Honda’s CR500 is one of the legends of open class motocross thanks to 60 peak horsepower and 224 pounds of weight, but that means that plenty have been crashed or abused. This one owner example has been recently restored but it’s not perfect. All that means is that you shouldn’t feel bad about getting it dirty. Just treat it like a time warp to 20+ years ago and enjoy a powerband that’s rarely available from dealerships today.
After 1992, Honda stopped making significant updates to their biggest MX bike – they typically stopped at cosmetics and the occasional suspension upgrade. The 1996 model was adorned in Nuclear Red with Shasta White/Black accents and a Fluorescent Yellow logo on the tank. By this point, riders had come to terms with Honda’s lack of R&D in the CR500 but in 1997 Service Honda starting making dreams come true by shoving the 500cc 2-stroke motor into a CRF250 chassis.
Work to this bike includes a whole bunch of new parts – a complete top end, Pro Circuit exhaust, chain, steering head/swingarm/rear wheel bearings, air filter, fenders, graphics, seat cover, and more. The shock was rebuilt and the bike is equipped with Renthal bars and Moose hand guards. There are two main flaws: a slight bend in the radiator frame (claimed not to affect functionality) and a JB welded engine case. The latter obviously is a point of concern. Per the seller, it was cracked by a rock and JB welded “many hours of operation ago with no leaks.”
Find this CR for sale here on Craigslist in Alpharetta, Georgia for $3,895.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Neal M!