|
|
Post by sonomasr on Sept 20, 2008 15:43:50 GMT -5
I am an new member and have many thoughts and questions about leaving my bike stock. I have a mint condition stock 78 SR with under 10K miles. I have so far resisted the urge to change anything on it. After reading and looking through this forum, I have seen so many exciting possibilities I am afraid if I start modifying I"ll end up being one of the nuts who works on his bike *all the time* and is never finished. (you know who you are...).
My main interest is to get the bike a little more comfortable at freeway speeds (65-70 mph) and thought a carb/exhaust kit and drop a tooth on the rear sprocket would help. I would love to get feedback on the merits of modification and improvements as opposed to leaving stock. I am just beginning to consider my options here and am looking for suggestions and what others have done (happily or with any regrets).
Input on performance, appearance, comfort, style, even resale value would be greatly appreciated. Let the debate / feeback begin...
I appreciate everyone's input!!!!
PS - top end oiler and braided brake lines are the only improvements on my bike so far.
|
|
|
|
Post by solo2racr on Sept 20, 2008 18:20:17 GMT -5
Have the best of both. Keep in mind while modding that the mod will need to be reversible. The nice thing about that is you are able to keep those nice stock pieces wrapped up and in nice condition for when/if they are needed again.
|
|
|
|
Post by davedunsboro on Sept 20, 2008 18:24:11 GMT -5
Mate there is only 1 answer to a question like that ! You have to go out & look for another SR500 to do your craft on ! Then there will be no regrets & your 78 will have a shed mate ! Cheers Dave.
|
|
|
|
Post by colinjay on Sept 21, 2008 2:56:04 GMT -5
I agree with Dave. The answer is to have more than one SR. That way you can have your cake and eat it as well.
However, like good drugs, SRs (well Yamaha 500 singles) are highly addictive and you will end up like many serial SR addicts (who use this forum as part of a 12 step program) who find that you always want another fix. First it is a good stock SR and a SR cafe racer. Then its a good stock SR, a SR cafe racer and a SR track bike. Then a good stock SR, a SR cafe racer, a SR track bike and a SR dirt tracker. Then a good stock SR, a SR cafe racer, a SR track bike a SR dirt tracker and a SR motard. Then a good stock SR, a SR cafe racer, a SR track bike a SR dirt tracker, a SR motard and a SR bobber. Then you start looking at XT and TT500's and all the possiblities they can bring, and thats it, your totally gone and beyond help like so many of us here.
Hi, my name is Colin and I am a 500 Yamaha addict!
11 500 Yamahas and still finding reasons to buy more!
|
|
|
|
Post by sonomasr on Sept 21, 2008 19:43:44 GMT -5
I am afraid getting another sr is not realistic for me. maybe a XT but thats another story. so, what to do with the one I've got? I put a white bros. kit on an xt many years ago and was happy with performance, but, out went the aircleaner box,then the battery and so on...I had a great bike but,lost a very pretty stock runner.so if,I follow solo2's advice, I suppose I'll start with the 36mm mikuni new header and muff and rear shocks.any suggestions?also I've never been fond of the stock seat.........
|
|
|
|
Post by solo2racr on Sept 21, 2008 20:26:50 GMT -5
There are many choices on headers, mufflers &, shocks. Pretty much whatever you like and fits your budget. I have never used them myself but I hear Ikon shocks are good. As far as the seat, you'll need something that fits the factory mounts. I would look for a SR seat pan and add the foam and cover to the shape you want.
|
|
|
|
Post by caferacercarl on Sept 22, 2008 2:52:53 GMT -5
Confession time.... I have 14 under the house, 2 in Bendigo and warren has 2 of mine,its like colin said, an addiction... especially when you have ridden one with double the back wheel HP from STD measured on the same Dyno, and geared up /lightened/chassis sorted....look at the pictures above my answer, music,SR and flange..
|
|
|
|
Post by miker on Sept 23, 2008 14:48:36 GMT -5
For 65-70mph use, I'd say change your gearing (17/44 or 17/42?) and some narrower/lower bars (Superbikes?). A more comfy seat is easily done with a hunk of sheep exterior. Small windshield as an option?
If you really want to muck with breathing a stock style K&R filter and slip-on Dunstall type muffler would help without requiring carb replacement or much in the way of jetting changes.
That wouldn't change your bike much from stock but definitely help in highway use. If you want to do a lot of mods, find a rough one and cafe it as a seperate project.
miker
|
|
|
|
Post by sonomasr on Sept 23, 2008 16:01:02 GMT -5
thanks everyone for advice so far, I like what miker says about sproket change that fits my budget and my original plan. as far as the dunstall muff and filter, also very affordable,but how much is not much in jetting changes? anyway I think I'll try this first before new carb and header. many dunstall type muff on the market, any suggestions?
|
|
|
|
Post by miker on Sept 25, 2008 14:31:56 GMT -5
Another thing you could consider with the sprocket change - if you're due for a new chain, you could go with 520 sprockets and 520 X-ring chain. Less weight than the stock 530, plenty strong enough.
Jetting with K&R/Dunstall should be basically like Minton, maybe up a couple steps on the main, move the needle a notch. I just got a cheapo Dunstall, about $50 from a friend who sells them. I think MikesXS has them.
Like you say, go with the gearing first and develop from there.
miker
|
|
|
|
Post by StewRoss on Sept 26, 2008 4:15:22 GMT -5
Here's my black cafe racer ('78) in earlier trim...Dunstall decibel silencer replica...straight onto header, 17/44 gearing and the cover removed from the airbox. I made sure I lockwired the filter into the airbox by the little handle to ensure it didn't move, also bent the filter retaining spring a bit more to assist...no jetting changes on the standard carby and it ran very well.  SR  |
|
|
|
Post by flashback351 on Sept 29, 2008 14:00:30 GMT -5
That's SWEET!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by phoebeisis on Oct 13, 2008 9:35:42 GMT -5
I would go to a 17T front sprocket-cheaper and easier than going to a 43 or 42 rear. If you want to drop some weight, go to a 520 chain/ft sprocket and aluminum-hardened- rear sprocket.16/42 would be lighter than 17/44 but not by much.
I've had maybe 12 different SR500's (I've owned some more than once, but just count them once) just one now with a modified motor. I think I would pass on the carb/pipe. Yes, it will be a tiny bit quicker in a 1/4 mile, but it will be a pile noisier,and the carb(usually a 36 Mikuni) will drop at least 5 mpg from your FE.
The stock setup is usually a tiny bit easier to start,and might have slightly better throttle response(accel pump, but you can get an accel pump 36 Mikuni of course-the most aftermarket Mikuni doesn't have a pump,the roundslide VM36)
You can install a second disc on the front.Fairly simple, and you can use the stock MC, with a XS650 caliper,another brakeline,and a double hose banjo bolt. The SR500 has modest braking in stock form. I found that the extra disc made the SR500 track better at highway speeds. I was a kinda weight nut once,so I went with a single SV650 disc/caliper-works great looks crummy because I had to drill the 5 hole rotor to a 6 hole .My home made mounting bracket looks cheesy also.
Luck,
Charlie
|
|
