Hi folks, Long time lurker, first time poster. I have always been fascinated with the 1990s 4 cylinder 4-stroke 250s but decided to learn to ride on something a bit more practical, a Bonneville T100. After a season of riding my wife decided she wanted to learn to ride, so she bought a Ducati Scrambler and fell in love with it. Since then, we have done a huge amount of riding together. We both got in to track riding and happen to come across Fortnine's CBR250RR video again which sold us both on them. Just pulled the trigger on not one but two 1991 MC22s one purchased through moto2import, the other I elected to import from New Zealand on my own. As the riding season is nearing a close here in New England, I am planning on completely rebuilding both bikes. This form has been extremely helpful in identifying parts, suppliers and tips on how do things.
Howdy. Send pics! Always search local parts houses for part numbers before resorting to others. Shipping alone can turn a small purchase very expensive. Know that if you intend to do a full rebuild, you are going to have fun tracking down main bearings, pistons, rings, wrist pins, big end bearings, valves....what else am I misisng?. They aren't impossible to find, but they can take a lot of research to dig up.
Complete rebuild may be an overly generous statement. I am thinking clutch, brakes, rubber bits, forks, tires, bearings, hoses, carbs, valve inspection. The objective is to just bring the bikes up to a known mechanical quantity and standardize across both. I hope to not need to not need to crack open the case. The debate I am having is if I should go ahead and just pay the money for an Ohlins rear shock.
welcome! MC22s are a little easier to get parts for than the MC19s but it can still be a bit of a battle sometimes. like everyone is saying, if you have questions ask. this forum is a great resource.
Awesome bikes!! I've haven't needed to upgrade suspension on my MC22. It's had couple trackdays without any issues. Maybe if I take it racing I might. Would probably retrofit GSX-R600 shock.
why do you need a rear shock? If you want bling Ohlins is the way to go, but if you just want it to work there are less dollar intensive options.
I have been debating on doing the custom Ohlins, I have a quote for them with a quantity discount. Need is certainly a relative thing; however, I don't want to grind the chassis. Based on my research, that does limit a few options. I was looking at the YSS option but at ~600 dollars plus shipping, it is getting close to the quote I have for the Ohlins if a few folks were interested in a group buy.
I had Race Tech build me a shock for my MC19. Very happy with the result. How's your experience with Ohlins been? I need to get in touch with them about some stuff but I'm procrastinating.
Overall, their responses have been quick and pleasant. However, I reached out to the same dealer that made the rear shock for Motthomas, Project CBR250RRi: Rear Shock & Track Sessions. Thank you for pointing me towards Racetech. I think that is actually a better option then the Ohlins now. Did you have to resize the rear shock mount on the frame?
It was a while ago now but I remember fabricating some spacers and bushings. When my theoretical chain slider arrives I'm going to have it all apart and I can take some pictures.