1980 Honda XR500 Restoration

[@paulcorbin7495]

Thank you on my last kegs C got me took me bk thanks from the uk brilliant job as I look at the beautiful scenery behind the bike Darren I will never Ride Again

[@SeriousSchitt]

My bike came with a drive chain tensioner like yours, someone had made it up with a bearing and roller. In my opinion probably works better than the factory set up. I personally have a liking for the genuine set up though and have several of the original rubber ‘slippers’ in stock, but the chain chews them up like a hungry man eating hamburgers, and you’re down to the screw heads and rivets in no time. I ended up getting a slab of black UHMWPE, off an old body lift kit, and carefully crafted my own. Seems to be lasting forever and a day, and being ‘black’ it looks authentic too. Nice resto.

[@raymondmorgan5876]

Thank for the memories.While I did'nt have one,I saw a new one come thru my woods on its way to climb hills in wva.I did get myself a new 1984 XL600 5 years later!

[@gillhalford8228]

Raymond Morgan Thanks for the nice comments. I ride this around the neighborhood and some people just stare. I don't think they know what they're looking at. Some do and give a big wave. These truly are great bikes.

[@GapahuksTube]

That looks great! Well done. I own exact the same motor bike, built in 1979. After seeing this I apreciate it even more.

[@gillhalford8228]

Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epStiKV-f9amidk

[@gillhalford8228]

A best friend bought a '79 in 1980 and that inspired me to buy a '80 in 1981 (old dealer stock). The '79 was the beginning of a whole new generation of bikes! Glad you have kept your '79. Enjoy!!

[@marcelb7259]

She is magnificent !! What a gorgeous bike. You have done an amazing job mate.

[@gillhalford8228]

Thanks. It took a lot of time, patience and effort. But well worth it. I've completed a second restoration. I need to take some video and get it posted. This bike was getting lonely, so bought a second one! LOL!

[@Sirskibumsalot]

Very nice 👍....I just got one of these today for free it just had the top end done . So going to go pick it up this weekend . 1980 XR 500 ....Hopefully it's in good shape .

[@gillhalford8228]

Congrats! They’re great bikes.

[@MachTuck]

woow!! beautifull job!! brings me memories of mine back in Venezuela!!

[@gillhalford8228]

Thanks! I just completed a second restoration. I've got two in my garage. Not sure what I'm going to do with the second one. LOL.

[@ughxr500a3]

stunning ! I had one in 1987 would kill to have another one

[@gillhalford8228]

ugh xr500a They are great bikes !!

[@dpledger122]

lovely job

[@3DPeter]

a few years ago, there were enough xl500's for sale, but now they have become rare. Well here in Holland Europe that is. My cousin had one when i was 16, and he let me ride it now and then, and it was a little to big for me, but i could handle it well, because i started riding motorcycles when i was 11, and could even ride my own little XE50 sitting backwards on it, so i was good for my age back then. Sweet memories alright.

[@gillhalford8228]

3DPeter They pop up for sale around here now and then. But they look like garbage. I started ridding when I was young too.

[@nestorpadilla9531]

For the music I can tell, is bike of your dreams

[@erikbreaman9124]

That's an XR enduro with DOT stuff bolted on and probably a title body-type change. My second ever street legal was an 82 xl 500 that I road all over the country. I was going to get another and restore it but just went with a new XR 650L because parts are hard to get now and I get extra speed on interstates when needed..

[@WeekendHobbyMechanic]

Nice job man.... I'm doing the same thing to my 1979 XR500. You don't have an extra Red plastic piece that the tool-bag bolts on too? It’s the piece between the top of the rear fender and the bag..

[@gillhalford8228]

Thanks! Sadly, no I don't have that part. eBay was where I found most of my parts. If you're patient, it will be listed there, in time. Keep at it! These are great bikes!!

[@unclequack5445]

I had a 79 XL 185s in Hi school, such a good little bike soon as I got enough cash together my Uncle helped me buy a new 83 XL 600 Great bike also, only I wish it had E- Start .

[@gillhalford8228]

Great memories!

[@billmetal]

I had one too! Bought it used for $250.00. Rode it to work and everywhere in between. I was a great reliable bike I could afford. I was class of 1984 in High School.

[@alanharford3196]

Used to have one ov these wen first come out my favourite bike wish I had nother one

[@hondaxl250k0]

Nice job! I just picked up one of these running for 400$.. full plans to restore

[@gillhalford8228]

hondaxl250k0 Excellent. That’s a great price. I just restored another. Twins in the garage.

[@stevecanyon23]

Great job on the restoration of this beautiful bike. I know what you are talking about, I restored a 1981 XL500S frame-up in 2014. I wonder if she kicked you at the first attempt to start her up.

[@gillhalford8228]

I’m sure that was a heck of a job to restore from the frame up. That’s great!! My favorite XR’s are the ‘81 & ‘82’s. But I had the ‘80 in high school so I stuck with buying and restoring that year. I wish I hadn’t sold my first XR. The ‘80 has the compression release, it doesn’t kick back on me thank goodness.

[@ughxr500a3]

Fantastic job sir & road legal Nice Had one in 86 rd legal Looking her in New Zealand last few years Hard to find Expensive one for $7500 advertised now but not road legal OUCH

[@SeriousSchitt]

Interestingly, I rang the MOT (or whatever it's called) a few years ago now, and they informed me they had around 52 on the books, here in NZ. I was really surprised there were that many still around. From memory, that was the 79 and 80 '500'cc models combined, but the 79 model was the most prolific.

