1986 CR 250 will live again.

bart.beddingfield 2/14/2013 7:01pm
2/14/2013 7:01pm
I'm scared to deal with my forks yet after seeing what some idiot has done with this engine and now has me fuming the more I tear into it. All eng cases are cracked rewelded and JB weld everywhere. The oil drain plug has been removed and welded shut. I really dont know how this bike ran but seeing you guys reso keeps me going.
ledger
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ledger 2/14/2013 8:08pm
2/14/2013 8:08pm
bart.beddingfield wrote:
I'm scared to deal with my forks yet after seeing what some idiot has done with this engine and now has me fuming the more I...
I'm scared to deal with my forks yet after seeing what some idiot has done with this engine and now has me fuming the more I tear into it. All eng cases are cracked rewelded and JB weld everywhere. The oil drain plug has been removed and welded shut. I really dont know how this bike ran but seeing you guys reso keeps me going.
Hang in there Bart, take your time.I'm finding out that if I take a section at a time it make's the project go much smoother.I get OVERWHELMED when I think about ALL that need's to be done.Here is a perfect example--The previous owner used JB Weld as a gasket on a brand new Boyesen clutch cover, so I had to bust it off with a hammer and screwdriver which ruined a perfect $85.00 cover.ARG.
mad300exc
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mad300exc 2/15/2013 6:01am
2/15/2013 6:01am
Hey Bart,
Before you dump a ton of money into that motor, I'd network around for another one in better shape.
I found lots of parts on eBay, but as I got into the project I was networking and finding guys with parts I could have gotten cheaper.
The power valve parts alone on the 86 is worth like $150 to $200 so it's good to have a parts engine.
I would not get too hung up on building an all original 86. It's always going to be worth less than you spend on it.
The guys who are building those showroom bikes are buying every oem part that is available and spending thousands to get the bikes to look showroom fresh.
I stopped throwing money at my bike once it was in rideable condition. I could have spend another $1500 on it doing motor work and suspension. I decided to do that as a next winter project.
mad300exc
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mad300exc 2/15/2013 6:06am
2/15/2013 6:06am
ledger wrote:
Het Moto922,have you any magic trick's for tank remedies? Your's look's great.
He may have a tank skin decal on it. I can't see the little dots. Lots of guys that build racers use them.

The Shop

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bart.beddingfield 2/15/2013 6:20am
2/15/2013 6:20am
Yeah, luckily I'm not too deep as I got the bike for free more or less. I've located cases that are good but I'm just trying to figure out the compatability for that eng. Some have said 85-87 all the same, then I've read 87 slightly different. Still a lil stumped. Bikeboneyard has a whole 85 lower unopened for $125 which I might do and hope it's not cracked internally. Also I have a brand new 1 over Weisco piston kit for this worn out cylinder. Where can I get it replated/fiited?
mad300exc
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mad300exc 2/15/2013 6:40am
2/15/2013 6:40am
Contact Power Seal
Www.powersealusa.com
ledger
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ledger 2/17/2013 6:12pm
2/17/2013 6:12pm
Work,work,work and more WORK on BIG RED.Picture's coming soon.This bike like's money!!!
bart.beddingfield 2/21/2013 5:20pm
2/21/2013 5:20pm
Just found a good running complete 87 CR 250 for cheap. Does anyone know what will swap over to my 86. Like motor, plastics, seat, pipe?
ledger
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ledger 2/21/2013 6:36pm
2/21/2013 6:36pm
bart.beddingfield wrote:
Just found a good running complete 87 CR 250 for cheap. Does anyone know what will swap over to my 86. Like motor, plastics, seat, pipe?
Motor.fork's,shock,front wheel, gas tank probably will but its a different style,as is the seat.I believe that was the first year for the rear disc brake.
CamP
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CamP 2/21/2013 7:14pm
2/21/2013 7:14pm
bart.beddingfield wrote:
Just found a good running complete 87 CR 250 for cheap. Does anyone know what will swap over to my 86. Like motor, plastics, seat, pipe?
Save the 87 for it's own restoration. The 1987 CR250 is "the" best bike of the 80's.
bart.beddingfield 2/22/2013 6:45am
2/22/2013 6:45am
Never mind bad idea, just found the oem-id link. The 87 changed quite abit from 86. Guess my search for an unmolested 86 bottom end continues.
mad300exc
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mad300exc 2/24/2013 1:14pm
2/24/2013 1:14pm
Bart,
The 87 is a rare find. I'd shelve or sell the 86 and divert my attantion to the 87.
Even though I had an 86 and wanted one back, I would have bought an 87 if I found one in good shape.

