Hello,

Yesterday I found that my neighbor was trying to sell his 84 XR500. Cosmetically it looks good. He was asking $300.00. After talking with him, apparently the last time he rode it was in Texas, and somehow the air filter came loose and it sucked in a days worth of dust. He told me that he has had it started since then but it smokes really bad and will not keep running. It seems to have compression. He assures me that it shifts through the gears and that the clutch is healthy. I am aware of what dirt does to a four stroke, and I currently own and ride a DRZ400. I just have not owned a Honda in over 25 years. Is the XR worth the time and effort and money to rebuild? I am really tempted, it would make a great winter project.

gesv

If its all there and in good condition, I'd say its worth a rebuild.
That was the last year for the XR500R, which was RFVC and had the pro-link suspension, in 85' the XR600R replaced it.

IMO, it would be worth more as a bike for easy trips down memory lane that to bash it up in the woods, they don't make em' any more.

The way I see it, most antique/vintage dirt bikes probably will never be worth over $10,000, but because of inflation the good ones will most certainly bring more than what they cost new, and their value will never decrease, they are already very inexpensive compared to todays prices. Watch some of the E-bay bids for those exceptional examples of vintage dirt/enduro bikes, they are bringing three, sometimes four times what they cost new.

I guess I'm saying; Yes, its worth it for a good vintage dirtbike, to enjoy on some nice days and maybe even some vintage racing, but IMO a currently produced or much later model would be better for tearing up in the woods, and a lot easier to find replacement parts for.

I will add that if you have'nt posted in the vintage section, that may get you some better info for a rebuild, and part resources should you decide to purchase it.

If your real lucky you could get away with just a ring replacement if the bore didn't\dosn't have much wear.
Or...like most of them,the gears or cam are going to be the next thing go...

AFAIK, the only pistons still available for '83-84 XR500s are high compression type from Wiseco. The bottom end of the engine is essentially the same as an XL600 except for the rod small end. The 600's wrist pin is larger so pistons will not interchange. Big RFVC engines are dimensionally the same, so you could even put an XL600 or dual carb XR600('85-87) engine in it if you wanted.

Overall, I think it would be worthwhile even if you had to put another $300 into getting it fixed and ridable again. Like scalejockey said, you may get away with just rings, a hone, and gaskets, so it could possibly cost less.

What a flippin bargain..Why oh why can't we ever have things as cheap as you guys...No way would that sell for less than a 1000 down here,,no matter what condition. ,,I want the right hand plastic side cover for one of these ,..Been looking for 2 years for one of them.. Rare as hens teeth.any offers from the US..

I would definitely buy it for that price if it's all there and the rest of the bike seems in reasonably good condition. Sounds like the motor may just need a top end job. Does it run at all? From what you have said, I would take a chance on the bike for $300. Just watch how much $ you put into the bike fixing it up, unless you plan on keeping it for awhile. I'm currently restoring my 85 XR600 and all the little things definitely add up, but I do plan on keeping the bike. Go for it!

Go for it, great fun. These old xr's are worth doing up.
XR600man do you have any pic's of your 85 600.
Picked up a few bikes today- 85 xr6oo not running but complete, 99 ttr250 also not running, 97 dr200 running good and a 99 yamaha ag200 also going.
All these bikes for free....Yeahhhh:banana:
Also have a 97 cr125 in the process of a rebuild which I brought going for $350. These will fill in my spare time for quite a while.

xr600
http://www.thumperta...=1&d=1254727188

ttr250
http://www.thumperta...=1&d=1254727188

ag200
http://www.thumperta...=1&d=1254727188

dr200
http://www.thumperta...=1&d=1254727188

This is a QR50 which I found in the local tip. All fixed up now,only cost $150 in parts.
http://www.thumperta...=1&d=1254727188

I have a couple progress pics on my profile page. Still not quite there, but just taking my time and trying to not rush things. I'm pleased so far though. Mainly cosmetics are what I have left. I'm sanding and polishing out an old Clarke 5 gal tank right now, then I'll put factory decals on it. I need to recover the seat, sand and polish the side panels and probably buy new fenders. I enjoy the parts hunt and making the old look new again.

If you do all the wrenching then it's worth it. If you are going to pay a mechanic for the disassembly and reassembly then it will cost a lot more than the resulting bike would be worth.

Like was said Wiseco has piston kits with 10.25:1 compression. They have them in .5 and 1.0mm overbores.