So here we have the 8 Endurance Special Part 3, the NR 500. To be honest, I had no idea about this model and didn’t understand its history at all.
Since I happen to like racers, I took a bunch of photos. Here we go.
No matter how much trouble it takes, what you create yourself is what’s truly valuable.
That’s quite profound. Really deep. Maybe I should stop Googling and just think about things from tomorrow onwards…
Steel frames really are cool, aren’t they? From the side, the seat position and handlebar position are almost at the same height. It’s definitely an extremely harsh riding position.
Honda NR 500. It revs to 19,000 RPM and puts out 120 horsepower. That’s incredible.
This is the works Brembo caliper right here. I’m totally smitten with the Nissin logo.
At first glance it looks surprisingly ordinary? That kind of understated, niche feel is cool. Really, all unnecessary elements have been stripped away, making for a very simple design.
Why is the axle shaft head carved out like that? Is it for weight reduction? … Looking at it, it seems lock nuts didn’t exist yet. The sprocket is also fixed with just an aluminum flange.
The steering damper bracket’s weight reduction is intense. The person who made this must have been quite meticulous. Balancing design with weight reduction is really difficult, isn’t it?
The tachometer displays numbers I’ve never seen before. A tachometer that goes up to 23,000 RPM—I’ve never seen one like this before. It’s incredible.
The top bridge also has a curved shape and looks really nice. Thinking about craftsmen grinding this out on general-purpose machines fills me with emotion.
Was the bottom case also machined on a general-purpose machine? The raw, meticulous craftsmanship is really cool. It’s truly a piece that shows how well it was made.
The tail is iron with plating, I think? That’s somewhat unusual for a racer. The seductive R curve and the layout are really nice.
The muffler bracket is made by pressing sheet metal, adding ribs for strength and lightness—that kind of craftsmanship is wonderful.
This aluminum fuel tank feels like it was hand-beaten by craftsmen. That handmade quality is evident throughout.
The brake master is fixed with four M6 bolts—you can feel the era. All the cast parts have great character. The seat foam with its homemade stitching looks nice too.
The sponsor stickers are so simple for the era—they feel fresh when you see them now.
All in all, I got the most photos of the NR 500. The display layout for this bike was really good. I’d be really happy if I could photograph it from all angles, looking down into every detail.
It’s on display at the parking lot entrance, so if you get a chance, it’s worth checking out.
