2002 CR250 build

bowens971
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bowens971
Edited Date/Time 10/3/2017 4:49pm
I'm horrible at remembering to take process pictures but anyhow, I came up with this extremely clean CR250 a few months ago. I've always loved the look of the third gen CR's so this was perfect. I traded my heavily used 05 YZ125 straight across for this bike and I'm still not sure how I got that done. Anyhow, after I got the bike I decided to ride it a few times before I tore into it. Long story short I KO'ed myself at Oak Hill on it so I decided to put it to the side and start the build.

These are from the sale ad




The day I got it home






Now the real fun began. I decided to make the bike as new as possible so i ordered every chassis bearing and every engine bearing/seal, and also an 07 crank.











Again I'm awful at process pictures. Got the engine back together and chassis finished with everything returned to new.





I sent the suspension to Galvan Schafer at EVO central in Plainview, Texas to Kashima coat the uppers and TiNi the lowers. I thought about switching to newer crf suspension but he assured me he could make the original just as good. While waiting I scored a set of wheels. DID STX hoops with Talon hubs. The hubs are a bit faded but for $300 it works.




The suspension is finally back so I will be picking that up this weekend. I can't wait to have this thing out on the track again!
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H4L
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H4L 9/30/2017 8:57am
9/30/2017 8:57am
Subed..

Are you planning on doing any engine mod work ? It doesn't take much to wake up these CR case reed engines. It's like waking up a sleeping GIANT ! The 3rd gen AF CR2 is the best chassis, suspension & engine combo owned or ridden to date...
40
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40 9/30/2017 9:19am
9/30/2017 9:19am
Agree with H4L- the Gen 3 Honda chassis is very good. It combines good turning with good high speed stability. The bikes are also very dependable. The engines respond very well to mods. Large improvements to the stock engine are not difficult to achieve.
bowens971
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bowens971 9/30/2017 9:26am
9/30/2017 9:26am
H4L wrote:
Subed.. Are you planning on doing any engine mod work ? It doesn't take much to wake up these CR case reed engines. It's like waking...
Subed..

Are you planning on doing any engine mod work ? It doesn't take much to wake up these CR case reed engines. It's like waking up a sleeping GIANT ! The 3rd gen AF CR2 is the best chassis, suspension & engine combo owned or ridden to date...
I'm going to put some time on it as is so that I will appreciate it more. When the time comes for a new piston I plan to have the cylinder and head worked over. So far I can't complain about the power, not near as much hit as the KTM 300 kit I had on my 250sx, but very linear. The handling is incredible compared to my '15 KX450F.
bowens971
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bowens971 9/30/2017 10:46am
9/30/2017 10:46am
A couple pictures from Galvan (@evo412 on instagram)





