See full version: Classic Steel #74: 1984 Honda CR500R
In 1984, Honda tried to improve on their ’83 success with bigger and brawnier version of the class-leading CR480R. While it certainly looked the part, the new CR500R turned out to be a much less successful version of the bike it replaced. Photo Credit: Honda
After dominating the standing with their awesome CR480R in 1983, Honda upped the ante for ’84 with an absolute bruiser of a machine. The new CR500R proved faster, but not nearly as effective on the track. Photo Credit: Motocross Action
For 1983, Honda once again completely redesign their big-bore racer. The all-new machine featured a revised motor with a new five-speed gearbox (the ’81 and ’82 models had made do with four-speeds), redesigned bodywork, and a Supercross-inspired chassis. The works-replica bodywork featured revised ergonomics, a low-center-of-gravity tank, and an orange and blue color scheme that mimicked the look of the factory team from ’82. The ’83 CR480R took the standings by storm with its feather-light weight (lighter than many 250s of the time), easy-to-use powerband (Maico-like), sharp handling (Ginsu), and stellar looks. After seven years of development and countless hours of testing, Honda had finally developed the ultimate Open-class weapon.
Ram scoop: Although the ’84 CR500R retained the ’83 model’s air-cooling, it did pick up a set of large air scoops on either side of the motor to help keep the temps down. Even with these additions, however, the big 500 ran extremely hot and suffered from chronic detonation. Photo Credit: Stephan LeGrand
Unfortunately for prospective buyers, the CR500R’s Showa shock was no better than its disappointing forks. While it offered a dizzying array of adjustments (17 compression and 22 rebound settings), none of them did much to improve its lackluster performance. Undersprung and badly underdamped, the Showa unit was completely overwhelmed by the bikes immense power and weight. Just like the ’83 unit, the damping went from light to nonexistent within a few minutes of hard use. Also like the ’83 shock, the hose running from the remote reservoir to the shock body also liked to blow off when the bike was ridden hard. Predictably, this did not do much to improve it already questionable action.
Broc Glover (1) and David Bailey (1 blue plate) enjoyed some epic duals in 1984 aboard their mighty 500cc machines. The mere fact that Glover could even stay in the same zip code on his production-based Yamaha against the exotic works Honda was a real tribute to his talent and determination.
What amazed me the most was just how tractable it was, which people often forget. I used to race with a four-speed gearbox and start the race in third! It would just plough away from the trap like a tractor, digging a trench behind it due to its torque. It was awesome and I often used to only shift once in a lap, the rest of the time I just left it in third.
The Honda CR500R, a two stroke, single cylinder, dirt bike series was produced by Honda between 1984 and 2001.
The 1984 model was the only year to be air cooled and was nick named the "ping king", with a claimed 59 hp .
The 1984-1986 models had a rear drum brake and front disc brakes, and from 1987 and up Honda fitted a disc brake at the rear.
2001 was the last year of production of the CR500R.
In 1985, Honda made the first water cooled CR500R.
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Sunrise Pre-Owned MotorsportsAsk for: Pre-Owned Sales☎ (501) 305-29003201 East Park Plaza Searcy, AR 72143Enter this link to see more images plus all other inventory we have available: http://lyv.cc/ALCJY1984 Honda Goldwing 1200 .
1984 Honda Gold Wing -condition: good engine displacement (CC): 1200 fuel: gas odometer: 42566 paint color: red title status: clean transmission: manual 1984 Honda Gold Wing 1200 Interstate 42,566 miles. I have gone through this bike and fixed all of t . more
1984 Honda Gold Wing -condition: good engine displacement (CC): 1200 fuel: gas odometer: 42566 paint color: red title status: clean transmission: manual 1984 Honda Gold Wing 1200 Interstate 42,566 miles. I have gone through this bike and fixed all of t . [links]