1983 honda 250r project! :)

[red_russian1]

I just recently inherited my brothers 1983 HONDA ATC 250R. It hasn't ran since about '98 but ran good when it was parked. It also came with another '83 parts donor (minus the engine). I would like to make it a screamer but keep it within budget guidelines (the wife is making me save all of my receipts). Everything is stock on this thing (that I'm aware of) except for the GOLD head and wide rear axle. As I recall, my brother bought it from a dealer back in the day that acquired it from someone who use to race it. So I'm not sure what has been done to the engine. It has one bent front fork, broken rear plastic and some rust on the frame. I'd like to clean up the donor frame and repaint it before using that as my building ground. I was going to start by replacing the leaky front fork seals, rebuilding the carb, installing a UNI air filter and installing a set of Boyesen Pro Series reeds. Anyone have any comments/tips/mods for where I'd like to go with this thing? I'm unsure about any tuning with installing the reeds also (ie:jetting,etc). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[manbearpig]

love that custom painted tank

there may be some porting done inside that motor. check the condition of the boost ports. if theyve been wallowed out, chances are that the exhaust port has also been raised.

looks like you wont need much to have a complete runner! good score!

[John 4]

Sweet bike, one of my favorites! Don't keep those forks compressed like that though.

[red_russian1]

OK. I will have to check when I get home in a few days. I'm not too knowledgeable on the 250 so what am I looking for as far as the boost ports? and the pictures I took were from when I just got home so the twins are unloaded now.

[atc300r]

If you can swing the funds Kustom Kraft will do a 290 bigbore.You send them a oem cylinder and head.The will resleeve it and match the head to a 76 mill piston.This is a good alternative to finding a 300 topend.

[honda200xguy]

sick goodluck!
and you're from rosemount..not that far out!

[Akracing]

Sweet project... What are you doing with the extra frame? Either way keep us updated on your progress...

[red_russian1]

I'm planning on transferring the engine over to the parts trike because its frame looks to be in better shape. I'm thinking about just doing a piston/ring job in the top end with a new set of reeds and possibly a bigger carb, if I can find one cheap.

[Akracing]

Sounds Awesome... I Just Picked Up A 83 But The Frame Has Been Cobbed Together.... Good LucK OnThe Build

[red_russian1]

Anybody have some info/feedback on setting up the Boyesen Pro Series reeds? I'm thinking about using the stock 30mm carb with a Uni filter for now and possibly a slight overbore with the stock pipe. I've never really tuned an engine that wasn't stock...

[red_russian1]

I'm looking at repainting my donor frame, since it's in better condition, and building that unit up. Anybody know what is a close color match for the factory Honda red?

[loshe191]

Nice looking project good luck with your build.:cool:

[red_russian1]

UPDATE: Engine has a .040 over piston in it. Going to take the top end down to Gilomen Innovations this weekend to have them look it over. Got the donor trike stripped down to the bare frame. Going to wash and prep the frame for paint this weekend. 2 out of the 4 fork tubes are reusable. Picked up a K & N air filter on eBay for $29. Picked up a BR8EIX plug and new tube for the RH rear tire last weekend. Anybody know if the Boyesen Pro Series reeds are worth the $$$ and if there's any tuning that would need to be done if I run them?

[sledcrazyinCT]

nice trike head to air foolers .com and become a member they won't steer you wrong on the questions you are asking

[red_russian1]

Ok, so I checked out airfoolers.com but can't register. They ask 3 questions but I can't seem to answer them correctly...

Anybody have some feedback?

[red_russian1]

UPDATE! Placed the 1st order to Dennis Kirk today! Tomorrow I should have my front/rear wheel bearing kits, fork seals, front inner tube and 10' of fuel line :)

[red_russian1]

UPDATE! Took the jug in to have checked-needs to be bored out to 71.5mm. Also having the gold head checked for straightness. Installed new front and rear wheel bearings. Got the swingarm and shock cleaned up and reassembled. Cleaned the front forks and installed leak proof pro-moly seals. Cleaned/degreased the donor frame, primed and painted it this afternoon. Planning on reassembling the front end tomorrow. Might throw the spare jug and head on to clean the engine up too. Should be ordering my piston and reed spacer mid-month.

[metalsaj]

Hope your braking systems are fully operational.

[red_russian1]

UPDATE: Ordered my piston on Friday; should have it by the end of this week. Going to clean up the engine this afternoon; picked up 3 new seals for that too.
Anybody know why Honda wants you to run 10w-40 in the transmission? I'm planning on running Amsoil full synthetic but wondering if there's a different type of oil that should/could be run in there...?

[tbus93]

honda sells an 80w transmission oil, but i don't see any problem running amsoil

[red_russian1]

How about synthetic 75-90?

[red_russian1]

Anybody know if I'd be alright running full synthetic 75w-90?

[neilo]

Nice project looks good

[neilo]

I have one in the works as well only if i could find the time to finish it. It has come down to finish it or part it out

[red_russian1]

I talked to Moon Motorsports yesterday and they don't recommend running anything other than what Honda originally specified; 10w-40. He said synthetic wouldn't be a good choice either because it might cause clutch slippage...

[red_russian1]

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[red_russian1]

175840 next

[honda200xguy]

175840 next

looking good

[red_russian1]

UPDATE!! The "Franken-Wheeler" lives!!!176737176738176739176740

[atc300r]

Looks great .I have a 83 with a 300 kit and 84 rear swingarm and shock.

[xr650r]

I have the same project going now.Ken O'Conner in ct is building engine .60 over.I have a 78 elsinore jug and head they say makes them scream but will be using stock .I will be using a 34mm flatside carb but also have the stock one.How are you jetting yours and which carb are you using? Thanks

[I weld stuff]

That is looking really nice, keep the updates coming.

[red_russian1]

UPDATE!!!

Trike is running great! Engine is semi-broke in but still need to finish running that 1st 5 gallons of non-oxy through it. Have done 1 plug chop so far and it seems to be a little on the "not-as-rich-as-I'd-like-it-to-be" side (light brown). Still runs great though; she will easily pull the front tire in 3rd gear. Bid on a 34mm Keihin off of an '86 250R today on eBay and won it for $35! Need to get a carb kit coming for that as well. Anybody done this upgrade yet? Any tips/hints on what jetting to start with? I have the stock pipe/silencer on it for now and I'm running the stock gearing but might put my 14T sprocket on because I've really got to burn through the first few gears when starting out.