XS500 wanted how hard is this going to be?

Luke4554

Luke4554

"PureBred Fabrications"
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Id like to build an XS500 for fun whilst i perfect my 650 build. I dont know a ton about the 500 just that i like a few things about them. How hard are these to come by .. clearly from what ive searched locally theyre not as abundant as a 650.. im just hoping im not going to be searching for some rare relic.

Any helpfull tips or leads would be sweet.. im in southern Ohio but im willing to travel a state to get one if the price is right.

Any help would be cool guys. Appreciate it!

Luke :shrug:
 
If I recall correctly the SR500 was one of the most highly sold bikes ever made. There may not be as many here but they are very abundant in Asia and Europe
 
XS500 - replacements parts are hard to come by.. The engine does look as cool, and from the little I've read about them, they had engine problems.

SR500 is a whole different deal.. Good bikes but hard to find in the U.S.
 
^ true, but good luck.. they usually cost quite a bit more than XS650s because they are more rare in the U.S. They only imported them for two years.
 
I ended up with a SR500 parts bike, it needs lots of parts! Basic engine is there and turns over though. Not sure what I am gonna do with it yet. I agree. Parts are few and far between here.
 
Travis said:
^ true, but good luck.. they usually cost quite a bit more than XS650s because they are more rare in the U.S. They only imported them for two years.
Click to expand...

4 years 78 to 81 paid $1950 for the SR about $500 for the XS and then around $400 to get it back in running order, damn money pit:laugh:
 

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I was investigating the xs500 a bit ago since I'd never heard of it. One guy who has one says most non-engine parts are interchangeable with the 650.
 
More than likely to the above post. guy on a local forum i am on bought one, minty 78. Looks identical to the 650 minus the engine. Engine is a 4 valve DOHC. i don't think it's a 360 either.
 
CDNTX650 said:
More than likely to the above post. guy on a local forum i am on bought one, minty 78. Looks identical to the 650 minus the engine. Engine is a 4 valve DOHC. i don't think it's a 360 either.
Click to expand...

that was the problem, if the engine wasn't warmed up properly the head tended to crack between the valves some still ran ok but some didn't:shrug:
 
I owned a 1975 xs500 new. It was very powerful for a 500cc but very heavy. It had a factory defective head that was instantly replaced on warranty. I put delOrto pumpers on mine and they worked great. The bike was as smooth as my BMW because of the counter balancer. If you fix all of the small problems it is a great 500. My best mileage: 48 mpg. TC
 
I found a couple nice ones on craigslist but they were a decent trot away.. couple states probably. now that ive got some base line info ive got some more specific questions.

What are the major differences in the SR and the XS? Cosmetically and mechanically? .. and are both models equally as hard to source parts for or are the SR's a whole lot more user friendly in the parts department as they are readily available.

Thanks guys.. so far this thread has been a good help..
 
Check out Yahoo Japan, ebay UK, and Bratstyle. Bratstyle makes a lot of sr parts if I recall correctly.

There are also a lot of businesses in Japan for SR parts since it was one of the longest manufactured and best selling bikes there.
 

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