Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Hi everyone,
I have the opportunity to buy a very very rough 1979 cr 250 for $500. It runs but that is about it. There is not the metal plate on it with the year but the serial number is on the frame. I currently have a 1980 cr 250 that is in pretty good shape. I know the AHRMA has different regulations and 1979 is cut off year for a certain class. My question is does anyone have an opinion or information on this year model and is there a big difference in the 1979 compared to the 1980. I thought I might restore the 1979 using my 1980 bike and turn the 1980 into a parts bike. Any thoughts???

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Awesome Elsinores!

elsinorerick

I'm going to buy a 79 someday. One of my three favorite dirt bikes of all time. Many magazines considered the 79 generally superior to the 80 bike. Running at $500, I'd probably suggest you buy it. What shape is the aluminum tank in?

i'd buy it if it was close to me

Wrong in multiple ways. Go look for a 1980 parts bike or a much better start for a 1979 project. And I speak as someone who bought multiple common parts bikes. You end up with lots of crap you don't need to use.

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

I was planning on fixing up the 1979 with 1980 parts. I was under the impression the 1979 would be a better bike for AHRMA and better investment long term. Will the 1980 parts not fit the 1979, any big differences? The 79 does not have the frame plate near steering column but is somewhere on the frames. Is that ok? The tank has some dents and little rust but is not terrible. Is the tank a make or break deal?

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Awesome Elsinores!

elsinorerick

The big differences are the frame, cylinder, exhaust pipe, tank etc...

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

about 40% of the parts are the same, and i guess you won´t need them to complete the 1979.

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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 for the input. Since the first post I have researched it and according to AHRMA the 1980 fits in the same Gran Prix class as the 79 so I will think a little harder about it. Thanks

A 1979 CR250r tank will have no rust at all. It is an aluminum tank.