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H4L
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H4L 9/30/2017 11:16am
9/30/2017 11:16am Edited Date/Time 9/30/2017 11:39am
bowens971 wrote:
I'm going to put some time on it as is so that I will appreciate it more. When the time comes for a new piston I...
I'm going to put some time on it as is so that I will appreciate it more. When the time comes for a new piston I plan to have the cylinder and head worked over. So far I can't complain about the power, not near as much hit as the KTM 300 kit I had on my 250sx, but very linear. The handling is incredible compared to my '15 KX450F.
Yup. The engines are underrated & have plenty of power in stock form with just some fine tuning of the carb & a 13/50 gear combo.. With mods on an 03 engine it feels like it has more power than 5 CRF450r's owned. With the right port timing / head mod done it will have a broad & potent powerband due to the engine design. The topend / overev is unmatched in comparison to the other manufacturer 250 2t's ridden with mods as well.
macz400
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macz400 9/30/2017 12:15pm
9/30/2017 12:15pm
Good call on the 07 crank. I'm a huge fan of the CR's. I've had quite a few of them and now a 07 CR125. Suspension looks beautiful!
macz400
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macz400 9/30/2017 12:21pm
9/30/2017 12:21pm
I know this is bad timing cause you just built your motor, but I know where you can get a complete 07 CR250 motor with extremely low hours for about $1500.
omalley
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omalley 9/30/2017 5:12pm
9/30/2017 5:12pm
Building my 02 right now. What’s the advantage of the 07 crank?
rollin64caddy 9/30/2017 5:41pm
9/30/2017 5:41pm
nice score man! those bikes do look sweet. I know one guy has a build thread on here for a very tricked out cr if you need any ideas!
rollin64caddy 9/30/2017 5:42pm
9/30/2017 5:42pm
on a side note, what advantage does the case induction have over cylinder induction?
bowens971
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bowens971 9/30/2017 5:52pm
9/30/2017 5:52pm Edited Date/Time 9/30/2017 5:54pm
omalley wrote:
Building my 02 right now. What’s the advantage of the 07 crank?
The 02 crank has a tin casing around it, from what I've read it's come apart in some cases. The 07 crank drops right in and solves any of those problems. If I recall it's weighted differently as well. All of my knowledge on the subject has come from countless hours of scouring vital so I'm not a know all by any means, others feel free to add in.
omalley
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omalley 9/30/2017 8:23pm
9/30/2017 8:23pm
omalley wrote:
Building my 02 right now. What’s the advantage of the 07 crank?
bowens971 wrote:
The 02 crank has a tin casing around it, from what I've read it's come apart in some cases. The 07 crank drops right in and...
The 02 crank has a tin casing around it, from what I've read it's come apart in some cases. The 07 crank drops right in and solves any of those problems. If I recall it's weighted differently as well. All of my knowledge on the subject has come from countless hours of scouring vital so I'm not a know all by any means, others feel free to add in.
Thanks, makes sense. Was getting ready to split the cases on mine so this is good timing...
H4L
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H4L 10/1/2017 8:24am
10/1/2017 8:24am
omalley wrote:
Building my 02 right now. What’s the advantage of the 07 crank?
bowens971 wrote:
The 02 crank has a tin casing around it, from what I've read it's come apart in some cases. The 07 crank drops right in and...
The 02 crank has a tin casing around it, from what I've read it's come apart in some cases. The 07 crank drops right in and solves any of those problems. If I recall it's weighted differently as well. All of my knowledge on the subject has come from countless hours of scouring vital so I'm not a know all by any means, others feel free to add in.
That is correct. The 02-04 (same as prior CR yrs.) models will have a tin around the crank that acts like a splash shield. For 05-07 Honda removed the tins & made the crank slightly heavier. That being said I've owned an 02 & 03 that have never had any issues with the 02 still being on the oem crank.
I've read about 1 or 2 failures on social media since these bikes 1st came out in 02. That is a real small percentage & would contribute that to past due hrs. on a crank service interval. Especially if the bike was raced.
H4L
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H4L 10/1/2017 8:47am
10/1/2017 8:47am Edited Date/Time 10/1/2017 9:23am
rollin64caddy wrote:
on a side note, what advantage does the case induction have over cylinder induction?
Stock vs. stock on a CR250 from my experience a case reed induction engine will produce about 5 hp more vs. the HPP piston port design. RC's 02-03 factory HRC engine was putting out close to 58-60 hp. depending on what mx mag you read back then. I talked to the main engine guy at PC back in 03 or 04 about the differences of the 2 engines. Although he didn't go into detail he commented that the case reed engine design allowed for it to make more power.
I've seen a PR2 dyno chart on TT a few yrs back with an 05-07 model putting out aprox. 55 hp on pump fuel. That is impressive considering the current 450 models are making 57-58 hp.

https://thumpertalk.com/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-83869-0-89183500-1…


bowens971
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bowens971 10/2/2017 8:59am
10/2/2017 8:59am
After several months the suspension is back on the bike! I still have a few more things to do before it's ready for the track but I couldn't resist a couple pictures. I will get better pictures soon, but for now here's these.







Now to decide on plastics and graphics. I'm still not sure which direction I want to go there. I'm torn between an 02 RC replica, a 2005 MC replica, or do the graphics Honda of Troy themed. There's something about that 5th dragon hologram that has always caught my eye!
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yjgfikl
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yjgfikl 10/2/2017 8:21pm
10/2/2017 8:21pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2017 8:22pm
Looks awesome dude! Love the suspension. Why the stock pipe in your photos? The one it came with looked pretty fresh.

Also get that duck bill front fender outta there! Smile
bowens971
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bowens971 10/2/2017 8:32pm
10/2/2017 8:32pm
yjgfikl wrote:
Looks awesome dude! Love the suspension. Why the stock pipe in your photos? The one it came with looked pretty fresh. Also get that duck bill...
Looks awesome dude! Love the suspension. Why the stock pipe in your photos? The one it came with looked pretty fresh.

Also get that duck bill front fender outta there! Smile
Thank you I appreciate that. I absolutely cannot stand plated two stroke pipes, I'm working on stripping the paint off the stocker until I get a freebie Pro Circuit refurbished. It's all personal preference!
yjgfikl
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yjgfikl 10/2/2017 8:37pm
10/2/2017 8:37pm
bowens971 wrote:
Thank you I appreciate that. I absolutely cannot stand plated two stroke pipes, I'm working on stripping the paint off the stocker until I get a...
Thank you I appreciate that. I absolutely cannot stand plated two stroke pipes, I'm working on stripping the paint off the stocker until I get a freebie Pro Circuit refurbished. It's all personal preference!
I gotcha man! I love the look of a raw pipe as well, but didn't want to deal with the maintenance. Those things are so difficult to keep corrosion-free.

