Featured I Love This Place

Discussion in 'Other Bikes' started by TomMarshall, Sep 18, 2019.

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  1. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    I've not been on the forum for long, but it's awesome. I've just acquired a 1980 Yamaha SR500 and joined the associated forum, and it's like a ghost town. There's heaps of old threads that have gems of information, but zero chat.

    So, as you lot seem...sensible...I thought I'd post the progress of the build on here, as undoubtedly there will be tips and advice on carbs (what?) and things from the older Triumphs, or maybe someone has rebuilt/modded an SR or other Yamaha bike before.

    Anyway, a bit of backstory to this - got my licence about 18 months ago and jumped straight on a 2016 Street Twin. Have made a few cosmetic mods over time and started considering some performance changes until the wife sent me a link from a friend of a friend selling their 1980 SR500. Was a German girl who'd ridden it to the UK over summer, and needed the cash to carry on her travels. Yes, you're probably thinking the same thing as I did - I'm walking into a trap here. The wife has sent me a link to buy a bike...sounds fishy.

    So, ignoring my deep inner instincts I bought it. This is undoubtedly going to come back and bite me in the arse, and you'll all be the first to know when it does. In the meantime, I'm going to continue getting my hands dirty in blissful ignorance, and will provide pictures in abundance.

    I've got down to the fuel tank, electrics and forks. Picking up a fuel can tonight to drain the tank and also a socket size big enough to remove the yoke and swing arm pivot shaft.

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  2. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,800
    1,000
    Southern Softyville
    Agree with you mate, you'll get more interest on here, the members love a rebuild, and pictures!

    But strongly disagree with your thoughts on us lot being 'sensible' o_O:eek::scream: just wait and see what happens with your thread now you've accused us of that! :imp: :D:grinning::laughing::joy:
     
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  3. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    I'm staring at spreadsheets today, so thought this might provide a steady stream of entertainment to get me through :laughing::laughing::laughing:

    Also, have bought an angle grinder off of that there Screwfix to get rid of some of the unnecessary nibs on the frame.

    One of the biggest questions bouncing around my head at the moment is whether to go riser bars or clip ons...surprised I've not been hauled into HR for looking at so much bike porn.

    Inspiration below...

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  4. Timmy Tucker

    Timmy Tucker Elite Member

    Apr 20, 2019
    3,181
    800
    Newmarket
    Great start so far keep the pictures coming
    20190523_215832.jpg 20190522_234450.jpg Tucker :p:heart:
     
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  5. Rocker

    Rocker Elite Member

    May 1, 2016
    1,662
    800
    Suffolk
    Bottom picture mate :)
     
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  6. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    Crying out for some scrambler mods that one...that being said my boy (18 months) would put up a good fight for his little ripper!
     
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  7. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    Good to hear...thankfully it's the one that needs the least spending on it. I'm going to stick with the original wheels as I've not got the budget to spend on wired, but a respray of the tank is definitely on the cards so could well go this colour. The stock bars have a nice rise on them but whether they are raked too far backwards will have to be seen. Might stick a set of scrambler bars on there?

    I've got a battery box on order which will give me space for a new cone air filter on the carb, along with some other minor bits such as front indicator mounts and speedo mount, and then have a new Bates headlight with satin black body and brushed chrome bezel plus mini LED indicators on the way from Baak, as well as some Hagon rear shocks with black body and chrome springs. I'm going to remove the tachometer and keep a single dial on the handlebars; going for full minimalist. Will possibly go for some screw in bar end mirrors so they can be removed for photos/whatever.

    Going to have a crack at modding the OEM fenders with the angle grinder and will paint these with the same matt black paint I used on the Triumph details. Worked really well and don't want to have to pay for rechroming any burred/bevelled edges.
     
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  8. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,800
    1,000
    Southern Softyville
    Amen to that mate!

    I am a fecking expert a breaking/crashing them :eek:, but this year have had to become much more hands on with the spanners :dizzy:, I generally read the Haynes manual on the bit I have to fix (minimum 3 times :confused:), then take pictures as I go, I have done quite a bit more advanced work myself this way :).
    As my mate says, it's only nuts & bolts, I find the trick is to try & dismantle, fix & then re-assemble the same day, if I have to wait ages for parts then that's when things go wrong! :bomb:
     
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  9. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    I'm flattered but I have absolutely no idea! :laughing::laughing::laughing: I've just had an email confirming dispatch of the Haynes manual which I'm going to rely on. As you can see from the pictures, my shed is TIGHT on space at the moment, with a sofa sat on a bench that I need to lay everything out on so I know where it goes!
     
