Advice on Bike

[Craggles]

Hi,

Looking at this bike:-

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2495852803&fromMakeTrack=true

Have asked seller if I can go and see it - will probably take my dad who knows a bit about bikes.

Any questions I should ask? How much do you think it is worth based on the description avaliable?

Cheers,

Craig
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[mr.z]

The newer cb250s are o.k. still there are allot of better 33bh bikes..

bandit 250
zzr 250...

imo you will probably be better off with a 400/500/600, 250 will be cheep tho.
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[stinkwheel]

The only real problems the older ones had was camchain tensioners (and rotting exhausts..but that is universal with japanese bikes). Have a carefull listen to the engine at tickover, you should be able to hear the camchain whirring softly, not clattering and banging as it eats its way out through the side of the engine in a classic Honda death rattle. Honda may well have sorted this out by now, even the old ones only did it if servicing was neglected.

On a similar note, if they claim to have done their own servicing, ask them how you adjust the camchain tensioner...if they don't immediatley point at a nut on the back of the cylinder head and explain some sort of rigmarole to do with it be suspicious of their honesty.

They are a good reliable bike, these are even slower than the original superdreams but will get you anywhere you want to go in this country without costing you a packet. It would be a good bike to get used to riding on and for if you are on a budget.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[haGGard]

My dad had that bike a few years back. He wasn't very impressed with it. He said that it "just dosent have the power" compared to other 250's.

[iCraig]

Well the CB250 Motor is quite bulletproof and as I am aware the engine in that CB is basically an evolved superdream engine with the balancer removed as it was this that caused alot of problems and a 2 valve head as opposed to the super dreams 3, and as I am aware that engine never suffered from that many camchain problems. Just be aware that the engine should be very quiet though and should purr.

Check for corrosion on the exhaust and the frame as they suffer there too, and do be aware due to the engine has alot of vibration due to the lack of balancer so don't be too afraid of this.

The CB250 all in all is a decent little post bike test, I owned its sister bike the CMX250 Rebel, which was very cheap to run and insure, .
Cold starting is a bastard on these bikes though and they ultimately lack the power.

Hope that helps.

Craig.

[sickpup]

Strange I thought it was a big bore CB/CD200 benly engine first used in the CD250U.

These engines are very reliable. I used to have a couple hired out and the worst thing to go wrong was the crank seal behind the stator plate failing. Be aware that the oil change time is pretty low, something like 1200mls and you need to take the clutch cover off to clean the gauze filter, no seperate oil filter so new gasket every oil change.

They also have a real stupid size rear tyre that isn't cheap.

[Kickstart]

[Spiral]

I don't want to recommend any other bikes or comment on performance.

It does'nt look to bad and the owner is describing it as used which is honest, but for the age it looks good apart from the dent on the tank but i wouldn't worry to much as this will help in you favour.

Start it up unless its early morning and the bike has been sitting in the cold all night should start fine.
The exhaust should'nt be smoking, listen for any strange sounds.

See how it ticks over, check tires make sure there half decent (legal) also check the brakes.

Then take it for a spin if you think anything is dodgy you can walk away.

but a good owner will have some details of work done to it and in general conversation you can decide if they have looked after the bike.
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[sickpup]

[strag]

why cant I see the link???

[iCraig]

[strag]

Yeah I do, that will be it then:)

[strag]

It was the google toolbar doing it, thanks Craig.

[Craggles]

Fantastic...

Went to take a look today, its been relisted.

Overall it looked good - two things stick out thou:

The gaskets were a yellowish colour, and were not flush with the engine. This indicates they've been replaced If so, why - its only done 16000 miles!!

The engine dosn't look the cleanest thing in the world - its a bit pitted and generally dirty. I understand this happens to Honda's especially if you don't spend every weekend cleaning it - but bear in mind its only done 16000 miles...

Another thing - It's only done 16000 miles (as noted above) - since 94. Thats 1600 a year. Apparantly it was owned by "some old boy", and this guy got hold of it and is selling it - Done a rough HPI and it looks clean but will check if I decide to buy.

Took it round the car park, and dad took it down the road - he said it felt good, and went well.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Craig
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