A couple of months ago, I posted a few pictures of my most recent new project. An NSR250 build, I'd bought most of the parts & donor bike for (started off as a cheap, but very neglected MC21). and stashed it away for 7 years.
When I started,, the donor bike really was in a shocking state. In the last couple of months during late evenings and the odd day off, I've completely overhauled the engine, including some mild porting, carbs, 2-stroke oil pump, etc. then assembled onto an MC28 frame, complete with single-sided swing arm. The donor bike's engine had leaked oil from several places, so all the oil seals, gaskets, bearings, crank, rings, etc. and original cylinder heads were each replaced.
The carbs were ultrasound cleaned and assembled with larger 148 main jets (should hopefully be very close to perfect, since they're known to work well with the Tyga exhaust system being used) and all new gaskets, etc. Even the little oil pump was rebuilt with a combination of it's and another's parts, as the original had seized and the previous owner had just run it on pre-mix.
every component has been reconditioned, cleaned, or replaced with a better alternative, where possible.
Suspension is Ohlins at the rear, and forks are from an RVF400. They've been fitted with modern cartridges built specifically for my weight, riding style, etc. by Maxton Suspension - a company I've stayed with for decades.
Brakes shall
Be billet Brembos (F&R), with a Brembo RCS19 master at the front, and an OEM CBR600RR at the rear (larger bore than standard NSR250
There’s a new key cylinder set and switches. Even the original NSR250 MC21 gauges were modified and the needles restored (faces are white, usually). These later MC28’s had a digital speedometer with a card instead of ignition key, but with the fancy electronics came hard to get around of power restrictions, which is why from the outset I’f avoided building a full MC28 spec. NSR.
Form AND function.
Lots of work done in cleaning, painting, replacing bolts with titanium or stainless fasteners, working out the exact routing of wiring, cables, etc.
Last night, I filled the cooling system - then spent some time hunting for minor coolant leaks and curing them. In the next few days, new Tyga stainless expansion chambers and silencers will go on, then the airbox & fuel tank can be fitted.
She'll be treated to fresh fuel (premix at first - an easy way to bleed the rebuilt oil system), and 10W30 oil for the transmission, and hopefully the engine will start for the first time in 7 years, after a few kicks.
Once she runs sweetly, the bodywork will finally be fitted. It was all restored replaced & repainted by Tyga years ago & they did a great job. The front cowl is a GP replica, using the original headlight, and there are discreet carbon fibre accents in the tail cowl, which I can share later.
Just waiting on brake hoses, a matching Brembo underslung rear caliper and some Diablo Super Corsa tyres, some other small pieces, plus a few more parts from Tyga, Then hopefully it'll finally be ready to use.
No rush - maybe I'll have it ready by summer. I'll only want to ride it when it's fully sorted & completed.
Should be a lot of fun. Apparently these feel a lot like RS250 Hondas (Engines are very similar, and the RS250 unit slots straight into the NSR frame) to ride.
This one should be quite a lot better than a standard one, with much improved suspension, brakes and roughly 25% more power.
Have wanted a pukka2-stroke race replica NSR250 MC28 since I first saw one parked in the centre of Tokyo in 1993 during my first visit to Japan. I was gobsmacked then.
I later test rode a then new Aprilia RS250 around 1996, and never forgot how special it felt.
Soon, finally I'll have my own 2-stroke pocket rocket to ride.
[EDIT] Thanks for the interest from those who have commented (ahead). I’ll be sure to post pictures and an update when I have more to share.