Garage Build
1990 Honda CR500R
DOC WOBBLES
Factory Replica Triple Clamps, Titanium Bolt Kit, Bar Mounts, 280mm Oversize Disc, Front Number Plate, HRC Clutch And Ignition Cover
docwob.com
MOTOSPORT
Honda OEM Parts
motosport.com
PRO CIRCUIT
Works Pipe and Silencer
procircuit.com
GUTS RACING
Seat Foam
gutsracing.com
PRO FILTER
Air Filter
profilter.com
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
ebay.com
WRENCH RABBIT
Engine Gaskets
allballsracinggroup.com
MOTO TASSINARI
VForce3 Reed Block
mototassinari.com
FIREPOWER
Gold Chain
firepowerparts.com
WORKS CONNECTION
Elite Clutch Perch, Front Brake Master Cylinder Cover, Rotating Bar Clamp, Steering Head Nut, Titanium Pro Pegs
worksconnection.com
SGB RACING
Service, Re-valve, Coat, Fork/Shock
sgb-racing.com
HINSON
Clutch Basket
hinsonracing.com
RENTHAL
7/8 Bars, Sprockets, 1/2 Waffle Soft Grips
renthal.com
MICHELIN
120/90-19 Starcross 5 Medium 80/100-21 Starcross 5 Medium
michelinman.com
SUDCO
Keihin Carb
sudco.com
PRO TAPER
Aluminum Throttle Tube
protaper.com
DECAL WORKS
Custom Graphics Kit
decalmx.com
AC RACING
Aluminum Subframe
acracing.com
Steve’s Old-School and Expensive Teenage Crush
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! Here’s the full breakdown of the $19,000 CR500 and what it was like to ride.
We are deeply rooted in Moto—We’ve been here all our lives. Back in 1998 when we turned an underground newspaper into a shiny color magazine, it immediately changed the game with its unprecedented depth of coverage, sense of humor, and access to the sport’s biggest names. Today, our readers know they can go to Racer X Online for all the news, race results, and event coverage they need, and then enjoy even more detail and perspective in the pages of Racer X Illustrated. The mag offers a chance to learn something new on every page and stay connected with the people and personalities that shape our sport—the competitors out on the racetrack, as well as the ones behind the scenes—through our exclusive deep-dive stories and columns.
Our trademark has always been insider knowledge from the experts who are at the races and around the sport. We have long prided ourselves on our unparalleled race reporting and detailed storytelling. We go deep with the riders and teams to provide comprehensive coverage you won’t find anywhere else—all with first-class photography and design. It’s a full education in motocross past, present, and future.
Davey Coombs
Editor-in-chief & Founder
Racer X Illustrated
Subscribe Now
to continue reading Garage Build
and other premium content from the pages of Racer X magazine
Get immediate access to this issue + 12 more issues
Subscribe or Renew for your FREE 2026 Racer X Calendar! (Subscribe now!)
Already have a subscription?
Login to your Account
