Gday sports fans from Australia.
Have been intending to do all sorts of interesting stuff to my xbr G model for some time but unfortunately have been time poor for a project. Have collected a number of interesting parts in tbe way of xl600 bore and wiseco piston to suit, tm40-6 carbie to upgrade the fuel delivery. Rear hub from an old cb360 and front from the GB500ty with a view to spoke the rims and lighten the wieght. Bikini fairings from cbx and a rear seat cowl from a flat tracker harley. A number of hours trolling the internet sourcing bits and bobs from the rfvc motor related stuff, like gasket kits and exhaust options. Purchased a donor motor of an xr600 for flywheel and gearing options as well as the large number of interchangeable parts between the rfvc motors. I'm pretty much ready to morph this bike into a very light a fun sinlge.
Problem is, after 6 or so years of owning it an the last 3 being off the road, I'm in two minds as to wether I should molest it it any way.
I've just gone through a couple of days of the motions one would need to make it roadworthy in QLD and have dropped the bars for that classic cafe look, oil change and valve set, new plug' bled through the front brakes and varois tockling and pretty much reconfigured the wiring into the headlamp to suit a much more user friendly arangement of the loom. The only parts i need to put on the road will be a new rear tyre and a speedo cable. After a purchase of a barn find xr600r twin carb 85model with a 90 model engine and the spare engine previously purchased, I was in rfvc heaven of the possibilities of what I could be achieved and created out of the parts accumulated. Problem is, I am fully aware that the xbr500 being only available for 2 years in Australia, the value of my bike in an original unmolested form is of greater vale as it is. With only 41000km on the dial and in very good condition, the only mod that I feel comfortable doing, is to af a bikini fairing and keep riding it. The lowering of the bars has changed the feel of the bike which makes me feel like tbe seat should be lower and my arse a little further back to compensate for the centre of gravity being further forward but it may just be an adjustment on the rear hieght of shockies that finds a happy place. Info on this for 90kg rider would be appreciated. After a ride I've noticed a the carb could do with a fresh kit and will more than likely put a braided front brake line to firm up the front caliper but I am at a loss as to why I should change this bike while it's in great working order. I had forgotten how nimble and fun tbe single is. It brings me to the point of my little insite into the xbr. These bikes, although lacking in a startling amount of power, are a joy to ride.
The handling is somewhat lacking in responsive line changes but the 4 stroke responds smoothly to exit strategies after the apex.
My point being that while there is a great possibility to churn out some awesome changes in horsepower and wieght saving mods, I'm at a loss why I shouldn't enjoy the bike for what it is, until the old girl needs the work. I have no interest in selling this bike, as it has and will continue to give me what I like in the way of a sturdy reliable comuter with classic heratige Honda styling. As for the xr600r sitting in the garage, that may provide the quenching of thirst to modify the hell out of a bike. The purest Honda in the way of xbr500, GB500tt bikes in Australia has limited numbers. The fact I have to source most of the parts from either Germany or UK is telling me, the XBR500 is and will continue to be a collectable bike. With that in mind, I've decided to ride it as is, until the engine shows signs of needing tlc.
What a great bike to own....
