1982 Honda CR480R Motorcycle
Single-cylinder, 2-cycle, air-cooled engine
Long travel Pro Link single shock rear racing suspension
Honda’s Open Class air-cooled motocross racer
The 1982 CR480R shown here is a rare example of a motocross racer that is in very original condition and ready for competition in Vintage MX racing.
The Honda CR480R Motocross Racer was designed with the help of multiple World Champion motocross legend Roger DeCoster to be raced in open class offroad races in Supercross and outdoor motocross competitions. The engine was based on a one year only 450cc design in 1981 that grew to 472 cc in order to match the displacement offered by other Japanese and European race entries.
Using lightweight flywheels and air cooling, the large displacement single had instantaneous power throughout its rev range while maintaining an impressive power to weight ratio. Under DeCoster’s guidance, Honda’s factory race team of Chuck Sun, Danny Chandler, and Steve Wise were very competitive in AMA racing on the 480. Peak output was roughly 52 horsepower in a 226-pound package giving experienced riders all the power they needed to compete and win. With such a wide power band, the 1982 version of the CR480 had just a 4-speed transmission but later increased to 5 speeds in the final year of production. Suspension on the CR held a wide range of adjustments with front travel of 12” and a complex linkage rear set up that could be fine-tuned to the rider’s weight and preferences. In the engine, the fuel/air delivery was supplied from a 38mm flat slide Keihin carburetor feeding the single 89mm diameter piston through reed valve induction and sparked by electronic ignition.
The left-side kick starter was familiar to racers of European marques but proved problematic for shorter riders, often requiring them to dismount from the bike to start the engine if and when it stalled on the track. That stall condition was amplified somewhat from the lightweight flywheels used on the crankshaft that gave the bike quicker throttle response but hurt low speed tractability.
In 1983, the displacement of the CR480R remained the same but the bike received a major overhaul as was typical in the very competitive world of motocross racing. Everything from wheel spokes to suspension were updated and replaced with new components but the days of air-cooled motocross racers were nearing their end. The bike’s engine increased to 500cc in 1984 designated as the CR500R but it was the last open class air-cooled 2 stroke motocrosser that Honda was to build. Water cooling was introduced in 1985’s version and continued to be built and improved until 2001.
Specifications:
Engine: 472cc air-cooled single-cylinder 2-cycle
Transmission: 4 -peed wide ratio gear box, wet clutch, Keihin 38mm flat slide carburetor, left-hand chain drive, left-side kick start
Performance: 52 hp (approximate)
Chassis: Front KYB Hydraulic adjustable Suspension 12 inches travel, Rear ProLink Single shock 11 inches travel
Weight: 226 lbs