Based in Hammond, Indiana, Service Honda is the worldwide leader in supplying genuine OEM parts for Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Polaris, SeaDoo, SkiDoo, BRP, Can Am and Spyder Motorcycle ATV and watercraft parts. Apart from unmatched prices and top quality service, Service Honda is best known for their aluminium-framed 500cc two-stroke motorcycle known as the 500AF and an entire range of unique off-road models. After purchasing our very own 500AF, Bikers Cafe had the opportunity to catch up AJ Waggoner, Operations Manager for Service Honda/Service Powersports.

Q. Could you tell us a bit on the background of Service Honda?
A. Service Honda was founded in 1958, with the current owner purchasing it in 1994. I have been working with him ever since in developing our sales of parts and OEM models, as well as developing our own line of Service Powersports off-road models and accessories.

Q. How did the idea for the 500AF come up?
A. I had been racing the Honda CR500 for several years; an amazing motorcycle, but Honda had left the model fundamentally unchanged for a long time. Upon seeing the new perimeter aluminium chassis of the 1997 CR250, me and a fellow racer/technician here at Service, and two other fellow racer friends decided it was time to put the fantastic, do-it-all engine into a more modern chassis. The idea was simply for us to have a better handling, lighter race bike. I decided to build a brand new one, starting with a new CR250 and a new CR500 engine, using strictly Honda parts, bolts and hardware to make the bike exactly as if it came from Honda’s production line. Once completed, I was really amazed at just how much lighter it felt and handled; it was just such a fun bike to ride and race. A few popular off-road and motocross magazines saw it, did some test rides, and before I knew it, I was getting a lot of calls to make more.

Initially, I had not set out to make the 500AF as a model, but with so many calls coming in, we decided this was something Service Honda would offer, and to a level that exceeded the standards of Honda in quality performance and workmanship. The CR500 was a big passion for me anyway, but with the possibility of making the model for others – who seemed to love it as well – it really just seemed to take off on its own. We have been building them now for 18 years, with thousands of 500AFs making their way across the world.

Q. Any new builds or limited edition models coming up?
A. We are always looking out for new ideas, improvements, styling upgrades and yes, even new models. We offer 125AF, 250AF, Junior X and Junior R model motorcycles for a wide range of off-road enthusiasts. We also offer a high-performance two-stroke ATV. As far as the 500AF is concerned, we have built a David Bailey replica, Elsinore replica and will continue to offer anything that a customer might envision. Also, products like a decompression head and billet engine cases are in the works, and we are continuously testing and developing products for the 500.

Q. Would you venture into other custom styles or stick to dirt bikes?
A. So far, we have concentrated solely on off-road models and associated performance products, which has kept us busy from venturing outside that realm. It simply hasn’t been realistically possible. On the other hand, we do make a lot of things that are not offered as a model, just for fun and because we can. My right and left hands – Neil and Chris Orban – are our main fabricators and always have something interesting or unique being built or modified. So I would like to take Service Powersports into other areas of interest, if we get time off from making off-road bikes!

Q. Could you tell us more about engine modifications you offer?
A. We offer porting, and any number of engine modifications, as well as various ignition systems including a programmable ten map CDI for our models.

Q. What about suspension and brake mods?
A. We offer custom suspension setups through highly respected MX-Tech, who we have partnered with for over a decade. Brake upgrades are available, and include basically anything currently offered for a modern off-road model.

Q. Do you fine tune and evaluate each bike for specific customer requirements, if required?
A. The standard Service Honda 500AF is built stock, just like it came from Honda. Like the Honda CRF450R or CRF250R models, they are set up for the average rider’s height, weight, abilities and of course, riding conditions. We certainly offer additional options and will fine-tune any 500AF to the customer’s specifications, including engine/power preferences, suspension settings, seat, peg, handle heights and more. The customer can tell us what he prefers, and we will gladly build it for him.

Q. More power or better dynamics/lighter weight, or a blend of both?
A. The initial idea was a bit of everything. I knew that in a modern chassis, the bike would be lighter, handle better, and with the big, flexible two-stroke engine, it would simply be a great all-round off-road bike. We believe it’s the best available if putting one bike in really varied off-road situations, and don’t think there is another model out there that can handle such a wide range of riders and different off-road scenarios as well.

Q. How do your customers react after their first ride?
A. Normally with huge smiles that last forever. The bike is just a blast to ride, and there isn’t much that compares to riding a modern, great handling, light, open class two-stroke. We have received a lot of great feedback over the past 18 years and that is what makes our job so much fun. We are blessed to be able to do something that is our passion, and getting positive and critical responses and feedback from our customers is amazing; we really appreciate it.