[@mikerafonemusic6177]

nice work! cool bike

[@gillhalford8228]

Thank you. It was a lot of work but worth it. Love these bikes!

[@gillhalford8228]

Thanks! They are special bikes.

[@netiyonetocman5824]

La mejor moto que he tenido

[@markhpman]

would have liked to hear it and see it on the road but gorgeous bike.

[@gillhalford8228]

Thanks Mark. Here it is running. I still need to put on my GoPro and do a ride. kzbin.info/www/bejne/epStiKV-f9amidk

[@SeriousSchitt]

Here dude, you can make do with mine in the meantime. Mine's not as nice, but anyway. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIKWeJZrrN-VoMU

[@evanwells9110]

Fantastic restore! Thanks for keeping the good bikes alive. Any info on how you went about installing a brake light would be helpful. Thank you

[@gillhalford8228]

I sent you an email. Let me know if you still need help. It's pretty straight forward.

[@evanwells9110]

Would you like me to contact you via the comments or email? I'm hoping you could give more detail about the brake light install. Thanks

[@b5zerker636]

Yo whats the name of the rear tire ?

[@Wlodek1410]

awesome bike

[@gillhalford8228]

Thanks!

[@jeffbudzisz160]

Can you tell me how one can replace the black cam cover on the top right hand side of motor without taking off the top of the engine? If possible. I have the part just not sure how to get the old one out

[@gillhalford8228]

What yr. XR?

[@jeffbudzisz160]

@@gillhalford8228 1979, Actually it is an XL 500. My brother has a 1980 and they are the same. We prefer not to take the top of the engin off again as we recently replaced the gasket up there.

[@airbourne84]

Just started mine it's rough....

[@netiyonetocman5824]

Espero algundia volver a conseguir una

[@davidred_dbl]

Amazing

[@gillhalford8228]

Dirk Blane Thanks. I’m now working on my second restoration of a 1980 XR500. . I’ve forgot just how much has to be put in to these bike. This next one be better that the one in the video!

[@Jutte777]

An awesome bike of beauty ! Does the zip close on the tool bag ?(usually the first thing to go) My first 'real' bike that I - raced,rolled,flipped,crashed,raced,super trapped ,chased hares in the mountains ,endless wheeledly,dropped -went way faster than the ton,raced some more,enduro,moto-x,hare and hounds,donutted til I was dizzy, did the highest jump ever - did I say crashed? - ..and was my every day ride. Man I miss that bike! Totally awesome restoration you have there....want to swap it for a broken Suzuki GN250 ??? LOL!!!

[@gillhalford8228]

Thanks! Yes. The zipper works great. The tool bag is in good shape. I did have to do a little sewing on it, but it's good as new. I hear you about your first real bike! This was mine, too. I did so much mountain riding on it and it was my daily driver to high school. I loved that bike. So much, I had to find one, later in life, worth restoring. It sounds like you had a great time on yours; creating many wonderful memories. It's great to share these memories with friends and family. Thanks for the note!

[@bdub5369]

Where did you get that front fender from?

[@gillhalford8228]

Bdub536 It was on the bike when I bought it.

[@evanwells9110]

How did you tackle the electric when you restored this bike? Did you convert to 12v or change anything about the 6v stator?

[@gillhalford8228]

Evan Wells Sorry for the late response. I kept the 6v but added a brake light switch.

[@gillhalford8228]

Sorry for not replying. No. I kept it 6V. It does have a brake light.

[@thrillwill69]

I just picked one up for 400 runs but needs some exhaust work, I'd like to restore mine fully as well, any tips ?

[@gillhalford8228]

thrillwill69 $400 is a great price. Well done! Look to eBay for parts and be patient. The parts will pop up, but you have to be consistent in looking. #23 Tahitian red in the paint color. Look to KZbin for "how tos." Hardest to find pieces are front and rear fenders. Especially the rear and the speedometer. There is a good aftermarket parts available on eBay. Search on eBay for Honda part number. Use hondapartshouse.com for OEM parts and numbers. All aftermarket sticker are available on eBay. If you can't find them, let me know. If you need a new seat, there are after market covers that are good. Even an after market rear pouch. My entire bike is original except for the tank decals and side decals. But you wouldn't know that to look at them. It can be a money pit, but for me it was worth it. Good luck!!

[@hart709]

awesome job - om working on one and was wondering where you sourced your parts?

[@gillhalford8228]

Hart Chalmers Fortunately I didn’t need too many parts. But the best place for parts is eBay. Good luck!!

[@benoitcavelier4813]

I am looking for an original gray front fender and many other parts. If you have links and all information to communicate to me it would help me a lot, thank you. PS, I'm French and I live in France

[@gillhalford8228]

Benoit Cavelier EBay is where I’ve found most my parts. Good luck.

[@jshuda7558]

Looks great! Any interest in selling it?

[@williecosgrove]

Dont worry about your wife, I was looking after her while you were looking after the bike LOL LOL

[@gillhalford8228]

So you're the one she kicked in the nuts!! LOL

[@rongolgin2864]

No pic of panelli jones should of post pic with u and buying it off him if its was his bike

[@gillhalford8228]

I would have loved to meet him. Mr. Jones was a neighbor to the owner of whom I bought it from. They owned several of his bikes at that time.

[@ashishavin8748]

Hah. Street Hawk.

[@benoitcavelier4813]

your moto is a XL500S not a XR. Mine is from 1981, it's a grey model and it's "my love", my first moto, THE ONE. Unfortunatly life is life, stolen 3 times with make up, motor ???. Today i would love to restore it, but it needs a very compleete job and i know nothing about that.