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I built this bike a few years ago, but wanted to document it here to try and keep all my builds on one site.
My first "real" bike was a 2006 CRF250R, which, might as well have been a space ship to me at the time. I spent at least 5 days a week riding/racing/raising all sorts of trouble for years. I finally had to sell the bike to get through college and I still try to track it down every now and then. Fast forward a few years - I'm a little older, a little fatter, and still in love with anything moto related. I knew I wanted a similar bike, but didn't want the cost of maintaining an older thumper.
I found this "bike in a box" (I had to bring my own box) for $400 and after a couple years of pretending to be a pro, I'm in love.
Like all neglected dirtbikes, the chain slider had wore through many moons ago, and dug into the swingarm. The rash wasn't structural, but I did want to fill it in while I had everything apart.
I had a TIG welding buddy add as much weld as possible without getting the aluminum too hot, and worked it back with a file. Not the prettiest, but it works.
I ended up taking the easy way out with the motor. The original one needed both outer cases, a new cylinder and cylinder head, a few gears, and the entire kick start assembly. I tallied the prices, and ended up finding a fully built amateur racer motor on eBay for just barely more. This also gave me an extra carb, cdi, a whatever spares I could salvage out of the original motor.
The new motor screamed like a banshee and the carb was jetted perfectly. I dropped in it and spent a few days polishing/rebuilding some small parts and ordering up the rest from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC.
In the end, I replaced or rebuilt everything except the gas tank and the kill switch. I've been riding/racing this bike for two years now and every time I fire it up I can't help but smile. I'll never be able to sell it, and hopefully pass it down to the next generation of rippers one day.
Nice job on the CR. Last 125 I owned was a 98 first year for the aluminum frame 125. I sold that one in 2001 for the CR250 and wish I hadn't sold it. Reality for me was it just got harder and harder to make it out to the track for practice days and race days were even tougher. Closest track to me was 1.5 hours away back then. I miss it though.
Nice job on the CR. Last 125 I owned was a 98 first year for the aluminum frame 125. I sold that one in 2001 for the CR250 and wish I hadn't sold it. Reality for me was it just got harder and harder to make it out to the track for practice days and race days were even tougher. Closest track to me was 1.5 hours away back then. I miss it though.
I'm in the same boat unfortunately. About an hour to the closest track, which isn't anything special. We do live on a farm though so I can get a little fix in between track days
Thanks. The only way I'd part with mine is if I could make a ton of money. Considering I blew the budget right out of the water, that would never happen.
Will make for a cool basement decoration in 40 years!
Very nice. I have a CR 125 from 1989 which my dad purchased new, currently in storage because I can't bear to sell it. I now live in the Caribbean and have a CRF450 for road and MX but I just got an 03 YZ125 for the nipper which I am loving. 2 strokes rule! Life has my current project on hold Arrrrrr. Thanks for sharing
I had a short stint with a CRF450X Supermoto last year... the absolute most fun I've ever had on two wheels. KY decided it wasn't street legal after they already gave me a plate and tags for 3 months. Still salty about it.
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