Sold 1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore

[msclassiccars]

1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore

Selling with NO RESERVE on Bring a Trailer. View the auction here.

This magnificent 1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore “Red Rocket” is a great matching numbers example of highly collectable and revolutionary Motocross Motorcycle. Honda set the factory-stock motocross performance standard with the 1973 CR250M. It received a conservative and largely cosmetic refresh in 1976, but the competition had already taken a far more radical approach to beat the leader. After skipping a model year in 1977, Honda turned the tables on the competition again with another version of the Elsinore which would be named the CR250R. This new machine was introduced as a 1978 model and was not far removed from the RC250R factory works machine. With CDI ignition, a European-style radical cylinder head and an ingeniously routed expansion chamber exhaust, the two-stroke 247cc thumper was rated at 37HP at 7,500 RPM. Lightweight aluminum components meant the engine scaled in at less than 60 pounds with oil in the case. Tuning that delivered maximum power on the top end of the throttle and factory-applied red paint lent the Red Rocket its name. Honda blended performance with its famously balanced combination of rider-focused control. The single-downtube, chrome-moly frame featured Showa cartridge-type, leading axle front forks and swing arm with shocks that both provided over 11” of travel. The factory listed more than 30 improvements to the 1979 model making it the ultimate machine. The 1980 models underwent changes that were not considered better by some. The transitional model was the first of the line with a plastic gas tank and marked the end of the air-cooled, two-stroke engine ahead of the next-generation, water-cooled era.

This 45-year old 1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore is an outstanding example of the ultimate evolution of the aluminum tank, air-cooled Elsinore's. This example was found as an original bike with low hours that was the perfect candidate for a restoration. It was the product of a meticulous restoration by Matthew Connor of Cycle Art Fabrication located in Ballston Lake, NY. The entire bike was completely dissembled and all the parts were inventoried. All of the original steel and aluminum components with the exception of the gas tank and exhaust were powder coated. The gas tank was cleaned and re-painted in the correct color of Titan Red which looks stunning. The original engine was fully disassembled, inspected and rebuilt. The crankshaft was rebuilt along with new rod bearings, main bearings and transmission bearings. It has a stock bore with Wiseco piston, Boysen Reed petals, new clutch plates and springs. The engine received a fresh coat of paint and is fed with a KEIHIN 36mm carburetor. It retains almost all the original factory hardware it came with. The hardware was cleaned, polished, zinc plated and yellow chromated to match the way it looked from the factory. The original silencer was cut apart, repacked and welded back together. The engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. The seat has new foam and cover. It was outfitted with all new VMX Racing plastics with factory correct decals. It's equipped with Moose Racing modern wheels with stainless Buchanan spokes and nipples. The wheels were re-laced and trued by Motorsport of Clifton Park, NY. The wheels are wrapped with new Dunlop Sports tires that are 80-100-21 on the front and 120-90-18 on the rear. The hubs were powder coated and the wheel bearings, seals and brakes are new. The sprockets are new and it has a new Factory Spec 520 gold chain. Everything was restored or replaced such as the handlebars, grips, levers, kill switch, front forks, rear shocks, cables, etc. A new Factory Effex handlebar pad and stand are included. Frame number #CR250R-2109604. Engine number #CR250RE -2109891. From the MS CLASSIC CARS Collection.