Newbie with an R5
Newbie with an R5
Gents,
I'm new to the forum, and to the world of two strokes. Four strokes? Yep...a couple of SR500's, and a 76 XT500C in TT500E clothing. And a Matchless...and a BMW R65LS...and couple of little Hondas for the kids.
But I've been two stroke curious for ages, and when the deal on this R5 came my way, I couldn't say no.
Were it a four, I'd change the filters, oil, plugs, and see how she went. But I understand you need a bit more caution with one of these.
IS there a recommended recommissioning procedure? I'm moderately handy on the tools, but just want to be as kind as I can. The compression is about right
I'm new to the forum, and to the world of two strokes. Four strokes? Yep...a couple of SR500's, and a 76 XT500C in TT500E clothing. And a Matchless...and a BMW R65LS...and couple of little Hondas for the kids.
But I've been two stroke curious for ages, and when the deal on this R5 came my way, I couldn't say no.
Were it a four, I'd change the filters, oil, plugs, and see how she went. But I understand you need a bit more caution with one of these.
IS there a recommended recommissioning procedure? I'm moderately handy on the tools, but just want to be as kind as I can. The compression is about right
Re: Newbie with an R5
Same deal really, check if clean, or otherwise renew - points & filter,
replace oil, clean/adjust carbs & oil pump settings, squirt a bit of lube down the inlet,
check ignition timing, new plugs, add fuel & kick 'er in the guts..
replace oil, clean/adjust carbs & oil pump settings, squirt a bit of lube down the inlet,
check ignition timing, new plugs, add fuel & kick 'er in the guts..
Re: Newbie with an R5
Cheers - I probably better get a manual.
Re: Newbie with an R5


Here's a couple of shots of the bike. The BMW in the background came as part of the package...or the other way around
Missing the seat hinges, so looking for a pair. Have spark (big fat one!) on LHS, yet to clean the points, or deeply troubleshoot the other.
Re: Newbie with an R5
Good score Porge! Just replace those silly 'bars with a set of Norton Straights, checkover as above, (particularly the lube system) and start laying those smokescreens!
Re: Newbie with an R5
Any tips on setting the lube system?? Thought I'd do my preliminary tests with premix, and a couple of squirts of oil down the inlet tract.
I kinda like the bars. I have a couple of other bikes with lower bars (An SR500 with vinnie flats, and the R65LS)
I kinda like the bars. I have a couple of other bikes with lower bars (An SR500 with vinnie flats, and the R65LS)
Re: Newbie with an R5
Oh - everything works on the bike, apart from a blown globe in the indicator, and no toot from the horn (missing!)
Re: Newbie with an R5
Really good score Porge 
Great looking bike.

Great looking bike.
Ex UK, now in Adelaide. LC250/350. DT175. Shed full of sh1t in the vague form of dismantled rusty RD’s and RZ’s.
Re: Newbie with an R5
Only half-kidding about the bars mate, -each to their own!
I think most people would recommend using premix as a first start for any 'unknown' 2-stoke just as a precaution, then you can check oil injection flow etc. (Possibly the RZ method that I know could be misleading, I bet you'd get the info easily here or elsewhere on the net).
Enjoy! ... (Disregard the Beemer, fettle that Yammie-gold!)
I think most people would recommend using premix as a first start for any 'unknown' 2-stoke just as a precaution, then you can check oil injection flow etc. (Possibly the RZ method that I know could be misleading, I bet you'd get the info easily here or elsewhere on the net).
Enjoy! ... (Disregard the Beemer, fettle that Yammie-gold!)
Re: Newbie with an R5
The beemer, as they all do, just works 
Four to one with it though - 2 SR500's, an XT500C as well.
A good mate has just bought a '79 RD250 Daytona. Chemtrails coming our way, I reckon.

Four to one with it though - 2 SR500's, an XT500C as well.
A good mate has just bought a '79 RD250 Daytona. Chemtrails coming our way, I reckon.
Re: Newbie with an R5
nice r5 there porje. looks mostly original. I reccomenf you buy a service manual or maybe you can down load one.
Also i'd get on ebay and find a complete gasket kit, if the bike was mine i'd remove a barrell and check the ring end gap, piston and bore condition also the deflection on the conecting rod. that alone and checking for movement of the crank at the stator end will give you an indication of the crank condition. can be done in less then an hour and for the price of one base gasket and reuse the head gasket you will have a good idea of engine life.
Also i'd get on ebay and find a complete gasket kit, if the bike was mine i'd remove a barrell and check the ring end gap, piston and bore condition also the deflection on the conecting rod. that alone and checking for movement of the crank at the stator end will give you an indication of the crank condition. can be done in less then an hour and for the price of one base gasket and reuse the head gasket you will have a good idea of engine life.
Re: Newbie with an R5
Cheers GMan - in terms of end float, should there be much measurable/perceptible at the stator end?
Re: Newbie with an R5
Have just discovered Partzilla, BTW. Holy moly!
Re: Newbie with an R5
Now watch On Any Sunday, Dave Aldana commuting helmetless to work on one I think. Inspirational.
Ex UK, now in Adelaide. LC250/350. DT175. Shed full of sh1t in the vague form of dismantled rusty RD’s and RZ’s.
Re: Newbie with an R5

Gaskets on the way.