Honda CB250n SuperDream Refurb: BEFORE #52

Saturday, February 21, 2009

BEFORE #52

At last(!) the engine's finished and is ready to go back in the frame. Not too sure when that's gonna happen, cos I've got stuff planned for the next few weekends, but at least I know it's ready and waiting.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: Engine looks great, just stumbled into your blog. I have just started on a 82 250N. Did you strip the engine at all or just polish and paint it?; 5 March 2009 at 13:41
Tom McQuiggan said...: I stripped it as best I could (after a THOROUGH degreasing)and then applied MANY thin coats of Sperex Engine Enamel over a period of weeks. Spend as much time as possible on the preparation!; 5 March 2009 at 18:26
danboi said...: What did you use to clean the engine mine is full of scaley corrosion and old flakes of paint around the front. Its all in the fins too. Tried scotch pads they dont get in the nucks and cranys very well though.

Thanks Dan; 29 December 2009 at 17:59
Tom McQuiggan said...: Apart from LOTS of good old fashioned elbow-grease, I used long-reach stainless-steel wire brushes. I went through quite a few of them too! It's not easy and it's not pleasant.

Unless you strip the engine completely and have the components blast cleaned, there's no way that you're going to get a perfect job. Everything's a compromise. With this particular project, I wasn't trying to achieve a concours finish, so a clean and paint sufficed.; 29 December 2009 at 19:47

Post a Comment

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.