1980 Honda XR500 Restoration

Рет қаралды 42,397

8 жыл бұрын

Purchased this Honda that was in good enough condition to attempt to restore. Had I known just how expensive it was going to cost to restore, I may not have purchased it. Four items on the bike were in very good condition; the seat, gas tank, engine and rear pouch. The rest of the bike needed extensive work. The entire bike needed cleaning and most parts replaced. Ebay was my main source for parts which made the restoration process very expensive. I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Пікірлер: 73

@SeriousSchitt 3 ай бұрын

My bike came with a drive chain tensioner like yours, someone had made it up with a bearing and roller. In my opinion probably works better than the factory set up. I personally have a liking for the genuine set up though and have several of the original rubber ‘slippers’ in stock, but the chain chews them up like a hungry man eating hamburgers, and you’re down to the screw heads and rivets in no time. I ended up getting a slab of black UHMWPE, off an old body lift kit, and carefully crafted my own. Seems to be lasting forever and a day, and being ‘black’ it looks authentic too. Nice resto.

@GapahuksTube 7 жыл бұрын

That looks great! Well done. I own exact the same motor bike, built in 1979. After seeing this I apreciate it even more.

@gillhalford8228 7 жыл бұрын

Check this out: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/esl6itV5r9fXg6s.html

@gillhalford8228 7 жыл бұрын

A best friend bought a '79 in 1980 and that inspired me to buy a '80 in 1981 (old dealer stock). The '79 was the beginning of a whole new generation of bikes! Glad you have kept your '79. Enjoy!!

@marcelb7259 5 жыл бұрын

She is magnificent !! What a gorgeous bike. You have done an amazing job mate.

@gillhalford8228 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. It took a lot of time, patience and effort. But well worth it. I've completed a second restoration. I need to take some video and get it posted. This bike was getting lonely, so bought a second one! LOL!

@raymondmorgan5876 7 жыл бұрын

Thank for the memories.While I did'nt have one,I saw a new one come thru my woods on its way to climb hills in wva.I did get myself a new 1984 XL600 5 years later!

@gillhalford8228 7 жыл бұрын

Raymond Morgan Thanks for the nice comments. I ride this around the neighborhood and some people just stare. I don't think they know what they're looking at. Some do and give a big wave. These truly are great bikes.

@MachTuck 6 жыл бұрын

woow!! beautifull job!! brings me memories of mine back in Venezuela!!

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I just completed a second restoration. I've got two in my garage. Not sure what I'm going to do with the second one. LOL.

@Sirskibumsalot Жыл бұрын

Very nice 👍....I just got one of these today for free it just had the top end done . So going to go pick it up this weekend . 1980 XR 500 ....Hopefully it's in good shape .

@gillhalford8228 Жыл бұрын

Congrats! They’re great bikes.

@ughxr500a3 6 жыл бұрын

stunning ! I had one in 1987 would kill to have another one

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

ugh xr500a They are great bikes !!

@dpledger122 Жыл бұрын

lovely job

@nestorpadilla9531 2 жыл бұрын

For the music I can tell, is bike of your dreams

@3DPeter 6 жыл бұрын

a few years ago, there were enough xl500's for sale, but now they have become rare. Well here in Holland Europe that is. My cousin had one when i was 16, and he let me ride it now and then, and it was a little to big for me, but i could handle it well, because i started riding motorcycles when i was 11, and could even ride my own little XE50 sitting backwards on it, so i was good for my age back then. Sweet memories alright.

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

3DPeter They pop up for sale around here now and then. But they look like garbage. I started ridding when I was young too.

@stevecanyon23 Жыл бұрын

Great job on the restoration of this beautiful bike. I know what you are talking about, I restored a 1981 XL500S frame-up in 2014. I wonder if she kicked you at the first attempt to start her up.

@gillhalford8228 Жыл бұрын

I’m sure that was a heck of a job to restore from the frame up. That’s great!! My favorite XR’s are the ‘81 & ‘82’s. But I had the ‘80 in high school so I stuck with buying and restoring that year. I wish I hadn’t sold my first XR. The ‘80 has the compression release, it doesn’t kick back on me thank goodness.

