Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

What is the main cause of failed 3rd gear in the early Elsinore CR250 Trans?

Was this fixed in 75 or 76?

What options are available to "fix" the problem?

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'84 Honda CR500
'84 CR125
'85 KX125
'83 IT490
'82 Maico 490
'80 YZ465
'75 Husky CR360 GP Mikkola
'75 CR250
'72 DT2MX
'91 XR200

I'm no expert but in my experience the 73-74 CR250 gears were both not hardened enough and the "male" dawgs were made too small. Honda ground the corners of the male dawgs decreasing the amount of contact area hitting the female dawg. Eventually they round off and you get another neutral. The 75 CR250s had a better 3rd gear set but the same 2nd set. The 76 CR250 had all new gears more or less with the full width of the male dawgs contacting the female dawgs. The contact area was about doubled from the 74 CR250, plus I think they made them harder. I have worn out several 2nd gears myself I guess cause I run a 13 front sprocket not the stock 14. Some people do not wear out the gears probably because they always use the clutch to shift. I use 75 or 76 gear sets in my 74 cases and they do last longer. But if you race alot you can wear the later trannys out as well, just slower.

If your gears do not have much rounding on them Sam Alexander (Sam427 on this board) can cut them for fuller engagement.

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Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.

Loren Davis
51y

I dropped a complete 1975 gear box in my 74 motor & it shifts very nice, and that's hammering some gears too!