1989 CR250 rider/rebuild

sandman768
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sandman768 11/15/2018 1:07pm
11/15/2018 1:07pm
I did not even realize I had a stiffer rear spring from a 93 or 94 and a skid plate from a 96 in my loft....Race Tech stated they have fork springs, so stiffer springs on the way....
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cmotodad
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cmotodad 11/15/2018 9:46pm
11/15/2018 9:46pm Edited Date/Time 11/15/2018 9:47pm
I am in the process of doing an 89 CR500. Very cool bikes for sure. I have some Showa Twin Chamber cartridges in my stock tubes. Have done the machining of parts and waiting on the hard ano on the lugs and uppers. Once complete, I will begin sorting out the oil levels and valving. I found a coke bottle arm for the rear and will start trying to update the shock too. Your bike looks so good and I like the fact it will be a rider even more. Was the seat cover difficult to source in the US or did you ship it from Europe? Congrats
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sandman768
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sandman768 11/16/2018 5:03am
11/16/2018 5:03am
cmotodad wrote:
I am in the process of doing an 89 CR500. Very cool bikes for sure. I have some Showa Twin Chamber cartridges in my stock tubes...
I am in the process of doing an 89 CR500. Very cool bikes for sure. I have some Showa Twin Chamber cartridges in my stock tubes. Have done the machining of parts and waiting on the hard ano on the lugs and uppers. Once complete, I will begin sorting out the oil levels and valving. I found a coke bottle arm for the rear and will start trying to update the shock too. Your bike looks so good and I like the fact it will be a rider even more. Was the seat cover difficult to source in the US or did you ship it from Europe? Congrats
Seat cover from EBay USA, Looked like he had more covers...type in "Cr Technosel " in your eBay search, should come up, I believe seller was from Washington state...your bike sounds great, do you have a build thread? I have gone all out on some builds but this bike was such a low hr bike, I figured it was best to just keep it mostly stock.
AZ_Red Rider 11/18/2018 11:44am
11/18/2018 11:44am
My second Honda and first brand-new off-road/motocross bike that I purchased. It served me well, but I sold it about 19 years ago when I got talked into buying a 1998 YZF400 to use as a singletrack bike. Big mistake as the previous owner set it up to be street legal with lighting and a desert tank. Talk about heavy and it sucked if it stalled out because of the starting drill. I'm working on restoring my 1995 Honda CR250R, which will be a quasi McGrath replica. Not 100% since I plan to ride it at the track, but I'll post pics as it starts to come along.
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sandman768
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sandman768 11/19/2018 4:32am
11/19/2018 4:32am
AZ_Red Rider wrote:
My second Honda and first brand-new off-road/motocross bike that I purchased. It served me well, but I sold it about 19 years ago when I got...
My second Honda and first brand-new off-road/motocross bike that I purchased. It served me well, but I sold it about 19 years ago when I got talked into buying a 1998 YZF400 to use as a singletrack bike. Big mistake as the previous owner set it up to be street legal with lighting and a desert tank. Talk about heavy and it sucked if it stalled out because of the starting drill. I'm working on restoring my 1995 Honda CR250R, which will be a quasi McGrath replica. Not 100% since I plan to ride it at the track, but I'll post pics as it starts to come along.
Those early yzf"s were brutal to start when they were hot! Post up your build! The builds are the best part of this site...
Manbearpig
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Manbearpig 11/23/2018 8:58pm
11/23/2018 8:58pm
sandman768 wrote:
Picked up these yzf pegs from a fellow vital member ....just like everyone said, they slip right in, I used the stock Honda pins. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/04/300038/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/04/300039/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Picked up these yzf pegs from a fellow vital member ....just like everyone said, they slip right in, I used the stock Honda pins.

Can you tell me what year of yzf pegs will work? I need some wide pegs for my 88 125 build. ?? bike looks awesome
sandman768
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sandman768 11/25/2018 4:54pm
11/25/2018 4:54pm
sandman768 wrote:
Picked up these yzf pegs from a fellow vital member ....just like everyone said, they slip right in, I used the stock Honda pins. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/04/300038/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/04/300039/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Picked up these yzf pegs from a fellow vital member ....just like everyone said, they slip right in, I used the stock Honda pins.

Manbearpig wrote:
Can you tell me what year of yzf pegs will work? I need some wide pegs for my 88 125 build. ?? bike looks awesome
I'm not sure of the exact year, but I believe any late model YZ/yzf pegs will work... Drop right in....
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Manbearpig
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Manbearpig 11/25/2018 9:06pm
11/25/2018 9:06pm
sandman768 wrote:
Picked up these yzf pegs from a fellow vital member ....just like everyone said, they slip right in, I used the stock Honda pins. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/04/300038/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/04/300039/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Picked up these yzf pegs from a fellow vital member ....just like everyone said, they slip right in, I used the stock Honda pins.

