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Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Good morning, I’ve been looking at getting an early 90s bike to restore for awhile when an 89 KX250 popped up down the street. It’s very original and very clean.
Do any experts here Know if there are any glaring issues that I should be on the lookout for this particular bike and year. Have been doing research and Sandmans 89 is outstanding. Also if it is a clean and original runner any idea what a reasonable price to pay would be? Thanks for any help.
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Joined: 3/21/2014
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY USA
The 89 kx 250"s are hard to come by, if you can get a clean low hr bike, I say get it....Values are tough to gauge, Before I bought mine, I passed on a very clean original one for 2k....After restoring the clapped out one I bought, 2k would have been a bargain. I say between 1500-2000 is reasonable for a clean low hr bike...if it's is REALlY clean & low hr, I would expect to pay more. What to look out for: the bad: the kips powervalve parts are subject to high wear if they were not serviced at regular intervals, they start to stick and then the gear splines chip or wear out, become sloppy & can break. The kips parts are NLA, I think a machinist in euroland may be reproducing these, not cheap as expected. Cylinder was plated from the factory, not the best plating, if the cylinder still has original plating/ standard bore, this will verify low hrs, most were sleeved & bored over after cylinders were worn/ damaged. Transmission gears are pretty much NLA. The good: the forks were the best of that era. The gas tank is worth at least 300.00 to kx 500 guys, bolts right on & much slimmer that the massive 500 tank. The bike shares a lot of body parts with the kx500, which means there is still a lot of aftermarket parts availible. UFO plastic kits still availible for the bike. Footpegs, brake pedal, subframe ect, interchange with K5, this gives you slightly more parts support, but even the K5 parts are drying up. let see some photos!
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Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Good to hear on most of that. Makes me. But worried about the power valves as I’d want to ride the bike a little bit at least. Some may be out there. Going to look at it Tuesday.
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Joined: 3/21/2014
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY USA
As in any used 2 stroke, unless you know the history of the bike, Top end inspection a must before you ride it...if it's been sitting a long time, I would split cases for inspection also....I have a spare set of powervalve parts, I will never use..I don't ride mine....If it is a clean low hr bike, you should be fine...I would pull the seat & air filter to see what hidden gems lurk in the airboot....
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Location: Saratoga Springs, NY USA
Speaking of air filters.... The rubber air boot that connects to the airbox, leaks when the factory glue dissolves, like on the way home from the dealer in 1989...if the junction has never been reasealed with a good glue or sealant, they suck air, dirt, water into the engine....most of the 80-90"s bikes had this problem...even though you clean your air filter it's still sucking dirt....take the air filter out & wipe the air boot with a new white paper towel, it will show if it has been sucking dirt...
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Joined: 10/20/2011
Location: Marlborough, MA USA
i have cylinders both big bore and std, one is ported by EG i got a boswell carb, rad valves, clutch parts and some new power valves for late 80s early 90s kxs, my buddy raced them and his dad has a garage full of stuff he wants me to send to a good home
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Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
So now another question. There is both this 89 KX and a 90 CR250 in the same area. I would prefer the CR but the guy is wanting to trade and not really sell. I’m trying to convince him to sell. Any insight on one vs the other KX vs Cr
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Joined: 7/26/2015
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Edited Date/Time:
Thanks Pete, would you go for the 89 KX or 90 CR. Both are close to same condition and price. (Running and complete)
Pretty sure I’m going with the KX as it’s closer and little better. Scheduled to meet on Tuesday so hopefully all goes well.
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Location: Marlborough, MA USA
Posts: 1551
Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
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Location: DFW, TX USA
Have you sat on the bike? The 90 honda ergos feel much better than the 89 kawi and for me that is very important.
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Joined: 3/21/2014
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY USA
Pete....., Them kips valves are like gold....if I was going to actually ride mine, I would be all,over those....The Cr & Kx were both good in 89-90... All depends on which one has the lowest hrs & was maintained best...Honda forks sucked hard back then...agree with the ergo"s statement.... Honda"s just feel right...OP I sent you a PM.... Me thinks 88...
