My Project: Yamaha SRX 500F 1982
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 6:52 pm
I thought i would share my latest project with you now : Yamaha SRX 500F 1982 Restoration
I guess most of you already know a lot of facts about this model. To those who dont, I have some facts:
The chassis is the same as the previous year, 440E, with the new TSS front suspension, but for 1982 Yamaha decided to give it a more powerful engine 499cc with more torque.
It became the new SRX 500F model, but something went wrong. The engine was equipped with new butterfly carburetors, but they were difficult to set up. That was not the only problem though. The cylinders were heavily ported, which gave it a lot of power over the whole range. The sled performed very well when the carburetors had the right tuning, But if not, it was the complete opposite.
Some argue that the problem was that the intake was too large so that the piston skirt had too little support, which fatigued the piston untill it would burst apart. There are more theories about the problem.
Yamaha produced 2500 of these sleds but only a mere 150 got out on the market. 100 of them went to USA and Canada but no customer ever got their hands on one. The sleds got recalled because of quality reasons and Yamaha offered compensation in form of the SRX440E for the customers. In Europe however, there were a few people who managed to get their hands on the 500. According to a source in Norway, there were about 25 sleds that got imported in to the country. Today there are only about 16 left of them. In Sweden there is probably 7 or 8 left.
This sled is very rare!
Picture where I found the sled
The sled loaded on the trailer
The engine: Notice the angeled water outlet on the top. The former owner had the engine replaced with a Rotax 377 because of stucked crankshaft.
I took of the jugs and found a M6 nut in the crank case. The problem was solved.
Now I have started to take the sled apart
The seat was in 4 pieces. I have ordered a seat at a foam cutting company and they use the old one as mold.
They also sew the seat cover.
The suspension before restoration:
I replace all bearings and powder coat all metal parts.
The hood had some minor cracks. The shiny black paint require a smoth surface with no flaws underneath it.
I have ordered some parts from Ebay.
I am still looking for these following parts and Im hopíng you guys maybe have some of them:
Windshield, maybe one from 440E or Vmax will work but it has to be smoked color.
Airbox. I will use carbs from a Vmax so I´m fine with that.
Yamaha - The way it should be
I guess most of you already know a lot of facts about this model. To those who dont, I have some facts:
The chassis is the same as the previous year, 440E, with the new TSS front suspension, but for 1982 Yamaha decided to give it a more powerful engine 499cc with more torque.
It became the new SRX 500F model, but something went wrong. The engine was equipped with new butterfly carburetors, but they were difficult to set up. That was not the only problem though. The cylinders were heavily ported, which gave it a lot of power over the whole range. The sled performed very well when the carburetors had the right tuning, But if not, it was the complete opposite.
Some argue that the problem was that the intake was too large so that the piston skirt had too little support, which fatigued the piston untill it would burst apart. There are more theories about the problem.
Yamaha produced 2500 of these sleds but only a mere 150 got out on the market. 100 of them went to USA and Canada but no customer ever got their hands on one. The sleds got recalled because of quality reasons and Yamaha offered compensation in form of the SRX440E for the customers. In Europe however, there were a few people who managed to get their hands on the 500. According to a source in Norway, there were about 25 sleds that got imported in to the country. Today there are only about 16 left of them. In Sweden there is probably 7 or 8 left.
This sled is very rare!
Picture where I found the sled
The sled loaded on the trailer
The engine: Notice the angeled water outlet on the top. The former owner had the engine replaced with a Rotax 377 because of stucked crankshaft.
I took of the jugs and found a M6 nut in the crank case. The problem was solved.
Now I have started to take the sled apart
The seat was in 4 pieces. I have ordered a seat at a foam cutting company and they use the old one as mold.
They also sew the seat cover.
The suspension before restoration:
I replace all bearings and powder coat all metal parts.
The hood had some minor cracks. The shiny black paint require a smoth surface with no flaws underneath it.
I have ordered some parts from Ebay.
I am still looking for these following parts and Im hopíng you guys maybe have some of them:
Windshield, maybe one from 440E or Vmax will work but it has to be smoked color.
Airbox. I will use carbs from a Vmax so I´m fine with that.
Yamaha - The way it should be