HOT ROD '78 Yamaha SR500 Thumper

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[@buxvan]

The SR500 is a brilliant bike. I bought mine for £110 UK in 2001. Rebuilt everything including re-spoking the wheels myself, even made up a complete wiring harness using scrap washing machine wiring looms, sprayed bright orange with twin front discs, supertrapp zorst, sounds great, runs great , makes me smile when I'm riding it & got 101mph downhill.

[@hodaka1000]

Thanks. That reminds me, I must go out the back and gut the good gear from that old washing machine (true). Your bike sounds great mate. I saw a cheap one at a swap meet west of Sydney in 1996 for $400au but couldn't afford it at the time. I'd had a 78 back in the day and got another 78 four years ago for $4,000 and probably near spent that again, including all the tires I've worn out. Have you checked out the "SR Only" videos and others from Thailand on KZbin? SR's rule the world

[@uthrus]

I was given an SR500 back in 1984 that was identical to this one, minus the upgrades he shares in this video. I loved the bike and wish I still had it today!

[@casspirburns]

My wife [ex] made me sell mine. Been searching for one for ten years. Finally found one classic stock, purchased yesterday. Bottom line? Don’t get married

[@aircooled2068]

A true classic yamaha thumper These sr500 bikes were very popular here in Ireland, along with the xt 500 yamaha's Light weight,not to big and classic sound what more could you want in a bike!

[@descendantofphineas7785]

I have a 78, only 4k miles on her, my fave bike to ride. Have turned mine into cafe racer, did race her a few times but with no competition I am in the process of putting her back in the street... Full 540 cc race build, custom Hoos header, "Cone Eng" SS Super muffler. custom cafe seat, all hardware replaced with SS, SS brake lines, drilled disks, brand new 1972 ( friend had the fairing still in orig box in his garage) "Titan" fairing and much more. she eats Harleys off the line........ Great bikes....

[@RCTUN748]

So far, I've seen the craziest SR on Dyno with over 65 horsepower and 7.7 kg-m of torque. In my personal experience, customizing an SR with over 45 horsepower is pretty wild, cause it's lightweight and the torque comes early. Yeah, because it's a big single, the RPMs aren't high and it doesn't have much high-end power, but the low-end can kick a lot of people's butts. More importantly, it's an SR, a classic big single that's easy to customize, easy to maintain, and easy to make you happy. Even the newer EFI models are easy to customize, I love SR.

[@nyttag7830]

Great bike, i had one for the past 15 years, bullit proof.

[@fivespeed3026]

One of my customers has one of these. He let me ride it, I was impressed. Unfortunately he’s so old, he can’t kickstart it himself. I’m probably going to visit him this weekend and I’ll see if I can get him back on the street.

[@slayer6936]

I bought one in sept 1978..loved the bike!! Great for a city bike!! Or short trips!!

[@hodaka1000]

You've convinced me! I'm going out the back and throwing a leg over my 78. I haven't ridden it since last night

[@andybowyer3602]

No way haven't seen one of them for moons! I had the 125 when I was 16! 30 years ago!!! 👊✊💨

[@slayer6936]

Yep mine was black and gold!!

[@theredpilllion5922]

A bachelor is a selfish, undeserving guy, who has cheated some woman out of a divorce.😎

[@gregphillips.1312]

I have '78 SR with Spoke Wheels. Mine had a Sidecar when I got it, I found 8 Cracks in the Frame from pulling the Chair. She's now in a Hardtail Lowrider Frame with 45° Rake. She's running a Concentric Amal Carb. 😉

[@rustyturner431]

About 40 years ago, i had one of these with a big-bore kit (605 if my old memory serves), Ceriani forks, Marzocchi shocks, big Lectron carb, Akront rims with then-new Pirellis, a custom Denco exhaust and a beautiful alloy tank from England. I'd also traded the seat out for a custom-made Gunfighter-style one on a fiberglass platform and had lightweight alloy fenders. I removed the center stand for ground clearance. it was a notably lighter than original and looked a lot like an old Matchless. It went like stink, but it DID vibrate pretty hard and it was tricky to start. More than once, it launched an adventurous neophyte over the bars...especially the ones who did not listen carefully when I explained the drill. But I loved the bike, all the more so because I grew up on big thumpers, and I kept it for several years. On a a tight twisty road I could stay with almost anybody, including Gixxers...of course, it was all over when things straightened out. But nothing could beat if from a stoplight, for about 100 feet! I don't remember how much I had in it, but it was a long time ago and I was a motorcycle dealer (not for Yamaha, I took the SR in trade on a new Honda) , so I had a lot less invested than you might think. Good memories for an old fart like me (86 and still riding...although not thumpers any more - strictly button-starters now).

[@1990-t1j]

SuperTrapp exhaust? Sounds great. In the '80s I did four trips from England to southern Europe return on a 1981 XT500. Totally stock. It made a fantastic tourer. I'd love this SR.

[@L2fish]

Ughh. Those gorgeous floors. What are ya doin! You paid for them I have no right to comment lol.

[@Albin_Andersson]

The sr500 actually have about 33hp but with that setup it’s maybe towards 40hp

[@C.Q_Wilkenson]

1:40 love that he can't resist doing one more lil joy ride.

[@ghg8257]

Beautiful bike. Thanks for the great video.

