XL/XR 500 engine possibilites

[RichIOM]

Hi,

I've got a project in mind and I was wondering whether you think it would be possible to fit a carburated CBR600 engine in an XL or XR500 frame?

Obviously I'd need to uprate parts of the bike but could it be safely done?

Thanks

Rich

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Over the years I guess almost every engine has been fitted to almost every frame somewhere in the world. Is it possible? Yes. Is it easy? No way. Expect major incompatibilities, especially with the electrics.

Fitting an old Triumph engine into an old Norton frame might have been relatively simple. Dealing with 4-cylinder electronic ignition, rev counters, emission control and so on will be a headache.

I suppose the question is, why? If you want performance buy a KTM. If you want to spend months building a custom bike like no other, have fun!

[RichIOM]

I don't think the electrics will be a major issue for me, my main issue is whether the frame will support the load.

Wheels and brakes will all be upgraded to higher spec also.

Why, well because I plan on scratch building a one off Steet Hawk replica bike, but I don't want to use the XL500 engine like the original as I want the sports bike sound that they used to 'voice over' on the original series.

It's a project I expect to take at least a year, CBR600 engines are pretty cheap, sound good, reliable and easy to work with.

If anyone hears of an old XL or XR500 going cheap let me know, it doesn't need to be a runner because much will be removed but I need the basic chassis and probably original forks to start out.

I may consider just buying a frame and tank and starting from there to be honest because so much will probably be replaced.