Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I've been thinking of getting an '82 or '83 CR480 and was wondering what kind of info you guys have on this bike. I plan on fixing it up a bit and using it for trail riding and maybe at the dunes. Anybody have experience with these? What is the availbility of parts? Can a guy still get most things? Any info on the pluses and minuses of the machine itself (poweer, suspension, handling, reliability) would be appreciated also.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Stinkerbelle

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Restoring a 1979 CR250R.....

I restored an 83 CR480R to race in AHRMA and most of the parts i needed were still around. Honda has the bearings and seals for the motor and some other parts. I got the chain slider from a guy in Australia who puts ads on this site. You may have to hunt up a few parts but that is part of the fun.

I have a 1983 CR480R which I love but still call the beast. I got mine in very good condition so have only had to fix some minor things. Transmission parts are supposedly difficult to get so change your oil frequently and don't abuse it. Correct front number plates appear to be unobtanium, but Vintage Factory does a nice JT-style substitute. The 1982 forks are Kayabas and considered better stock than the 1983 Showas even though the latter are more adjustable. I put Race Tech emulators in to get around that. If racing you will find that the rear shock spring is too soft, but Eibach does stiffer replacements. Some say the stock damping can be improved...It can be ridden in the low-end of the power band and it is a pussycat, let it rip however and the resulting grin may split your head in half. You have been warned.

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF