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Project 2-Stroke Honda Grom

Discussion in 'Other Projects - Other Bikes (non 250's)' started by Duggs63, Dec 3, 2016.

  1. Duggs63

    Duggs63 Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys,

    As some of you may know, I bought a Honda MSX-125 (Grom) back in June and I can honestly say it is possibly the most fun I have ever had on 2 wheels! I highly recommend one of these to anyone looking for a learner or commuter bike who want to have fun on weekends. These things will not be beaten on value for money ($3,999 ride away).

    Since purchasing it I have fitted an exhaust system, an aftermarket clutch cover and oil cooler, crash bars and a few other little bits and pieces and it is an absolute blast to ride!

    15281171_10154743528434727_1718514252_n.jpg
    15300502_10154743529104727_826216908_n.jpg
    15327545_10154743528774727_2045130284_n.jpg

    Anyway...

    Having said that, she does struggle a little bit with bigger hills and prolonged highway driving. That, and the majority of my Grom mates now looking at big bore kits, aftermarket 4v cylinder heads, and in one case a turbocharger for their groms, so it was time for me to come up with my own plan for keeping up...

    As a result, I got myself an NSR150. For those of you who are unfamiliar, they look something like this:

    spfrontright.jpg

    The NSR150 is a single cylinder 150cc 2-stroke with somewhere around ~35hp (compared to the Groms mighty 8.5hp) and a 6 speed gearbox (compared with the little Grom's 4 speed). The engine/gearbox also happens to be a very similar layout. I hope you can see where this is going...

    The NSR I got my hands on doesn't look anything like the one in the pic, but it was cheap/free and will be a perfect donor as its all there, so I can utilize the wiring loom, radiator etc etc.

    15280912_10154743474804727_1032183448_n.jpg
    15355988_10154743475599727_855418811_n.jpg

    I was then able to get my hands on another Grom frame and swing arm from a mate that I can use as a jig while I continue to use mine for the daily commute.

    15227857_10154722774724727_1638146679_n.jpg

    This project/insanity is still in its very early stages, as I have now gone away for work, then again for Christmas, I wont be able to really get stuck in until next year, but I have done some prelim measuring and the news is good so far.

    15281144_10154743477124727_35474944_n.jpg
    15328298_10154743474084727_446268807_n.jpg

    I will keep you all posted.

    Cheers,
     
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  2. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    No one will ever know it's got a different engine, fit's so nice.
    I'm pretty sure the Daytona Anima 190 4v head fit's the Grom engine, i have one here i can measure the stud pattern for you if you need.
     
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  3. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    Interesting prospect..... following this one with curiousity.
     
  4. KICKERMAN360

    KICKERMAN360 Well-Known Member

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    If you can fit an NSR150 engine in, you probably could get a NSR250 engine without much issue. The first engine I thought was a CR125 engine (a little smaller) but it would probably blow up a lot more too!

    I must say though, I disagree with the comments about the Grom. I have ridden one and was kinda disappointment. Like you said, it struggles heaps on the hills and I felt like I had to really hit the high RPMs to go anywhere. I feel, for the same money, you could get a great second hand bike but anyway, if you've got the free cash it can be fun.

    With that said, this engine in that frame would be a sight to see.
     
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  5. Duggs63

    Duggs63 Well-Known Member

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    I think riding the Grom in anger (preferably downhill) is similar to the enjoyment I got from my old Mini Cooper. It is very chuckable and a lesson in minimizing braking and maintaining corner speed.

    Doesn't seem like many people here like the Groms which I find curious given that this forum is all about smaller bikes! Anyway, each to their own... and you guys are wrong :p

    Anyway, like everything in life, it will be even better with 2 extra strokes!

    Cheers,
     
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  6. Linkin

    Linkin The Mechanic Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    My knees hit the fairings/fuel tap/choke lever on the FZR250's as it is. The groms are tiny, I don't think I could fit comfortably on one.
     
  7. maelstrom

    maelstrom LiteTek Staff Member Premium Member 250cc Vendor Contributing Member

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  8. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Honda MSX125, they released a street fighter version in Thailand this year for around 70,500 Baht ($2650 AU)

     
  9. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    I met a grom rider today and he was afraid to go on the freeway because his mighty 9hp didn't allow him to go faster than 80 km/hr.