Manbearpig wrote:
Can you tell me what year of yzf pegs will work? I need some wide pegs for my 88 125 build. ?? bike looks awesome
sandman768 wrote:
I'm not sure of the exact year, but I believe any late model YZ/yzf pegs will work... Drop right in....
Thanks man
sandman768
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sandman768 11/26/2018 12:40pm
11/26/2018 12:40pm
Received my Racetech fork springs...been a while since I worked on a set of forks...I had to make make a pvc spacer as the New springs are 40mm shorter than originals... stock springs had a lot of preload on them, I went with a lot less at the RaceTech recommended 4mm preload. Got 1 fork done, felt pretty good, just pushing down in it.... We"ll see
sandman768
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sandman768 11/26/2018 12:46pm
11/26/2018 12:46pm
Was kind of a pain to make the spacer, the standard sizes of PVC either did not fit in the inner fork tube or the inner diameter was not large enough for the damper rod to fit through, I was able to make the PVC pieces fit by boring the inner diameter of the PVC that fit into the lower fork tube....I also had a slight leak with the Original petcock so I replaced it with a new Oem
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sandman768
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sandman768 11/27/2018 12:33pm
11/27/2018 12:33pm
All done for now. I will bleed brakes & put new tires on it in the spring when I can ride it...still very impressed with the fit & finish of the Honda, everything just fits and the stock hardware is still in good condition...even the spokes are still free and were adjusted. Both front & rear wheel bearings are original & tight, I just repacked the bearings. On to the next one....




sandman768
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sandman768 11/27/2018 12:38pm
11/27/2018 12:38pm
sandman768 wrote:
I did not even realize I had a stiffer rear spring from a 93 or 94 and a skid plate from a 96 in my loft....Race...
I did not even realize I had a stiffer rear spring from a 93 or 94 and a skid plate from a 96 in my loft....Race Tech stated they have fork springs, so stiffer springs on the way....
After doing some more research, the stock 93 rear spring is the same 5.0kg spring as the 89. The 96 skid plate is slightly different, so I will continue to look for a new WC skid plate for this 89.
lukemoto
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lukemoto 11/27/2018 4:09pm
11/27/2018 4:09pm
Nice job that's a clean build! Mines coming along as well just waiting on some odds and ends coming in the mail.

sandman768
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sandman768 11/27/2018 4:16pm
11/27/2018 4:16pm
lukemoto wrote:
Nice job that's a clean build! Mines coming along as well just waiting on some odds and ends coming in the mail. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/27/305862/s1200_IMG_2347.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/27/305863/s1200_IMG_2348.jpg[/img]
Nice job that's a clean build! Mines coming along as well just waiting on some odds and ends coming in the mail.

Very nice....I need a Showa fork decal! Having some wheels built?
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lukemoto
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lukemoto 11/28/2018 2:45am
11/28/2018 2:45am
lukemoto wrote:
Nice job that's a clean build! Mines coming along as well just waiting on some odds and ends coming in the mail. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/27/305862/s1200_IMG_2347.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/11/27/305863/s1200_IMG_2348.jpg[/img]
Nice job that's a clean build! Mines coming along as well just waiting on some odds and ends coming in the mail.

sandman768 wrote:
Very nice....I need a Showa fork decal! Having some wheels built?
I'm just using the stock wheels for now but about half of the spokes were seized up pretty good
sandman768
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sandman768 11/24/2019 11:49am
11/24/2019 11:49am
Finally found a PC period correct silencer to complete this bike...made sure it fits & now disassembled, ready for blast cabinet & fresh packing.....I had been looking for this silencer for Over a year...


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Pirate421
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Pirate421 11/24/2019 3:55pm
11/24/2019 3:55pm
sandman768 wrote:
Finally found a PC period correct silencer to complete this bike...made sure it fits & now disassembled, ready for blast cabinet & fresh packing.....I had been...
Finally found a PC period correct silencer to complete this bike...made sure it fits & now disassembled, ready for blast cabinet & fresh packing.....I had been looking for this silencer for Over a year...