Post a photo of the 87 when you get a chance.
mike
bart.beddingfield 2/28/2013 9:46am
2/28/2013 9:46am
Next issue I've run into is, front axle has play on lower right side where the 4 bolt cap secures the axle. I'm hoping it's the axle thats worn and not the lower right fork leg housing. Anyone know what the OD dimensions are supposed to be on the axle by any chance?
supergreg
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supergreg 2/28/2013 11:45am
2/28/2013 11:45am
I've had mine since 87. It's unrestored. Stored it from 88-08. Less than 100hrs on it. You'll love yours when they're done. Cartridges and base valves come out without taking forks apart. Gotta clean the sludge out of the valving.
DynoDan22
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DynoDan22 2/28/2013 11:55am
2/28/2013 11:55am
I just measured mine and the O.D. of the front axle by the clamping surface is 21.95mm. Hope this helps!
bart.beddingfield 2/28/2013 12:37pm
2/28/2013 12:37pm
Mine measured 19. Looks like the axle is worn. WTH would cause that to wear? Not like the axle spins in the clamp. Guess I'll be searching for another discontinued part. Anybody ever used Ron Ayers Motorsports? It shows they have 1 but they'll prolly email me saying part discontinued.
supergreg
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supergreg 2/28/2013 12:55pm
2/28/2013 12:55pm
Front axle on eBay 87cr250r $9.99. These things are bulletproof, somebody must have swapped axles. Can't figure anyway that could be turned down that much.
mad300exc
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mad300exc 2/28/2013 7:41pm
2/28/2013 7:41pm
That's strange. But you may want to pick up the ebay one for cheap and try it.
I don't think anything would cause it to wear so it must have been swapped out.

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ledger
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ledger 3/14/2013 1:42pm
3/14/2013 1:42pm
A little update on my restore/refurbish on BIG RED.I made lower fork guard's from butchering a plastic trash can,( Boucher's idea),added the royal blue Daystar fork boot's,front number plate with my old race number and am currently polishing the spoke's on the front wheel with a Dremel.Thank goodness for the dremel,as that is one tool that is super handy.Progress is slow and my garage is a wreck!!!


