Quick Test Ride in the Floods!!! - Project Bike Build -Part 70

Been trying to find time for a test ride, and it finally stopped raining. But clearly I should have waited longer before going out. Honda CB250N Superdream project bike.

[@BongbongA99]

The brakes aren't much cop on mine either Ryan. They never have been from new. Of course the CB400N had twin disks on the front. It's a shame that the CB250N didn't. Ow well. At least the bike went through the food ok. As far carbs setup, well I must confess to struggling with that myself. There was only one fellow round here that could get them spot on for me - he worked in a little independent bike garage (sadly no longer around), and boy, what a difference it made. I'm amazed that yours seems to continue ticking over at only 1,000 rev/min - that's impressive. Mine has to be at least 1,500 rev/min. Great news about the forks and tank eh!! Well done that man.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks for your feedback. Im not expecting great brakes, but sure mine still should be better than they are. The carbs have been my ongoing issue, but i do at least feel im getting closer to being able to sort them out once and for all.

[@RustyWrecks]

Happy new year to you and the family.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Pete, Happy new year to you too.

[@paulgrep3193]

The 250’s brakes are just an example of where braking technology was back then- everybody compares with modern bikes. But Honda dealt with this by making the 250 go not so very fast!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi, maybe you are right, it is certainly never going to have much go. But do feel it should have a little more stopping power.

[@jimbo9310]

Happy new year Ryan 👍😊😊

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Jimbo, Happy New Year to you too.

[@martinowl]

In my experience, Honda single calliper brakes in the 70’s weren’t good. Even dangerous in wet weather. One rainy ride , traffic lights turned red, my Suzuki pulled up nicely, my mates CJ250, just sailed on through, with him crapping himself. It was a new bike to boot.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Martin, maybe i just need to reset my expectations.

[@timparker9235]

Happy New Year to you Ryan - u r a braver man than I , I haven't ventured out for 3 weeks now, hoping thursday might be dry

[@RyansGarageUK]

Happy New Year Tim. I will admit to getting a bit wet towards the end of my shower dodging ride out.

[@davidh4120]

Happy New Year Ryan. Some folk have upgraded the front brake to a twin piston calliper which I believe is the easier option. I am yet to look into that for my SD250. Also I recently replaced my 2:1 motad system to convetional 2:2 exhaust. This seems to make it run smoother and more stable set up, but I suspect my Motad silencer was shot inside.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks David. Happy New Year to you too. I would be interested in a twin piston brake caliper if there is one that replaces the original. I will try to find out.

[@NatsNackersYard]

Happy New Year to you mate.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Nat, Wishing you and all your family a Happy New Year too.

[@derekdingwall]

Happy New Year Ryan ,a bit if fettling to do yet then plus it probably needs a good clean now 👍

[@RyansGarageUK]

Happy New year Derek. Thank you, sure it will be running well soon.

[@jediknight2350]

nice im doing up same color same bike also if you cant get revs up to 10k then its the stator that needs looking at one of the coils will be going to earth the high speed detector not working properly mostly its this and not carbs you can get winding rewound . the wire with little plug test it against ground on the bike if it shows up then booom it buggered.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thats cool. I tested my stator reading against the values listed by Rexs Speed Shop, and mine appears to be within specs. It did rev to the redline a couple of months back, so sure it wll again.

[@jediknight2350]

test it again multimeter 1 on earth touch each wire if multimeter has continuity then boob cream cracked its a superdream problem @@RyansGarageUK

[@SuperSMASON1]

Oh there's a car going through a flood. Why don't I get right up close so I can catch the waves 🤪😝😏

[@RyansGarageUK]

Doesn't everybody like surfing?

[@paulwaite6221]

I see the Wilton road is as bad as ever 😂 Happy new year fella

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Paul, you clearly know this area, and yep. It's no better.

[@stephenwalsh8184]

🏍👍

[@paulsinkler813]

Hi Ryan, Just a thought have you tried new spark plugs ? might be one breaking down at high revs. There was a glut of fake NGK plugs out there other year, I had three that all went off at high revs on an aircraft (not good news at 2000 feet ).As it is quick and cheap might be worth a try.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hii, i hadn't thought to change them again as I had bought new, but given the low cost (and needing new for the scrambler project) i might as well buy another set. Thanks.

[@peterturnbull9133]

Happy New Year Ryan. Like others here I too wondered if the problem is perhaps related to the ignition breaking down at higher revs? Wondered if you switch the coils around and the spark plugs and leads and see if the problem moved to the other cylinder? Not sure how you could easily rule out the CDI ignition but perhaps if one cylinder is working then this would suggect the CDI is OK? Perhaps worth trying this before stripping the carbs again. Good luck

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Peter. Happy New Year to you. I will be testing out these suggestions.

[@roythearcher]

The brakes were'nt exactly a selling point when these bikes were new as the 250 had almost as much weight as the 400 but only half the braking power on the front wheel!! Why honda's engineers did'nt think this would be an issue is beyond me but i guess its all down to price.They can be made to work but you'd have to put a different master cylinder and caliper on there to make any real difference, if you can make them fit, that is...

[@davekeehn8388]

Happy new year. Did you sync the carbs using a vacuum gauge?

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Dave, yes i did sync them before Christmas. I think i have a plan to prove my theory and hope to test it out in a couple of days time.