Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Hi, I recently bought a 79 CR250R basket case that I'm starting to restore. To my great suprise, it has Ohlins piggy back rear shocks. I assume that they are worth rebuilding. Am I right, and if so where can I get them rebuilt and how much will it cost? I am new to this, so any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Joe

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Joe

72 Yamaha CT2

First thing I'd do is contact Ohlins to see if these shocks were built for the bike. There should be some numbers stamped into the shock body to ID them. If they are purpose built for the 79 CR250 I would have to say they are well worth restoring unless they have rusty shafts and worn out internals. No matter what....it will not be cheap. Plan on at least $200 for labor, and at least $200 in parts minimum. I'd suggest going with the updated seal heads as the old style were a real pain to bleed and reassemble. Chances are you need new seal heads anyway. The last pair I rebuilt were in excellent shape and I still had well over $200 just for a few parts.

Hi, I checked the number. It's KT1578. Was this shock made for 79 CR250R? Also, the rods look clean and straight.

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Joe

72 Yamaha CT2

These shocks were not OEM, but since the OEM shocks were junk, many 79 CR250 owners swapped the stock shocks for either Ohlins piggy backs or Fox Air Shox. Ohlins were used on a number of bikes back in the day, including Maico Mega2's and Husky's.

The Ohlins you have a great shocks and worth the bebuild costs. I had a pair rebuilt completely by a guy in MD who makes his living exclusively working on vintage bikes. The total cost for the rebuild was around $300 as I recall.

The Honda code for Ohlins shocks was either HA or HO, can't remember whick, those most likely were for a Kawasaki, they might need to be revalved when you do the rebuild, most people that rebuild them have the Ohlins specs for valving.

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Sam Alexander

1974 Honda CR250M
1976 Honda CR250
1974 Maico MC440
1974 Maico MC250
1977 Maico AW400

Thanks for the help guys! I live in central Michigan. Does anyone know of a place reasonable close to me that will do the rebuild?

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Joe

72 Yamaha CT2

Thanks for the help guys! I live in central Michigan. Does anyone know of a place reasonable close to me that will do the rebuild?

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Joe

72 Yamaha CT2

Then and now, Ohlins were/are the shocks to have for the Honda CR250R Elsinore. They should measure 17.5" eye to eye for use with the stock swing arm, and after-market arms like the DG, Thor, Fox etc. etc. Until you get them rebuilt, you will not know whether they are by coincidence set up for the bike's geometry, your weight, and riding style. You may be lucky finding someone local, but I would prioritise sending them somewhere that knows vintage bikes and the CR250R specifically. Start with Ohlins themselves, the Husky Club or Dwayne Jones.

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF