Retro Rebuild: '85 Honda CR500 David Bailey USGP Replica

This David Bailey replica from the 1986 USGP at Carlsbad Raceway was a work of art. We’ve ridden a 125 built by John at Mullet Moto, but this was another level of commitment, effort and cash. The result is an incredible machine and we got to ride it on the one and only day it will ever be ridden.

[@onlygazza]

My cousin has one of these sat in his shed and it’s done nothing for over 25 years, I’m working on him to get it 🤞

[@deborahchesser7375]

Get it man, don’t let it slip through your fingers. Get him drunk take him to dinner lol, shit IDK, just get it !

[@joski9030]

My dads best friend brought my 95 RM 250 like 20 years ago, my dad bought it me when he passed away his friend turned up and gave me the bike back for nothing. Rebuilt it went thru some really hard times and sold it. Big mistake 😢

[@ianmangham4570]

The big Hondo 500 4 life 💯

[@JohnHowerton137]

This guy’s dinosaur bikes look better than most people I know’s current model bikes. I appreciate a man who appreciates details can cares about doing things correctly.

[@russellhelms2835]

Completely AGREE! The old MX bikes look better🔥👈no weird looking fenders or pointed number plates?! and all these completely flat seat platforms🤷🏻‍♂️everybody isn’t a young wannabe FMX’er! The old stuff is still golden🏆and plenty of FAST⚡️

[@JohnHowerton137]

@@russellhelms2835 I meant more like people don't take care of their chit, but I can appreciate the old stuff as much as the next bike nut. The seat pocket suited the old (arguably incorrect) style riding. They don't really allow you to hinge your hips correctly and promote pelvis tucking. This doesn't engage the posterior chain loads the arms. Can you say arm pump? The flat (not necessarily thin) seat is much better for riding position and overall mechanics. Yamaha may have said it best in 1996. "Why did we change the seat on the bike of the year? Because nobody wins sitting on their butt!"

[@td5387]

thats seat is a piece of art

[@motoxjim929]

Awesome!!! I'm glad these old bikes are still relevant! We need some manufacturers to step up and keep these parts available.

[@austinpaul2170]

David Bailey the little professor MY FAVORITE RIDER OF ALL TIME HE IS AWESOME

[@russellhelms2835]

He was a class act as a rider/racer…and also after the accident! He got going competing in other physical sports and stayed in top physical form afterwards! Class act in his announcing of MX; and still is a class act🏆if not THE best…definitely a very close second. He was & is just THAT good at focusing, training, competing, winning, and being a positive input to others🏆always a winner!

[@davedesmon9470]

Unbelievable advancement in technology, years from 1975 to 1985. Long travel, liquid cooling, disc brakes. 1985 bike could almost compete with today's bikes. Almost!

[@FirstGendodgegarage]

500 will hole shot a new bike every day

[@russellhelms2835]

Ummmm, they still will👌Neville Bradshaw has proven that point multiple times🫵🔥

[@joeyriveira6697]

Beautiful build & great to see these big bore 500’s still making men feel intimidated after decades of stories of the bikes being widow makers . Long live the big bore 500 2 strokes

[@maverick2242]

Dream era, wish we could go back in time, what an era, what riders, bikes, competition and tracks, the air was clean and the tracks were dirte, great times, sick.project restoration, always great to see the great DB at the track also 🤙

[@russellhelms2835]

Totally agree with you🤘

[@free-birdrocker8809]

Duuuudeee, That monster rules! What a beast!

[@wildbill41i]

Who would give this a 👎? That is one beautiful machine

[@robpearson1209]

Coolest build ive seen in a long time!! My hats off to you brother!! Rick Johnson, David Bailey, Guy Cooper! Man what a awesome bygone era of riders an bikes!! May they live forever!!!

[@vicentemena947]

Colega te olvidas de el Maestro Dani Magoo Chandler un saludo desde Madrid España👍👌👏

[@TalonID]

I had Jim O'Neal's 1986 CR500 - it was a BEAST!

[@morley3810]

The David Bailey interview was my absolute favorite WT show. What a great man, in so many respects.

