Data sheet
Dimensions & weights
- Wet weight
- 163 kg
- Seat height
- 810 mm
- Ground clearance
- 165 mm
- Wheelbase
- 1410 mm
Engine & drivetrain
- Engine
- 499 cc · Single
- Cooling
- Air cooled
- Output
- 32 hp · 37 Nm
- Transmission
- 5-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fuelling
- Carburettor
Fuel & range
- Fuel capacity
- 12 L
- Real world range
- 220 km
Electronics & rider aids
- Ride modes
- None
- Cruise control
- No
- Traction control
- No
- ABS
- No
- Heated grips
- No
- Heated seat
- No
Service intervals
- Service interval
- 5,000 km
- Chain lube
- every 500 km
Protection
- Bash plate
- None
- Radiator guard
- No
- Oil cooler guard
- No
- Hand guards
- No
Consumables & service specs
Every value carries its source.
Tyres
- Front
- 3.50-S19-4PR (lug type)Yamaha SR500 1978-79 Factory Specifications
- Rear
- 4.00-S18-4PR (lug type)Yamaha SR500 1978-79 Factory Specifications
Tyre pressures
- Front — solo
- 1.8 kg/cm226 psi; solo rider, cold tyreYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
- Front — loaded
- 2.0 kg/cm228 psi; at maximum load (315-365kg total) or high-speed ridingYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
- Rear — solo
- 2.0 kg/cm228 psi; solo rider, cold tyreYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
- Rear — loaded
- 2.3 kg/cm232 psi; at maximum load (315-365kg total) or high-speed ridingYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
Engine oil
- Viscosity
- Yamalube 20W/40 motor oil or equivalentYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
- Capacity
- 2.4 lTotal amount 2.4L; periodic oil-only change 2.0L; full change with filter 2.1LYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
Brakes
- Fluid type
- DOT 3Hydraulic disc brakes front and rearYamaha SR500 1978-79 Factory Specifications
Forks
- Oil capacity
- 182 mlPer front fork leg (6.41 Imp. oz)Yamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
Final drive
- Chain
- DID 50 HDSS, 103 links + joint, 15.875mm pitch (5/8in), 20mm free playNon-O-ring vintage chain typeYamaha SR500 1978-79 Factory Specifications
Spark plugs
- Type
- NGK BP7ES or Champion N-7YYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
- Gap
- 0.7-0.8 mm0.028-0.031inYamaha SR500 Factory Service Manual
- Quantity
- 1Single-cylinder engineYamaha SR500 1978-79 Factory Specifications
Battery
- Type
- 12N7-3B (G.S.), 12V 7AHYamaha SR500 1978-79 Factory Specifications
Fuel
- Minimum octane
- Regular gasoline (period spec, unleaded-compatible per factory manual); modern equivalent 87 AKI regular unleadedFactory specification sheet explicitly lists 'Regular gasoline' as the fuel grade, notable as this is a lower-compression (9.0:1) single that does not require premium fuel, unlike several of the other vintage vehicles in this setYamaha SR500 1978-79 Factory Specifications
Tyre Library
Tyres for this bike and year
Start with this motorcycle’s front and rear sizes. Open a tyre to check the complete fit for this exact bike and year; a size or original-equipment report alone does not confirm it.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Anakee Adventure
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Anakee III
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Anakee Road
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Anakee Wild
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Angel GT
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Angel GT II
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Angel ST
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLAX Adventure A41
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone Battlax Adventure Trail AT41
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLAX Adventurecross AX41
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLAX Adventurecross Scrambler AX41S
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLAX BT-45
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLAX BT46
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLAX Sport Touring T32
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLAX Sport Touring T33
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLE WING BW501 / BW502
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone BATTLECRUISE H50
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Avon Cobra Chrome
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Commander II
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Commander III Cruiser
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Commander III Touring
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiClassicAttack
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiEscape
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiLegend
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiMotion
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiRoad
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiRoadAttack 4
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiTour
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental ContiTrailAttack 3
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Cruisetec
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Diablo Powercruiser
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Mitas Enduro Trail-ADV 2
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Mitas Enduro Trail-XT+
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Mitas Enduro Trail+
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone EXEDRA G853 / G852
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone EXEDRA MAX
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
IRC GP-21F / GP-22R
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Heidenau K60 Scout
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Dunlop K750
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Karoo 4
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Karoo Street
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Lasertec
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli MT 21 Rallycross
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli MT 60 RS
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Night Dragon
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental RB 2 / K 112
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Road 5
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Road 6
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Road 6 GT
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Road Classic
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Road W GT
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Roadtec 01
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Roadtec 01 SE
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Roadtec 02
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Scorcher 11
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Scorcher 31
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Michelin Scorcher Adventure
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Scorpion Rally
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Pirelli Scorpion Trail III
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Avon Spirit ST
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Mitas Terra Force-R
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental TKC 70
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental TKC 70 Rocks
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental TKC 80
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Continental TKC 80²
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Tourance
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Metzeler Tourance Next 2
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
No matching front and rear pair
Bridgestone Trail Wing TW101 / TW42
No complete front and rear size pair in this tyre range matches the selected bike and year.
Still needs checking: load rating, any manufacturer restrictions, approved rim width, speed rating, tube or tubeless setup, a named tyre match.
What breaks first and where.
Hard/inconsistent kickstart-only starting (no electric start)
ModerateWidespreadThe 1978 US-market SR500 was kickstart-only, and the model is widely known among owners for being temperamental to start, particularly when cold or, conversely, when hot. Correct technique — positioning the kickstart at the very top of its stroke using the compression release before delivering a full, committed kick — is essential; incorrect technique is a common cause of perceived 'hard starting' rather than a mechanical fault. A lean idle-jet condition (common on carburetors of this era) is frequently cited as compounding cold-starting difficulty; spark plug color (white/lean vs. brown-black/rich) is used as a diagnostic aid.
Symptoms
- Difficulty starting when cold, requiring multiple precise kicks
- Engine floods or fails to catch if kickstart technique is incorrect
- Hot starting sometimes easier, sometimes harder, depending on individual bike/carb tuning
- White (lean) spark plug insulator color on inspection
Field repairableYes — Use compression release to position kickstart at top of stroke before each kick; for hot starts, use the carburetor's hot-start button (cracks the throttle slightly); consider richening the idle/pilot jet if persistent lean-running symptoms are present; bump-starting on a slope is a practical workaround if kickstarting fails repeatedly.
Where to find things
Common locations for jacks, filters, fluids and fuse boxes. Follow the reference link when a picture helps more than words.
Engine oil fill
Engine-oil filler and level-check point on the engine; use the referenced owner-manual level procedure and keep contamination out of the opening.
ReferenceBrake fluid reservoir
Front reservoir at the handlebar master cylinder and rear reservoir beside the rear master cylinder; use the manual's motorcycle attitude for level checks.
Reference