Buying The World's Most Expensive Dirt Bike!

[@micapeakrider]

Surprising that Andre is rarely mentioned among the best ever. He is certainly worthy.

[@siraff4461]

The twin rad caps is because the extended rads go further up than the balance tube so you can't fill them without an airlock unless you fill each side seperately. Only very serious race bikes go to those extremes.

[@rfiskillingussoftly6568]

I had a 1984 CR 500 full on race bike" air cooled beast with drum brakes! I went from riding a 1984 CR80 to riding a CR500 I was 15yrs.old summer of 1986 best year of my life! Great video man!

[@999lazer]

Thanks buddy. Must have been awesome riding a 500 at 15 years old:)

[@TommyToboggan611]

You will have another!

[@moneyontrees6]

It had a front disk

[@EarthSurferUSA]

@@moneyontrees6 Yep. The 83 had a double leading shoe drum brake, like my 82 YZ250. I think the brakes on my more modern 2019 YZ250 are insanely strong for what I am doing, (anything but trying to keep up with 4-stroke on a modern freeway MX track.). I think I will put an air bubble in the lines. :)

[@lesbianalien3435]

I remember the Farleigh castle race. Dave Thorpe was fantastic to come from the back. It was such an exciting race

[@paddydunne774]

Stood right beside thic fecker and shook hands with Andre. On the start straight as he waited to see where Thorpey was in that second moto at Wohlen in ‘85. Hands like shovels. Such a fierce competitor. Great interview Max. I don’t know how you do it Kinger. But great work mush

[@999lazer]

That must of been awesome Paddy. Thanks for watching

[@paddydunne774]

@@999lazer you don’t realise at the time. Echo what Kinger said about Farleigh. The thing with those guys. Especially Andre and Carla. You could see them settling in a 45 moto. And then they would up the pace. Dictating the race pace. It was awesome to watch. I’ve some pictures somewhere from that season and Thorpey just looked right on the bike, especially in his title defence year. The lad I was with had a Union Jack with Dave Thorpe World Champion on it. Every time he came round Malherbe tried to kick it out of his hands. The Belgian fans opposite us on the track we’re loving it. I couldn’t help but admire that fire in him. Such a proud man. Xx

[@inmyopinion6836]

I had an 86 CR500 . That alone was amazing. I can't imagine this beast.

[@vinceedwards3978]

I have ridden am 86 CR 500! They were beasts, and I rode that old turd 84 CR 250!!!

[@brianwills4398]

This is a special bike, but all cr 500s are monsters. Same with the kx 500s. Now there's a 700 maico.. I can't even fathom the power.

[@ctait831]

What an amazing piece of MX history!! Thanks so much for sharing this. I remember being 10 years old and watching this bike being raced by Andre who will always be a legend!!

[@BCHonea]

Unreal! Love those bikes. My first was an 86 cr80

[@paulreed6089]

David Bailey and his dad Skip put on a free motocross school at Burnt Hickory MX ,Georgia back in 1974. David Bailey was riding a Bultaco 250 Pursang and was very Coached very well. His dad believed in working on the basic skills and then building up upon the basics. The basic skills i learned from them are applied every ride . After practicing with David Bailey it was no surprise to see him become a Champion. Thanks for the lessons!!!

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

Forget about displaying it, this bike needs to be RACED!!

[@chox2001]

It would be interesting to see what it can do against modern bikes.

[@iluvmx1977]

@@chox2001 a good YZ 250 two stroke would embarrass this dinosaur, it’s best left as a display.

[@augieh6146]

Just one time by a fast guy. Gotta be the right event too

[@253MC]

@@iluvmx1977 depends who’s riding it.

[@marcelrodrigue8848]

@@iluvmx1977ha🤣

[@Monkeyboy2457]

Back in the early to mid 80's those works bikes were so advanced. It seemed like anyone could win races if they had one. Now, looking at these bikes 40 years later, they look absolutely terrifying to ride.

[@ronaldbabbitt6318]

Awesome! I had an 86' and have the 2001 CR500 and love it! I've been riding CR500s since 94'! That's One hell of a Rockin OG CR500! 🤠👊🏁☠️💨

[@TimGuitarcouk]

Such amazing memories of watching Andre on this bike at Farliegh.

[@nvmcrider8475]

An awesome piece of history. David Bailey said that he preferred the 84 RC 500 to the 85. David lost the 85 US 500 National Championship to Broc Glover on his production air cooled YZ 490. David got redemption in 86, the first year of the production rule, by beating Broc and Ricky Johnson for the 500 title. David capped off the year by crushing all of the Euro's at the 86 Des Nations in Italy, smoking them all on a production bike. David Thorpe was beaten by the O'Show on a 125, but I think Thorpe was having rear brake issues.

