Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Thanks in advance for any info relative to this post. I recent required a 1982 Honda CR250R...planning to restore and race in cross country events this year. What are some problems to look out for on this bike?? any parts that should be changed to make the bike more reliable easier to ride?? I have heard that there are issues with corrosion with the cooling system...what items should be checked over...water pump?? This is the first water cooled vintage bike that I have owned. Thanks again.

The most obvious problem will be rotting (electrolytic corrosion) of the magnesium clutch cover and water pump housing. Unfortunately while later aluminum covers can be retro-fitted to some earlier bikes, it doesn't work for the early 1980s bikes. You can however a) repair the cover with JB Weld, b) use a Devcon product to seal the inside of the water pump and c) use a coolant specific for magnesium block racing engines (I think it is called "Evans"...)

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