I decided at the end of 2002 that I wanted a big bore two stroke, I didn't know why I wanted one, but I sure as hell wanted one!

After due reseach and analysis and the fact that I knew any of them would scare the hell out of me, I decided on a 1983 CR480RD.

I had the frame rewelded and all the linkages drilled out and rebuilt from new Honda parts (not cheap...), the frame was powdercoated in an orange, almost the exact colour of the factory frame. I found some almost new rims that I had electroplated gold, new plastics, a new DG pipe and muffler and had the suspension rebuilt and set up by Radar.

So now I had to ride it (scary...). The first few times out it had lots of power down low and then the real power came in one big hit, along with a firehose type roost of dirt and rocks! So subtlety was not its strong point.

The first time I tried to gently lift the front wheel to clear a small creek while trail riding at Rockley, it bucked like a horse and the next thing I knew was me sitting on the ground on my backside and the bike pirouetting down the paddock on its back wheel for about 100 metres...

After much tuning and trying, we got it to run really smoothly with no scary power, just lots of it from very low down. The main trick was to put in a much smaller main jet - from a 180 to a 165. I think I may replace the old Keihin with a new Mikuni and see how it goes.

Here's a list of parts and suppliers.

• Suspension by Radar
• Decals by Vintage Factory
• Jimmy Button Renthal handlebars
• Michelin tyres
• All new bearings, seals and gaskets
• Powdercoating by Brookvale Powdercoating
• Maier plastics
• Stainless bolt set - ebay
• DG Exhaust and DG muffler
• Uni Filter
• Seat cover by Red Devil Racing
• Numbers by Red Devil Racing