Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I bought a 76 Honda Mr250 Elsinore the other day from a guy that said he got it original from a Honda dealership. but I noticed that under the red tank there is some orange color. the side panels are red but they are like worn and where they are worn it is sort of orange poking thru - I know that panels have not been painted but I don't know why they are like that as well as the tank. I have looked at other tanks that people had along with side panels and I see the same thing on theirs. Were they repainted by the factory or something that year- PLEASE HELP - THANKS DAN

I've had left side covers from an MR250, '77 MR175, and '76 CR250M, all were a similar red shade (Light Ruby / Bright / Tahitian / whatever). They all had some orange coloration like yours, which I thought was probably from sun fading - as I recall, the MR250 cover had it the worst. The only one I have left is the CR, which has original red paint on top of black plastic, that's it (no primer etc. that I can see). The paint looks more red where it's been hidden under the frame tube, and slightly more orange everywhere else, but it's fairly even.

I can't speak to the tanks, fenders, etc. - perhaps someone else can help with those.

Ray

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'74 CR125M (175cc), '75 MR175, '82 RM250Z, '08 YZ250F, '14 Zero FX electric, '14 Zero MX electric, '18 Alta MXR electric

does anyone know if Honda used a orange primer and then did red over that when they painted the tanks for a 76 Honda mr250 elsinore??? or maybe they changed color and redid red??? please help I would like to sell the bike but I want to make sure it is original paint. as the bike is all original with 1,100 miles on it-
thanks
dan

I realize I'm pretty late on this but I have an original paint MR,with approx 1200miles and it has the same issues on the tank. As to primer I don't think any Hondas of 60's and 70's ever had any

colors was light ruby red and white according to the Honda guide i have.

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(2) 1968 DT1 1970 RT1M,1970 DT1C 1971 RT1B Enduro 1974 MT250 1974 DT250A (2) 1975 DT400B 1974 DT100,1978 DT175
1975 CR250M1 1979 CR250R 1979 Kawasaki KZ400H1 Jesus is Lord!!