[@DanBlake3rd]

Classic CR design. Beautiful work. Having race open CRs from '83 to '87, that '87 retail bike was really really good. Lots of power, but a linear power curve, and a rear disk. Turned really well, although the stock springs were too soft for most. Love watching these 80s era CR restores. David Bailey was a big time hero for those of us whom raced in the 80s.

[@paulbrinston3336]

I wish I could like this 100x! This is what the world needs right now 👌

[@eminiscalperpro9729]

Had two 86 Cr500's. The 86 CR500 and David Bailey, my favorite bike and my favorite rider of all time...

[@birdsoup777]

David Pingree is an excellent motocross-er and i always enjoy watching his videos.

[@OnTheFritz602]

Awesome bike, and awesome story! David's amazing.

[@Tmac327]

Bailey is THE MAN!!! Very cool video and amazing bike build!

[@AT2021Rocker]

Raced one of these from 85-89, one of my favourite bikes ever!

[@charleswinters7129]

I had an 86 CR500. It was a good race bike. If you would of asked me if it had a disk on the rear I would of said it did. I will say the 88 CR 500 was the best of that era.

[@g.d.4436]

Awesome build....kool to think you spoke with Bailey on this project....how kool!!

[@davidbailey6343]

Great job John! Thanks again for all your efforts. That was a fun day watching you and Tom ride it. You looked good on it David 👍🏼

[@markhills3922]

That is a beautiful restoration/build. The attention to detail is fantastic. I've restored a few '84 and '85 CR's and I can relate to how much money and time went into this build. Being in Australia I'm used to sourcing parts from all over the world. Most of my parts came from the US so it was interesting to hear John say he got parts the world over as well. That NOS "factory" clutch/water pump alone would be worth more than a brand new chinese dirt bike!

[@JacksonD489]

This thing is INCREDIBLE! Great job....

[@oldg8607]

100% agree

[@hhstarwars]

“It just feels like a fast 250” insane how confident on bikes you must be to say that. My 91” rm250 is a fistful of fire couldn’t imagine a 500. Eventually maybe I’ll build or find one, Great video!

[@MrEliasdl]

That was literally either an ignorant statement or he didn't know how to ride in the powerband of an 85-86 cr500. If he disrespected that bike riding it like a CR250 he would have been put on his can. Interestingly in addition to that weird comment he also said he never had enough room to open it up. If he were on a 250 at Glen Helen he would have been opened up the whole lap.

[@russellhelms2835]

@@MrEliasdlhe was referring to David Bailey saying “it feels like a fast 250”…that was in context of David Bailey having said that he used to ride his HRC500 a lot in the trails, tracks, practice, etc getting used to the bike. David Pingree was not the one saying “it feels like a fast 250”; Pingree was repeating what David Bailey had stated, about how once you get used to riding the 500…it would almost lull you into feeling comfortable (not feeling bulky or heavy).

[@MrEliasdl]

I get what you are saying. I own an 86 CR500 that has been my bike since I was 18 years old 29 years ago. I also own a 97 CR250 that I scored from a guy who had a friend that worked at pro circuit and basically gave it the works treatment porting, tuning, pipe, exhaust, suspension , etc. So it is definitely a fast CR250. What I can say about direct experience with the two is that you better know how to ride at a top level on the 86 CR500 to not end up in deep trouble real fast. Especially on a track. I would never let someone throw a leg over the CR500 that I wasn't certain they rode at that top level. The CR250 on the other hand could be rode as fast or faster by a top rider in everything but wide open desert or drag racing (flat/Oldsmobile Glamis type hill races). I wasn't as worried for someone trying my 250 out as the 500. I have the scars and injuries to know what's at risk on the 86 CR500. Being the statement came from Bailey your point is well taken. I just wanted the average person to realize that the 86 CR500 is probably the beast of beasts when it comes to motorcycle lore. It cannot be taken lightly like it's just a fast 250.

[@MrEliasdl]

​@@russellhelms2835Side note I've ridden a few of the late model (2000-2001 CR500s) and their powerband felt like a fourstroke compared to my 86 CR500. Honda obviously had to take the next decade figuring out how to make it more rideable after they hit that peak wickedness in 86 with that hard hitting short rod motor. Those early 80s cr500s were like a power output nuclear arms race with suspension be damned. That was until they realized they went too far in 1986 and started taming the beast. Lol.

