1980 Honda XR500 Restoration 

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.

Check this out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DcJWrHJqsSw.html

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!!

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!

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

Congrats! They’re great bikes.

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.

ugh xr500a They are great bikes !!

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!!

Great memories!

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.

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.

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

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.

Thanks!

Thanks Mark. Here it is running. I still need to put on my GoPro and do a ride. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DcJWrHJqsSw.html

Here dude, you can make do with mine in the meantime. Mine's not as nice, but anyway. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZQ3Gc5wzbjc.html

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

Thanks! They are special bikes.

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

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

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

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.

What yr. XR?

@@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.

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 RU-vid 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!!

Bdub536 It was on the bike when I bought it.

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