Honda CB250n SuperDream Refurb: BEFORE #37

Saturday, October 25, 2008

BEFORE #37

As you can see, the fork shrouds don't look too shiny! These will have to go into the re-chroming box. It's getting kinda full now!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: I have a 1982 CB250N superdream (as yours) & need to replace leaking fork seal - what did u do with the aluminium bottom halves of the forks to bring them up like new - mine are stained & have tried metal polish without too much success. Likewise, did you have the top (inner) halves of the forks re-chromed? If so,Was it expensive?; 23 April 2009 at 20:42
Tom McQuiggan said...: Rather than polish the grubby front forks, I sanded them down with 1200 Wet & Dry, applied two coats of etch-primer (£11 from Halfrauds) and then sprayed a few coats of silver paint. IMHO they look far better than polishing.

Luckily, I didn't have to rechrome the top halves.; 23 April 2009 at 22:18

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IN THE BEGINNING....

Way, way back in August 1980, I was working as a young steel-erector in Newcastle Upon Tyne and around the corner from where I worked was "Ken's Motorcycles" on the West Road. In the window was a brand new CB250N Superdream in shiny black - and I wanted it! So I got got the brochure (shown below), begged my future father in law to act as guarantor and signed on the £820 dotted line.

I loved that bike - it got me back and forth between Bolton and Newcastle with no problems or hiccups and lots of fun. From memory, it did something like 60 miles per gallon and could burn off most cars. What else does a young lad want?

Anyway, 28 years later, I decided to get another one and refurbish it over the winter months. I've done similar projects in the past and really enjoyed them, so I'm hoping that this one turns out as well as the others. Having said that, this project will be a REFURB as opposed to a rebuild.

The donor-bike looked to be in pretty good shape at first glance, but as usual, it all turns pear-shaped when you remove your rose-tinted glasses and start to see what's REALLY there!

The first thing that I want to do, is spend a little time finding out whether or not the engine needs a rebuild. If it doesn't really need it, so much the better. If it does need doing, then there'll be a significant delay as I spend time clearing out the garage to give me a lot more space.

I estimate that this project will take 3 or 4 months to complete but due to other interests/hobbies, it may go longer.

So, I'll start off with a few photos of the bike in its current condition and then log the progress of the refurb as I go along. Please feel free to comment or offer advice. Hope you enjoy!

Tom

http://www.mcqart.com/

SEE ALSO... HONDA CB450 K1.