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This weeks collection comes to us from Stevie Denton from the UK.

1980 CR250
- 1980 CR250
- - 1980 CR250
  - - 1980 CR250
    - - 1980 CR250
      - 1980 CR250
        
        1980 CR250

"Hi, thought I'd send you some pics to show you how we do it over here in the UK!! This is my 1980 CR250. I've spent the last 3 yrs restoring it. Every part is either new, NOS or I made it. (except the frame, and engine cases!) Every single nut, bolt, washer, fastener (even the engine studs, exhaust stub and wheel bearing retainers!!) etc has been made by myself in 303 stainless steel or 431 for the axles. All the bolts are drilled, with dished heads. All of the washers and "top hat" spacers are drilled. I made lots of billet alloy parts for it too, including the triple trees to mount heavily modified 1986 CR 250 forks, plus alloy engine mounts (front and rear), and the rear brake torque arm. It's got NOS 1981 CR250 hubs, a modified 1979 CR 125 tank, and a Karl Landrus Racing swing-arm, Ohlins shocks and VMX Racing plastics. There are lots of other parts that I made for it, but I wont bore you by listing them all!

I was inspired by Marty Tripes's 1979 factory RC250, which is probably the most beautifull bike I've ever seen! The idea was to build my bike as if HRC had built it, now, today, in the 21st century.

I'm only 29 but I love these old twinshocks! Building it was a real labour of love, but it wasn't built to just look at!! It was built to race! (as you can see) The first race on it was an incredible day!! I LOVE IT...... loads of smooth power and superb handling! (plus that wonderful 2 stroke sound and aroma!)

It was, in fact, my first race in 12yrs and only the 3rd time I'd ridden a dirt bike in that time. Nothing like jumping in at the deep end is there! I used to race in "School Boy" races, so the last bike I raced was a 1997 CR125."

Thanks for looking!

- Stevie

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The Conversation

joemotocross589 wrote: 6:04am June 19, 2011

Those hondas were the class of the class in those days, If ya didnt have one , (like me) ya secretly wanted one.

Tzmm wrote: 9:01am June 19, 2011

attention to detail ? this bike should be the pic for that phrase.......

CR500AF wrote: 9:04am June 19, 2011

Great job! Those were sweet bikes - I remember riding a stock '79 CR250 and thought that was an amazing bike. But stock is no comparison to what you've built. I'm drooling...

Shonuff304 wrote: 9:44am June 19, 2011

LOVE IT! Glad to see you ride that beauty, well done sir.

bmd wrote: 10:13am June 19, 2011

That is a masterpiece of a motorcycle.

Rob wrote: 11:07am June 19, 2011

Now channeling Graham Noyce.. that is sweet, great job.

Royalstar wrote: 11:20am June 19, 2011

Steve, you have created a thing of beauty! Well done!

Laker23 wrote: 3:21pm June 19, 2011

Great resto! I loved that bike stock and hopped up.

ElsinoreRacer wrote: 7:08pm June 19, 2011

Mr. Denton, I have a 1978 and 1980 and a couple sets of the 86 forks. As the 86 lower legs are machined to attach the brake caliper, how did you anchor the (drum) brake backplate?

Tried to track down some machined adapters, but the company disappeared. Any guidance?

Kudos on the smooth '80 rather than the "faster" pipey 78/79 model.

Thanks

ElsinoreRacer wrote: 7:09pm June 19, 2011

P.S. I am using the DLS brakes.

lance wrote: 8:21pm June 19, 2011

Unreal...I am drooling as well. Nice work and thanks for showing us.

sef154 wrote: 10:34pm June 19, 2011

Very nice. Brings back memories, as I had a '79 and '80 CR125. And I had a couple of those Hondaline jerseys!

Dynohut wrote: 2:59am June 20, 2011

Nice job Mate !!! Race Ready

Stevie wrote: 3:31am June 20, 2011

Thanks for the comments! If anyone wants to know any more "indepth" info, please E-mail me. [email protected] I'd be delghted to share the details.
Theres not really enough "room" to explain the forks here.

Welker wrote: 9:55am June 20, 2011

Hey Stevie, That is one heck of a good job!! I mis having access to a full machine shop. Hopfully Now that I got a few health things fixed so I can now work on restoring some of my bikes. First and formost after I get my Harley's rebuilt and on the road I am ready to restore my 1975 YZ 125. I have the original MSO and wont yet disclose the nbr. but anyof you out there I am gonna need some hep tracking down some stuff I still have a lot of new OEM parts for it. What I really need first my be some stock fork inner tubes as the originals had a tendency to bend at warp speeds lol.
I alway like this series of articles and if doc wont let me race vintage what he don't know wont hurt him !!!!

Carlsbad wrote: 11:54pm June 20, 2011

Well done, sir. Hondas at that time were clearly a step above the other j-brands in engineering & finish (performance is debatable) and it is clearly shown here. My only question is why not upgrade the carb when great lengths have been taken to upgrade the forks? Even a PJ if not a PWK. Still incredible all the same.

Stevie wrote: 3:51am June 21, 2011

Hi Carlsbad. Up-grading the carb was something I thought long and hard about. The original carb I had was in excelent condition and once ultrasonically cleaned and rebuilt with all new jets and seals it works really well. I'd like to try a "new" flatslide carb to see what the difference in performance is, so its something I may well try in the future.

martyyost wrote: 6:03pm November 25, 2011

I have built many award winning vintage mx bikes.I have many examples I am going to post .I restored 2 1980 cr125s one concourse original and one with mugen me 125 watercooled kit.Having aircraft machining and ama pro racing experience since 1983 this is the most beautiful replica of a works Honda I have seen. I love the 79 tank .I am inspired and going to build a replica of your bike having just found and purchased a mint 1980 cr250 the pipe will be a jemco and swing arm will be thor.I like your work better than the vintage factorys Marty Smith replicas.excellent

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