1980 sr500

[cbrianroll]

Hey, everyone likes pics so here’s some! Just got it today. Low miles, needs tires as they are old, front brake is sticking, carb gone through, and the plastic has a break in it at the rear of seat. Tank has a couple small dents but not terrible. Chrome has some rust, the chain guard is the worst. Should clean up good enough! It is missing the keys so I have not seen inside the tank, as soon as I get the title in my name I will figure out the key replacement.Currently not planning a chop or anything, just clean and ride. Maybe different bars though lol. Suggestions and hints on this bike would be appreciated. First time ever with an SR500.

 

[Tim]

Can't wait to see it running and rolling down the road. I'm sure I have a PDF manual around here somewhere - I'll try to find it.

 

[Tim]

Here's the service manual

www.dotheton.com/downloads/Yamaha XT500 SR500 Service Manual.pdf

 

[cbrianroll]

Oh man, that is awesome!!! Thank you!!!!

 

[cbrianroll]

I dug in a little…rodent ate and made a nest in the air box. Pulled carb to clean and what a surprise…full of some sort of oil???? Had a faint varnish smell but blackish brown goo in the diaphragms, and bowl. Never seen that before…

 

[Hurco550]

glad you got this! well bought.

I have also never understood how someone could save up/ make payments/ drop the cash for a bike brand new and never put more than a long rides worth of miles on it. Once you do your thing, that thing should have a ton of life left in it!

 

[cbrianroll]

Ha! I know, crazy how unused it is. Now I need the key!!! Maybe I can bypass it lol…

 

[Tim]

Ha! I know, crazy how unused it is. Now I need the key!!! Maybe I can bypass it lol…

Probably easier to just get another ignition/key set for it. Is the tank cap locked? I can't remember if the key is used anywhere else on the SR other than the ignition.

Or Suzuki can probably provide a replacement using the numbers on the ignition - at least that's the way it used to work with Hondas.

 

[Brodie]

Yeah that's the ticket. Check the ignition barrel for some numbers and jump on the bay to see if there is one available.

 

[JerryAssburger]

She is BEAUTIFUL! Nice find! And, what is it with mice and air-filters? I had a Mazda MX3 and a 01 Bonneville that had them- same place!

 

[cbrianroll]

Thanks guys, haven’t had deal with a key issue in quite a long time…Chevy truck..brought proof of ownership and vin and good to go…figured it would be similar for bike. Didn’t know there was a number on the ignition…that would be nice!
I think the cap is locked??? Figured it had to be to get the key out, but I’ll have to check.
It was a score for sure, my buddy always find good stuff, he finally passed one on to me lol. I know!!! Mice are fun….I’m halfway tempted to remove the air box and get another carb with less stuff on it….I like basic lol. Here’s where I’m at today….clean and polish internals of carb.

 

[Maritime]

Nice score. sign me up to watch!

 

[Tim]

Thanks guys, haven’t had deal with a key issue in quite a long time…Chevy truck..brought proof of ownership and vin and good to go…figured it would be similar for bike. Didn’t know there was a number on the ignition…that would be nice!
I think the cap is locked??? Figured it had to be to get the key out, but I’ll have to check.
It was a score for sure, my buddy always find good stuff, he finally passed one on to me lol. I know!!! Mice are fun….I’m halfway tempted to remove the air box and get another carb with less stuff on it….I like basic lol. Here’s where I’m at today….clean and polish internals of carb.

Should you decide on a simpler carb setup, let me know. If I recall I had this set up for my SR but never mounted it. I'll measure it and get the jet specs.

 

[cbrianroll]

Cool….will definitely keep it in mind!

 

[cbrianroll]

Not a lot of progress…just pulled the batttery and air box for cleaning and paint rust. I did see this thing, which I have not come across before…what is it lol…it’s not hooked up to anything.

 

[cbrianroll]

And… a good bath. Rust came off good enough. The chainguard is peeling bad so it’ll get sandblasted and powder coated. Think I have Honda silver cloud or something..should look

ok.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

I can dig it.

 

[Tim]

Parts manual: SR500 Parts Catalog

Another Service Manual: SR500 Service Manual

Some specifications: SR500 Specs

 

[cbrianroll]

Thank you sir!
Feel free to pm carb info too.

 

[Tim]

I'll measure the carb I have here and see what it is. I think I put a VM36 on the SR I built up, but it's at the cottage and I won't see it till April.