The "Banana nose" bar is to reduce the kick back of the bar tip. Also you cannot flip these bars over. If flipped over, it actually increased kickback thus making it more dangerous. I believe this is why they were only made for a handful of years.

Sorry about ur friend. Nice thing to remember him with.

I have a 500 vl that runs great

those are a nice pair of saws man!

I just picked up a John Deere 55v mint condition but no bar for 50 dollars it runs exactly

The VL was a points equipped saw, the EVL was electronic. The VL can have module used to bypass the points if needed. As for a 24" bar I truly suggest not to use it, too small an engine. The 650 was rated for a 27" which I think was too much also. The main problem with these saws was the intake boot, good luck finding 1. The other thing was the 2-piece electronic ignition system. Shortly after introduction that ignition system parts weren't available. There's millions of these saws that would run but for that ignition system. There were smaller versions of these also.

i have an old john deer like that mabey even older its 50v instead of 55v and my air filter is on the left instead of top, do u think i could run a 42 in bar i found a custom small mount one online

that was good,,myy cs500vl has a different style handle and fake chain lock?...it moves but doesnt do anything