    In terms of smashing around town if you're a small person I'm sure they're fun in their own way. I just have a different definition of "fun".
     
  10. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Are they only 9hp ?
    No wonder they make lot's of big bore kit's for them,160cc, 183cc, 204cc $2679 US, 235cc kit (24-26hp at the engine) is $2397 US
    Should just fit a Daytona Anima 190FDX to it, $1300 AU, 25hp at the engine
     
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  11. Joker

    Joker See "about me" for contact details. Contributing Member

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    One of the selling points of the grom is that you can basically build them to be whatever you want... they are cheap and low powered as a base model but then people spend big $ powering them up and customising them to their requirements.

    It's a bit of a niche market, if you like them great - you'll have a lot of fun. I'd spend my money differently but that's my personal choice.
     
  12. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    They seem to be a fun little bike for short trips, but the low HP (my 1972 Honda SL125 has 12HP), short suspension travel and small dia wheels (would loose them in some pot holes around this town) would be a drawback.
     
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  13. KICKERMAN360

    KICKERMAN360 Well-Known Member

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    I think most people on this forum prefer full-sized bikes with smaller engines, not so much small bikes with small engines. It's just a practicality thing for me personally. The original design market for the Grom was the east Asian market and they just decided to sell it elsewhere because they knew people would buy it for the novelty (and for $4k, many people can blow that on a brand new impulse buy motorcycle).

    I'm still excited to see the results of this project though.
     
  14. Jo Verhelst

    Jo Verhelst Forty2 Contributing Member

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    gromowner.jpg
     
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  15. James P

    James P Active Member

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    This looks like a great project. I suppose it is a bit late now you've bought the donor NSR150, but could you have used (for example) a CRM250 engine instead?
    Does the NSR150 engine weigh the same as the original Grom unit? Will you be modifying the NSR engine?

    You may like to check out the Diffrent Strokers forum (http://diffrentstrokers.com/phpBB2/index.php), a UK-based forum for anything two-stroke, but especially anything slightly quirky. There is a specific section for "gag bikes" - as an example; a thread has been started by one member who has sawn an RGV250 engine in half for fitting into a GSXR/RB50.

    I for one am keen to see how you get on with this project!

    Regards,
    James
     
  16. KICKERMAN360

    KICKERMAN360 Well-Known Member

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    I would think Honda will discontinue parts for the CRM soon if they haven't already. When I had a CRM250AR so many parts were discontinued (most annoyingly was plastics) but I didn't have to touch the engine (although I think the power valve servo was buggered).

    A better engine would be a mellow post-2002 CR250 as they have about 45-50 HP. The NSR150 might get 30 - 40 HP I would think. Plenty of parts for both engines right now, but the NSR150 engines are still being sold in other bikes with a large following in SE Asia. Overall I think the NSR150 engine is probably the best fit for a Grom frame.
     
  17. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    that does look like a fun bike and project, I'd be most concerned about being mugged by a 10 YO who wants to hijack it :D
     
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  18. James P

    James P Active Member

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    I'm not particularly knowledgeable on any of the bikes mentioned under this topic so far, so won't argue! I suppose I was just curious why Duggs chose the NSR150 - was it because:

    It is a Honda?
    It is the best size/fit for the frame?
    It was easily available and/or cheap?

    I'm guessing the available/cheap option is the one which wins in most cases, but I suppose all of the above could apply here. Whatever the case, I'm keen to see how it turns out!

    Regards,
    James
     
  19. KICKERMAN360

    KICKERMAN360 Well-Known Member

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    Probably all of the above.
     
  20. Tim_

    Tim_ resident nutcase Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    All these people talking about engine sizing and size of bikes and no one has even bothered to ask...


    That single sided swing arm and all joining parts for sale and do you know if it will fit a MC22?

    as for the build thread i will be following closely, I love mini bikes having owned a Atomik yx 150cc dirt bike in a full alloy frame and lots of Chinese bit thrown on it and it was amazingly fast and the torque was great, I can not wait to see this built..
     

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