@erikbreaman9124 5 жыл бұрын

That's an XR enduro with DOT stuff bolted on and probably a title body-type change. My second ever street legal was an 82 xl 500 that I road all over the country. I was going to get another and restore it but just went with a new XR 650L because parts are hard to get now and I get extra speed on interstates when needed..

@evanwells9110 6 жыл бұрын

Fantastic restore! Thanks for keeping the good bikes alive. Any info on how you went about installing a brake light would be helpful. Thank you

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

I sent you an email. Let me know if you still need help. It's pretty straight forward.

@evanwells9110 6 жыл бұрын

Would you like me to contact you via the comments or email? I'm hoping you could give more detail about the brake light install. Thanks

@hondaxl250k0 5 жыл бұрын

Nice job! I just picked up one of these running for 400$.. full plans to restore

@gillhalford8228 5 жыл бұрын

hondaxl250k0 Excellent. That’s a great price. I just restored another. Twins in the garage.

@alanharford3196 Жыл бұрын

Used to have one ov these wen first come out my favourite bike wish I had nother one

@unclequack5445 5 жыл бұрын

I had a 79 XL 185s in Hi school, such a good little bike soon as I got enough cash together my Uncle helped me buy a new 83 XL 600 Great bike also, only I wish it had E- Start .

@gillhalford8228 5 жыл бұрын

Great memories!

@billmetal 5 жыл бұрын

I had one too! Bought it used for $250.00. Rode it to work and everywhere in between. I was a great reliable bike I could afford. I was class of 1984 in High School.

@mikerafonemusic6177 6 жыл бұрын

nice work! cool bike

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you. It was a lot of work but worth it. Love these bikes!

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! They are special bikes.

@WeekendHobbyMechanic 3 жыл бұрын

Nice job man.... I'm doing the same thing to my 1979 XR500. You don't have an extra Red plastic piece that the tool-bag bolts on too? It’s the piece between the top of the rear fender and the bag..

@gillhalford8228 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Sadly, no I don't have that part. eBay was where I found most of my parts. If you're patient, it will be listed there, in time. Keep at it! These are great bikes!!

@Wlodek1410 6 жыл бұрын

awesome bike

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@netiyonetocman5824 6 жыл бұрын

La mejor moto que he tenido

@Jutte777 7 жыл бұрын

An awesome bike of beauty ! Does the zip close on the tool bag ?(usually the first thing to go) My first 'real' bike that I - raced,rolled,flipped,crashed,raced,super trapped ,chased hares in the mountains ,endless wheeledly,dropped -went way faster than the ton,raced some more,enduro,moto-x,hare and hounds,donutted til I was dizzy, did the highest jump ever - did I say crashed? - ..and was my every day ride. Man I miss that bike! Totally awesome restoration you have there....want to swap it for a broken Suzuki GN250 ??? LOL!!!

@gillhalford8228 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes. The zipper works great. The tool bag is in good shape. I did have to do a little sewing on it, but it's good as new. I hear you about your first real bike! This was mine, too. I did so much mountain riding on it and it was my daily driver to high school. I loved that bike. So much, I had to find one, later in life, worth restoring. It sounds like you had a great time on yours; creating many wonderful memories. It's great to share these memories with friends and family. Thanks for the note!

@davidred_dbl 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

Dirk Blane Thanks. I’m now working on my second restoration of a 1980 XR500. . I’ve forgot just how much has to be put in to these bike. This next one be better that the one in the video!

@hart709 4 жыл бұрын

awesome job - om working on one and was wondering where you sourced your parts?

@gillhalford8228 4 жыл бұрын

Hart Chalmers Fortunately I didn’t need too many parts. But the best place for parts is eBay. Good luck!!