[@mustie1]

so thats what l have to look forward to

[@KaplanCycles]

Except yours is WAY cooler! If you want a pilot to race yours just ask Jr!!!

[@mikeyerke3920]

I love singles. I just bought a really nice Honda GB500TT. So rare. I’ve been trying to buy one for quite a while. Planning on taking it to the next level. I posted a video or two of it on my channel. (Shameless plug). LOL. It should be in top condition by spring. Check it out. Great Yamaha by the way!

[@maxdavies5776]

Thats what i want . Simple nice mid range cruiser.

[@timceltic6439]

Just started to rebuild my 1981 so hopefully it looks like your one.

[@erik_1402]

Nice bike! What you did not mention: It’s a rare 2J2 with rear disc brake. 42 Bhp on the rear are more likely. I own them since 40 plus years 😉

[@JamulDano]

Hey I just bought one. Has a 2J2 Vm34ss carb, and I got another carb, same, and many other parts, tanks, seats, pipes. 79, black and gold, mag wheels, rear disc.

[@mechanicman8687]

It’s nice but I have a 82 xt550 with a supertrap!!

[@wastingmymoneyonmotorcycles]

What's the problem with pump gas on older bikes? Is that the unleaded causing valve damage thing?

[@lukealston996]

I am picking up the 400 in ph. Great bikes..

[@harrytinker2328]

🏆Gold chain!👍💛

[@thinkandrepent3175]

Nothing like a beautiful road thumper.

[@karlthomas2360]

My 81 pals would always joke and call it "half a Harley".

[@theclassytroglodyteclssyt2936]

When i hit the lottery we gon be frends yep🔥🔥🔥

[@KaplanCycles]

Why wait?

[@theclassytroglodyteclssyt2936]

@@KaplanCycles love this channel always impresses bud

[@mixermanbear.4002]

Dude gets heavy on the throttle on that smooth hard wood. Obviously he is well seasoned man of two wheels. If I tried that I’d bet I’d be ass over tea kettle before I knew it.🤣🤣😂

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

Sir riding wheelies w/o a helmet in the rain? you just mentioned Indian Larry.kids do NOT try this at home. unless you want to end up like Indian Larry. RIP INDIAN LARRY

[@KaplanCycles]

Woops I forgot

[@honda200twinstar3]

Nice bike of course but iv been curious to know about that foor aria that kens been featuring his bikes from and running around in .the tables chairs .and the instruments .Like what do you folks do have party rentals in there or special events ?as didnt you have bikes in there at the beginning?

[@mikestowe6136]

impressive wheelie on wet pavement

[@gummitarzan8545]

what she go for?

[@deborahchesser7375]

Basically the TT500 motor right? Sweet, as usual

[@hodaka1000]

@celtic barbarian I could be wrong but I think they have one larger valve and what they called a "big head", the cooling fins are wider than the fins on the barrel. Only other real difference is the 12 volt magnetos and pointless ignitions. The gear ratios are the same as the XT's and TT's I'm not sure but I think the latter XT's and TT's may have also had the "big heads".

[@deborahchesser7375]

celtic barbarian makes sense to me, I’d like to put one in a TT For that matter

[@kdsowen2882]

@@hodaka1000 Carb is different, bigger inlet valve, heavier-duty clutch-basket, heavier crankshaft webs, wider head-fins and I think you are right about the heads on later tt,xt being the same. The late sr's run the oil into the exhaust -cam, like they should have done in the first place. Mines stroked to 560 , 11mm hi-lift cam, 10.5-1 piston, 40m flat-slide mikuni-pumper, mild porting and 60lbs lighter. Might not be the king, but definitely a Prince on steroids. (cafe'd-out)

[@sathwikk8624]

Sir need to fix Kichstand for my same one

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

Yowza, I have one in my garage.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

You've covered two that I have; the SR & a 73 TC100. I sure do need to find a Penton. I used to have a '73 175 Jack Pine and a '75 250c Hare Scramble.

[@maxdavies5776]

Yeh i want it. Cant afford it.

[@andrelafondre8427]

Is it still available???

[@pmacc3557]

Ah I wouldn't let u on mine ('83 SR 500) if u pulln wheelies like that 😂

[@sathwikk8624]

I got same one 🇺🇸😀

[@specialse]

Love those bikes but are you trying to sell it or blow it up ?

[@robertblanchard6196]

If he does i bet he knows someone who can fix it!

[@bobbymckinney1264]

Like a boss...

[@maxdavies5776]

Comet & meteor

[@elephantsmemory3142]

I wonder if all Americans pronounce epitome like that or maybe it's just you

[@TheJunky228]

No way lol it's just him

[@jefflauracook]

No way that sr has 50hp.

[@TheJunky228]

I've heard they can be pushed upwards of 56 with higher compression pistons and boring it out

[@RCTUN748]

So far, I've seen the craziest SR on Dyno with over 65 horsepower and 7.7 kg-m of torque. In my personal experience, customizing an SR with over 45 horsepower is pretty wild, cause it's lightweight and the torque comes early. Yeah, because it's a big single, the RPMs aren't high and it doesn't have much high-end power, but the low-end can kick a lot of people's butts. More importantly, it's an SR, a classic big single that's easy to customize, easy to maintain, and easy to make you happy. Even the newer EFI models are easy to customize, I love SR.

[@williamlipstreu3029]

T

[@maxdavies5776]

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