500R seems underpowered.

[davegsm82]

I'm a relatively new owner of a 500R, had it for less than a year and only ridden it a handful of times but I can't help but think that it feels somewhat underpowered.

I'm used to riding the 301 2-stroke and although the 500 IS more powerful it still seems a bit lacking.

You can wring it's neck up to about 75mph then anything above that is a bit of a struggle, holding 70 on a slight incline feels strained, indeed the best I've managed was 90 and that was down a hill while trying and failing to chase a friend on his kawaninjazukisomething 600.

Should it be better than this? or am I just missing the point of owning a big single?

Ideally I want to be able to comfortably pull the trailer with it and carry the wife too. The 300 managed this but wasn't too happy about extended outings.

Thanks, Dave.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

the germans overgear everything
check size of engine sprocket mine was 18 i put on a 17 and it is better but still geared to tall
when i first got mine first gear at an idle was breaking the speed limit s here

my r90s could not be used in 4th and 5th gear in town rearend was 2.91 way tooooo tall
over here a r50/5 rearend 3,36 is a popular exchange part for a r75 or r 90 to get the 4th and 5th gear
under control and usable
dave

[breakwellmz]

I had one a few years back and dropped the gearing at least one tooth on the front to`liven it up`.It`s never going to set the world alight though, not that it`s intended to.
I`m assuming everything else is as it should be-Air filter,plug etc?Are you very unaerodynamic?

[davegsm82]

I'll have a look at the sprocket size next chance I get, probably wednesday.

I'm not particularly 'Barn-Door-ish', about 12-stone and slim build which is what's confusing me.

When I first got it, it was running rich, there was so much soot on the plug you could have put a match to that and lit it. I re-adjusted the carb (float heights if I remember right) and tweaked it up the best I could.

Come to think of it, it does 'sound' a little overgeared. I'm not used to 4-strokes though, the only one I ever rode in anger was my Rat-look FJ1200. That's a different kettle of fish altogether! (and terrifying).

Dave.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

mine is underpowered below 3500 rpm but runs fine 4000 and up
if i want to scare my self once in a while i run across an ATK 605 DTES with a 605E and that will scare me
dave

[MZCountryRider]

On my Silver Star Classic, I've dropped from the stock 17 tooth countershaft sprocket to a 16 tooth and that has made a huge difference in pulling power and tractability. Gas mileage remains unchanged - still right around 60 mpg.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

also read my post about spark plugs in this 500cc bike the D8ea does not seem to me to be the plug needed
in the below post the spark plug socket becomes a problem
to install the suggested plug a very thin wall 18 is needed
read the below post with care
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=827&p=37523

[MZCountryRider]

The only plug I've ever run is the standard NGK D8EA. No running issues whatsoever and gas mileage in the 60s.

[davegsm82]

I've just been outside for a look and it appears I've got an 18-tooth front sprocket fitted.

So, fellow zedders, is this good, bad, or indifferent?

For the record I'm running a D8EA too, but in my case the bike can be a pig to start and never starts and idles without choke even in the warmer weather like now.

Cheers, Dave.

EDIT: Sorry, meant I'm running the DPR8EA as per my message in your plug thread. Still not blowing my socks off.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

driving a 660 with twice the HP has that effect

dave

[davegsm82]

I wouldn't mind it being under powered if it wasn't costing me probably twice as much as the 301 to run

I had a sift through my 500 spares today and found a 17T sprocket, used but in good condition so I think I'll be putting that on tomorrow then maybe taking it for a spin. That is if the weather holds off as it's just started hammering down with rain today.

Cheers, Dave.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

do get that sprocket tight and with with a safety lock
i have had mine come loose once
dave

[breakwellmz]

I think i put a 16t on mine.
Do you have a rev counter on yours?You could do that maths and work out what sprocket you need.It does depend on what sort of riding you do of course, my Mastif never sees motorways and is geared for use on the lanes and B roads.Personally i would gear a 500R to see max revs in top around 90mph, it`s not got the power to go any faster.34bhp rings a bell.
Mine would happily start on the kickstart from cold,`saving`the electric start for when the engine was hot.What sort of mileage has it done?

Max Power-34 hp @ 7000 rpm
Max Torque-35 Nm @ 6500 rpm

[davegsm82]

Breakwell; I don't know how many miles the engine has done but it looked clean as a whistle when I stripped it to fit the starter. Unfortunately the original engine had been replaced with a non-electric start model. I would say it can't have had less than 10,000 miles on it, maybe even much less.

The chassis had about 5000KM on the clock when I bought it, it's now about 8000. I do have a Rev-counter, CEV clocks the same as my 301.

I had to fit electric start as I never once managed to get it started on the kicker, even though I'm 31 it was too difficult for me, I had a minor 'off' when I was about 18 and it ruined my kicking knee.

Dave.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

do not feel bad if you can not kick one of these..
had a bunch of fellows at vintage days in 2005 with the matchless with this motor
and no kicker and they were taking turns Bump starting them down a short hill
and were looking at my electric starter

but it was safe i was camped 15 miles away in a camp ground that night
when i take it to the 4 winds rally i always park it where i can do a bump start in the morning
once its started for the day the electric gets it going ok
but its a beast cold
mine has a bing cv carb and i never liked them on my 750 bmw and that has not changed
dave