What to do with 1981 Honda CR250r Basket Case?

Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco
Edited Date/Time 9/22/2015 9:35am
Hello, I was looking for some brainstorming input on a project I picked up this weekend. Its a 1981 CR250 basket case. The bike is complete except for a seat. Overall everything is in good shape except the motor obviously. The lower rod bearing went bad back in the mid 1990s. The engine was disassembled has been sitting in storage with the bike ever since. At this point the bike could either be rebuilt back to stock, parted out or customized. I have already researched restoring, refurbishment or parting out the project and am on the fence as to whether I want to go any of those routes. Customization & modification on the other hand I am considering just for the hoot of it.

Its about possible routes for customization of the bike's engine that I am posting this thread. I am wondering what other years, sizes & types of Honda engines if any, can be straight bolted into this frame besides the original 1981 250 engine?

Also: What more modern Honda motors could possibly be made to fit the frame? Can for instance a 1995 CR250 engine be bolted in with some modded engine mounts? How about an XR250 motor?

Any light that could be shed on possible custom &/or modified project routes for this old bike would be appreciated. If there is a thread or article on something like this please post a link. Thanks.



|
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 7:06am
9/21/2015 7:06am
Here are some frame pics for reference

____________________


Original 1981 CR250r Frame



____________________


1988 CR250r Frame




____________________


1995 CR250r Frame




____________________


1988 XR250 Frame





MaxPower
Profile picture for user MaxPower
Posts
2703
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
MaxPower 9/21/2015 9:27am
9/21/2015 9:27am
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 9:33am
9/21/2015 9:33am
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 9:42am
9/21/2015 9:42am
Seriously though, I am thinking something a little time consuming & if at possible more ridiculous. Take this other build for example.

The Shop

See All »
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 9:46am
9/21/2015 9:46am Edited Date/Time 9/21/2015 9:48am
_
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 9:46am
9/21/2015 9:46am
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 9:59am
9/21/2015 9:59am
Maybe a Briggs n Stratton?



TTperra
Profile picture for user TTperra
Posts
311
Joined
9/15/2015
Location
SE
TTperra 9/21/2015 11:19am
9/21/2015 11:19am
You have the drive on the right side, that limits your choises.
Honda up to -83
Husqvarna
Husaberg
Some Ktm
Harley sportster..
Is the ones i can think of.
Of corse you can convert to wrong side...
Hasletjoe
Profile picture for user Hasletjoe
Posts
629
Joined
7/29/2013
Location
Haslet, TX, USA
Hasletjoe 9/21/2015 11:23am
9/21/2015 11:23am
Wow, tough crowd. I have a friend that I made some motor mounts for that swapped in an 80 model motor and used a 79 Tank on. He also reworked a pipe and a few other "challenges".

This was to semi sorta kinda replicate the 81 RC250M as seen in Terry Good's Legendary Motocross Bikes (P122) book.

He actually rides the bike and really likes it.

Will try to get a photo of it....


See, there are endless possibilities for pieces.
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24437
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
newmann 9/21/2015 11:26am
9/21/2015 11:26am
How much for the clutch cover/water pump assembly?
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 11:33am
9/21/2015 11:33am
TTperra wrote:
You have the drive on the right side, that limits your choises. Honda up to -83 Husqvarna Husaberg Some Ktm Harley sportster.. Is the ones i...
You have the drive on the right side, that limits your choises.
Honda up to -83
Husqvarna
Husaberg
Some Ktm
Harley sportster..
Is the ones i can think of.
Of corse you can convert to wrong side...
I realized that about the chain side after starting this. That does kind of limit motor selection.
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 11:36am
9/21/2015 11:36am
Hasletjoe wrote:
Wow, tough crowd. I have a friend that I made some motor mounts for that swapped in an 80 model motor and used a 79 Tank...
Wow, tough crowd. I have a friend that I made some motor mounts for that swapped in an 80 model motor and used a 79 Tank on. He also reworked a pipe and a few other "challenges".

This was to semi sorta kinda replicate the 81 RC250M as seen in Terry Good's Legendary Motocross Bikes (P122) book.

He actually rides the bike and really likes it.

Will try to get a photo of it....


See, there are endless possibilities for pieces.
That is the kind of build that I am wondering about. At first I was thinking a more modern engine. Now an air cooled similar period engine. Something that might lower weight & center of gravity from radiator loss while punching up the power a bit. I am wondering about maybe a Honda CR480 engine or something.
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 11:36am
9/21/2015 11:36am
newmann wrote:
How much for the clutch cover/water pump assembly?
Will message you if it comes to that.
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 11:42am
9/21/2015 11:42am
1981 Honda CR450r frame sure looks similar to the CR250r in 1981.

1981 CR450r



-----


1981 CR250r



Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 11:47am
9/21/2015 11:47am
1982 CR480 looks like a similar frame too.

1982 CR480r Frame



Hasletjoe
Profile picture for user Hasletjoe
Posts
629
Joined
7/29/2013
Location
Haslet, TX, USA
Hasletjoe 9/21/2015 11:54am
9/21/2015 11:54am
Not the clearest Photo's, but concept or idea is there



Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 12:30pm
9/21/2015 12:30pm
Something like that looks fun to build & ride.
Spartacus
Profile picture for user Spartacus
Posts
2269
Joined
5/20/2011
Location
USA
Spartacus 9/21/2015 3:20pm
9/21/2015 3:20pm
newmann wrote:
How much for the clutch cover/water pump assembly?
The vultures start to circle........

