Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Hi guys, I just joined the forum. I just picked up a 79 CR250R Elsinore in excellent shape for $300!! It was an awesome deal. The bike runs great, but the clutch plates were stuck together from sitting 3 years when i bought it. I took the left side clutch cover off the engine and took the clutch apart, cleaned the plates and re oiled them. The clutch works excellent now. The problem is the kickstarter. My Clymers guide says that the kickstarter return spring will have alot of tension and need to be removed and reinstalled with pliers to force it into position in the case. My whole kickstarter assembly basically fell out when I removed the clutch side cover. I am guessing the spring is totally worn out, as I can hook it back into place with my fingers. Anyways, I fixed the clutch, reinstalled the kickstarter assembly with the worn out spring. I started upthe bike, and the kickstarter doesnt really return to its normal position, so i had to move it up by hand. I ran the bike for a few minutes to work the clutch, and then I was letting it idle, and it died. When it died it snapped the kickstart lever forward really hard, and cracked a big piece off of the metal clutch cover. So now I'm screwed.

Does anybody know where I can get a clutch cover for a 79 CR250? Knowing the kickstarter spring is worn out , I expect it to not ratchet back up into position after kickstarting, but why when the engine stops (either with the kill switch or letting it stall) does the kickstart lever snap forward? The kickstarter should be totally disengaged after the engine starts right? Does anybody know where I can get a new kickstarter spring?

I've checked all over ebay and I cant find these parts at all. Can I JB weld the case back together? Can I somehow tighten up that spring?

Thanks for any help in advance!!!

Evan

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88 CR 250

I suspect when you installed the clutch cover the end of the kickstart spring came free from its ledge and it was that spinning around that damaged the cover. You need to keep the spring in place with your fingers until the the cover is nearly all the way on. Test the kickstart gently with your hand and if you hear any noises etc... take the cover off and start again. Keep and eye on eBay and you will either a cover, bottom-end and/or complete engine. You may be able to find a NOS cover but it will be very expensive. Perfect engine parts are in high demand by collectors/restorers.

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

redrocket
Thanks so much for the quick reply. The spring could have slipped off the ledge, but I did exactly as you said. I kept a flathead screwdriver over the spring ledge to keep it in place as i put the cover back on. It could have slipped off, but I really thought it was in place. I did test the kickstarter gently by hand, and it went down just fine with no abnormal noises. However it would not return all the way up to its normal position, I would have to lift it up. How tight should that spring be? I really think the spring is worn out, as there is very little tension, and I can hook it into the kickstarter rod and attach it to the ledge on the case with just one finger. The clymer guide said you'd need pliers to get it in place, so I'm assuming the spring has lost its tension.

But if the spring had come loose when I put the case on, would that have caused the kickstart lever to snap forward when the engine died? It was fine and stayed in place when the engine was running, but when i killed it with the switch, and when i stalled it, the kickstart lever jerked forward really hard. What could cause it to do that?

I originally bought this bike to immediately resell on ebay, but now I'm really thinking about keeping it because its so cool!!
I'll post some pics soon.

Please keep the help coming guys I really really appreciate it!
Evan

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88 CR 250