[@joeshawley1626]

SO FREAKING COOL! grew up in this era of motocross and feel these bikes are the best looking. To be able to D.B. would be a dream..

[@setnbronco4932]

great vid, brings back alot of memories, always enjoyed watching Bailey Ride and those Works Hondas back then were so far ahead of their time. I really hated it when Yamaha complained and the AMA banned the true works bikes in 86

[@marktavcar567]

I have purchased an 85 and I am looking forward to riding the bike when I get it home. Great work on the build, awesome.

[@markswartmx56]

Excellent work!! I treasure my 86 "Bailey Tribute" CR 500, I've been racing it for about five years and I'm always surprised at how comfortable I feel on it when jumping off of a modern bike. I got to race it at Sugartree this year for the first time and it pretty much made my season - I swear that bike knew it's way around the track all by itself!

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

This was amazing. Thank you

[@oldg8607]

Beautiful bike.. Kudos on all the hard work u put into this beast. 👏

[@danmiller1683]

Absolutely great video!

[@Whiplover105]

Great stuff!! Would be pretty nice to see a full riding video of this beast then! ✊✊😉

[@germanbeer2466]

Awesome bike. Brings back memories.

[@jamesshaver7977]

Super awesome vid

[@jannep6772]

Awesome bike with great sounds!

[@peacefulwarrior4078]

Had the very same crossbar pad on my old 87 CR-500 race bike 🤣👍 Damn wish I had never sold it !

[@TTR66]

...The Blast From the Past...💯

[@kennonwilson3097]

Your hat says it all!!

[@damon3903]

Sick ass mullet. Workin on one myself

[@russellhelms2835]

Working on a bike, or a mullet😂?

[@cupcakke9999]

for anyone who hasn’t been to lake sugar tree, take a trip it’s a one of a kind track

[@dank3823]

Beautiful bike.

[@jamesstewart7224]

Nice bike.great days 👍

[@austinpaul2170]

I love the big bores

[@harleyrider9640]

That was awesome!!

[@MrEliasdl]

If that 85 motor felt like a 450 then he was lugging the heck out of the bike. I have an 86 and when you are in that power band traction is a pipedream. Try a gear lower and giving it that same throttle.

[@MrEliasdl]

Seriously. He must have had it jetted way too lean or just straight up wrong. While Trail riding my brother spoke of 6-inch to 8-inch plus boulders regularly flying over his shoulders trying to keep up behind my 86 CR500.

[@bourdon845]

Belle machine

[@Joelontugs]

Yeah well you see this mullet with hair this majestic a cr500 is comes with it

[@jonathanwinslow2370]

I own an 85 CR500. Unfortunately when I acquired it I had it gone through at the local Honda dealer before I ever rode it and when they finally got it started at the shop the engine grenaded. The piston blew into pieces, bent the rod and pieces fell down into the bottom end. She needs to be completely gone through and rebuilt, everything, brakes suspension, everything. These days she sits on a stand in the shed. Needs a complete rebuild. (Not for sale!)

[@tomatoknuckles]

Beautiful bike

[@BC-my1tn]

I have that very bike... Love it. It looks that good also. lol

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

I always felt the same. That it felt like a fast CR250. I raced both an ’85 CR250 and a CR500. I would swap riding them on a daily basis. Often riding both in the same day. The CR500 was not a hard motorcycle to ride and I could ride it faster then my 250.

[@johannes7835]

its so clean

[@christsouras2389]

Awesome

[@SreidMX]

So rad!!!

[@sdb92]

Not the best looking year of the 500, but still a beauty. Ping looks so loose on it. Awesome!

[@ryanbarker4422]

You can get a factory Motor from Pro Circuit and Barr's Compatition. My Motor is Blue Printed. I'm talking suck fast. I have a 93 CR that's the fastest 125 on the planet . There's nothing you can do to make it any faster I mean it's scary fast.

