Time for a 500

[Wacky Macky]

Hey guys,

Been a 250r rider for 8 yrs and I think its time for a 500.
What can you tell me about the 87's?(good or bad)There is one in my area for
2000 obo looks mostly stock with a paul turner pipe. thanks for the info.

[rm250dude]

if ur talking about a cr 500 dirtbike 1987 was 1 of the best years the 86 was the best year IMO it was the highest revving of all the cr 500s even the newer ones but any year cr 500 is good (except 84 air cooled ticking time bomb pos)

[hondacrrider]

im pretty sure hes talking about a zilla. i dont know anything about them though

[98632wr500]

yeah im pretty sure hes talking about a zilla...its in the zilla forum...

[Wacky Macky]

I am talking about a Zilla.I can get $2000 for my 86lt.

[wes1ed]

I have a 89 lt500 for sale it has one hour on a new weisco .020 over piston new crank bearings all new seals new third and fourth gears fmf pipe new bars twist throddle deadman switch new radiator hoses and cap rear brakes stock tires and paddle tires with new douglas wheels all for 3000.00 if you want to see it do a search on craigslist in san luis obispo

[nd4speed]

If you can get $2000 for an 86 LT250 then take it ASAP

[DStad]

He Said 500 Not A 250

[grkguy]

Originally Posted by Wacky Macky

Hey guys,

Been a 250r rider for 8 yrs and I think its time for a 500.
What can you tell me about the 87's?(good or bad)There is one in my area for
2000 obo looks mostly stock with a paul turner pipe. thanks for the info.

they are great bikes if you get it tuned in right 1st is do not run pump gas in it that is what tears the motors up i run VP c12 and its 110 oct gas makes these bikes detonate and that trashes motor if you get an 87 they are great they make more power bigger reeds only thing you should do is get larger stud kit installed on the head so you dont blow gaskets i never blown one of mine yet knock on wood and i didnt do that to mine yet if you get one you need to check out quadracerhq.com they know it all about the lt's good luck

[zillaguy89]

grkguy pretty much nailed it. the 87's have the 6 stud head, 88-90's have 7, the upgrade uses larger studs for more holding power, not a big deal to get done, if the cylinder is stock you may not have a problem with it till you start building it. 87's have different trans gear and sprocket ratios than 88-90's, the frame and upper a-arms are 87 specific.

There is more power potential from the 87 jug, but aftermarket reeds are more difficult to come by....if your looking to build much more than a piped/reeded zilla, try out that website Grkguy talked about. they can help you there. Any pipe is an upgrade from stock on a zilla. I dont have experience with the PT pipe though.

The price seems fair, it better be in pretty decent shape for 2K though. If it was me, I'd do a leakdown and compression tests before i talk money. pay close attention to the stator side crank seal...thats a problem area...Check the weights and magnets inside the flywheel...i believe it was the 87's that had a problem tearing flywheels apart. Zillas are rough on clutches especially if not maintained well, but thats any bike so that shouldnt be big news to you. Someone could be selling a legitimately nice bike, or someone could have cobbled one together well enough to sell off, and then you'll have a big mess and an empty wallet. Speaking from experience, Someone sold me a cobbeled together mess that looked showroom new, but about 15 ride minutes, 2 years work and 1800 bucks later I finally had the clusterf*ck of an engine straightened out, and then it would never let me down. A zilla is a great bike, but they're very finicky about certain things.