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jbrass715
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jbrass715 10/3/2017 10:07am
10/3/2017 10:07am
I have a couple of these in the garage, I just need your suspension, what did it roughly cost you?? Nice build btw
rollin64caddy 10/3/2017 4:49pm
10/3/2017 4:49pm
rollin64caddy wrote:
on a side note, what advantage does the case induction have over cylinder induction?
H4L wrote:
Stock vs. stock on a CR250 from my experience a case reed induction engine will produce about 5 hp more vs. the HPP piston port design...
Stock vs. stock on a CR250 from my experience a case reed induction engine will produce about 5 hp more vs. the HPP piston port design. RC's 02-03 factory HRC engine was putting out close to 58-60 hp. depending on what mx mag you read back then. I talked to the main engine guy at PC back in 03 or 04 about the differences of the 2 engines. Although he didn't go into detail he commented that the case reed engine design allowed for it to make more power.
I've seen a PR2 dyno chart on TT a few yrs back with an 05-07 model putting out aprox. 55 hp on pump fuel. That is impressive considering the current 450 models are making 57-58 hp.

https://thumpertalk.com/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-83869-0-89183500-1…


that's some serious numbers! great info. thanks!
bowens971
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bowens971 10/3/2017 7:47pm
10/3/2017 7:47pm
jbrass715 wrote:
I have a couple of these in the garage, I just need your suspension, what did it roughly cost you?? Nice build btw
Galvan takes care of me though I will say that the retail number he gave was $2500 with valving done and everything replaced. The down time is pretty lengthy on the Kashima so plan ahead.


Plans to ride the bike stock are now out the window. My good friend asked to race the bike at the upcoming Ponca Motoplayground race in the pro class since he's between bikes. What kind of a friend would I be if I sent him to the gate on a dead stock bike?! Robert Reynard will be working the motor over next week, it should be an absolute screamer!
bowens971
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bowens971 8/6/2023 5:39pm
8/6/2023 5:39pm Edited Date/Time 8/6/2023 5:41pm

Revival of an old post. I ended up selling this bike to Ben Lamay in 2018, he bought it for the Swan Pro Challenge and did a few things to it but I’m not sure that he ever really rode it. Anyway he ended up trading it in at a local KTM dealer. I got the two stroke itch and ending up finally finding it after 5 years of looking in the hands of vital member CrGuy2t. Managed to buy it back from him and haven’t stopped smiling since. Here’s a picture of picking it up from him and a few changes I’ve made after a couple rides. I’m not sure what direction I’m going to take the bike now, I’m just glad to have it back!

3C3FBD6B-337D-4730-BB88-8E64DAA13638.jpeg?VersionId=nsRSgSle0Q

 

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ace402
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ace402 8/7/2023 5:47pm
8/7/2023 5:47pm

Glad you were able to get the bike back. I miss my 2002 CR250 I sold years ago. 
IMG 4102 0

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romain524
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romain524 8/11/2023 9:57am
8/11/2023 9:57am

That’s a pretty cool story that you got the bike back!

she does seem in great shape too. It fell in great hands!

How was the engine done by Reynard’s dad?

bowens971
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bowens971 8/14/2023 6:26pm
8/14/2023 6:26pm
romain524 wrote:
That’s a pretty cool story that you got the bike back! she does seem in great shape too. It fell in great hands! How was the...

That’s a pretty cool story that you got the bike back!

she does seem in great shape too. It fell in great hands!

How was the engine done by Reynard’s dad?

It’s very strong bottom to mid but signs off pretty soon, I really enjoy riding it though. I just got a yz250 with the absolute works thrown at the engine by Reynard. No comparison between the two, the YZ is a rocket! 

rob.boucher.547 8/16/2023 11:30am
8/16/2023 11:30am

Never use the shit short silencers

Use the longest silencer you can find

The canadian model stock silencer, or a fmf sparky - the mid- top end is fantastic!

i owned all the 2002-2007 CR250's

GoggleFiend904 8/17/2023 11:07pm
8/17/2023 11:07pm
rob.boucher.547 wrote:
Never use the shit short silencers Use the longest silencer you can find The canadian model stock silencer, or a fmf sparky - the mid- top...

Never use the shit short silencers

Use the longest silencer you can find

The canadian model stock silencer, or a fmf sparky - the mid- top end is fantastic!

i owned all the 2002-2007 CR250's

R304 on mine. Tom Morgan and pr2 recommended it. The overrev is still very surprising 

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