Pit Row

See All »
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24437
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
newmann 9/21/2015 4:07pm
9/21/2015 4:07pm
newmann wrote:
How much for the clutch cover/water pump assembly?
Spartacus wrote:
The vultures start to circle........
I'm just here for the scraps!
Oldnslo
Profile picture for user Oldnslo
Posts
205
Joined
8/9/2015
Location
USA
Oldnslo 9/21/2015 4:44pm
9/21/2015 4:44pm
I got 100 bucks that says the fucking mess is mine ? Do we have a deal ?
450exc115
Profile picture for user 450exc115
Posts
715
Joined
11/6/2014
Location
Hebron, CT, USA
450exc115 9/21/2015 6:30pm
9/21/2015 6:30pm
81 450 and 82/83 480 motors bolt in. That clutch cover if good sells for $300 all day long. Stuff is available and it's a decent bike. I have parts and a spare motor that I've collected over time.
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/21/2015 6:48pm
9/21/2015 6:48pm
450exc115 wrote:
81 450 and 82/83 480 motors bolt in. That clutch cover if good sells for $300 all day long. Stuff is available and it's a decent...
81 450 and 82/83 480 motors bolt in. That clutch cover if good sells for $300 all day long. Stuff is available and it's a decent bike. I have parts and a spare motor that I've collected over time.
If I decide to do this the 480 motor is looking attractive. Seen a few for sale. Kindy spendy as one would expect. I am thinking to look into those motors. If I could stumble across a 480 motor that would be the ticket.

Yah right on fleabay. Saw the cover sales. There is a whole running motor for 4 hundo on fleabay now too. In the video it rattles something fierce. Thought about getting it & putting it in my chassis. Then heard piston slap, rod knock or both in its video. Seeing that motor & thinking about swapping instead of rebuilding is what got me thinking about what else may fit in the chassis.

T.Page
Profile picture for user T.Page
Posts
116
Joined
11/23/2014
Location
Swanzey, NH, USA
T.Page 9/21/2015 7:42pm
9/21/2015 7:42pm Edited Date/Time 9/21/2015 7:42pm
I have an 81 cr450 somebody made an ice bike out if. The motor is complete and still has oe pipe in great shape. It runs as a bonus. Will part with this.



Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/22/2015 8:14am
9/22/2015 8:14am
LoL 450 ice racer offered in this thread & across the internetz elsewhere someone else is offering a 450 motor too! What I need to find is someone with a 450/480 motor that wants to swap for a basket case 250r motor. Smile

Will keep the ice racer in mind. Maybe message me with info when you have a chance. No rush this cr project is kind of back burner. I need to dump the 250r engine first to make some room for a build.

Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/22/2015 8:20am
9/22/2015 8:20am Edited Date/Time 9/22/2015 8:23am
I am leaning towards a 450/480 motor swap into this bike. I did looking & found a few 480s for sale across the US for around a grand. I think all of them were running if I remember correctly. There are also a couple engines floating around for sale on the internetz as well. Some I found & others found me.

If someone could clarify what parts may swap between 250r an 450/480 engines I would appreciate the info.

I am primarily wondering about reed cage, carb boot, intake, outtake, ignition, kick lever & shift lever. What of these parts can be swapped between the 250 and 450/480?

I have begun looking into the ignition. I can the rotor & stator are completely different between the motors. I have seen that the coils are compatible between the bikes. What of the CDI? Are CDIs swappable between the 250 and the 450/480?

I will be looking into parts cross reference on the other parts soon. If anyone can say one way or another though I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/22/2015 8:34am
9/22/2015 8:34am Edited Date/Time 9/22/2015 8:42am
-
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/22/2015 8:42am
9/22/2015 8:42am
Only a matter of time I suppose...



450exc115
Profile picture for user 450exc115
Posts
715
Joined
11/6/2014
Location
Hebron, CT, USA
450exc115 9/22/2015 8:53am
9/22/2015 8:53am
Looks like your hoping to sell it based on your eBay ad. I'd dump it for parts if you don't have a personal attachment to it.
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/22/2015 9:22am
9/22/2015 9:22am Edited Date/Time 9/22/2015 9:24am
Everything has its price especially if a buyer is standing in my driveway. I actually have two basket case that need the cranks refurbished. One is this CR250r the other is a 1998 KX500. With both projects I am researching rebuilding & or swapping engines. I may keep both chassis & dump the motors, I may keep the cr chassis dump the motor & rebuild the whole KX500 or maybe I will do some other route including dumping all it any which way but loose & starting over. Should have just bought a damn yz490 in the first place is rolling through my mind right now.

What I am saying is what is for sale is pretty loose, ad today may be a different ad tomorrow. For instance, once I get clarification on what parts to keep for a 480 ready rolling chassis ads are gonna change. More then likely all that is gonna be found on fleabay is over priced individual 250r engine parts.

All that being said I need another project to fuss over like I need the sky to fall. Truth be told after holding the old engine in my hands I would actually prefer to leave this basket case complete & get it to someone that would restore it rather then butcher it or worse toss it in a flamming dumpster.

Also now that I know running 480s are going for near a grand I am prolly better off just driving cross country on a road trip & picking one up then building one from what I have. AmIrite?

I still am wondering about the CDI thing.

----
Manco
Profile picture for user Manco
Posts
318
Joined
6/19/2014
Location
Denver, CO, USA
Manco 9/22/2015 9:35am
9/22/2015 9:35am Edited Date/Time 9/22/2015 9:36am
Quick note: Nothing is for sale through this thread. I don't sell on forums. I didn't post here to sell. Nor did I come here to buy. I came for info on old Hondas and that is the topic I intended to convey when starting this thread. If someone wants to buy or sell parts I recommend surfing to the appropriate internet venues for used motorcycle parts buying & selling rather then post here. Thanks.

Post a reply to: What to do with 1981 Honda CR250r Basket Case?