87 CR80R - Build it back <--Done

I'm trying to determine the right color of the swing arm. I have found this : "Honda Nh146m Accurate Silver Spray Paint Dirt Bike ColorRite" but was curious if you guys have ever used it and is it the correct color for the swing arm?

Looking for a choke plunger for the carb. The one I have doesn't stay up when engaged. Any ideas on how to make it function properly or do most people end up having a purchase a new one?

Thanks for the encouragement Boneseff. It will be fun. To this point the motor is at AndrewsMX getting redone and the frame is at AutoEnvy being cleaned and coated. I have the forks and rear shock ready for RaceTech. Just haven't got there yet.

Well, got the frame and swing arm back today. Looks really good. All the bearings are in and ready to rebuild swing arm and steering column. That’s probably what I’ll do today.

What an idea! Thank you!

Have made a little progress..

Mainly just smaller stuff.

Here you can see I got the steering bearing races pressed in.






I also got the swing arm bearings pressed out and replaced.

Here's a short video of the steering column prior to the work on the bearings. If you listen closely you can hear how choppy they sound. : /

Also, looking closer you may be able to see where the previous owner tried spray painting the frame. The original color peeks through a little on the steering column head near the ID plate.

Locked up steering column on Vital MX

Just a few pieces of hardware I cleaned up to reuse

Prior to cleaning


After going through the ultrasonic cleaner


And then after some hand polishing

Got my OEM choke replacement in...just need to install that and the carb is done.

Got both the wheel bearings all installed today. Also received a shipment of oem parts.

Additionally, both the front caliper and master cylinder as well as the rear brake have been completely disassembled. Cleaned them all up, and they’re being sent off for cerakote with most of all the other black parts including the engine. Once they return will be completely rebuilt with oem parts and pads.

Next item on the agenda is this...

I've been plugging away at things here and there as I have time....was able to get the exhaust completely cleaned up and repainted.




Also received all my RaceTech suspension parts for rebuilding both front and rear ( BTW - I hate rebuilding rear shocks)



Front getting cleaned and rebuilt proper.


Equally as important engine components returned from Andrews MX. Engine almost ready.=!







Still a lot more to go...more updates coming soon I guess.

Was able to make some progress on the assembly this past week.



Looking pretty new!

Ah yeah. Look at all of these freshly Cerakoted parts!
Now on the assembly.

Made a little progress today - chipping away at it slowly. Engine turned out great.

Now I need to start assembly and get this thing back together!






Got front brake caliper rebuilt.

Well guys/gals - It's been fun.
The bike turned out wonderful and is now ready for breaking in. Here are some pics of the finished product.

@philG & @Banana_oil Thanks so much the compliments. After seeing it in shambles for so long during the restore I still can't believe it's done. It looks amazing every time I walk out into the garage and see it just sitting there. Makes me want to just crank it up to hear the 2-stroke sound and smell the hp2 burning! : D

@svt93cobra & bonseff Thank you very much.

For some reason I can't seem to stay off of it! : )

Thanks @MOTO557556
It is awesome to ride and ALWAYS a pleasure to look at when I go out to the garage.

It really did. I can't believe how well it turned out. It was THE bike my dad got me and I just surprised him with it this weekend. I had him watch a few old videos with me racing back in 88-93 on it. I then handed him the flyer and was like "man wouldn't it be cool to have that bike back". Look at this flyer! Then I asked him to help bring some stuff in from my truck and there is was. I parked it on the sidewalk as soon as he walked out. He was stunned .It was fabulous. Such great memories. He even rode it around a bit, said to take it away as he was getting a little too brave on it! HAHA! These times are what makes life worth living.

Hey @yak651 Thanks for the compliments on the restore!
I rode plenty of those XR's back in the day and they were a blast. In fact funny story is when we'd go out woods riding, my buddy had a XR like that. We'd see an obstacle (my other friend with me had a 86yz80) and we'd say "Hey, see if you can make it over that, or up that on your XR." If he could make it on the XR then we knew we'd be good to make it as well. He was always the first to blaze the trial for us.