Some time ago (Nov 9th 2019) I bought this 1988 NSR250R MC18 at a live on-line auction. I really didn't mean to. I had previously bid on two RZ500's and a KR-1S and missed out. This was the second last bike of the collection. I clearly got too excited, ended up bidding too high and won. What didn't help was the auctioneer shouting "Come on- this is a $10,000 motorcycle!" Whoever he was, he had no clue of the bikes condition and misrepresented the bike he was selling. I'll always begrudge him for that- but my fault for falling for it. And then I got nailed on two different taxes, auction commission and the cost of actually getting it to my garage. I should've tried to bail out of it but I've always tried to do the right thing and stick to my word. Very expensive being honest...or is it stupid? In other words...read the small print before you launch into anything like an online live auction.

But what about the bike?

Despite the fact that the rear of the bodywork is ziptied together to hold it on....the bike looks fantastic with what seems like brand new replica Rothmans Honda clothing, but I took that off and, yes, it's a dog in sheep's clothing, and worse, according to the engine number it's an MC16 in an MC18 frame….and they said it was an ‘89 but the title is ‘88.

Restoring this might be more than I bargained for because these were only sold in the Japanese Domestic Market so access to spares will be a different process.

But in my mind, I've been preparing myself to shop as far away as Thailand and go full Tyga, upgrading it to an NSR300 with their spectacular looking bodywork, pipes, rearsets, everything....but the engine upgrade kit starts with the MC18….so I'm not so sure what to do with it now.

On the positive side, a while back I started it and ran it up the street and back...so at least it's not seized.

Tear Down begins in earnest…

Cylinders/Heads

Carburetor Rebuild…

started 3/12/21

Been getting some great advice from the NSR250 forum. Andy, in particular, the webmaster in charge, is a fountain of NSR250 information. It was he who pointed out that I didn’t have and MC16 motor in an MC18 frame— ALL the engines have a prefix of MC16. Was a relief to know that.

Trying to get ahead of the game by ordering things, some of which have to come from CMS (Holland) and Japan.

So far have ordered/collected
Left hand case (Yahoo Japan)
Tyga Carb rebuild kits
Honda Air filter (Tyga)
Honda clutch side gasket (Tyga)
Honda fork seals (Tyga)
Honda reed block gaskets (Tyga)
Honda clutch arm seal (Tyga)
Honda countershaft seal (Tyga)
Honda exhaust spring gaskets (Tyga)
Honda kickstart seal (Tyga)
Honda rear master cylinder rebuild kit (Tyga)
Honda front master cylinder rebuild kit (Ebay)
Honda Speedo joint (CMS)
Honda master cylinder cup & rubber (CMS)
Honda fork bushes, washers and o-rings (CMS)
Honda grips (CMS)
Honda (used) kill switch (Yahoo Japan)
Generic Left hand switchgear (Amazon)
HEL Front (2) and Rear (1) Brake Lines black w/stainless banjos (via Andy on forum on here-as promised: excellent price for TI members)
Brakemaster.com Front and Rear caliper rebuild kits w/pistons
NGK BR9ECM Spark Plugs (Advance AutoParts!)

Things still on the list:
Rear tail light panel
Set of coolant hoses
chain and sprocket kit
Top end re-build kit once I see what barrels I have.
Maybe
set of forks: on closer inspection my fork tubes are more pitted than I thought

Plodding away on things: It's always just a little disappointing when you walk into the garage and the bike looks the same is it has for a week. Jobs like cleaning carbs can make you feel like you're getting nowhere fast. Now dismantling them and giving them a dip in the ultrasonic bath (something which I honestly think is pointless) and will then take to a friends house to get them vapor blasted tomorrow (something which makes looking at the end result....almost good as sex)

Confirmed the carbs and their ingredients...and Andy is correct...the needles, and in fact every component, differ for each carb. Wonder how many people re-assembled them wrong and never figured it out...
Keihin TA20A
No.1
Main 130
Slow 38
Needle BPD, Power Jet 70

No. 2
Main 132
Slow 38S
Needle BPE, Power Jet 75

Needle jets have no markings.

Brake Rebuild…

Clutch

Engine Teardown

Engine-Right Hand Side

  • Forks and Steering

Engine ReBuild

Powervalves

Wheels and Discs

Fasteners

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1986 Suzuki RG500

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1990 Honda CBR400RR