Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Hey,

I want to buy a carb as you allready know. I had my hopes set on maby a Mikuni ( http://www.elsinores.com/productCat81421.ctlg ). I dont race, I mainly just put around so, I dont want anything that I would have to sit there and tune, adjust, clean, ext. all the time. I still want to get some serious power out of it.
The reason I want a new carb is beacause the one i have now ( stock ) runs wayy to rich and I dont want to screw with it and risk the fact that i am most likely going to screw it up. Can anyone give me any suggestions. Also you dont have to answer this but, can any one tell me what the price range is for a stock cr250Me 1973 good condition? Just curious as to wether it is high or not. Thanks

Mike_Rodriguez

I have a 1973 CR250 which I race in vintage events. My bike had a habit of running too rich. It was the float needle in the carb, which had worn, allowing too much fuel to pass by. I put a new float needle in and also changed the #55 slow jet to a #50. My bike runs strong again, and is no longer rich. It really isn't that hard to change stuff in an old Mikuni carb. Just keep things clean. If your carb is old, my guess the float needle is worn. There are people who sell kits cheap on ebay and elsewhere. As far as value for an old Elsinore, it varies a lot. I bought mine a couple of years ago for $650. The motor and tranny were solid, but it needed a pipe, new tires, chain, sprockets, got the frame powdercoated, cables, etc. I probably put another $800-$1000 into it. Now I have a nice vintage racer. Hope this helps.

Mike,

If you don't want to mess with something because you don't want to screw things up then stay with what you have. Just replace what's worn.

If you throw a Mikuni on there you'll probably have to mess with ALL the jets to get it right for your bike.

The Keihn is fine for what you're doing. My $0.02 is to figure out what you need to fix on what you already have. Probably cheaper too.

Loren

I've been through the same thing as you with my 74 CR250M. I just pleased the needle valve and seat in my stock carb. To find a replacement, try Western Hills Honda. http://www.westernhillshonda.com/. Give them a call, they will have the parts you need. As to replace the parts, it won't take very long. Its a preyty simple process.

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74 CR250M, bought new in 74, still stock, except for the new 36mm Carb, and proform exhaust.

Mike,

If the bike has been sitting around you may have old tired gas. If so use it to light a pile of tires to recreate those thrilling days of desert racing gone past and grab yourself a couple gallons of fresh go-juice.

You'll probably have to rebuild the carb just the same.....

Loren

Hey Everyone.

Thanks guys you really are awsome to help people like me who dont know much about engines. I had somebody, (one of my friends who knows more about what you are talking about) come help me and it runs great now. It is making 28.9 horsepower on his dyno right now. The reason i didnt ask him before is beacause I havent talked to him in ages. So I got in contact with him and turns out he knows alot about the old Elsi's. Thanks alot. . He rode it and man did he crank tht thing open. It is really awesome to see somone put out the full potential of your bike. My bike has a bigger sprocket 54 tooth and we took it up to the trails.. You know it did. .