Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I was wondering if ther early 250's have any differences similar to what may be an early production compared to a later one ( kind of like Maico did with mid year changes). I used to have a 250 that was titled as a 1973. Are there any changes with the models designated 1974? One thing I have noticed is the carb. It's a standard Keihin, but the fuel inlet on the carb is different from the 73 I had. This one is angled at the ten o'clock seting and held in place with two screws. If I recall, my old one was cast in the carb. I am wondering about the shocks as well. They appear to be Honda shocks, but are not the finned Showas. I guess they could be from another model, but I spotted a photo of a 73 on another site with similar shocks. Other than the DG pipe on this bike, it seems to be original down to the unbroken number plates - side and front. bars, levers, kill button are all stock. Heck, the head bolts appear to be untouched as well. Any ideas? Thanks!

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1979 Honda CR 250 R
1973 Honda CR 250 M
1974 Suzuki RL 250 Exacta Trials - 2
Model 49 Bultaco 250 Sherpa T
1977 Yamaha XT 500

I know there is a difference with the cranks.I have a early production 73 model cr 250 and the crank appears to me a machined part and it looks like the metal is berillium (sp?) and the cranks from a 74 and a 75 model and those cranks are cast units.the crank from the 73 has a bronze like color to it and the later cranks look like plain iron.anyone have any insight on this? the 75 model has a slightly longer rod than the earlier models I guess because of the way the mount on the crankcase where the jug bolts down is different.

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(2) 1968 DT1 1970 RT1M,1970 DT1C 1971 RT1B Enduro 1974 MT250 1974 DT250A (2) 1975 DT400B 1974 DT100,1978 DT175
1975 CR250M1 1979 CR250R 1979 Kawasaki KZ400H1 Jesus is Lord!!