NSR250 rebuild - 'The ELF Special'

**Wil_K** · 12th July 2013, 22:50

Right, an update:

The bike is currently in a shop getting re-vinned. I've been having issues with the left cylinder running very rich and oily. Not sure what is causing it, but it's really sapping the power and smoothness from the engine. When I get it all legal I can take it for a proper test ride, and try get a diagnosis. I'm thinking it may be the air correction circuit at fault.

As for the paint and bodywork, that will be a few months away yet. I've still got to find some sexier fairings. I'm still pretty keen to try get RS250 ones to fit.

Here's the bike as it stands now, rough MC16 fairings, MC18 tail and mismatched colours.

**Wil_K** · 18th July 2013, 23:34

Got this thing road legal!

Almost a year to the day that I got it.

Been doing some photoshopping tonight. This is the bike with 1987 RS250 fairings and a 1992 RS250 tail. What do you think?

**imdying** · 19th July 2013, 13:22

Is the float height correct on the LH carb? Needle and seat isn't weeping?

/edit: Don't like the tail, too much gap under the seat for the year. Need something more like MC16/18 bodywork.

**Vinz0r** · 19th July 2013, 14:29

I quite like the RS fairing on it. That gap under the tail looks infinitely better than the blocky '87 tail piece.
But I always thought the pre 88 NSR plastics were ugly as sin, so that's probably biased my opinion a little.
(Also, I am not a purist, so don't mind frankensteined builds

)

**imdying** · 19th July 2013, 14:33

You just lack taste is all.

**Vinz0r** · 19th July 2013, 14:44

Originally Posted by imdying

You just lack taste is all.

I'ts a funny thing actually, the more you learn about a particular bike the more you come to appreciate it in it's standard manufactured form. When I was first looking to buy a bike I would see all of the shiny red Hyosungs around and marvel at how awesome they looked. Now that I have acquired a little more age and wisdom I scoff in disdain when I see one.
When I objectively consider how I would have looked at my current bike when I was an uninformed newbie it worries me slightly. I would have rather owned the shiny red 'sports bike'!!

I think this principle can be extrapolated to situations such as this in which the person with the more refined taste (you) disagrees with the person who prefers the more 'conventionally' aesthetically pleasing (or maybe just more modern looking) option.
If I had more experience with the older Honda 2 strokes I may just learn to appreciate the interesting lines of the MC16, but right now I just want it to look like a nice sleek MC21!
I can't appreciate it for what it is.

**Wil_K** · 20th July 2013, 23:33

For your reference, this is an 87 RS250:

And here's an MC16 to compare:

I think it's a good looking bike (the RS), I even like the big ungainly tail, it seems to work with the rest of the bike. The bodywork on the 87 NSR on the other hand I'm still not a fan of. I just don't think it's aged well. The face is a bit too tall and flat, and their interpretation of the RS tail with all the road trimmings just doesn't quite do it for me. The later ones have more of a sleeker, lower, racier look. Basically, I want to make this look like an 80's racing bike with lights. My ELF graphics wont look right with MC16 fairings.

Oh, and now I sort of see where you're coming from on the tail I chose. It doesn't quite fit the period. Still looks OK I think.

**imdying** · 22nd July 2013, 11:25

It's just all the little design cues... the frame/forks/wheel styling etc, all screaming 80s, and that tail screaming 90s.

Doesn't matter a bit though, build what you like.

Loving all the little ducts on that RS250 though

**Neal** · 23rd July 2013, 00:25

I like the colour scheme , can you do a photoshop with the older style seat on it ?

**imdying** · 24th July 2013, 10:29

I agree, great choice... that paint job will look awesome on anything

**actungbaby** · 24th July 2013, 20:06

Originally Posted by Wil_K

Right, an update:

The bike is currently in a shop getting re-vinned. I've been having issues with the left cylinder running very rich and oily. Not sure what is causing it, but it's really sapping the power and smoothness from the engine. When I get it all legal I can take it for a proper test ride, and try get a diagnosis. I'm thinking it may be the air correction circuit at fault.

As for the paint and bodywork, that will be a few months away yet. I've still got to find some sexier fairings. I'm still pretty keen to try get RS250 ones to fit.

Here's the bike as it stands now, rough MC16 fairings, MC18 tail and mismatched colours.

pm if you want sell the fairings u have i have ns 250 with no body work ziltch not even around tail or pipes just wire mesh

**actungbaby** · 24th July 2013, 20:12

Originally Posted by Neal

Hi sorry for the delay , I am working in the bush ATM

The HRC derestrictor is a fancy wire splice . Just double check all your jetting before you blast off down the road .
What sort of sizes are you running ?
+1 on securing the silencers , they bounce around and crack the weld where the cone meets .
What is the plan with the pipes ? Black paint or clean and clear coat ?

Hi i just brought a honda ns 250 r 1986 its got wire mesh thing in the inlet port where carb goes

On is this restricter am new to 2 strokes ;-) Mines very rough though mostly complete

Just piston 56mm might be impossible to find . read where ns 400 can be used

But mean rebore barrell and replate of them too i assume .

anyways heres mine i looked at blue on trademe got this insteed fairings for my vfr 750.

pray i havent brought a dodo

**imdying** · 25th July 2013, 13:47

Is there an English version of that post?

**speights_bud** · 26th July 2013, 16:47

Can't remember if i posted in here a while ago or not.

Anyway, got a set of MC16 fairings here, (minus front guard). pretty good nick just need a paint where they've been sanded back a bit by previous owner.

$150 take em away. I can bring to manfeild next round of winter series or we can work something out.
Can probably chuck in the original moulded indicators for the front and maybe the wing mirrors if i can find them

Would prefer to see someone using them than collecting dust in the shed. That and I'll be a track official at the MotoGP in Phillip Island and need the $$ to buy the sign written "official" wet weather gear.