Honda CB250n SuperDream Refurb: IT'S NEVER REALLY LOST!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

IT'S NEVER REALLY LOST!

You think you've lost something, but you haven't really. What you're searching for is sat right there under your nose. It's just waiting for you to order a replacement and then it'll pop right up! Take the chain-tensioner bolts for example; I order replacements on Friday and the old ones turn up today. I order a new number plate and the one I'd already bought turns up. Hey ho!

And then right at the back of the garage, I found this...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hi Tom,
Its coming along. Tried to start mine today, no go! Just a nice clicking from the solenoid but no power to the starter. Knackered starter solenoid I think so have just order a new one.

Still it gave me time to start on the 550F. Got the head off and had a look inside the engine.

I wish my garage was as big as yours! no room to swing a cat in mine. Its amazing what you find hidden away behind all the crap!!!!

Regards

Ian; 18 April 2010 at 17:33
Tom McQuiggan said...: Hi Ian,
Hope you get your starting problem sorted - I have one of those problems too!

The garage feels GREAT now that I've sorted it all out. Should have done it BEFORE the 250 arrived. Gonna get that little Kawasaki running as the next project.

Tom; 20 April 2010 at 10:17

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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.