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BTW - here is where I got some of my billet CR parts, including my rear motor mount (if you even notice the motorcycle parts on this webpage, LOL):
http://www.siegecraftnw.com/CP_Ray_evoparts.htm
The Shop
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Carb Problems?
There weren't any oil leaks, and today it started first kick. If it's an everyday 430, That's a machine I can work on with my eyes closed, but I was nervous about the 360cc engine. I put on my boots and started it.
It had great compression and started right up, and I finished testing the clutch & transmission operation.
However, all was not good... · · · The engine accelerated very slowly with this dam carburetor. Original OEM
replacement parts are almost obsolete, so I tried the following..
1) Replaced the existing parts of this carb with parts from a company called DACHI & OH.
2) Replaced the cab internals with parts that I knew were good and taken from another one of the bikes in my shop.
3) Replaced the whole carb with another one taken from a bike in my shop
The 3rd try was the charm, however it is not as good as if I had a brand new Mikuni carb.
While it was a really beautiful looking carb, performance wise it just didn't work out. I have come to the conclusion that you just cant take this carb body and replace its internal parts.
Here is the conundrum..
1) Appearance-wise you can use the KEIHIN carb & stick to originality.
2) If you really want top performance, go with the Mikuni VM
Which route would you take? I really want an original NOS PE carb.
I will fret about this a little more.
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Mission Completed! ...Yahoo!!!
It has been a while since I got the bike in July 2011 (after 22 months of searching, I didn't find the Mugen swingarm), but this ME 360 project is almost finished. However, I still have to get the tank mounted and a few other things.
The grommet is a Holly original part, while the collar and the & bolt are works replicas. The fuel tank cap is a reproduction of the original, and the graphics are a perfect copy of the original.
The fuel petcock is NOS, the collar and the O-ring are brand new OEM parts. the bolt is a works replica. The tank is also perfectly painted underneath in the tunnel. The tank cap breather hose is OEM Suzuki and is the right inside and outside diameter, as well as material.
The reproduction fuel tank cap is made of Duracon resin, and is made by Pro Shop Shimizu.
The side panels are from VMX racing, the graphics are reproductions, the grommet and band are OEM, the collar and bolt are works replicas.
The seat cover is made by Myoga??, the seat brackets are powder coated, and the seat mount bolts are work replica pieces.
The Mugen decals were carefully applied to the swing arm, and finally the SHOWA decals on the forks!
Here are some pictures of what it looked like when I started.
It really took a long time, but it is finally completed!
I am exceptionally happy!
Here is a video of the final inspection. Gas and oil were completely removed after shooting this video.
Even today, the Showa works forks and shocks look state of art. That's excellent. This machine will be exhibited at Sugo on August 10th.
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In addition to the images;
1) Gun coated sprocket / guard
2) OEM mounting grommet
3) OEM mounting collar
4) Works Replica Bolt 6-16
5) Works Replica Bolt 6 - 80
Are all required, of course.
I was able to complete the test start of the ME 360 successfully.
Everyone, let's restore (our bikes) and share this happiness!
I also got these nice Fox air shocks.. thanks Todd!..
At this point, I decided to nostalgically build the bike like I raced it back in the day (with Fox air shocks and air assisted stock forks) with some additional parts that give it an RC works image.. billet parts, white gas cap, and HRC replica bolts.
I have a few questions that I hope you guys can help me with;
-I bought some regular Tahitian red paint to touch up the frame, but where did you guys find the Tahitian red engine paint which is a much flatter color? I cant find it.
-Anyone sell replacement fork springs for the stock 37mm forks, even the stock rate?
-Wossner or Wiseco piston & rings?
Thanks,
mike
Wossner ad Wiseco are both forged pistons. I would send the cylinder to Millenium and make sure it is properly clearanced before running either of those in place of the stock cast piston.
I ended up finding an NOS Honda piston and ring set... and quite a bit of NOS stuff actually.
PK67: so Race Tech was able to sell you a new pair of springs? (probably stock rate or close to it and the PVC to stiffen up the pre-load on the soft spring, I imagine). I will take whatever I can get even if it only stiffens it up a little so I don't have to use as much air.
mike
If I was going to do serious VMX, I would have done the 43mm cartridge forks from a late model XR650 with the gold valve modification, and a set of Ohlins or Race Tech rear shocks.
I will just cruise around a couple of VMX "Rewind" races at Unadilla, but other than that, the bike will just be for display as a 1978 RC imposter bike.
I can't seem to be able to find any pre-cut number plate backgrounds for the 78-79 model. Anyone know where they can be bought or do you have to make them yourself for this old bike?
Pit Row
Stevie
Mine has been a slow build, should have the motor built up and installed by the end of July. Fox Shocks are being sent off for rebuild and anodizing. I have a thread on here for PK's 79 CR 250 build as well showing what I started with.
mike
I love your build as that is almost exactly how I was envisioning my build. We must be the same age and influenced by the same era 1976-78 of the RC bikes. We certainly have very similar tastes in the Red Rocket builds. Since you used the red fork boots, I imagine you were a fan of the killer 1976 RC500 that Karsmakers rode? The gold rims are also a very nice touch. A few questions..
-whose front motor mounts are those?
-Is that an VMX racing front fender?.. looks a little different than others I have seen, but might just be the angle.
-What is that wrapping on the front fork lowers made of? Is that a piece of white foam taped on with red tape?
mike
Thanks for the comments. Yes, I really like the 1977 Type II RC250 and RC500 that Smith, Croft, and Pomeroy rode.
Newmann and FTE are correct, 1976 CR 125/250 front fender from VMX.
I got the front motor mounts off of eBay about a year ago. Check there or I'm sure Stevie D has some.
Sometimes in '77 those guys ran the red fork boots, I like the look.
The rims are from Full Circle.
Couldn't find any fork protectors, saw a post here in old school about how some guys were making their own.
I made a paper template, used a RubberMade tall kitchen trash can for the plastic and cut them out. Looked around and that was the best source of plastic I could find. Zip tied them to a piece of pipe and formed them with a heat gun.
Left them zip tied for about month and had to hit them with the heat gun a couple of more times.
PK
Hope to get a Holly tank in the near future.
I think I bought the same engine mounts off ebay. Fork protectors made out of plastic trash buckets.. how innovative
mike
Post a reply to: Very Nice 1979 CR 250 in For Sale/Bazaar section.