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1983 Honda CR480R

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Honda

1983 Honda CR480R

Name: 1983 Honda CR480R
Brand: Honda
Availability: OutOfStock

SOLD

THIS UNIT HAS SOLD AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Call or text Jr. (860) 471-0192

Description

1983 Honda CR480R – No Expense Spared Frame-Off Restoration – Museum Quality – 70 Hour Professional Build

The Finest 1983 Honda CR480R You'll Find Anywhere

Feast your eyes on what may very well be the most meticulously restored 1983 Honda CR480R available for sale anywhere in the world today.

At Kaplan Cycles, we've restored countless Honda CRs over the last 15 years, from air-cooled big bores to liquid-cooled CR500s. Along the way, we discovered that some collectors simply won't settle for "nice." They want perfection. They want the absolute best example available. This motorcycle is the result of that philosophy.

This is our finest CR480R restoration to date.

When you remove budget limitations, eliminate time constraints, and start with the right foundation, this is what happens.

The bike was completely disassembled to the bare frame and professionally restored over the course of several months by our lead technician, Eric Rude, an MMI graduate with over a decade of professional experience and extensive suspension expertise through his family's renowned off-road suspension company, C-Cycle Suspension.

The result is a museum-quality restoration that looks, rides, and presents as close to brand new as a 1983 CR480R possibly can.

Starting With the Right Foundation

We don't perform restorations of this caliber unless the motorcycle deserves it.

This CR480R came from Texas and was part of an extensive private collection. It featured:

Excellent original frame
Proper year-correct engine
Outstanding original engine cases
Excellent original wheels
Original VIN tag in pristine condition
Straight, damage-free chassis components

Most importantly, the frame rails were exceptionally clean and straight—something rarely seen on a big-bore motocross machine.

The frame was stripped and professionally powder coated in the correct Honda Red finish. Every component was carefully inspected, restored, refinished, rebuilt, or replaced.

Complete Engine Rebuild

The engine was completely disassembled and professionally rebuilt from the crankshaft outward.

Highlights include:

Vapor-honed engine cases
Refinished engine covers
New crank bearings
New crank seals
New countershaft seal
New shift shaft seal
New kickstarter seal
New engine seals throughout
First-over bore
New Wiseco forged piston
New piston rings
New wrist pin
New top-end bearing
New circlips
New base gasket
New head gasket
Ports cleaned and polished
Cylinder head cleaned, polished, and decarbonized
New Boyesen reed valves
New NOS carburetor boot
Complete carburetor rebuild
New Motion Pro drain lines
New choke knob
Fresh gear oil
New spark plug

The motor has only completed heat cycles and limited test-and-tune time since completion.

It starts, runs, and performs exactly as a professionally restored CR480 should.

DG Exhaust System

The engine breathes through a brand-new DG expansion chamber and matching DG aluminum silencer.

The pipe was custom detailed by our restoration department with:

Scotch-Brite finish treatment
Factory-style heat coloring on welds
Polished DG logo detailing

The silencer has also been polished to complement the overall presentation.

Race-Tech Suspension Build

Eric's suspension background shines throughout this build.

Front Forks

The forks were completely rebuilt using:

OEM inner bushings
OEM outer bushings
Race Tech seals
Race Tech dust seals
New billet fork caps
Motion Pro air bleeders
New ProGrip fork boots
Fresh fluids throughout

The fork lowers were professionally restored and finished to factory appearance.

Rear Shock

The rear shock was fully rebuilt using Race Tech components including:

Race Tech bumper
Race Tech steel head bushing
Race Tech shaft seal
Race Tech dust seal
Race Tech bladder
New seal head O-ring
OEM Honda linkage bushings
Fresh nitrogen charge
Fresh shock oil

The suspension performs better than new and delivers the plush, controlled feel that made these CRs legendary.

Wheels, Bearings & Chassis

Both wheels were completely restored using the original DID rims.

Work performed includes:

Buchanan stainless steel spokes
New wheel bearings
New wheel seals
Vapor-honed hubs
Refinished hubs
New brake shoes
New tubes
New rim strips
New Dunlop tires

Additional chassis work includes:

New swingarm bearings
New linkage bearings
New linkage bushings
New chain slider
New chain guide
New chain rollers
New rubber dampers
New rubber stays

Controls & Cockpit

Everything you touch is new.

Including:

Renthal handlebars
Renthal crossbar pad
ODI grips
Motion Pro throttle assembly
New clutch perch
New clutch lever
New clutch cable
New brake perch
New brake lever
New brake cable
New brake cable guide
New hardware throughout

Bodywork & Cosmetics

The appearance of this bike is simply stunning.

Features include:

New OEM-style fuel tank
New front fender
New rear fender
New front number plate
New side panels
Steiger Designs graphics package
Custom race-inspired number plate graphics
Professionally restored seat base
New seat foam
New seat cover

Every painted component was professionally refinished.

The engine covers, triple clamps, hubs, forks, frame, and countless other components were restored to an exceptional standard.

Drivetrain Upgrades

New JT front sprocket
New JT rear sprocket
EK 520 Gold Chain
New mounting hardware
Original chain protector retained
Original brake components restored

The bike also features premium laser-cut stainless steel footpegs sourced from Europe through SPD (Stevie Denton Performance).

Restoration Investment

This motorcycle received:

66 hours professional mechanical labor
4 hours detailing, polishing and refinishing labor
Approximately 70 total shop hours

Parts investment totaled approximately $3,500.

Labor investment totaled over $10,500.

The restoration invoice alone approached $14,000 before taxes, acquisition costs, transportation from Texas, and months of project management.

This was never intended to be a budget restoration.

It was built to be the best.

Why the 1983 CR480R Matters

The 1983 CR480R represents the pinnacle of Honda's air-cooled Open-Class motocross development.

The following year Honda introduced the first CR500, and by 1985 the CR500 became liquid cooled.

This model represents a unique snapshot in motocross history—the final evolution of Honda's legendary air-cooled big-bore race bikes.

For serious Honda collectors, CR500 enthusiasts, and vintage motocross investors, the CR480R is a critical piece of the puzzle.

Final Thoughts

We purchase restored motorcycles every week, and most require significant correction work before they meet our standards.

This one was built from the beginning to exceed those standards.

Every component was scrutinized.

Every detail was considered.

Every assembly was completed by professionals with decades of combined experience.

The result is an extraordinary motorcycle that looks like it just rolled off a Honda showroom floor in 1983.

If you're searching for the finest CR480R available today, your search may very well be over.

Questions are welcome.

Thank you for supporting our mission of preserving motorcycle history—one motorcycle at a time.

Kaplan Cycles
New England Motorcycle Museum
Rockville, Connecticut

God Bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close.

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV.

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.

Wheels