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Post by Retread on Feb 15, 2007 13:40:51 GMT -5
I have joined this web site on a quest for information on what proven modifications work to make an SR500 handle better. But first a little about myself. At 25 I bought my first bike - Honda CL 360. After a calender year and 16,300 miles I sold it and bought a Honda CL 450 that had been crashed. I rebuilt it and after a season and a half and 12,000 miles a drunk car driver crashed it again with me on it! Nothing broken but the bike, then I purchased a new 1979 SR500. 10 years and 43,000 miles later also owned an 83 Suzuki GS650 (last of the full frame standards) and a SRX600. I sold the SR to a fellow SR rider who wanted a spare and gave up the other two bikes for a new 82 Yamaha TDM 850 - 48,400 miles on the TDM now, and waiting for another Wisconsin spring. Oh, I forgot to mention the other 1979 SR500 I picked up in 1981 with 3000 mi. I put that back in a crate and it hibernates in a corner in my shop. And last but not least, a 78 SR I picked up about 8 years ago for $27.50 still in need of a radical make over. This is why I am in search for info on what really works. I have decided that instead of buying a red sports car to quell my midlife crisis, I will build a SR500 Cafe Bike. Making more power out of the engine is a no brainer. My problem is that I have seen so many SR cafe bikes pictured on the internet but no real information from racers on what really works to make it handle better. Any help on my project will be welcome.
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Post by hopwheels on Feb 15, 2007 15:38:23 GMT -5
Welcome aboard bennetta! Wow, that's some great history. As far as café-ing an SR, from what I've learned in my short time doing this, it depends (and I mean on the handling alone) how mild or wild your imagination and budget are. Stew Ross is putting an R6 front end on one of his SR builds I believe. Lot's of challenges (and he'll speak up here shortly I'm sure about it), including the bigger/wider calipers/hangers on a laced front wheel. But once he's got it, I'm sure it will be spectacular from a handling perspective.
Mid way through the mild to wild scale I would think, is fitting up an FZR600 front end. Probably the mild side includes better fork springs (progressive), perhaps even cartridge emulators (I think race tech makes them to fit the SR forks), and heavier weight fork oil.
Rear shocks, as I'm sure you're aware are all over the map, from Ohlins and Works Performance to Progressive Suspension. 13" eye to eye seems to be the concensus. Replacing the stock swingarm with a TT500 aluminum one, or a Radian swingarm, I know has been accomplished for better handling as well.
If you can bump up the wheel widths, for wider tire selections (Avons again are the concensus I think), to 2.75x18 rear and 2.15x18 front helps also.
This is all general stuff I know. There's much more detail. And it all again depends on the limits of your imagination and wallet. The links section has some pretty radical race set up SR's that may give you some more ideas and how wild is wild.
Take care, and again welcome!
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Post by G Man on Feb 15, 2007 23:11:29 GMT -5
WELCOME TO THE SR500 FORUM!
Great bike history. More to follow I'm sure! You will find tons of great advice here on the forum from members on how to do a great set up. You can also start ahead using the search function and browse older posts on the subject.
Looking forward to hearing more,
G Man
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Post by StewRoss on Feb 16, 2007 1:08:37 GMT -5
Hi Benetta, Welcome to the site mate....I'll post on the suspension page on this...under 'SR handling'... SR  |
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Post by Retread on Feb 21, 2007 10:14:17 GMT -5
Thanks Guys, I sent Wizz954 a request for advice today. I am in no rush to do the project, my priority is to make something rideable but lots of fun. I plan to build the engine to 579cc and want a chassis worthy of the engine.
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