Post by petemate on Sept 28, 2016 19:23:08 GMT 1
A humble 1983 LA250 Custom. It is a Japanese Domestic Market bike. Most of these went to places like Ghana, Vietnam, etc. This one got imported to UK, not sure when. It is based, frame and cycle parts-wise, on the little CM125C Custom. The American sister bike to this was the CM250C, which was the precursor to the 250 Rebel. The engine, however, is the same as that in the CB250 Nighthawk, CMX250 Rebel, CM250C and CD250U. It is a 233cc engine, and all internals bar the crank, rods, pistons and barrels, as as on the 125. So parts are quite easy to obtain.
The other differences from the 125 are alloy wheels and tubeless tyres, and a disc up front (same brake components as on the CB125TD Superdream. Handy for pads etc.)
I just couldn't get on with the custom handlebars - not only could I not filter tidily through traffic, I felt a right plonker in the riding stance. So on went a lower handlebar from the Bay of e, Yamaha RD350 NOS for a tenner, went straight on but had to shorten the throttle and clutch cables, and fit a Varadero 125 front hose. Another mod was an SS rear carrier, knocked up from spare SS sheet in my workshop - cost a couple of quid for some SS nuts and screws. The rear indicators were moved rearwards to accommodate throwovers - the extensions (SS natch) are in this pic but the carrier was added afterwards. Colour scheme is the same as one of those on the 125 because I got a NOS tank as the original was rusted through, and I had the side panels painted to match having got hold of an original side panel from which the painter copied the decal. A further plan is to fit a pair of BRIGHT day runners.
The bike was in a sorry state cosmetically when I got it, and mechanically just a noisy third gear (admitted by the seller). Sadly, after fitting a new pair of third gears (£170 ish) once I got it on the road fourth is a bit whiny. So I plan to get a complete cluster from e Bay from a low mileage bike.
It is a great little bike for belting round town etc, and the occasional ride out but although quick off the mark at the lights (much to the annoyance of MANY car drivers) it runs out of puff on the level at about 75. Need an NTV!!
Rack and tailpack
That's all for now folks!
Pete
The other differences from the 125 are alloy wheels and tubeless tyres, and a disc up front (same brake components as on the CB125TD Superdream. Handy for pads etc.)
I just couldn't get on with the custom handlebars - not only could I not filter tidily through traffic, I felt a right plonker in the riding stance. So on went a lower handlebar from the Bay of e, Yamaha RD350 NOS for a tenner, went straight on but had to shorten the throttle and clutch cables, and fit a Varadero 125 front hose. Another mod was an SS rear carrier, knocked up from spare SS sheet in my workshop - cost a couple of quid for some SS nuts and screws. The rear indicators were moved rearwards to accommodate throwovers - the extensions (SS natch) are in this pic but the carrier was added afterwards. Colour scheme is the same as one of those on the 125 because I got a NOS tank as the original was rusted through, and I had the side panels painted to match having got hold of an original side panel from which the painter copied the decal. A further plan is to fit a pair of BRIGHT day runners.
The bike was in a sorry state cosmetically when I got it, and mechanically just a noisy third gear (admitted by the seller). Sadly, after fitting a new pair of third gears (£170 ish) once I got it on the road fourth is a bit whiny. So I plan to get a complete cluster from e Bay from a low mileage bike.
It is a great little bike for belting round town etc, and the occasional ride out but although quick off the mark at the lights (much to the annoyance of MANY car drivers) it runs out of puff on the level at about 75. Need an NTV!!
Rack and tailpack
That's all for now folks!
Pete