[@toddjacobs5660]

Nice bike

[@ianmangham4570]

You can ride for a decade on one of these if you take it easy 😅 they are bullet proof ,you gotta be good to thrash a big 500 🤠💪

[@michaeltrower6792]

Back when the Honda quality and domination started 🤙

[@caydenthompson126]

Not anymore!

[@michaeltrower6792]

@@caydenthompson126 I thought I told you to get lost troll

[@caydenthompson126]

@@michaeltrower6792 I'm still here

[@michaeltrower6792]

@@caydenthompson126 of course you are that's what trolls do can't help yourself gotta get into everyone's business and like your own comments lol

[@OnfloorAudio]

You mean when Honda ran ringer bikes against everyone else's factory stuff !! lol

[@Elizafields]

Believe it or not but the 85 cr500s were the most powerful ones

[@striker12300two]

Back when some bikes looked blazing fast just sitting on a stand.

[@EmperorNerox]

The 85 cr500 had a stronger hitting engine than the 86, which was smooth and broad. The 85 was one of the most brutal, that and the 86 kx 500. I'd have started w an 86 though , but this one looks just like an 85. Gold rims , the swing arm, seat cover ...looks good. Bailey gave it thumbs up. The 86 cr didn't have a rear disc ,not till 87. The 86 CRs were so good they were better than the 87s of the other brands

[@markcarkner4617]

Awesome stuff guys. But if thats a 85 cr it has a 86 seat cover on it.

[@RetroToonsOfficial]

This is Good

[@lancetrevelyan7470]

Nice build 👌 where did you get your plastics?

[@andrewmarshall360]

That particular motorcycle can bark if it wants to

[@johnniestoudemirejr2741]

I want to do this to my 1985 cr500, rear disc

[@caydenthompson126]

Back then Hondas were actually good!

[@StrykerV8]

This reminds me of one of my riding buddies. 4 of us all ride 19s and 20s and he's stuck in the stone age riding his 96 cr250. Constantly says 90s Honda's are the best, new ones aren't any good. We all roll our eyes are nod our heads "uh huh sure buddy!!" and every 10 minutes have to pull off and wait for him to catch up. He's constantly fouling plugs and needing to make adjustments whereas all we do is ride ride ride. But no his bike is good and ours suck. You must be a comedian like him too

[@michaeltrower6792]

They are still good you mxa fanboy sheep

[@caydenthompson126]

@@michaeltrower6792 no they ain't

[@ZAZA-zu4ld]

anyone know where to buy right side case cover for 1985 that's aluminum and will fit with original bolts and water peller?

[@andrewmarshall360]

With the disc conversion is it legal for ama competition ?

[@deborahchesser7375]

Time for me to open a fabrication shop to make 70’s-80’s parts, anyone want to kick in ?

[@alejandromejia4996]

Dawm

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Im.looking for a.local fabricator to make a swingarm for my RC500 replica...

[@Sleepy.Time.]

85 had the best motor, Honda detuned the 500 every year afterwards

[@mxcoolman]

Actually, Honda tuned and improved the CR500 engine, over the years, to make it better to ride!

[@Sleepy.Time.]

@@mxcoolman This is true but for someone who could handle a 500 that meant having to change the gearing, getting the head milled and adding a pipe and silencer. I raced a 85, 88 and 90 and the 85 had the nicest powerband stock.

[@mototrials582]

@@mxcoolman Better for some people,but slower and less powerful for others. 85 was the best for max power output. Piped,ported and head milled,they really ripped!

[@mxcoolman]

@@Sleepy.Time. someone who could handle a 500? All the fastest riders in the world who won world championship etc didn't see it that way. Hence the development of the motor to make make it more predictable, gain traction, be faster round the track and win titles. Just saying.

[@mxcoolman]

@@mototrials582 Peak power figure differences in all year models is negligible. Don't confuse abrupt power delivery with peak output.

[@Jake-rp9cv]

im 8, is this a good bike for me?

[@caydenthompson126]

Hahhahaha no

[@RyanSteele92]

$600 😩

[@DislodgedTKO]

If anyone has a 89-01 cr500 countershaft dm me

[@brentnouwels7457]

less talking more riding

[@user-sp8eb6iz7f]

Rear disc brake didn't come out till 87.