Howdy all, being a Honda CR500 noob I need to ask what is probably a very embarrassing noob question....... How do I identify the year of manufacture of this engine? I have in my possession a water cooled CR500 motor which is pulled down. Apparently this motor was used in serious dirt sidecar use and I have the expansion chamber to prove that much. The guy I got it off said it was from a 2000 or so model, but I've just been informed that its more likely a 86-89 model? I'm going to do some nasty, sick "experimental":eek1 things with this engine at some stage, so also need to know which if theres a particular model that is considered a "keeper", any weaknesses etc. Thanks Bill
Look here. There's a year code in the VIN. On the engine the number usually starts with 2 or 3 letters. It's in there. Post up the engine number and we'll figure it out. BTW the 86 had the biggest peak power numbers but is a real beast due to peakyness. And a peaky CR500 is a scary animal.
Hey Roger, email sent! Thanks. I've had a look at the VIN number on the tag and its PE02E 5502833 Looking at vin number searches this comes up as either an 86-87 model motor or a 96 model motor:huh To be truthful, I'm just happy to have a CR500 motor, but I will need to know the year for parts and specs so I can work out just what has been done to the engine. Thanks
Thanks, So looks like the engine is largely an 87 model with lots of porting and later model side cover / water pump mount. It's .5 mm over bored but seems to have the longer conrod, and yet has the earlier crankcases which are 5 mm shorter. All very strange, but anyway now I have a bit more of a handle on what I have. Dunno if its any better / worse than the more modern ones but the earlier had more power so for me I'm happy to believe the earlier motor is the better one Cheers