Know anyone that needs a spare pc silencer like that? I have one that’s in good shape that I have left over from a build last year. Good job

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sandman768
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sandman768 11/24/2019 4:05pm
11/24/2019 4:05pm
Pirate421 wrote:
Know anyone that needs a spare pc silencer like that? I have one that’s in good shape that I have left over from a build last...
Know anyone that needs a spare pc silencer like that? I have one that’s in good shape that I have left over from a build last year. Good job
That should sell pretty quickly on eBay or CR Facebook group, they are hard to find....I just wanted a matching set with the pipe...I now have an FmF pipe & silencer combo for this bike as well....
Pat327
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Pat327 11/24/2019 7:32pm
11/24/2019 7:32pm
Awesome build! I've always wanted to find a clean low hour '89 CR125. It's encouraging to see bikes from that era pop up in such nice condition. Congrats, man!
sandman768
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sandman768 11/25/2019 5:11am
11/25/2019 5:11am
Pat327 wrote:
Awesome build! I've always wanted to find a clean low hour '89 CR125. It's encouraging to see bikes from that era pop up in such nice...
Awesome build! I've always wanted to find a clean low hour '89 CR125. It's encouraging to see bikes from that era pop up in such nice condition. Congrats, man!
Pat327: The 89 CR125 is on my list of bikes that I would buy if in the right condition, I have looked at a few that were in poor condition...parts are getting harder to source for these bikes, so a decent condition bike makes life much easier. Clean original bikes are out there, you have to be diligent in your search and quick to act when one does come up. I enjoy searching for the clean original bikes...if you are in Ca you have a much better chance of finding a clean bike than we do in the Northeast...
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bonseff
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bonseff 11/25/2019 7:06am
11/25/2019 7:06am
Great build!

I am rebuilding my suspension on my 89 125, do you recall what spring rate you went with on the shock? I need a heavier spring as i am 190lbs.
sandman768
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sandman768 11/25/2019 7:44am
11/25/2019 7:44am
bonseff wrote:
Great build! I am rebuilding my suspension on my 89 125, do you recall what spring rate you went with on the shock? I need a...
Great build!

I am rebuilding my suspension on my 89 125, do you recall what spring rate you went with on the shock? I need a heavier spring as i am 190lbs.
I ended up leaving the stock spring on the shock, which I believe is a 5.0 kg spring... If I was to get serious with this bike I”m sure I would need a 5.2 or 5.4 at least. Not sure what is stock for the 125... If it is a Showa shock, I would look for spring off a similar year 250 as they are usually stiffer. Race tech has a good calculator for weight & spring rates
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sandman768
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sandman768 11/25/2019 9:42am
11/25/2019 9:42am
bonseff wrote:
Gracias
I think the 125 uses a KYB shock? If it does, pick up a Ti YZ 250/450f shock spring, should fit right on. Here is one on my 93CR125
bonseff
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bonseff 11/25/2019 10:37am
11/25/2019 10:37am
Thank you for the heads-up! There are plenty on ebay.

Here is the project, I am running a 01 cr250 front end. One day I hope to get this thing done!


sandman768
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sandman768 11/25/2019 10:56am
11/25/2019 10:56am
bonseff wrote:
Thank you for the heads-up! There are plenty on ebay. Here is the project, I am running a 01 cr250 front end. One day I hope...
Thank you for the heads-up! There are plenty on ebay.

Here is the project, I am running a 01 cr250 front end. One day I hope to get this thing done!


Looks good! With that front end you will definitely need to stiffen the rear shock to balance chassis out. I think there is someone selling Ti YZ springs on here in the for sale section, that is who I bought my last one from,...
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Brian_Bowles 11/25/2019 10:19pm
11/25/2019 10:19pm
This build is really looking good! My brother just bought a 1993 CR250. The 1989 CR250 in all red just looks so good. How does it compare to a mid nineties bike? I recently finished a 1986 CR125. Now I want a 250. Here is my bike after 7 months of work on it.

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sandman768
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sandman768 11/26/2019 4:25am
11/26/2019 4:25am
Brian_Bowles wrote:
This build is really looking good! My brother just bought a 1993 CR250. The 1989 CR250 in all red just looks so good. How does it...
This build is really looking good! My brother just bought a 1993 CR250. The 1989 CR250 in all red just looks so good. How does it compare to a mid nineties bike? I recently finished a 1986 CR125. Now I want a 250. Here is my bike after 7 months of work on it.

That 86 looks great....I never had a chance to ride the 89 last year! I can’t really give you a comparison. I do know everything was right about these bikes accept the harsh forks...
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RF145
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RF145 11/26/2019 5:08am
11/26/2019 5:08am
Brian_Bowles wrote:
This build is really looking good! My brother just bought a 1993 CR250. The 1989 CR250 in all red just looks so good. How does it...
This build is really looking good! My brother just bought a 1993 CR250. The 1989 CR250 in all red just looks so good. How does it compare to a mid nineties bike? I recently finished a 1986 CR125. Now I want a 250. Here is my bike after 7 months of work on it.

I had a local Honda support ride back in 1989 (they had nobody else I guess) and I loved my 1989 except for the forks. My 1995 CR 250 was better, no doubt though. Better engine/frame/suspension/ergonomics.
Fast forward to post 2000 and I found a 1989 CR 250 to race our vintage eighties class that was completely gone over and I fell in love all over again. And someone made the forks work great.
I loved both bikes, just a it more of an emotional attachment to the 1989.
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