First of all I’m aware this isn’t the ideal snowbike. I live on the Oregon coast snow is minimal. I currently have 3 cr 500s two hill climb bikes and one that has options. I have read everything I can possibly find on the topic. This whole concept is most likely a midlife crisis more so then me becoming all in snow biker. I would like to build a decent bike tho. I’m running a lectron carb is the savage carb heater a good choice? I can’t find much for reviews. Probaly a thermobob thermostat. I don’t have the electronics for heated grips am I going to hate my life if I don’t do heated bars? My motor is a 87 cr500 I just pulled it apart for rebuild. Frame is 07 crf 450. Any helpful hints from the folks that have already been down this road much appreciated
Looking for words of wisdom cr500
- Thread starter Dirtscoots
- Start date
Well here goes a trip down memory lane. I rode a CR500 for 3 seasons on a 137 TS kit. It still is the reigning king for climbing. After that the shine comes off. I don't know anything about that carb heater but you will definitely need one, I used to make them but not anymore. You will also need a thermostat, C3 makes a universal one. I never had bar heat of any kind I used those muff things. They actually work pretty well. Mine was a stock CR500 frame so it was like a chopper with the horrible fork rake. It was a love hate relationship. It was great when it was great ie. climbing but for tight trees and basically everything else it sucked. I finally sold all things CR500, bought a 450 race bike with fuel injection and never looked back.
M5
M5
I built one , Lectron carb and all the goodies. Vibrates and 2 strokes do not have the over rev, Carry lots more fuel , My well tuned 450 is far better overall. The 470BB based off the 450 engine kills it everywhere especilly climbing due to the High RPM / over rev creates track speed. Of course someone who has one will tell ewe how great they are, when ewe have both and truthfullness comes out. Im a 2 stroke guy in the dirt but on snow a well setup 450 is far easier to live with.
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Thank you for the responses. I totally get the 450 side of things. I just have a soft spot in my heart for these 500s. Realistically I will be lucky if it gets used more than twice a year. If nothing else it will be something that looks cool in my shop. That’s good to hear about the bar heat. I am hard on handle bars and it didn’t seem like a great plan to plumb coolant to them. I just had my suspension done with stiffer springs in the front. I was planning on stock air box with k&n filter, is that asking for issues? Used sled kit prices seem to not be to bad in the 2016 era or so is there horror stories I should be aware of buying used ?
I have the savage lectron heater on my 300, it works great, I’ve never had carb issues since. I also do not run heated handlebars but have the mitts attached to the bars, just short ones so I can get my hand out in time if need be, they work great. I usually wear gloves or mitts on the trail ride in then switch to regular summer mx gloves for the rest of the day.
450s have broader power blah blah blah but I still love two strokes, much more satisfying ride and more fun. I don't believe the geometry is that bad for snow bike, the long track would make it not turn more than the geometry itself. Only real issue would be vibration. I'm running a BRC conversion so it's not too bad but my KX500 used to break all the welds and crack the side panels on the track it was horrible in that respect. But you already have the bike and you can get a used kit for free these days so go for it, It's a blast.
Thank you. Yes they do vibrate. My trail bike is a 23 ktm 300. Definitely more of a pleasure to trail ride. I love all three of my 500s but actually trail riding them doesn’t put a smile on my face. I feel like snow could bring that smile back.
You have come to the right place friend. The 450s are easier to build and much easier to ride but, if my piece of **** timber sled chain had not busted and broke the case on my CR 500. I would still have it in the garage with a kit on it. Yes, I probably would have a 450 also though. I would suggest using one of your steel frame bikes though due to vibration. Mine actually hardly vibrated at all. Somehow the jetting for my elevation 4500 feet/90° desert temperatures was exactly the same as what I needed at 8 to 10,000 feet in 20 to 40°. Tough to keep the bike warm in blower desert powder for sure. Definitely need to build and keep modifying an engine jacket. Tuck foam in between the skid plate and put plastic in between the engine and track so it does not throw powder on the back of it constantly. Block off your radiators if you are still running them. I deleted mine and ran a tunnel cooler, but I don’t know if that was necessary. Keeping it hot was a lot more of a problem than keeping it cool. That mate have been because the tunnel cooler was super efficient at cooling the bike, but all that coolant was harder to maintain heat in.Went through Pistons about every 50 hours. I would not recommend wiseco, They do not handle getting cold then hot super fast. I might still have my carb heater laying around. I will look for it. Power is on par with a 450 if you know how to ride. Slipping the clutch or even holding it in a quarter of the way was so amazing on climbs and does not even come close to working like that on my 450. Yes, you will burn the clutch out pretty dang fast, but climbing in third gear with the clutch pulled in slightly rather than having to shift down to second gear iwas the difference in making it many times.. 2 stroke sound is so much sweeter and does not carry nearly as far. Plus, it does not smell like a Honda Civic. Lots of knowledge on this site. Many people have been there. Shout out to M5. He helped me a ton.
Shout out as well to the rest of the folks. You know who you are.
Thank you for mentioning weisco. I usually use them for my builds. What piston would you recommend instead that will hold up better? And yes I appreciate all the information on this site. In hours of searching the vast big bore snow info I have found has been here. It just seems I’m about 5 years late to the party hahahaha.
Yeah sliding the clutch into third gear is the hot ticket for my BRC. It actually has a ton of power and easily can keep up with a 450 without working too hard but if I want to actually pass a 450 I have to slide the clutch into third and use the huge 50 foot lb of torque to drag it up 5mph extra ground speed. I don't have to slip it for long just a slower let out. Totally different riding style, you always shift up to go faster not down. The 450s can't do that because they don't have the torque but they do make up for it with huge over Rev. Mine doesn't vibrate so For me the hard starting and huge fuel consumption is the only down side. The sound is oh so sweet to my ears.
