1990 Honda CR500R Garage Build Motocross Project Bike

Steve Matthes managed to find the exact 1990 Honda CR500R that he used to race up in Manitoba, Canada, and ended up buying it back for $3,500. He completely tore it down, installed a modern 2007 CRF front end, and made it look even better than when he owned it over 30 years ago. When Steve rang me up to ask if I wanted to ride the bike for a video and story, I immediately jumped at the chance—while I’ve ridden a YZ490 and KX500, I never did get the chance to ride a CR500. I even let my 15-year-old ride it, just so he could get a taste of what it was like for Jeff Stanton and JMB back in the day!

Build: Steve Matthes / PulpMX.com

Photos: Spencer Owens

Video: Spencer Owens / Simon Cudby

Text: Kris Keefer

PRODUCTS & SERVICES USED:

EBAY
2007 CRF Forks w/ Clamps, 2007 Front CRF Hub, Left and Right Side Case, 4th Gear, CDI and Coil, Rear Disc, Complete Stock Seat, Retro 1991 Seat Cover



MICHELIN
120/90-19 Starcross 5 Medium

80/100-21 Starcross 5 Medium



SGB RACING
Service, Re-valve, Coat, Fork/Shock



MOTOSPORT
Honda OEM Parts



WRENCH RABBIT
Engine Gaskets



HINSON
Clutch Basket



SUDCO
Keihin Carb



PRO CIRCUIT
Works Pipe and Silencer



MOTO TASSINARI
VForce3 Reed Block



DOC WOBBLES
Factory Replica Triple Clamps, Titanium Bolt Kit, Bar Mounts, 280mm Oversize Disc, Front Number Plate, HRC Clutch And Ignition Cover



GUTS RACING
Seat Foam



RENTHAL
7/8 Bars, Sprockets, 1/2 Waffle Soft Grips



PRO TAPER
Aluminum Throttle Tube



FIREPOWER
Gold Chain



PRO FILTER
Air Filter



WORKS CONNECTION
Elite Clutch Perch, Front Brake Master Cylinder Cover, Rotating Bar Clamp, Steering Head Nut, Titanium Pro Pegs



DECAL WORKS
Custom Graphic Kit



AC RACING
Aluminum Subframe

ABOUT DECAL WORKS
Founded in 1989 by Ron and Janeen Joynt, DeCal Works has been the industry leader in pre-printed decals and custom graphics for 30 years. With a passion for racing and innovation, DeCal Works has, since its early days, focused its attention on high-quality products with great customer service.

[yamahaxs]

The cool factor of finding and riding your old race bike just can't be overstated.

[TheMoparGarage]

Hahaha “every guy is smiling right now”….100% correct 😂😂😂

[mulletmanrobertvandamme]

Saw Keefer sweeping the left-hander, brought back memories of the battle between Erik Geboers and Johnny O'Mara at The USGP. Thank you Steve and Kris.

[keithtarrier]

"A little bit difference in weight"...

Damn Mathes... "like hooking up with an old chick" LOL... YEP!!! and Keefer..."every guy knows what we are talking about"... CLASSIC!

Awesome to see the CR500!!

[jonathondavis]

I can't believe I missed this until now...such a gem!!! I prefer to build my machines and keep them too. I'm building a 22 CRF450R-S top to bottom at XPR for a Sprint Enduro & GP race bike, and I got a 2019 TM Racing EN300ES 2 stroke that is maxed out with aftermarket performance mods and RIPPPSSS!!! Not as cool as this machine but I love them both dearly! It would be like losing my kids if one or both were to go...both were my dream machines and God finally blessed me with the opportunity of ownership!!! 💪

Thanks for the video!! This was one of the coolest bikes ever, and Pulp really showed that he can rip effortlessly on that beautiful machine!

[simpy]

Would love to see Ken Roczen ride this beautiful work of art

[johnridesadv]

Love this bike! Steve did a great job on it. Hopefully the shock bolts are tight! And good to see Steve wore his riding flip-flops!

[Sandberm]

Man that thing SOUNDS SO COOL! Crisp! Your video should be sponsored by Pro-Circuit. You guys missed out on a great opportunity to let Nicoll ride the bike and share his thoughts. I'd love to hear his thoughts and perhaps share a story or two from back in the day when he rode the 500 GP's

[DrtyALGreen]

God I miss that sound....I was 10 years old at the last 500cc national race at Steel City and I still remember so much from that day. I used to look at the programs and see who wasn't riding a 500 and think they were soft. Of course now I know that in the early 90's not everyone could ride a 500 depending on their manufacturer.

[markkus]

Awesome I met Jeff Stanton at southwick actually got my photo in Dirt rider magazine getting his autograph!!! Very cool Rick Johnson also!

[eugenespreutels]

Dig it, had an '89 that I raced a bit and it was cool. A handful at times but fun. Wish I had kept it.

[straightnobraker]

Can't love this video enough. Such a rad bike

[danielkarlsson]

The only thing that would have topped it off in a cool way would be if Kurt Nicoll stepped into frame and talked about it! Great build Steve!

[tykemp]

Been waiting a couple weeks for this one to drop, little bummed it was under 10 minutes long, but what can you do. Still a good watch, fun to see the different reactions.

[johnridesadv]

Is this bike the same square footage as it was back when Steve originally owned it? 😁

[cmp]

....yeah, I was thinking that the airbox and side number plates were from 1991. It reminds me of Jeff Leisk's 1990 HRC 500 and is the project I'd like to do. I really like the 89 - 91 CR500 aside from the white radiator shrouds on the stock '91 model.

[christomsett]

Kurt never raced a cr500 except the 94 nations...which was 1 of thorpes 89 bikes.
1990 he rode for ktm

[ElsinoreRacer]

Had a '92. Some of the hit disappears into wheel-spin. I remember a track with a long left hander and damp loam. There was a wide rut and you went through pretty g-loaded in 3rd gear (100% traction) and it could still pick up the front end. I went through faster and faster, cranked over further and further to load more g. Surely at some g-load you could peg the throttle and not worry about lifting the front end over the rut. Nope. Still think I was faster on my 83 CR480. Maico handling, modern 4-stroke power, feather-light.

[cbh]

Bitchin' bike, Steve. Absolute treasure.

[richyork]

Where are you with a replacement tank? ;)