Project XC 500

[2stroke-smoke]

I would like opinions on what direction to go with this bike. To restore to original, or restore with new parts like accel wheels, new style bars and controls, aftermarket pipe. you know like a restomod. I just would like some opinions on what would you do with this bike. Also Im not sure the year of this bike. The frame is painted yellow is this factory? And can you guys tell me what is original and what is not on this bike. Thanks I may be needing some advice along the way with this project. I will keep you updated with pics.

 

[ruwfo]

Looks mostly original & a 1985, except for the yellow frame & front fender, i'd keep it stock but that's just me, you don't see to many of the later
80's Husky. Here's a stock pic.
Husky John

 

[2stroke-smoke]

Thanks for the input. I would really like to restore this back to showroom condition. Im concerned with finding plastic parts.
The tank looks bad and everything else is broken up. What are my options? Can new coils be purchased? From what i have read this bike is not to rideable? Or is it.

 

[suprize]

2 ride or not to ride.. that is the question!!
these are good bikes and rarish. most punters preffered the cr500 or the kx 500 at this stage
if i were you i would think about a full restoration rather than a rider.
a "like new" restoration would have to be worth 5 to 6k (happy tobe howled down on this, just my gut feel)
so depending on how much you payed, depends on how much u can spend.
does it run? does thebike ride ok?
if so, you only have cosmetics and all the little fix ups required.
there is 500 resto on the post up pics section, i pointed it out on your post. it looks fantastic.
I can tell you that after 1 good ride it will look like yours hence thestart of this post.
if you want 2ride it. keep all thedodgy plastics, concentrate on the mechanicals.
1.Strip the bike down( after downloading a parts manual, greatest trick ever)
send all the bolts off for zinc or nickel plating.
send all the axles, brackets, chain tensioner arm etc to the platers as well.
buy a heap of 6mm, 8mm and a couple of 12mm nylock nuts and any other sizes that are on the bike.
clean and inspect all the linkages and headstem bearings and bushes and list required parts.
send the frame and any bits like the shoxspring, brakets etc for powder coating. simple and gives a good hard finish. make sure you rem>ove bearing races and put bolts in all thread holes. send the triple clamps etc.
get the exhaust dints removed and any bends straightened.
clean the motor completly with a good cleaner and finish with contactcleaner. give it coat of black etch primer. mask the sand cast barrel.
here is where the display or ride point arrives. spokes, hubs and brakes need to be fully dismantled and spruced for a resto wheras for riding just give them a clean.
it is satisfying restoring a bike like this as a great source of help is on this forum and assistance is only key board away
start reassembly slowly and carefully.

you can take as much time here and as you readsome ofthese rebuild posts, you will see

 

[suprize]

oops, posted before finishing. was going to mention the time taken by some of the rebuilds here as life intervenes!! goforit

 

[Michel Dufayard]

Restore it to original !
There's too much Circus bikes !

 

[2stroke-smoke]

Thanks for the info. I dont know if it runs yet. I need to go thru the carb and there is no plug boot one the coil wire.
Check compression etc. What do i do with the wheels? How do i make them look new.
I have decided on a complete restore! I will need help along the way.

 

[suprize]

take plenty of pics as you dissassemble. i downloaded the parts manual, printed a copy for theworkshop so i could use the right length bolts in the right place.
Wheels: rip off the tyres, iwill assume the spokes are rusted so you should order new ones then just cut them with bolt cutters so you can get the hubs ready for painting or powder coating.
tighten them so they have a similar "ting" sound when to tap them with a screw driver.
if the spokes are good, you need to soak the nipples in wd40 or deisol for a few days to see if you can get them loose to save costs. a scrub with steel wool will bring the chrome up nicely and revealany deeper corrosion.
Start rebuild post in the vintage restorations and you will get all the best answers to the questions that arise.
Phillip at husqvarnaparsts. com has lots of spares andknowledge.
dont stress, dont rush and enjoy. I wrote up a short note on each session inthe shed which helped me think outthe next step.
Mistakes i made were:
hurrying to reassemble bits. left out the headstem spacer washer after drivingthe bearingon.
sent the basket of brackets, axles and lots of bolts off to the platers but forgot to add several bits which i had to polish up to match.
all the bearings are standard metric bearings available over the counter, develop a relationship with the nearest bearing supplier!
Enjoy and keep us up to date with plenty of pics.

 

[suprize]

Restore it to original !
There's too much Circus bikes !

View attachment 18202View attachment 18203View attachment 18204

I wonder why they just didnt buy a suzii or a honda in the first place???

 

[HuskyT]

Should you end up doing a full restoration on this bike I will move the thread back to the Vintage restoration forum.

T

 

[cheko7]

hay 2t dont change rims bright gold rims look gay
suprize has give you the best advice you can get be prepard to do it agan it becomes adictive i ve don a resto on my 88 cagiva wmx 250 now im doing 2 89 cagiva wmx 125s
im not going to do my cr500 not this year any way LOL

 

[87husky500xc]

i dont know if any one has mentioned it or not (im sure they have i just figured id throw it out there) but the two places i have good luck with is Husqvarna-parts.com and hva-factory.com. Its pricey to buy from hva though due to the international shipping thing but there is a great variety of parts on both sites. On hva factory I actually looked into buying a brand new 85 tank from them but decided to swap all my plastics out for 87.

 

[2stroke-smoke]

Ok thanks mod. I am on vaca hope to start this project soon.
2 options here. Full restore, all original? Full restore converted to
87 plastic? Really get after it polish everything that was not painted
Originally.. I don't plan on riding the bike either way.

 

[suprize]

Go the full resto

 

[2stroke-smoke]

85 or 87? I assume it's worth more if done all original.

 

[87husky500xc]

To the purist go 85......A mint condition 85 is not an easy come by...nor is an 87...but since it will not ever see fuel and since it wont be ridden go all 85 with the freshest tank you can find that hasnt been painted and stay 85... the only reason I went to 87 plastics is because the black tank gives alot more years of an awesome looking bike than the 85 with an almost brown tank...if only they couldve kept the tank super white like when they were new...just my opinion though

 

[John Archer]

You can go either way ride or restore. I recently picked up an 86 400 with a 430 head. I got it running prestine and could be seen running out at the Apex on weekends here in Vegas. I considered a full resto on her but after the first ride out she has become a regular in our rides. My oldest son can be seen with me out there on our 94 250wxc as well. Many heads turn as they are seen together with all the new bikes.

 

[2stroke-smoke]

I started a new thread in the restoration section.