Posts
41
Joined
10/4/2015
Location
Imperial, MO, USA
Edited Date/Time
10/13/2015 4:49pm
I have been riding for 30 yrs and have had many bikes. However, this has probably been the most fun I've had around dirtbikes. I usually look through craigslist for anything of interest and when this ad stuck out I had to go for a look. The ad basically read "ridden one year in 1988" The photos helped legitimize that claim so I took an hour long drive up to check the bike out. I ended up loading it up after talking the nephew down on price (gray goop came out of the engine overflow) and came home grinning the whole trip back.
The nephew told me that his uncle bought it new in June of 88 from a local Honda shop. He went to prison for 25 years that winter (didn't ask why) and then when he got out he passed away shortly after. They stored all of his possessions in their basement and started listing everything on craigslist. It's never been ridden in trails or a track, never jumped or ridden hard. Even with it sitting, and using chainsaw gas, it started after a few kicks and even idled. They gave me the manual which looks new, the title that wasn't signed over, original bill of sale, sales recp, everything that the dealership gave him I have. It was a really fun find to say the least!
After I got it home I tore it down cleaning every inch of the bike. I left the motor on the frame since it didn't need rebuilt. I inspected the cylinder through the exhaust port, everything looked within spec. The oil however looked like cement, so I knew a new clutch side case was needed, and seals. I found one on ebay that looked in great shape and flushed the engine several times, putting everything back together. The rear tire looked new still but was flat and very dry rotted. There were even spider nests inside the wheel! I found spider nests in every crack and crevice this bike has lol. So I had to replace the rear tire, water seal and case, and fuel line. Other than those few things, the bike is all original. I estimate less then 20 hrs on it. Even the plastic has almost no scratches, aside from a couple spills leaving the rear fender with two creases. Most of the scratches on the bottomside of the frame are from the metal stand it sat on (hate those). I chose to not paint the frame and leave this bike as original as possible.
I took it out three times so far. The first ride was at Lincoln Trail Motorsport in IL during Fly racings Laborday weekend. It was very squeaky! The suspension should be gone through and set up right. But, it still ran and handled just like it was famous for. I had a blast on it! I was too afraid to crash and ruin its nice appearance so I just took it easy. It was also the first time on a bike I was unfamiliar with, even though I have raced a 89 and had that bike a long time. After that ride I took it to ST. Joe state park in MO twice and got familiar with the trails there. I was grinning from ear to ear when I opened this bike up on the sand flats! IT seems to be liking being ridden.
I planned to sell it and find something newer. I have a newer KTM 125sx and would like a 200 xcw, but now I'm thinking of keeping this and racing vintage. I really don't want to ride it and wear it out, being that it's an unrestored original, I'm sorta torn at what to do with it. I took the bike to its original dealership and even got to meet the salesman who sold it, he was almost shocked at what I brought him, and I was surprised he even worked there still. They have a moto museum that he manages now which is really interesting. Anyway, here are some photos in order.
I'm currently coming up with a mock up front fork slider/protector. I really really hate the looks of the fork boots, and they are losing their shine. I bought a set of 91 KX fork sliders and guides that I will be retro fitting on, soon as they come in. I will have to fabricate top holders for them and have a few ideas of how. Anyway, here ya go:
All cleaned up:
The nephew told me that his uncle bought it new in June of 88 from a local Honda shop. He went to prison for 25 years that winter (didn't ask why) and then when he got out he passed away shortly after. They stored all of his possessions in their basement and started listing everything on craigslist. It's never been ridden in trails or a track, never jumped or ridden hard. Even with it sitting, and using chainsaw gas, it started after a few kicks and even idled. They gave me the manual which looks new, the title that wasn't signed over, original bill of sale, sales recp, everything that the dealership gave him I have. It was a really fun find to say the least!
After I got it home I tore it down cleaning every inch of the bike. I left the motor on the frame since it didn't need rebuilt. I inspected the cylinder through the exhaust port, everything looked within spec. The oil however looked like cement, so I knew a new clutch side case was needed, and seals. I found one on ebay that looked in great shape and flushed the engine several times, putting everything back together. The rear tire looked new still but was flat and very dry rotted. There were even spider nests inside the wheel! I found spider nests in every crack and crevice this bike has lol. So I had to replace the rear tire, water seal and case, and fuel line. Other than those few things, the bike is all original. I estimate less then 20 hrs on it. Even the plastic has almost no scratches, aside from a couple spills leaving the rear fender with two creases. Most of the scratches on the bottomside of the frame are from the metal stand it sat on (hate those). I chose to not paint the frame and leave this bike as original as possible.
I took it out three times so far. The first ride was at Lincoln Trail Motorsport in IL during Fly racings Laborday weekend. It was very squeaky! The suspension should be gone through and set up right. But, it still ran and handled just like it was famous for. I had a blast on it! I was too afraid to crash and ruin its nice appearance so I just took it easy. It was also the first time on a bike I was unfamiliar with, even though I have raced a 89 and had that bike a long time. After that ride I took it to ST. Joe state park in MO twice and got familiar with the trails there. I was grinning from ear to ear when I opened this bike up on the sand flats! IT seems to be liking being ridden.
I planned to sell it and find something newer. I have a newer KTM 125sx and would like a 200 xcw, but now I'm thinking of keeping this and racing vintage. I really don't want to ride it and wear it out, being that it's an unrestored original, I'm sorta torn at what to do with it. I took the bike to its original dealership and even got to meet the salesman who sold it, he was almost shocked at what I brought him, and I was surprised he even worked there still. They have a moto museum that he manages now which is really interesting. Anyway, here are some photos in order.
I'm currently coming up with a mock up front fork slider/protector. I really really hate the looks of the fork boots, and they are losing their shine. I bought a set of 91 KX fork sliders and guides that I will be retro fitting on, soon as they come in. I will have to fabricate top holders for them and have a few ideas of how. Anyway, here ya go:
All cleaned up:
they must have some corrosion
I'm going to look for either another 88, or a 96 to restore from scratch. I would feel much happier with something I created from junk, so I will be back with another old school soon.
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My plan is to tear the motor down and do a bottom end and top end (if I decide to keep), and then maybe port, tune, etc?
I know I should get the suspension tuned for my weight, but unsure where to really start for that.
If I got the motor up to date, I thought maybe a pro circuit pipe and silencer would be a good match.
I dunno, someone just called saying they want to buy it who races the vintage class here. I'm just going to leave it up to chance I think. The newer KTM 200xc's are really fun from what I've read.
Unfortunately the Japanese brands (with the semi-exception of Yamaha) have made the decision to ignore the 2t market.
KTM has always been able to sell to segments the Big Four overlook or ignore. I can respect the willingness by KTM to take risks and their commitment (that no one else currently has, even Honda) to spend big bucks on engineering & development.
Well my 91 KX fork slides came in the mail today. Once I fabricate a holder for the top at the triple clamp, I'll have these installed on the Honda. Should come out looking factory, and functional.
Use gators, or fork boots , new stock originals on ebay for 25.00
wexy21: if they work and you like them, go for it!
I like forkboots on my bikes
I thought about using the RM number plate/protectors but they do not look period correct with the roundness of them. Although I know they will protect more of the tubes. For as liitte as I ride this bike, these are fine. They slide up and down freely and protect 100% of the front from roost. The final version will look factory once I make the top clamps to the slides out of co-poly.
Pit Row
Post a reply to: New to the group. I wanted to share my latest find= one year ridden 88 CR 250.