In early 2004 I purchased this 1993 Honda CR250 with the intention of riding it for a while, having some fun with it, and then selling it for a small profit, a process I try to do frequently. Of course now I have much less time available for the riding and fun portion of the process, but that’s a different story. Moving on…
The 1993 model is often called the “Jeremy McGrath Special” as it was the bike he used to captivate motocross fans around the world while winning titles willy-nilly on a level few before him had ever done. This model is considered the “Ginsu Knife” of CR chassis because of the superb frame geometry that promotes precision handling and control superior to models prior to and many years after.
I bought this one for $950. Although it was in excellent condition, loaded with performance parts, I usually don’t give that much for older machines that I purchase for resale, but until that time I hadn’t owned many dirt bikes. I had always wanted an ultra-fast motocross bike like this one and I had some extra cash, so why not? It was a good deal. At the time, clean ones like this were bringing between $1500 and $1800 on eBay.
– New Dunlop Motocross Tires
– New Renthal Chain and Sprockets
– FMF Gold Series Header
– Pro Circuit Carbon Fiber Silencer
– Boyesen Power Reeds
– Renthal Handle Bars
– Graphics Kit
– Ported Cylinder
– Wiseco Piston
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A very clean bike for it’s age.
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I took the bike on a good long ride and had a blast. However, I noticed the gas tank had a small crack in the neck that leaked when the gas would slosh around, and also, the needle valve in the carburetor wasn’t seating properly causing fuel to leak from the overflow line. I tried applying sealant to the tank, but it didn’t work. I tried to clean the needle seat in the carburetor (the seat is non-replaceable) and replaced the needle, but that didn’t work either. So I got on eBay and found a tank for about $35 and a carburetor for $50. Then I was back in business. I took it on one more good ride with my total investment at about $1035. It was around this time that I noticed cold starts becoming very difficult. This was due to low compression. I decided to park the bike until I could do a quick ring job. I didn’t want to continue to run it with worn rings because that would allow the piston to slap the cylinder walls and do further damage.
Four Years Later…
Well, I finally got around to fixing the CR. I had planned to do it sooner so I could sell it while the value was still in my profit margin, but other projects got in the way. Fortunately the value on these seems to have bottomed out at around $1200 to $1500 which keeps me in good standing.
I disassembled the engine to see what I was in for.
 Finally Getting Started |
 Ready to Remove the Cylinder |
Overall, good news. I pulled the cylinder to find exactly what I had expected and planned for, worn rings. The piston itself was in good shape, with minimal skirt wear. The cylinder was great, no grooves or excessive wear. These are nicom plated aluminum cylinders, so they can’t be bored or repaired without sending it off to be replated. I was able to run a light, fine hone through this one and it was ready to go. I ordered a set of rings from bikebandit.com.
When my parts came in I went back together with it.
 Just Installed the Cylinder |
 Finishing Up |
When I got it all back together, I saddled the bike and it started on the very first kick. After setting for four years, it fired right up and ran like a top. I cleaned and polished it from front to back and listed it for sale. My entire investment was less than $1100. I could have quickly sold it for $1200 but I decided to hold out for a little more in an attempt to make the whole thing a little more worth it. I knew when the right buyer came along I could get at least $1300, and that’s just what I did. It took a few months but I finally sold it for $1300 leaving me with a fun experience and $225 in net profit. Not a big dollar amount, but at least I made something and I enjoyed the experience. Can’t ask for much more!
My CR250 & My KLX650 Good Times!!!
Nicholas Fluhart 