Hey folks, I'm new in town so here's a bit about me. I'm fairly new to motorcycles and bought my first one late last year, a 1985 Honda CBX250. Plans for it are pretty simple - learn how to ride it, and learn how to maintain it myself and keep it running. I chose this particular bike because an air-cooled single seemed like a relatively simple place to start. Also it was running, registered, and regularly ridden at the time of purchase (still is!). And at $1100 dollars, it was cheap too. I have seen them cheaper, but this one really needed no money spent on it. I've got some experience working on cars, so I'm hoping that knowledge crosses over to bikes. If anyone has any tips or wisdom regarding this bike in particular, I'd be very grateful to hear it. I have read that the RFVC engine can get a bit warm, and if I am stopped at traffic lights I can feel the heat rising from below, so first question - would it be worthwhile to wrap the exhaust? Not for any performance gain, just looking to get the hot exhaust gases away from the engine. So that's about it for now, thanks very much for having me, and enjoy a picture of my bike!
The front tyre was replaced just before I bought the bike. I might just check tomorrow to make sure it's correct spec. Good spot!
Nope, looks like I'm wrong - http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cbx250 87.htm Both 18" wheels. Optical illusion makes the front rim look smaller. Check tyres for the directional arrows and make sure they are rotating the right way... I've recently had a front tyre put on the wrong way around. Also note, if they have used a rear tyre on the front wheel (yep, rears can be put on the front if you reverse the rotation), they mount them backwards, as front & rear tyres have different types of loads... Rear is 100% drive and front is 100% braking and steering, due to reasons I can't easily comprehend, the tread patterns are "backwards" on the front tyre, going from outside to inside. Hence the backwards mounting of a rear tyre on the front rim. I hope I haven't made things too confusing
welcome and i like the bike.because it is an 85 you could have club rego and if selling please let me know.
Actually Linkin, you were right. The front wheel is 16", with an 18" on the rear. I guess the larger 18" front wheel was only on the CBX250S. Standard tyre sizes are 80/100-16 on the front and 90/90-18 rear. It currently has 100/90-16 on the front, and 110/80-18 at the back. Are these safe to continue using? Thanks to my67xr for noticing, otherwise I might not have. No confusion at all regarding front and rear tyre design, Linkin. I can at least confirm that both tyres are at the correct ends, and spinning in the right direction. Thanks for the kind words, risky. Glad you like the bike, though I do plan to hang on to it for a while.
It appears my brain wasn't playing a trick on me then Tyre technology has changed a lot since 1985. Whatever is available today is usually equal to or better than what they had back then. The 100/90/16 means the tyre is slightly taller than the standard profile. This might change the radius of the tyre, could potentially throw the speedo off if it's driven off the front wheel. You would also get the same as the front wears down, decreasing radius over time. It can also change the way the bike handles when steering. Taller tyre means it will want to tip in to the turn more.
watch the 16 inch front wheels as the idea was to make the bike turn in better and sometimes the turn in can be a tad tooooo far.
I don't have much basis for comparison regarding handling, but I'll certainly watch out for that turn in. The bike does feel comfortable enough as is, so I guess I'll run with it for a while. Thanks again for all your help, I am already glad that I joined up!
There's a couple of CBX250 ('87) build thread's here- http://2fiftycc.com/index.php?search/1432161/&q=cbx250&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=121 A guy i used to work with year's ago had an 85 CBX250, he lived up in the hill's about 40 min's from Adelaide and loved cruising it up and down the freeway every day. The styling of the CBX250 kind of remind's me of the late 60's early 70's race bike's like the Honda RC166 250cc inline 6cyl etc Not as much when i compare the 2 side by side, lol It's good to have another L plater here too.
Thanks for the link, it's great to see what others are doing with their CBXs. I was drawn to the look of the bike too, it does have a bit of early model racer about it. Perhaps not quite as striking as the RC166, but cool nonetheless!
Welcome. The front tyre should not be a problem. RFVC engines don't get any hotter than other aircooled engines (I have a 650cc version) when stopped and idleing. Wrapping the pipes would I think make very little difference. Keep up the oil changes with good oil (I use Castrol 4T) and it should last you a long time. Keep a check on the valve clearances too.
That's good to hear, I understand that pipe wrap can cause a lean mixture and also hold too much heat in the exhaust, possibly resulting in it cracking, I'm glad that it is not necessary. Oil will be changed soon, I am looking at using Amsoil 20w-50 synthetic. I keep reading that it is the best available, especially for use in the heat of air-cooled engines. Valve clearances will definitely be checked too. Thanks heaps for the tips, it's good to have some knowledge from another RFVC owner.