[@davebarlow6457]

Totally correct with your history but don't forget Dave Thorpe smoked everybody at the 85 MXDN. He was very underrated by the American press but certainly shut them up that year. As a British person I always appreciated just how good the Americans were but in my opinion the American press [ not riders ] were hugely disrespectful in some articles relating to our 3 time world champion. He was a gentleman of the sport and a legend , as were most of the great American riders of that era. In my opinion these were the golden years of motocross.

[@nvmcrider8475]

@@davebarlow6457 Thorpe definitely was a class act, but when the Americans crushed everyone in the 1986 Des Nations and Omara caught and passed Thorpe on the 125, that was definitely a high point for the USA. Almost as big as the USA beating Russia in hockey at the 1980 Olympics. To be fair to Thorpe, he had lost his rear brake, and he acted like a true sportsman.

[@davebarlow6457]

Can't argue with your opinion and observations. Spot on.

[@djhatly1942]

You've been popping up in my recommended the last days and I've watched every video youtube told me to watch. It has been well worth my time, as has this video. Can't wait for more from you!

[@999lazer]

Thanks for such a great comment. I really appreciate it. Cheers Max

[@EarthSurferUSA]

That is actually a bit scary IMO, watching everything YT puts in front of you. Be careful. We are programmable IMO, and they may not be very nice people.

[@beaudouinverbiest5823]

In '85, each bike from the world championschip haved to return to Japan to be completely broken...so i don't understand how you find an each one in USA. I knows Andre Malherbe, his father has a bike garage in Huy Belgium and i know that at the end of the season, they were dismantling the bikes in the night, to recuperate factory frames, engines, suspensions, ... they brebuild the bikes whith stock pieces to send it all to Japan to be broken...:). Good point for the emplacement of the exhaust, at the left side like factory bikes, bcz the stock bikes has it at the right side. Whithout it, this is an amazing bike !!!! Very cool to see that one more time. THX

[@tomliemohn624]

I met David Bailey at a local promotional event. Got some photos of his 250 works bike. Awesome rider and awesome machine!

[@eminiscalperpro9729]

I didn't even know Andre' passed. What a great guy... these were the same as the top American honda riders had and cost like 100,000 back then and David Bailey stating the 85 RC250 as being the best bike he ever rode. Awesome you guys did this video

[@TheDocrick]

One of the coolest bikes ever thanks a bunch for letting us all have a piece of that of which we dreams!!

[@davepittwood]

I remember watching that race and fans been do close to riders it was just amazing. Also remember thorpey on breakfast tv i think with his 85 bike after winning the world title. An absolutely golden era for motocross and works bikes. Great to keep these bikes alive . 👍

[@billolsen5401]

Absolute BANGER! Thanks for sharing,my first ever bike was CR80 rc. Last air cooled 80 in Honda,and last of the flat seat. I remember a couple older lads had a 500, and a YZ 490, and you could literally feel the vibrations in the ground. I had a respect for them back when I was 12yo,and continued that into my 40’s. Hope you in good health and spirits 👊

[@Dissentient01]

Running is one thing... I want to see that puppy ridden!

[@paulbudford]

A very special bike. Thanks for showing us.

[@massimofalcinelli5043]

I saw this bike back un 1985 at the Italians GP. I always liked Malherbe very much, more than Thorpe but that 's my opinion.. Thank you very much for this piece of Joy and beautiful memory you gave me Italian motocross junky

[@ianmangham4570]

Kaplan America is drooling at the sight of this foundation RRRRRIPPER 🇺🇸🤘🇬🇧🔥

[@chadscott2499]

Love that two stroke sound and smell

[@timothyvaher2421]

Great to vist '85 works technology! We can imagine this work of art 🎨 may well be competitive, in the hands of a top pilot! Thanks for another one of it's kind video 📸 😊

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Beautiful bike. Look what we have made! The 500 did not have an exhaust power valve, but Honda was developing them with their 250cc works machines. They were electronically controlled and programmable at the track. That was a tool they figured out how they wanted it to open mechanically for the production bikes. Beautiful machine. Thanks for showing it with some history.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

That was a tool they used to figure out how they wanted it to open mechanically for the production bikes.

[@marvinfrenchy8754]

Very interesting. Brings back memories. Would love to hear it run.

[@maxrpm2215]

Too good, i remember as a young teenager in Australia seeing these bikes in magazines got to be the best factory bikes of all time. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@999lazer]

Agreed 100%, nothing comes close to the exotica of those 80's HRC machines. Thanks for watching as always dude!

