1992 ex-U.S. Air Force MT500

[mt500-006]

1992 ex-U.S. Air Force MT500
These were made in all flat/matte black.

[lardmarc]

Black Bikes Matter.

[Laurence]

These were made in all flat/matte black.

Looks good.
Are the plastics actually black or are they painted?
I’d like a set of the black boxes

[mt500-006]

These were made in all flat/matte black.

Looks good.
Are the plastics actually black or are they painted?
I’d like a set of the black boxes

black molded plastic. Not painted plastic.
I don't think real black plastic panniers are available anywhere.
I had to paint two green panniers black to match bike. Only have one actual black pannier.

[Pewter]

It looks an unusual one to me. The US MT500e that you normally see has a different headlight cowl (no black rim around the lens) and a lower chain guard/guide. The side panels look more Armstrong but I have seen those before.

[Wirralman]

It looks an unusual one to me. The US MT500e that you normally see has a different headlight cowl (no black rim around the lens) and a lower chain guard/guide. The side panels look more Armstrong but I have seen those before.

I have just bumped a thread Tseher's ride. I had forgotten about these early HDMT500 versions built in 1992 before the MT350 production started in 1993. You're absolutely right about the differences. I don't think many of these early USAF bikes were built. It wouldn't surprise me if the frame was based on the Canadian Armstrong MT500 version which had electric start, so it could be a two-part frame ? You're right they are unusual , to the point of being exceedingly rare, and there are many differences to the 1998?-2000 HDMT500 ( I think we have added the 'e' for convenience )

[mt500-006]

Older April 2018 picture of bike on trip through Shenandoah Mountains, State of Virginia, USA. Had a blast thru mountain curvy roads. And yes it is electric start, I'm too old to kick start the bike. lol

[mt500-006]

It looks an unusual one to me. The US MT500e that you normally see has a different headlight cowl (no black rim around the lens) and a lower chain guard/guide. The side panels look more Armstrong but I have seen those before.

I have just bumped a thread Tseher's ride. I had forgotten about these early HDMT500 versions built in 1992 before the MT350 production started in 1993. You're absolutely right about the differences. I don't think many of these early USAF bikes were built. It wouldn't surprise me if the frame was based on the Canadian Armstrong MT500 version which had electric start, so it could be a two-part frame ? You're right they are unusual , to the point of being exceedingly rare, and there are many differences to the 1998?-2000 HDMT500 ( I think we have added the 'e' for convenience )

A good picture of the USAF MT500 in Kenya is here: https://nara.getarchive.net/media/staff ... ase-a18995

Mine still has the u-bolt marks on the handle bars from the rifle mount. Also the "passing Switch" on the left hand handle bar controls is red mark stamped RADIO. Coaxial two conductor wire from it runs down to 1/4 inch phone jack by left Harley side panel. Electric start and one piece frame. Infrared driving light removed probably by government but retains switch in dash to switch between normal and infrared.

[mt500-006]

The "muffler extension" is actually a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrester. Required in the USA for all enduro style motorcycles to be operated Off-highway and on federal lands.