XBR500 project bike - long with pictures

[muzzer]

Hi all, as I have only poste twice so far (once to say hello, once to ask a question) I thought I'd post a few pictures of my lates t project.

Started life as a 1986 Honda XBR500 in black.

It was in pretty good nick for a 31 year old bike, so I was hesitant at first to start modding it. I didn't like the original styling, and it had been turned into a commuter bike by the previous owner(s), so I thought why not?

Anyway, this is what I picked up

Soon had it in pieces

Not too bad

Back end is far too cluttered, too much plastic

Removed battery, airbox and carb

Back end cleared - will be chopped just after the rear shock mounts and a frame loop welded in

Test fitting of new handlebars, rear shocks, alloy front mudguard and I've replaced the carb with a Mikuni TS40 flatslide and pod filter

Rear view with new exhaust system

Side view

As you may have guessed, it's going to be a street tracker/scrambler

I've got lots more to do - new headlight, seat, alloy rear mudguard, tail light and number plate, different petrol tank.

I've also got to relocate the battery and electrics somewhere

Want to replace the wheels for spoked ones, so I have picked up some from a CB250RS hoping they might fit.

I'll put some "adventure" semi-knobblies on too.

Anyway, I'll try and post more photos as I go.

Constructive comments welcome!

If anybody is looking for original XBR parts such as a scorpion exhaust, tank (black),seat, rear plastics, mudguards, bars etc. please let me know.

Cheers

Muz

[Mr Fro]

Looks good.

The frame looks in good nick. Have you figured out what you're going to do about lights?

[Hoggs]

ooh I do enjoy reading project threads

[muzzer]

Thanks for the interest

@[mention]Mr Fro[/mention]

Lights are going to be mostly Chinese!

Seriously tho, I've got a cheapo 6.5" LED headlight from China, with a retro style grille.

The headlight is pretty crappy, so I've beefed up the LEDS with 2 x 5W and 2 x 7W, even after that it's still for appearance only and will be rubbish, so I'm not expecting to be riding at night much. It was listed on ebay as "daymaker headlight for Harley Davidson" if anyone wants to avoid buying one in the future It was cheap and I will upgrade later. I've got no idea what I'm going to do with the rats nest of cables from inside the original!

Got a nice small combined LED tail light and number plate holder also.

Indicators are quite nice black crackle finish with grilles over the lenses.

The whole lot was less than 50 quid.

I'll post some more piccies when I get around to fitting the alloy rear mudguard and tail light.

I've got to cut off the rear subframe and weld/braze on the seat loop first, plus some extra mounting brackets for the seat etc.

Watch this space.

Muz