mad300exc
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mad300exc 3/14/2013 2:00pm
3/14/2013 2:00pm
Nice job!
zaz696
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zaz696 3/14/2013 4:59pm
3/14/2013 4:59pm
Looks great. The smaller diameter axle is from an 83 fyi.
ledger
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ledger 3/14/2013 9:10pm
3/14/2013 9:10pm
zaz696 wrote:
Looks great. The smaller diameter axle is from an 83 fyi.
Thank's zaz,I'm enjoying putting this bike together, it's kind of in a class of it's own,IMO.Is that a retro yz 250 you have? If so I have it's little brother (125) I rip around on,I call it ole yeller and it's just FUN to ride......Bart,zaz696 may have answered your question in regard's to your axle issue.
Donny O'Slow O'Hara 3/14/2013 10:39pm
3/14/2013 10:39pm
Ledger it's looking Awesome , keep the pictures comeing . Cheerful
ledger
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ledger 3/15/2013 8:40am
3/15/2013 8:40am
Donny O'Slow O'Hara wrote:
Ledger it's looking Awesome , keep the pictures comeing . Cheerful
Thank you Mike,more picture's to come my friend.
zaz696
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zaz696 3/15/2013 1:30pm
3/15/2013 1:30pm
zaz696 wrote:
Looks great. The smaller diameter axle is from an 83 fyi.
ledger wrote:
Thank's zaz,I'm enjoying putting this bike together, it's kind of in a class of it's own,IMO.Is that a retro yz 250 you have? If so I...
Thank's zaz,I'm enjoying putting this bike together, it's kind of in a class of it's own,IMO.Is that a retro yz 250 you have? If so I have it's little brother (125) I rip around on,I call it ole yeller and it's just FUN to ride......Bart,zaz696 may have answered your question in regard's to your axle issue.
Ledger, yes that is a retro 05 yz 250 I have. I don't ride it much anymore, I prefer the 80's bikes (it's beem a really good bike over the years).
The drum brake bikes (83 I'm sure because I have one) have a smaller diameter clamped area on the axle. Otherwise, the axle is the same size.
BigDan789
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BigDan789 3/20/2013 10:15am
3/20/2013 10:15am
HI there just found this thread and those bikes look great. I have two 86 Hondas...250 and 500. but my issue is with my 250. When I got the bike it ran but spit coolant out. investigated and rads and water pump had bad build up. Drained the oil and there was coolant mixed in the oil. Cleaned water pump out and put a new seal in it and fresh top end. fired her up still is getting coolant in the oil...im stuck, any ideas? Thanks
83CR250EVO
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83CR250EVO 3/20/2013 11:25am
3/20/2013 11:25am
I had the same issue on my 83 250. There is a seal on the impeller that circulates the water and a 3 piece unit that goes over it that could be worn as they both have rubber. I replaced them both on my 83 and no issues whatsoever. I actually looked and on the below link for the 86 waterpump and it would be either 22 or 3. Unfortunately #3 does not list a part# so maybe start with #22 and see what happens. Also - I have no idea why it shows 2 diffrent impeller types, perhaps when you take it off look to see what yours looks like. If it looks like the one without #3 then go with seal #23. Good Luck.

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1986/CR250R+A/WA…
jtracing6
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jtracing6 3/20/2013 11:40am
3/20/2013 11:40am
BigDan789 wrote:
HI there just found this thread and those bikes look great. I have two 86 Hondas...250 and 500. but my issue is with my 250. When...
HI there just found this thread and those bikes look great. I have two 86 Hondas...250 and 500. but my issue is with my 250. When I got the bike it ran but spit coolant out. investigated and rads and water pump had bad build up. Drained the oil and there was coolant mixed in the oil. Cleaned water pump out and put a new seal in it and fresh top end. fired her up still is getting coolant in the oil...im stuck, any ideas? Thanks
Your problem is that the clutch/water pump cover is made of magnesium and as you may know, magnesium doesn't like water. The casing has rotted through and water is passing into the gearbox and mixing with the oil. It is a very common problem with Hondas. The good news is that for your 250 a cover from 90/91 will fit and is made of aluminium. I hope this helps.
supergreg
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supergreg 3/20/2013 11:43am
3/20/2013 11:43am
My 86 had a pinhole in the rearward water passage. Up inside. It was allowing coolant into the gearbox. Had to use a little plastic spatula to poke jb weld in there. Then I used a hairdryer to help it run down into the passage. Gotta have the clutch cover off and keep manipulating it til it coats the walls and dries. Don't use the quick setting stuff. Also, inspect the inside of the cover. Found some weak spots there. Again by the passage. I've had mine since 87 and could work on it blindfoldedSmile ha!
BigDan789
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BigDan789 3/20/2013 12:39pm
3/20/2013 12:39pm
Thanks everyone for your replies ill make sure to investigate into it. might go with the 90/91 cover.

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