Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Im looking at adding to my fleet of bike,I have really liked the CR 250. I presently have besides other street bikes have a '74 MT250. The bike I am looking at is an 1989 CR250R, runs good, but there is a constant growl from the engine, I have heard it on a CR125, but not quite as much, my question is this normal, if it was a four stroke, I would say it sounds like pretty severe tappet noise. I know this is not an Elsinore but you guys seem to have such a wide range of bike experiences Im sure someone should be able to help. Thanks Paul

I have a 1988 CR250 (basically the same bike) and I'm not familiar with that sound. maybe your power valve is causing the noise. What pipe and silencer do you have on your 89?

J

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#829 The "Factory Novice"

1988 Honda CR250RJ
1983 Honda CR480
1981 Can-Am 250 MX6-B
1979 Honda CR250RZ
1979 Kawasaki KX250 A5
1978 Husky 250CR
1978 Honda CR250R
1977 Yamaha YZ400D
1977 Suzuki RM125B

Not too familiar with the power valve, it has a stock exhaust system. The noise kinda overpowere the usual engine noise, kinda a gggrrrr, speeds up as the engine rpm increases. I kinda like the bike but Im cautious about the sound. The owner states hes had the bike for a couple of years and it has always been there.

If you are lucky something is just loose and vibrating. However I would want to rule out main bearings or something in the transmission...can you get to the crank and check it for play?

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

no I cant get to the crank, I havent bought this bike yet, and I cant do too much to it. The bike goes like stink, idles very nice, this noise just sounds strange.

Factor into the net price having to do some bottom-end motor work and then make a judgement call. I got a 1987 CR250R from a near-neighbor for $500. It wouldn't kick over but I reckoned that with a worst-case budget of $1,000 I could get it running just fine and be ahead of the game so to speak...

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

I used to have an '89. Loved the motor. Suspension sucked big time when stock. Even after revalving it was only so-so because it was the first generation USD forks for Showa. Put a FMF pipe on it for about 1000 RPM more pull on the top end if you want more there. Same bottom/mid and this bike has lots of that anyhow.

The noise is probably the piston. They always knocked some even when new. The piston may be very worn and the cyclinder damaged. There is a good chance the exhaust bridge may be worn out (nikisil coating + alumunum) and needing a new cyclinder.

If the price is right buy it but factor in at least 150 for a top end job. Could be up to 500 if the cyclinder is worn out. Call or look up a new one on the www.