[@xipingpooh5783]

The Works bikes from the 1970’s and 1980’s were very exciting times indeed. This was the pinnacle of Works bike technology.

[@yzmoto5753]

Two rad caps: I can't say for sure on that bike, but for a time, HRC ran 2 separate cooling loops. One for the head, the other for the cylinder.

[@999lazer]

Very interesting indeed, thanks for the insight dude :-)

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Nope. It flows through the cylinder and head like always. I think it was just to assure that both radiators are filled. I remember Hannah in the states on the bikes, playing with a water cooled shock, so I thought one may be for the shock, but I am sure not. They must be to insure they are filled. The works bikes were experimental bikes, and they strive for controlling all the factors the best they could. I could see that extra tid bit on just to make sure both are filled, (no air trapped).

[@yzmoto5753]

@@EarthSurferUSA Like I said, I wasn't claiming his bike had separate cooling loops. But I'm certain that HRC did that on some bikes. It was because they determined the head and cylinder liked running at different termperatures.

[@64maxpower]

I think the two loop thing was a little earlier like 81. Maybe. But I do remember something about it

[@kevindyas8560]

Awesome bike and and a great piece of motocross history.

[@64maxpower]

Another excellent video Max. You are an asset to the sport of motocross

[@0e32]

I Have a MDS André Malherbe 1984 helmet 🙂

[@kevinmee3501]

Nice video Max, you can certainly keep finding these unicorn bikes, unbelievable what is about there, that's serious money I wouldn't let it see any track.

[@gutstompenrocker]

I rode an 84 CR500 back in the day. 250cc riders that rode the bike couldn't believe how much more power they had over the 250's, while riding the 500 allowed me to fling their 250's around like a toy.

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

I remember reading a out this bike years ago. The tank extension wasn't about lowering the center of gravity. It was for a little extra capacity because someone ran dry during a moto previously, and Honda didn't want that happening.

[@999lazer]

Do you think OEM's are doing things like that nowadays? Thanks for watching as always Doc

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

@@999lazer Nobody is running a thirsty 500 at race pace for 45 minutes plus 2 laps in a GP anymore!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

They could have had enough fuel up high like everybody else. It was about lowering and centralizing the center of gravity. They even had a electric fuel pump for it because it was below the carb. You may be talking about Johnny O'Mara running out of gas for the 1987 world GP at Unadilla New York, handing Bob Hannah his first win at Unadilla. If so, that was 1986, and USA was stuck, (because of the production rule), with stock gas tanks.

[@kurtvonfricken6829]

@@EarthSurferUSA Don’t think the production rule applied to the GP races. Hannah’s bike had the Boysen link so was certainly “works” despite having a stock engine. O’mara’s bike was not production based either.

[@listenupfools731]

Super cool vid man.loved this

[@rumpelstiltskin6252]

a special machine form a special time in moto history the industrial revaluation era of motox

[@markgibbons4938]

I could listen to Dave all day long. What a font of knowledge 👍

[@derryjones1029]

What a gem I would love to have a ago of the beast

[@999lazer]

You'll have to join the queue behind me Derry :)

[@Docs77-125Ripper]

Another banger max , thanks for sharing this with us

[@999lazer]

No probs Docs, thanks for tuning in :)

[@fjb2986]

Awesome😊. What a work of art. If I remember correctly the magazines were stating they cost around 80k to build back then. I didn’t realize that they ever could be purchased😳.

[@martiniv8924]

Exotic Dirt Wheels don’t come much better than this 👌🏻😎

[@EarthSurferUSA]

If you were riding in the 70's to 1986, (the production rule), the pace of the bike development, the competition of the manufactures,--------------------------was a wonderfully grand race itself, and in a very bright light. It was like the early muscle car days, or early Mt. Bike days, just full of excitement if you were involved.

[@ephenj]

If there was ever the coolest and most insane two stroke to get on your channel would be teh 1980 honda RC125m. Twin cylinder 125 can anyone imagine how awesome that would sound. I've looked everywhere for video and have never found it. Wonder if you can pull some strings and get to get it on your channel.

[@vmcmark7578]

All you have to do is squirt in some 20:1 fuel mix into the bottom end while the carb is off, remove the plug and kick it all thru, fit the carb and it will start up on the first kick and the main bearings & seals will have some lube on/in them as well. This is called ""WETTING"" the block & it works with 2 or 4 strokes that have been sitting or stored for any period time. I first came across this lil ditty while working as a boat tech & that made the spring run in of a properly winterized motor unit a breeze. The reason this works is that it seals the rings & makes the unit pull in the new fuel mixture & it seals the crank on multi-cylinder 2 strokes so the fuel stays in the cylinder that it was drawn into on the compression stroke, as well as the afore mentioned per-lubing of everything! The thing to watch out for is the spark plugs and/or wires on the motors when the atomized fuel is pumping out of the spark plug holes and things go poof, as fuel & spark WILL DO, so remove the coil wires and make sure the kill button is pushed if you are doing an M/C.

