HONDA CB250RS SPRINT RACER PROJECT & SPARE ENGINES

Firstly, this is a track/sprint bike which has been modified to take 17” wheels, the engine is stock but it comes with a total of 3 engines, one of which is stripped down for rebuilding as a sprint engine. Sadly, she has to go and my biking days now appear to be over.

The donor bike was a 1983 Honda CB250RS (WTO 114Y registered Jan ’83) which was a non-runner with no documentation. Since being rebuilt, the bike has become a mixture of parts with front end running gear from a 2011 Honda CBF125 and a wider rear tyre from a Kawasaki ER500. This was done to reduce ride height, weight and to offer a wider selection of replacement parts and performance tyres by using 17” wheels. IMO this is what Honda should have fitted to this model in the first place.

The following modifications have been made:

● Replacement front end (forks, yokes, 17” wheel, disc brake, reservoir, speedo, etc) from a 2011 CBF125.

● A stainless-steel sleeve was fabricated for the bottom of the headstock to enable the shortened CBF125 steering stem to be used. This also enabled the needle roller bearings for a CBF125 to be used. Steering bump stops had to be moved on the bottom yoke to match the headstock from the CB250RS.

● Rear wheel replaced with Kawasaki ER500 17” wheel, drum brake, sprocket carrier and spacers which fitted perfectly. This set-up retained the 520 chain to match with the front drive sprocket. The rear spindle needed to be machined down to reduce the length and the thread re-tapped accordingly.

● Rear sprocket options with the ER500 wheel are: 38-50 teeth (total of 13 options).

● Tyres are now Bridgestone Battlax BT 4SR 17/130/70 (Rear) and Michelin Pilot (Front) & plan was to fit new Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 110/70/17.

● Battery, lights and wiring loom were removed and replaced with a battery eliminator system. The air box was removed and replaced with a performance K&N air filter.

● Footplate Hangars were cut down to reduce weight. The foot controls remain in the original position. Gear shift is an aftermarket item, and the rear brake pedal unit has been retained from the CB250RS.

● CB250RS swingarm was retained but fitted with needle roller bearings.

● The tank is from a CG125 modified to fit on new tank mounts and the rear mounting point has been moved.

● The seat is an aftermarket cafe racer style seat which is secured by 2 x m6 flange bolts which bolt directly into the frame into a threaded nut.

● Front mudguard was replaced with aftermarket item.

● Frame has been modified with a rear seat loop added and a cross support under the seat. All unwanted brackets have been removed.

● New 60mm clocks were bought and fitted to a 4mm aluminium plate and dash mount.

● A cafe style handlebar fairing was bought and fitted using the original CB250RS headlight support arms.

● Handlebars were replaced with clip-ons and new grips.

● Throttle assembly mount is from a VTR1000 with CB250RS cables and carburettor is from the CB250RS which has been cleaned and serviced by Exeter Engineering.

● High level modified straight through exhaust from an XR400.

● The engine is all from the CB250RS and the one fitted is completely standard and currently has an oil weep from the gearshift seal.

Running gear consumables are now from the CBF125 (2009 onwards) & Kawasaki ER500 which are much cheaper and more widely available. The bike retained the CB250RS frame, engine and carburettor.

Bike comes with large spares bundle, as shown in the photos. There are 2 spare engines, one of which has been stripped down for rebuilding with replacement crankcases (original case was damaged trying to remove a seized bolt). Condition of the other engine is unknown and untested.

Other spares include CBF125 spare wheels, bearings, sprockets, brakes, etc, etc. CB250RS parts include: chain & sprocket guards, 2 x new 528 chains, control cables, original throttle and various leftover parts and spares. Workshop folder with build notes, Haynes manuals and performance parts suppliers also included. The bike remains untested and you will need to set it up once you get her running. She has recently been fired up but it needs some adjustment and everything checked again over by the new owner – heads-up she is loud. It has been a labour of love but I am unable to finish it off and ride her which is extremely disappointing for me & I would like her to go to someone who has the skills to finish her off and to use her in anger.

Bike is not road legal and will need van/trailer to collect from Plymouth (if you don’t know where that is the use google maps because it’s probably a lot further than you think). Spares come with the bike and it is sold as a package – I will not split and nothing is to be cherry-picked and other items left behind. I will not swap, part exchange or barter. The price is realistic for the bike, 2 engines and spares package. The bike is sold as seen.