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  10. Big Sandy

    Big Sandy WOOF! WOOF!

    Nov 14, 2018
    2,369
    800
    Fuck off you nosy cunt
    That, sir, is MY line. ;)

    Great thing nowadays is how easy it is to take a quick photo of something before and during the taking it apart. Good for reference when you put it back together.

    Doesn't help finding that 'pingfukkit' that vanished behind the bench at speed, right enough.
     
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  11. curly

    curly Noble Member

    Jul 3, 2016
    758
    443
    Burton Upon Trent
    I had an SR500 back in 1984, it was dark blue and silver, T registered.
    I loved it, the only issue I ever had with it was the silencer rotted through which was odd I thought as the rest of the bike was in excellent nick.
    I was newly married and skint so fitted a short Wassells mega type short silencer, which was as cheap as chips
    Lasted a couple of weeks before it blew the stuffing out, there was miles of the stuff!
    After that the wife could hear me coming home from the 4pm to midnight shift from about 1.5 miles away!
    When finances allowed and relations with neighbours had reached breaking point, I went to Len Manchester Motorcycles and bought a brand new genuine Yamaha silencer, can't remember the cost now but it was expensive,
    Sold the bike when first nipper came along, wish I still had it, it was great lightweight fun.
    Enjoy yours!
     
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  12. Kenbro

    Kenbro Noble Member

    Jul 9, 2019
    828
    443
    Manchester, UK
    Did you move up to the street Twin from the Red and Yellow trike in one hit, or were there others along the way? ;)
    Regards, Ken.
     
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  13. Oz228

    Oz228 Well-Known Member

    Apr 27, 2019
    168
    93
    Inverness
    Pics look good, but I like the trike in the background. What's the top speed on that?
     
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  14. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    I know...I’m due to clear the majority to a lock up this weekend so I can access the bench at the back, but just couldn’t help myself o_Oo_Oo_O
     
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  15. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    Being completely honest, Mum's only just taken the training wheels off the Twin. She says I'm 'all grown up' now :party:
     
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  16. Samz

    Samz Elite Member
    Subscriber

    Aug 7, 2016
    127
    743
    York uk

    I may have missed it, but have you ridden it or even tried starting it?
    I had one a few years back, and it could be a complete b*stard to start, even after you acquired the “knack”.
    Was ok to work on, and parts readily available. Performance was ok too if you’re happy to bimble.
    Better engine than the XT so they reckon, summit to do with the cylinder head.
    Good luck.
     
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  17. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    #17 TomMarshall, Sep 19, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2019

    I've not ridden it but I've seen it started twice, first kick, and it was ridden to me when I bought it. It's done 1500km over the summer from Germany to the UK so goes pretty well, just runs a bit rich as the girl who owned it said the spark plugs get completely blacked out after 1000km. I'm going to put a K&N air filter on there though so hoping that will make it run leaner and mean I don't have to faff with re-jetting it.
     
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  18. joe mc donald

    Dec 26, 2014
    13,874
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    Tom Marshall.
    You said sensible well all the inmates are now walking around with big cheesy grins not that they know what it means but nursey grinned and they just do the same. And you a well known member you should have known. SR500 yes a fantastic thumper and great fun. Easy to work on as it is a simple construction. I wouldn't go throwing money at it as it is just a fun bike or winter bike not a serious contender for bike of the year. I do think they have a race category or did have for them.
    You will have fun on it. And set it up right and its perfect starting and running.
    Ride Safe & Enjoy.
    Joe.
     
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  19. TomMarshall

    TomMarshall Well-Known Member

    Jul 10, 2019
    213
    83
    Bristol
    Great advice, thank you! I'm not going to throw too much at it, and will likely shift it early next year...watch this space :yum
     
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  20. joe mc donald

    Dec 26, 2014
    13,874
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    TomMarshall
    Great Never know I might take it of your hands for the right price and sell my cb500 winter bike.
    Regards
    Joe.
     
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