Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

Hope I have similar luck when I go to fire this one up. I remember the distinct sound these bikes made - can't wait
to here it again. The crank is a run-of-the-mill stocker.

The plastic is done and, as promised, here are some pics. I'll apply the decals in a week after the clear has cured.

dogger

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1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

Nice! Did you clear the tank?

The tank was cleared after the "wings" were applied but before the green and black. The decal manufacturer recommends
letting the clear cure for ten days before application because the glue on the decals can react with the paint and draw
out solvent causing bubbles to form under the decal. I have read other places about letting new paint cure for a lengthy
period of time before attempting to wax it - probably for the same reason.

I finished the seat the other day (restored base, new foam and cover) and I am welding up a reproduction of the original
Honda work stand since the down pipe interferes with a normal stand. I cut the kickstand mount off the frame at the
beginning of this project because restoration or not, no race bike should have a kickstand. It took Honda a few more years
to figure that out.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R

That is a billet crank in the photo. I have one also (along with 5 or 6 of the others). The billet crank has 2 holes besides the crankpin hole, while the forged (cast?) crank has only the pin hole and has more cutaway. The billet crank was in the earlier bikes.

Interesting. I purchased this crank as NOS about a year ago. It was still in the oily wrapping paper, sealed plastic bag
with the Honda logo, and in a box. What a nice surprise, I would prefer billet over cast from a durability standpoint.

Since this is my first CR250M resto, and first bottom end rebuild, I had no idea this wasn't the standard crank that came
in the majority of the bikes. Thanks for the info.

dogger

_________________
1973 CR250M
1979 CR250R
1993 CR250R
2008 CR500R
2009 CR250R