Messages

1

Bike Talk / Re: I must be crazy...

« on: November 06, 2016, 12:36:25 pm »

Thanks - the 89 >> cases are Aluminium, about $300 new.  Impeller is $45 then find a cover & gasket.  I'm still deciding wether to clean the radiators out or get new, but have only found Chinese knock offs so far.

2

Bike Talk / Re: I must be crazy...

« on: November 06, 2016, 06:33:10 am »

Well, I haven't updated this thread since July 2015 -  oops

In the meantime I have built a 2006 ZX10 race bike from a stat write off,  so not exactly lazy!

I started the CR strip down last week and came across some good and bad...

The water pump was completely blocked and 5 of the 6 impeller fins were broken. The case is also starting to corrode with lumps of magnesium coming away.

The head is in amazing condition and the bore looks ok; plate-able if not useable as is

The bike is now a bare frame and a pile of parts. I expect to spend the next few months cleaning, polishing and making a long list of what needs replacing. Early next year I'll start to acquire parts and hope to rebuild over winter.

Pics to follow

3

Tech Talk / Re: Essential tools...

« on: June 03, 2016, 02:00:00 pm »

Not sure compression tester is what I meant, more the home made leak down tester

4

Tech Talk / Essential tools...

« on: June 03, 2016, 12:10:06 pm »

As I'm embarking (very slowly) on my first VMX restoration, I thought it'd be cool to have a list of those valuable tools needed to coax these old beasts back to their former glory.

I'm thinking along the lines of:-
Bearing puller/press
Flywheel puller
Compression tester

Aside from the usual sockets and such, what are those specialized little gadgets you can't do without?

5

Wanted / Re: Leathers for Broadford please :-)

« on: March 11, 2016, 11:29:34 am »

Who are you doing the trackday with?  If it's Champion Ride Days they will have leathers to rent for the day.  Last time I was there they were really good quality Joe Rocket suits

6

For Sale / Re: Wrecking 84, 87, 89 and 91 CR250's

« on: February 01, 2016, 09:14:16 am »

Do you have front and rear guards for the 87?  What condition are they in?  Also, is the 87 rear rim the original gold?  I might consider that too...

7

Stolen! / Re: Lockup/Security and Systems in place !!

« on: January 29, 2016, 11:32:50 pm »

Job Done

8

General Discussion / Re: Lemmy passes away

« on: December 31, 2015, 11:18:14 am »

Motorhead, Remember me I’m Motorhead...

RIP Lemmy Kilmister

Motorheads music shaped my teenage years (along with Hawkwind). They were the second band I ever went to see, sometime in 89 I think. I attended Oakwood Park College, Maidstone, on the same campus where Lemmy went to Art College, and rumours have it that the first Motorhead skull was drawn on the walls in a local student house.

Later I was lucky enough to photograph Motorhead live in concert twice, and had the pleasure to see them at both Brixton and Hammersmith; legendary. In 99 I had the pleasure of meeting Lemmy in the Barfly @ The Falcon prior to Sevendusts premier UK gig. We chatted about many things from Motorhead to the Goonies and much in between. We talked so much so that I almost missed photographing the opening number of Sevendusts set. Lemmy was a top bloke with a great sense of humour, and it was an honour to meet him.

My favourite story came on the back of the single Bomber; on tour Motorhead took a moving light truss shaped like a bomber that lowered over the band during the song. At the time it was the world’s larges moving lighting truss. The tour finally reached Germany, and half way through the song in Berlin everything stopped and Lemmy yells, “I bet you haven’t seen one of these forkers for a few years”. Classic.

I am saddened by his passing; but he will live on in our vinyl collections, through his contributions to, and influences on heavy metal and in our hearts. Not many others have achieved so much, worked so hard or stayed so true to their selves. We could all learn a lot from Lemmy Kilmister.

9

General Discussion / Re: AC/DC

« on: November 13, 2015, 01:46:44 am »

Won't be far behind you, am off to Adelaide for that gig.  Haven't seen 'em since 2001!!!!!  Good to know they're going strong.

Next will be Black Sabbath here in Melbourne next April, then Iron Maiden in Brisbane next May.

Think how much I could have spent on the CR

10

Honda / Re: CR250 Model letters

« on: November 07, 2015, 02:25:54 pm »

Awesome, thanks guys.  Much appreciated

11

Honda / CR250 Model letters

« on: November 05, 2015, 08:44:40 pm »

Sounds a bit noob, even to me, but is there a resource somewhere on the net showing which letters denote which year.

I've seen CR250E, CR250M etc, but have no idea which is which.  Mine is an '87 CR250 & I certainly don't know which letter it gets!

Any help appreciated.

12

Honda / Re: 87 CR250 front brake

« on: October 10, 2015, 03:13:55 am »

Mate the caliper pistons are 'seized' that's why the lever is hard but the brakes are crap.Seen it heaps.

Why? because when a bikes sits around the brake fluid turns to mud and crap gets behind the seals pressing then against the pistons and making them tight, they aren't really seized, just uber tight.
Cure ? Easy just get a new caliper seal kit, they are really cheap and as far as I know they fit Honda CR's 125/250/500  from '84 to '01 or later- same seals.

You don't even have to remove the brake hose, use the lever to pump out the pistons-clean the caliper (spotless) fit new seals, (lube seals after words) install clean pistons.
Hold the caliper above the master cylinder to let the air go up, put something like a block of wood between the pistons and caliper body, bleed in that position.
Refit the caliper and ride. 

Thanks for the info. 

I'm certainly going to be giving the master cylinder a refresh; but the calliper has stuffed bolt hole so I'll be replacing the calliper - question is do I go stock or look for something a bit more effective.  This restoration is going to be ridden, so first areas to get sorted are going, stopping and handling.  Cosmetics can come later

My just finished '87 CR500 resto.

13

Honda / Re: 87 CR250 front brake

« on: October 10, 2015, 03:04:45 am »

You wonder why 30 year brake fluid is shit and the pads are clazed?
You dont think as a hydrospoic fluid it dosent have some water after all this time?
One mornings work should fix your problems.
I would anti seize the pistons in clapitor as well

I understand the old consumables are shite - was really asking if the stock unit was adequate or if an upgrade would be better than a stock rebuild.

14

General Discussion / Re: Who'd be up for a two day MX/DT weekend in Canberra

« on: August 28, 2015, 04:11:12 pm »

I really like the one bike, one set-up idea.  Levels the playing field for those with only one bike (me), and makes it far more fun than ultra serious competitive.  I'm interested, depending on date and when I finish the CR.

15

General Discussion / Re: Shed fairies!

« on: August 10, 2015, 03:53:00 pm »

They do exist, and are helpful - sometimes...