@netiyonetocman5824 6 жыл бұрын

Espero algundia volver a conseguir una

@ughxr500a3 5 жыл бұрын

Fantastic job sir & road legal Nice Had one in 86 rd legal Looking her in New Zealand last few years Hard to find Expensive one for $7500 advertised now but not road legal OUCH

@SeriousSchitt 4 жыл бұрын

Interestingly, I rang the MOT (or whatever it's called) a few years ago now, and they informed me they had around 52 on the books, here in NZ. I was really surprised there were that many still around. From memory, that was the 79 and 80 '500'cc models combined, but the 79 model was the most prolific.

@thrillwill69 7 жыл бұрын

I just picked one up for 400 runs but needs some exhaust work, I'd like to restore mine fully as well, any tips ?

@gillhalford8228 7 жыл бұрын

thrillwill69 $400 is a great price. Well done! Look to eBay for parts and be patient. The parts will pop up, but you have to be consistent in looking. #23 Tahitian red in the paint color. Look to KZfaq for "how tos." Hardest to find pieces are front and rear fenders. Especially the rear and the speedometer. There is a good aftermarket parts available on eBay. Search on eBay for Honda part number. Use hondapartshouse.com for OEM parts and numbers. All aftermarket sticker are available on eBay. If you can't find them, let me know. If you need a new seat, there are after market covers that are good. Even an after market rear pouch. My entire bike is original except for the tank decals and side decals. But you wouldn't know that to look at them. It can be a money pit, but for me it was worth it. Good luck!!

@b5zerker636 5 жыл бұрын

Yo whats the name of the rear tire ?

@evanwells9110 6 жыл бұрын

How did you tackle the electric when you restored this bike? Did you convert to 12v or change anything about the 6v stator?

@gillhalford8228 6 жыл бұрын

Evan Wells Sorry for the late response. I kept the 6v but added a brake light switch.

@gillhalford8228 5 жыл бұрын

Sorry for not replying. No. I kept it 6V. It does have a brake light.

@markhpman 5 жыл бұрын

would have liked to hear it and see it on the road but gorgeous bike.

@gillhalford8228 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark. Here it is running. I still need to put on my GoPro and do a ride. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/esl6itV5r9fXg6s.html

@SeriousSchitt 4 жыл бұрын

Here dude, you can make do with mine in the meantime. Mine's not as nice, but anyway. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kLdjesZm3ODGmpc.html

@jeffbudzisz160 4 жыл бұрын

Can you tell me how one can replace the black cam cover on the top right hand side of motor without taking off the top of the engine? If possible. I have the part just not sure how to get the old one out

@gillhalford8228 4 жыл бұрын

What yr. XR?

@jeffbudzisz160 4 жыл бұрын

@@gillhalford8228 1979, Actually it is an XL 500. My brother has a 1980 and they are the same. We prefer not to take the top of the engin off again as we recently replaced the gasket up there.

@jshuda7558 6 жыл бұрын

Looks great! Any interest in selling it?

@bdub5369 4 жыл бұрын

Where did you get that front fender from?

@gillhalford8228 4 жыл бұрын

Bdub536 It was on the bike when I bought it.

@benoitcavelier4813 4 жыл бұрын

I am looking for an original gray front fender and many other parts. If you have links and all information to communicate to me it would help me a lot, thank you. PS, I'm French and I live in France

@gillhalford8228 4 жыл бұрын

Benoit Cavelier EBay is where I’ve found most my parts. Good luck.

@williecosgrove 4 жыл бұрын

Dont worry about your wife, I was looking after her while you were looking after the bike LOL LOL

@gillhalford8228 4 жыл бұрын

So you're the one she kicked in the nuts!! LOL

@rongolgin2864 3 жыл бұрын

No pic of panelli jones should of post pic with u and buying it off him if its was his bike

@gillhalford8228 3 жыл бұрын

I would have loved to meet him. Mr. Jones was a neighbor to the owner of whom I bought it from. They owned several of his bikes at that time.

@ashishavin8748 5 жыл бұрын

Hah. Street Hawk.

@benoitcavelier4813 4 жыл бұрын

your moto is a XL500S not a XR. Mine is from 1981, it's a grey model and it's "my love", my first moto, THE ONE. Unfortunatly life is life, stolen 3 times with make up, motor ???. Today i would love to restore it, but it needs a very compleete job and i know nothing about that.