Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Got another question on the correct finish of a component on my '79.

There is a bracket that mounts to the back of the engine case that
is shaped like an "H". Is this bracket supposed to be gloss red like
the frame or satin red like the engine?

The part had been repainted on mine and I don't remember what it
looked like back in the day.

Any help is appreciated.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

I have a NOS rear engine mount and can confirm that it is gloss Tahitian red.

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

Thanks a bunch Michael, I just powder coated it gloss yesterday and I'm so glad I don't have to strip
it and start over.

Since you are the "go to" '79 source, I have two quick questions. I just finished dismantling the rear
shocks and I have run into another problem. Most of the parts are restorable and the spring free length
is within specs, but the dampers refuse to extend after being hand compressed. I know they were
originally filled with Nitrogen so I'm assuming it has leaked out over the years. Is this one of those
"throw away" moments, or has somebody come up with a way to rebuild them?

I noticed Bike Bandit has them but it will be $500 for a set so we'll call that plan B.

The other thing is the grease holder that goes under the upper bearing race in the steering head. I
destroyed mine driving the race out. Of course nobody has this part any more. My question, is this
holder neccessary or can you get by with more frequent servicing of the upper bearing?

Thanks for all the help.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

the grease holder is not neccessary. a lot of other bikes do not have such an item and the grease don´t move downwards.

_________________
80 CR250Ra
80 CR250Ra
78 CR250R
80 CR80
82 Bultaco Sherpa 340
78 Bultaco Pursang 250 MK12
76 Bultaco Frontera 370 MK10
76 Bultaco Alpina 250
73 Bultaco Lobito 125 MK6
76 Suzuki RM125A
90 Kawasaki KX250

Thanks b-joe, I had a feeling that was the case since none of my subsequent
model year CRs had one, just wanted to make sure.

At least that's one unobtainable part I don't need to waste time looking for.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

I wouldn't spend a minute or a single cent on the stock dampers unless I was NOS only restoration nut. Back in the day, no one used the stock dampers and the same holds true today. Buy a set of Works Performance or Fox shocks. I can't believe you would spend more than $500 and they will be better than stock. Again, unless you must have each and every NOS part, you won't miss the grease retaining plate. If it were critical someone would have made some replacements.

...I see that Dan Pullen has a pair of Fox for $450 on the swap meet!

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

I agree with the sentiment Michael, unfortunately this IS a NOS restoration for a collection. If I
was building a rider, there is a whole host of changes I would make. The Red Rockets are a great
foundation to build a stout racer.

Those Fox shocks on the swap meet would be better off going to a vintage racer that can put them
to good use. By the time I "retire" to vintage racing, I'll be able to race my '93.

Looks like I will have to locate a good used set or hope that Bike Bandit actually has them as advertised.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

if you won´t ride the bike just make the shocks good looking.

_________________
80 CR250Ra
80 CR250Ra
78 CR250R
80 CR80
82 Bultaco Sherpa 340
78 Bultaco Pursang 250 MK12
76 Bultaco Frontera 370 MK10
76 Bultaco Alpina 250
73 Bultaco Lobito 125 MK6
76 Suzuki RM125A
90 Kawasaki KX250

While that may be fine for some restorations, My vintage bikes are, to the best of my ability, in the exact same
condition as the day they rolled off the dealers floor. With the exception of tires, tubes, spark plugs and chain
(though I still use OE vendors for these items), everything on the bike is OE and everything works the same as
when new.

That is the challenge for me, to bring these bikes fully back to life. Not just a visual display but a functional
"just add premix and go" piece of motocross history.

It is a time consuming, sometimes tedious, sometimes frustrating, lengthy process, but infinitely rewarding.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

In my book a period-correct restoration using after-market parts is just as valid as one that is 100% stock. Both capture a moment in time, one leaving the dealer, the other rolling up to the start line....

...but I am prejudiced, I'd like the moment in time to be rolling up to the start today.

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

"...but I am prejudiced, I'd like the moment in time to be rolling up to the start today."

I know what you mean, I've been rolling up to that starting line for over 20 years as an
amateur and a pro. I got into this vintage gig to bring back some memories of good times
with my Dad and the earlier days of motocross and to take a break from the four stroke
invasion.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

I run Works shocks on all my bikes. They look and work great. I just picked up another set the other day for my 1980 CR125. 520 bucks and one week delivery.

_________________
Terry Moody #48f
3x 74 Honda CR250M Elsinore
74 Honda XR75
73 Honda QA50
78 Yamaha YZ125E
78 Yamaha YZ250E
78 Yamaha YZ400E
79 Kawasaki KX250
79 Honda CR250R
79 Suzuki RM400
80 Honda CR125
2x 83 Honda CR480R
98 Kawasaki KX250

Thanks Dos Rios. I have found one NOS damper so I am going to keep going that route.
By the way, Bike Bandit does not have the dampers after all. I was afraid that would be
the case because this has happened several times before with parts for my '73. I guess
it's hard to keep the website updated on what parts you actually DO have.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R