2007 500WR?

Recently this bike was advertised on Gumtree here in Australia, it is a 2007 chassis (must have blown it's motor) that has had a 1988 500 two stroke engine fitted to it.
It has been completed to a very high standard and after riding it for around 20 mins, I couldn't fault it in any way, it just works!

If you choose to watch this video, I suggest that you change the video setting to at least 720P.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LdTiunmjBc

I should mention that this is not my bike, it belongs to a good friend who purchased it recently, the hydraulic clutch that has been fitted makes a big difference too.
Tony.

Any chance of posting some pics of the bike? I'm very curious how it all fits together.

These are the only pics I have, but I will get some more soon.

ill be that propels the little bugger along...there was a guy on here (speedyauto)who had a 500 auto in a later frame, its not his bike? he was down and I went for a ride with him. top bloke.

I believe he built it JC, I think it was the one I linked to in another post.
Tony.

The owner posted a cool review in the group big bore addicts on face book.

I jumped straight on this bad boy after the 440 and hit the same loop for comparison purposes. The difference was night and day. This is essentially like a new bike with Hydro clutch, riser bars, flat seat going right to the bars, new suspension and brakes. Ergos were fantastic - could sit right up front and rail the berms vs blowing them. Throttle response was dramatic - this one has the best motor. Crankin bottom end, smooth mid and awesome top end without the big hit. It keeps revving too - unlike a CR5. This is the best bush bike I've had in years! Stops, goes HARD (i'm surprised there are any knobbies on the rear tyre when I got back!) The loop was smashed - way faster time. Can drift it out easily, handles brilliant. This thing is enduro heaven. Gearing is 12/51 and with the 6 speed box means you have a low walking pace first, and a screaming 160km/h top gear. Quiet, easy to start (can stab at the kick several times if needed vs one kick start) bum starts easy at super low speeds. Climbs like my 2WD christini. Its the whole package! Super pumped with this bad boy.

Yes, that's Bernie. He has an awesome collection of classic big bores, and a couple of Christinis.
Tony.

the next time you are in the vicinity of this AWSOME toy, would you please take some pics of the intake area, as in the carb to airboot type shots, manifold angle etc

Of course!
I hope he brings it back to my property soon, it has a hand made alloy inlet manifold with the carb tilted toward the kickstarter side of the frame, hand made pipe, and I'll grab some shots of engine mounts etc.

sweet, thank you in advance

Wonderful concept; but I went about getting to the same point in a different way. In fact, I think putting the old motor in the new frame is a much harder proposition than what I built. And while the new frame is probably a little stronger in places, it is no lighter and I'm not sure handles any better than the original. Taking the opposite approach, I put 2006 wheels, disk brakes and front forks on the 1987 frame. Also had the original Ohlins rear shock rebuilt. Didn't see any point in trying to improve on perfection so I left the original rear Ohlins in place. The 2006 upside down Marzocchi forks were revalved with the "gold valve" kit by GMD Computrack in Fairmount GA; made a big difference as I thought the 2006 forks in stock form were too harsh. Used a Dynaport pipe on it. Here are some pics of it.

One other thing I wanted to point out is that while the hydraulic clutch is a good idea, it isn't necessary now that ASV makes their ball bearing clutch levers. The original Magura levers require a strong grip to pull in the clutch and will wear you out quickly. The ASV lever eliminates this problem; I'm not sure how but it solves the problem.

what did you do to fit the newer rear wheel?

is the axle an 87?

dc plastics rad shrouds and 85-86 style airbox, left plate?

i agree about the 87 frame. light bike and great handling. a little slow steering but insanely stable and best seat ever.

The Hyd Clutch set up looks to be the Magura universal kit. I have installed one on my 1984 Maico 500. It can be made to work on probably all the Bikes on the Left Kickers sight. A lot of people ask me about it when they see my bike. All seed and done it works better than the Cable set up, but not night and day better. If I was building a Vintage Enduro bike I'd do it again. For 5 Laps of Vintage MX or a Desert Racer probably not.

I had an 87 500 back in the 90's. It was an awesome desert bike. Your upgrades are a nice touch to an already great machine.

there is no argument the 87 works well at almost everything
but there's always that one thing,,,,,
ergonomics on a new bike are an improvement
the newer bikes feel narrower and easier to move around on in general