I used to roadrace (circa '79-'81) my '78 SR500, before I got a dedicated XT500 roadracer. The SR was stolen and totalled, but I bought it back from the insurance company with the intent of turning it into a traditional "British-style" cafe racer. Had custom wire spoke wheels laced on RD350 hubs, bought Thomaselli clip-ons etc, but job-related relos (to Switzerland etc) and family issues relegated the bike to storage. Recently decided to resurrect the project and while looking for parts, found this bike on e-Bay. Had engine built just like I intended, with 540 Wiseco piston, hot cam, etc. for less than it would have cost me to fix mine. Have been riding the bike for the past couple of months, and gradually swapping parts from my old one. Most recent swap was the wire spoke wheels. Not only look more like a proper flat track bike but are lots lighter than those heavy "mags"! With the long rear shock and lighter wheels, the bike is quite a bit of fun on some of the ratty dirt roads that I always avoided in the past. Next in line is to replace the stock carb with the 38mm Mikuni roundslide from my old XT500 race bike, and a fork brace to stabilize those spindly forks! It may be slow compared to anything built in the last 20 years, but I am having the most fun riding on public roads. Better to ride fast on a slow bike than to ride slowly on a fast bike!