Looking at purchasing a non running 1989 cbr 250rr. This will mean delving into a 30 year model that I'm totally unfamiliar with. Any hints on what to look for, the owner reckons it was running perfectly, then parked it, and it thereafter refused to proceed (yeah, I know!) I have scoured the forums to get my head around theses bikes as much as possible.
The CBR250RR is a fairly solid little bike. I purchased a very run down one a while back that I am using for my RC tribute project. Just check the obvious things at purchase time: - make sure all the bits are there - check that it at least turns over. You might not be able to get it to start if it has been sitting for a long time. - fork seals and other consumable type parts will most likely need to be inspected/replaced when you get it home When you have the bike, pull the plugs and replace with brand new ones. Put a fresh battery in it or at least ensure the one in it is healthy and fully charged. Dump the fuel from the tank and put fresh stuff in. Check that it has oil in it. Plenty of choke and try to start it. You might be lucky. I was with the old bike I purchased. The guy who sold it to me, just could not get it started despite a good 2 hours of trying with old fuel and plugs. Enjoy. Peter.
Agree with all of the above, as long as it turns over it is fixable within most budgets and a bit of time and effort. Budget for new tyres, new battery, new air and oil filters, new oil, new spark plugs, new coolant and possibly a new thermostat. Some lamps or bulbs will probably not work, very carefully and one at a time check and clean every single electrical connection on the bike, check the regulator and rectifier works ($$$). There will probably be a few non original bolts, screws and parts on the bike, nothing that will need to be done immediately. Once the bike is up and running get used to the fact that nothing really happens below 8,000 rpm, beyond that it's a great little bike.
Double check if your 1989 model is a CBR250R (MC19) or CBR250RR (MC22). Although very similar bikes, there are less parts available for the MC19, thus a bit harder to restore it. If you're not familiar with those bikes, the MC19 has just one front brake rotor and the swing arm is straight on both sides, while the MC22 has 2 front rotors, and the swing arm is straight on one side, and curved the other.
