88 CR500 Fit Kit

[tdorval]

First off Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

I just have a quick question here. I've been looking at an 88cr500 that needs the top end rebuilt. I'm considering buying it but last night when I went to look at fit kits I noticed they stopped at 89. This wouldn't be a huge issue for the rear by the sounds of it but it would be nice to just buy it ready to go. The question I have is on the forks. Would I need to upgrade forks or could a fit kit be made for them? The little research I've done says the 87-88 style forks are actually decent and I'm trying to set this up as cheap as possibly for now to see if I like it. So does anyone know if I can get a fit kit for the 88? The kit I have is a 14 Timbersled ST.

 

[summitboy]

I believe in that year they are 43mm forks. Don't think anyone makes clamps that small (worth a call to TS to check). I would personally move away from those forks unless you can get clamps. The chrome was bad in the 43mm. You could buy 46mm or even a newer 47mm Honda forks off eBay cheap. Depending on what you buy most likely a head stay bearing change etc to mount.

The fit kit for the front is just some bushings etc. Easy to make if you have lathe access. Back end the same. I would make them if it was me. The TS fit kit for my bike (1998 CR500) didn't work well. Some issues with the front bushings being to thin in spots. Back bushings didn't seem to be spaced as well as they could be. All you really need is the clamps and the strut rod at the most.

 

[tdorval]

Summitboy,

Thanks for getting back to me. The forks are the conventional style like the xr 650. TS did make a kit for it but no longer does. From what I've read most people like the conventional style better then the usd style on the older cr5's so they shouldn't be to bad.

Good to hear.the parts aren't to hard to make. I'm working on figuring out lathe access now, might know someone that has one. I think it'll make a lot more sense once I get the bike in front of the kit to see what I need. I'll look into a fork swap as well I suppose. Kind of late to the party getting a bike for this winter but I'll figure something out.

 

[dhdey]

The TS fit kit for my bike (1998 CR500) didn't work well. Some issues with the front bushings being to thin in spots. Back bushings didn't seem to be spaced as well as they could be. All you really need is the clamps and the strut rod at the most.

i had the exact same issues on my 97 cr500

 

[tdorval]

A friend is picking the bike up tomorrow. Cylinder and head will get sent out and trying to decide what to do on the fit kit still. Half debating just picking up a cheap Gen3 Cr250 and doing a conversion with cp500 parts. Looks fairly straight forward and I know a great aluminum welder now. Cost wise figuring out how to get it to work with the stock 88 would be best but a conversion really doesn't seem that bad once you sell off non used parts.

 

[wwillf01]

A friend is picking the bike up tomorrow. Cylinder and head will get sent out and trying to decide what to do on the fit kit still. Half debating just picking up a cheap Gen3 Cr250 and doing a conversion with cp500 parts. Looks fairly straight forward and I know a great aluminum welder now. Cost wise figuring out how to get it to work with the stock 88 would be best but a conversion really doesn't seem that bad once you sell off non used parts.

Thats a good way or better yet find a ktm rolling chassis then its a couple of mounts that have to be moved on a steel frame

 

[tdorval]

I've been looking for KTM's they are just harder to come by for a reasonable price... Seems like people think orange is gold....