[@999lazer]

Thanks for a great tip

[@tomthumb753]

I miss the works bike days in the USA.

[@irod2821]

Great bike, luvd the video Max👏👏👍👊

[@999lazer]

Thanks

[@dirtbikedave]

I hope it never got antifreeze in it. My buddies magnesium engine cases deteriorated that way, to the point they are scrap. I have heard that this bit of metallurgy was not well known and many owners didn't know that they even had magnesium cases on production bikes.

[@davebarlow6457]

Those works Honda's were stunning , nothing else came close.

[@jeffbaker5038]

This was a really cool video! Thanks for all you do!

[@morercthanclassy1543]

Was there ever a RC500 automatic transmission made?

[@Lightnin42]

No

[@BennyBen9]

Wow. Incredible. What a peice of kit . Love all the fine details. Classic motocross history their. Live the radiator and cylinder head . Very special. Grant video max. See you at the vets 🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@michaelhutchinson4021]

In March of 1980, I was at the Pre Grande Prix in Belgium to see Roger, Brad and Heikki race. None of them were there, but Andre and Harry were. Harry won and Andre got the black flag. Sorry to hear that Andre has past away, he was definitely very fast.

[@andrewmarshall360]

I have ridden quite a few bikes during my non illustrious racing/riding. I can say one thing, my son dialed in a 85 that I was afraid to look at sideways. Guess I’m a gigantic sissy but after a lap or two on open circuit I returned it to it’s proper owner. There aren’t many people that are capable of riding one of those to full potential.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Weren't you a bit big for the CR85cc bike?

[@jakeschreffler961]

Idk if i would risk it. Those were pure performance, everything was as thin and light and powerful as possible. After 30 plus years it might just split in half

[@Jokestbh]

love your channel!! great video!!

[@999lazer]

Thanks Robert

[@ianmangham4570]

2 rad caps,empty the water quicker,release the other cap for atmospheric pressure to push 😮"I'm making it up as I go" 😅, totally UNOBTANIUM 🤘🇬🇧

[@zodzod9378]

what a crazy but splendid bike to own wow ! Little john from chichester

[@pbmachines972]

Wow awesome video the 80’s were my time👍🏻although I still give er the beans ✌️

[@stephenfrancis303]

Those works bikes were amazing before 87 was the wild west growing up david bailey was my hero

[@starswoodmetalcreations6539]

I'm really surprised the Honda factory let it go

[@angelosantaniello4113]

Excellent video Max!!!!! Thanks

[@noluckpureskill9985]

Whats the sheet metal piece that attaches to the front fender*?

[@bladerunner6]

i fucking love this bike when i was young i probably saw this in real life in GP in Holland for sure mid eighties fucking love this

[@Lightnin42]

Possibly the best MX bike ever built 👏🇺🇸

[@vinceedwards3978]

Ok. Here in the States, The production rule kicked fully in in 1986. But Yamaha raced production bikes in 1985!

[@wedavieglasgow1770]

Amazing loved every minute of this video 🫡

[@PremixandPedals]

Hey Max, loving your videos! Any chance that you could possibly track dowb one of the liquid cooled YZM500s? That would make a hell of a video!

[@martintwhiteman6641]

2 radiator caps because I can remember reading about it if 1 radiator got damaged it would still have a separate water supply to keep the bike cool to finish the race

[@GettingthruLife]

I was watching on Tv, Moto World 1980's/ABC wide world of Sports, David Bailey and Johnny O'mara ride that exact bike, 250 cc two-stroke and the 500cc version outdoors.

[@LeeTillbury]

Second only to a YZM 500 surely, a real unicorn bike for sure❤

[@999lazer]

We've been on the hunt for a YZM for years... maybe one day we'll find one! Thanks for watching lee

[@andybowyer3602]

Is rite max! Loving the content lad keep it comin!!!❤

[@999lazer]

Thanks Andy

[@Sn0w1981]

Amazing! Not even restored and it still looks new. Those flat-head screws are even undamaged! I remember hearing David Thorpe sold his RC500 for cheap soon after the championship. Then bought it back years later for a LOT more.