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Location: MA, USA
Thanks sand man. Waiting on the pm notification otherwise not sure how to check them on my profile.
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sandman768 wrote:Pete....., Them kips valves are like gold....if I was going to actually ride mine, I would be all,over those....The Cr & ...more
Found them in my junk email nd replied
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Location: Cranston, RI USA
Hey Pirate421, If you are looking at the '89 kx250 listed on the boston craigslist, its actually a 1988. You can tell by the taller gas tank, 43mm forks, and smaller? front disk. That being said, the bike looks great.
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Scottie_b205 wrote:Hey Pirate421, If you are looking at the '89 kx250 listed on the boston craigslist, its actually a 1988. You can tell by the ...more
Hey Scottie, yes that was the one I was looking at but I actually went out and bought an 89 CR250 that was also down the road. Original owner, needs some work obviously but I think a good candidate for a rebuild. Runs strong and is 100% stock and complete
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Location: CT, USA
Posts: 2645
Joined: 10/20/2011
Location: Marlborough, MA USA
i have a clutch basket new in box part number 13095-1286, thats the only new clutch part i have
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Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Ok, changed up the thread name since I bought the 89 CR250 last night. It’s an all original owner still has original tires on it. Ran really well but needs some work obviously. Just to start:
Expansion chamber is leaking a lot of oil down the front of cylinder
Carb is leaking and needs new hoses
Wheels are clean but have some dents and I’d like to replace anyway
Need new throttle housing
Back fender was cracked
Stock exhaust has a clamp-on spark arrestor that I’m trying to remove
Posts: 1551
Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 1551
Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 3624
Joined: 3/21/2014
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY USA
Does look pretty original, sticker on shock, stock pipe, all good indicators.... Original tires? Dunlop 695 in rear? They must be hard as rocks! Front end swap? The stock forks will give you carpel tunnel....If I was closer to boston I would buy that 88, it's pretty original looking also....glad I"m far away... I really don't need another bike...good score...
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Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
The forks and suspension are what I hope won’t be too expensive. I want to ride the bike so I’m thinking of just sending the forks and shock out for service. The bars move back and forth too loosely but the steering stem isn’t clunking so maybe I can service the bearings if not I’ll replace all anyway. The forks are in really good shape and the bike doesn’t have many hours so curious if these can be any good. Just don’t want to spend a grand to get there
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Joined: 10/20/2011
Location: Marlborough, MA USA
behind the front number plate should be a plate with the year on it, i swear my 89 cr125 was blood red not orange like that, if i were me id think thats a 90
Posts: 1551
Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Hey Pete I was curious too the plate does say 89 built in 88. I think it is real red just the lighting and a new iPhone maybe. I started breaking the bike down tonight. Can tell most if not all bolts had never been removed but they thread out easy. The triple clamps are shiny and almost feel painted or clear coated from the factory? Suspension is in really good shape so I may just have someone service it and go from there. There is a small dent in the swingarm on the brake side. Could be from riding but might be a weird 80s clearance deal? Also I found one small ding in the bottom cradle of the frame it’s real round so should be fine. Other than that frame and everything is in great shape may just need a few bolts and a silencer if anyone has one.
Posts: 1551
Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 2645
Joined: 10/20/2011
Location: Marlborough, MA USA
ok id say its really an 89, i have an ohlins shock for an 88 and a few other 88 parts, if you need anything let me know some of it may fit
Posts: 1551
Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Ok thanks Pete. Talked to ksr wheels today and may snip the spokes and send the hubs out for new hoops and tires. Going with black wheels to make it a little racy. The tank shrouds are in great shape so I’m looking for new stock decals and have to look into why the expansion chamber is leaking so much oil all over the cylinder
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Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
Ok so looking for some more guidance here. Frame is in great shape until you get to the bottom cradle. There is a gash/dent and a small hole in the brake side tube. The gash is just a scrape and doesn’t appear to have a crack or anything. The whole is weird almost looks like a drill hole or maybe a drain hole. Don’t see how something could have made it. Any insight? Should I weld it or try to fix it somehow, or run it?
Posts: 1551
Joined: 7/26/2015
Location: MA, USA
