and new front tube (flat tire) and took her out on the highway.
She pulls 85 mph pretty easily now, but i dont want to push it too much further just yet.
Just glad to have the old slab of iron back!

speaking of that old xl125..........

always had a "thing" for Honda XL's! :)