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361
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10/30/2013
Location
Oceanside, CA
US
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1781st
Edited Date/Time
6/5/2019 12:03pm
Well, I had a lot of time to think about my next bike during an 18 month layoff due to a neck injury. All is well now and I am reaching into my past for this one. I raced a 1988 CR125 back 88-89 and it was probably my favorite bike ever. I am not looking to ride wide open to get around the track at a decent pace (for now), so I went with the 1988 CR250 instead. If this works out, I can see getting a matching 125 down the road.
I got it for $200 with the seller explaining that it needs a top end because someone "put the wrong gas in it". It has a rusted out dented pro circuit pipe, but the deal included an almost brand new stock pipe. It has been neglected, but doesn't appear to have been abused too bad.
I dropped it off at 2 Stroke Specialties for a complete top and bottom end and suspension rebuild. I am planning on tearing it down and starting the restoration when I get it back with the fresh motor.
Sorry about the crappy cell phone pics.
I got it for $200 with the seller explaining that it needs a top end because someone "put the wrong gas in it". It has a rusted out dented pro circuit pipe, but the deal included an almost brand new stock pipe. It has been neglected, but doesn't appear to have been abused too bad.
I dropped it off at 2 Stroke Specialties for a complete top and bottom end and suspension rebuild. I am planning on tearing it down and starting the restoration when I get it back with the fresh motor.
Sorry about the crappy cell phone pics.
I am more excited about this bike than any other I have purchased in the last 20 years.
I know it may sound sacrilegious to not keep it all original, but do you think it would help the handling? This will not be a garage queen.
The Shop
The 99 forks would probably need a 99 axle and wheel as the axle/bearings are bigger diameter. You may need the brake calliper as well.
If you want to go upside down, I know that 92 (not 91, not 93) clamps and forks bolt right up to your 88 head tube. Your 88 front wheel will work with these forks. Then fab up something that looks like those gray fork guards that the factory Honda's had back then and you'll really have something! I wanted to do this on my 87 to make it look factory so I got a 92 fork/clamp but decided to keep my 87 stock. If you want the 92 forks/clamps let me know. I have one of those translucent factory front number plates for it too.
and the 88-91 Cylinder reed version motors were some of the fastest ever 250 Honda motors
By the way, I decided to stick with the stock forks and just had them rebuilt..
in max 2 weeks at home
You can get the complete kit from Motosport. Since it's a kit, there should be a discount, plus they throw in free shipping for purchases over $100. In most cases, the plastic UFO makes is superior to what Honda used during this era. I switched to all UFO plastic for my '89 project bike.
>Performance wise, it would make more sense to use the 88 forks and swap the cylinder for the 89 version.
DJ knows from experience. He owned the '88 and has had tons of hours riding a buddy's '89. I think all his recommendations are excellent, IMHO.
>You already have some of the best forks available on that bike. I think if you put (much) later forks on it will ruin the project. Just my tuppence worth.
The '88 is stunning with the all red scheme and fork boots. These two years (88-89) are great looking bikes, and the Euros in particular seem to have a real thing for them.
If you want a Ricky Johnson or Mickey Diamond clone, DJ's plan is the way to go, in my opinion. It sure would be unique!
Pit Row
I used a 2 coat procedure. Base coat/color coat and then a 2k High gloss clear. First I stripped the frame by hand sanding and then an etching primer followed several coats of the color/clear procedure.
Call Motosport and tell them you want to order a kit. They may not have these as kits any more (I bought mine over a year ago), but even if they have only the individual pieces, you'll still get a break on the shipping and their prices are lower than anywhere else I've found.
If they don't have a kit, ask if they will give a kit discount for the individual parts if bought together.
Either those are vacuum formed copies which are not going to fit too closely or they are reselling the UFO. I bought a set of VMX sidecovers for my 1986 CR250 and besides matching the color, they were about the same quality as Maier (they may even be made from Maier molds).
UFO makes complete replacement plastics as far back as '88-'89, the also make a lot of the '86-'87 stuff. Very good quality, I'd stick with the UFO.
http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/member/1988-Honda-CR250,38499/1988-Honda-…
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