[@999lazer]

I feel very privileged to have been able to feature the bike on our channel! Dave King actually owned one of DT's RC500's...that's how the VMXdN initially got started. He wanted to reunite Thorpe with his old bike. Thanks for watching dude

[@Sn0w1981]

@@999lazer Awesome! These guys are heroes for creating VMXdN. And the bikes are absolute treasures!

[@64maxpower]

I wonder if Brad's Suzuki is still around

[@scottfreeman2551]

@@64maxpower Yes. Brad himself tracked it down and he now owns it

[@64maxpower]

@@scottfreeman2551 I'm glad to hear that. I was a big fan of Brad throughout his career and even more after when he was humbly racing vintage mx

[@catalickconverta6823]

Love ago on one of these beasts fastest dirt bike ive been on is a ktm300tpi last year an i reckon that went 80mph on the feild felt like 90mph

[@shanesutcliffe-or4ep]

great vid lazer.. such a masterpiece... greetings from honda australia melbourne

[@999lazer]

Thanks Shane

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Awesome channel and awesome bikes

[@999lazer]

Thanks (again) :)

[@Grooty79]

That kind of money ide be riding it a couple times a year 🤗

[@64maxpower]

Max get them to let you race it at the Vmxdn

[@ronnieteulon]

One of my favourite bike's

[@richystocles]

The Mona Lisa of MX Although, there is 1 bike that, without having the wins the Honda has, would be equaly special to me: the YZM 500

[@RJ-wy6cx]

Love it Love the 500s awesome

[@danielbell5487]

Unleash The BEAST UTMOST RESPECT Max lad 👍😎💥

[@TheShift1313]

Amazing bike! I thought a lot of factory bikes were destroyed after their use or parts were scavenged. Is that truem

[@EarthSurferUSA]

It was up to the manufacture. I am sure some went down that path. I would not know what percentage of them.

[@ap6584]

Dyno run would be very interesting..

[@999lazer]

it sure would, but the owner would have to be a brave man to do it :)

[@georgewarshington1230]

i rode a 500 for a couple seasons in the early 2000's. i think it's kind of funny how this first generation of 4 stroke kids looks at the 500 2 stroke as this big scary monster. Once you get some seat time you'd be shocked how easy a 500 makes riding (for enduro atleast). they can be absolutely savages if you don't show them respect but once you learn the honda gear box 2nd gear on a 500 will solve almost every problem you have on a trail. HOWEVER - a works 500 on GD DRUM BRAKES!?!? that's balls. if you're young enough to have never ridden with drum breaks in the rain lol god bless you

[@AAs-vb7pv]

Amazing bike iv had a go on a cr500 and had a wr500 2 stroke and a ktm500 im looking for a ktm550 2 stroke now iv sold my other s

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching dude!

[@vinceedwards3978]

If I had the money, I would buy one of the 1985 Suzuki works bikes, withbthe fuel tank where the airbox is!!! Super rare

[@rgregleet2253]

Awesome!!

[@999lazer]

Thank you

[@johnnyrebellion8672]

I wonder how good the suspension is compared to a 2023 bike.

[@zacka161]

I would put this in the million dollar range

[@Michael_Douglas007]

Cost of the bike is 150k-200k British pounds - but I do suggest watching the video. As someone who doesn’t know the history - it was extremely interesting.

[@ianmangham4570]

I recall a great man saying this bike cost 50k back when she was BUILT "Murray Walker" 🤠🤘🇬🇧

[@donbrashsux]

It’s so flat across the seat / tank just like they are in 2023 .. amazing

[@EarthSurferUSA]

World champs, after the Americans. Would love to see Honda reproduce the 83-85 (Take their pick) 250cc works bike for sale. I bet they can produce a sell-able batch for 15 grand or lower retail. How many people would love one of those? :)

[@rickburnout666]

What's the difference with a CR500 & a RC5OO? I had never heard of them until I started watching your channel, I had a 86 CR500 back in the mid 90's it was kind of supermoto but still had a 21 inch front wheel, that had a Harley front tyre fitted, glad it had an 18 inch rear wheel because 19 inch road tyres are rarer than Unicorns poo, I sure wish I had kept that bike but struggle enough riding my supermoto CPI 250 while slowly turning my XT350 into a WRXT350X StupidMoto, things get a bit harder at 56 after collecting a broken back in 2001, I'm glad I was wearing my back protector when I got cut up and stuffed into a curb with my back, and wrecking my 3 month old 600 Bandit, I thought Dave rode a CR back in thr day?

[@999lazer]

The RC bike are the factory bikes built for the factory riders where CR are the production models for the public

[@grahamhole4989]

Holy Grail 😍😍😍

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I am a manufacturing guy for decades, and I think we need to define what "hand built" means. I know the Amish can't build it. :)