Racer X Films: 1996 McGrath Themed Honda CR250R Garage Build Project Bike

While I am not a huge fan of modern two-strokes, I can say that I love old nostalgia and that includes old smokers. Especially when it’s done right and themed after one of my favorite riders growing up. This 1996 Jeremy McGrath themed Honda CR250R has me wishing I could, even if only for a few minutes, get to ride it, but Jay Clark was stingy about anyone riding this Garage Build. But it looked so good and came so far, I at least wanted to write as well as get a video up on its life. This era in moto was so exciting. MC, his mechanic Skip Norfolk, and Honda were the epitome of cool during this time. Jay Clark has built many Garage Build bikes over the years but for some reason he wanted to make his life harder and tackle a 30-year-old bike to rebuild. We wanted to know some of the pitfalls and joys of such an undertaking, so we got him out to Blackmore Ranch in Murrieta, California to talk about it.
Build: Jay Clark / dirtbiketv1.com
Text: Kris Keefer
Photos/Video: Simon Cudby
Wiseco Performance Products
Pro-Lite Piston Kit, CV4 Hi-Temp Rad Cap
www.wiseco.com
Rekluse
Core Manual TorqueDrive, Clutch Basket, Inner hub, Pressure Plate, Clutch Cover
www.rekluse.com
Pro X Racing Parts
Connecting Rod Rebuild Kit, Main Bearings & Crank Seals, Cranks Seals, Carb Rebuild Kit, Clutch Cable, Steering Bearing Kit, Front Brake Caliper Rebuild Kit, Rear Brake Caliper Kit, Front Master Cylinder Rebuild Kit, Rear Master Cylinder Rebuild Kit, Front Sprocket, Rear Sprocket Alloy, MX Chain Gold, Counter Shaft Seal Kit, Upper and Lower Chain Roller, Swingarm Bearing Kit, Swingarm Linkage Bearing Kit, Front and Rear Rotor, Brake Pads Front and Rear
www.pro-x.com
TMR
Cylinder Porting, Head Mod, Carburetor Slide Mod and Jetting
www.tommorganracing1.com
Millennium Tech
Strip, Repair Damage and Replate to Stock Size
www.mt-llc.com
Cometic Gasket
Engine Gaskets
www.cometic.com
Langston Performance/Andrew Langston
Crankshaft Rebuild with ProX Rod Kit
www.langstonperformance.com
FMF Racing
Gnarly Exhaust (stripped and factory treated from Robbies), Shorty Silencer (Powercore modified into a Shorty)
www.fmfracing.com
Dunlop
MX34 Front, MX33 Rear
www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com
Race Tech
Suspension Revalve and Setup, Hard Anodize of Forks and Shock Body
www.racetech.com
Parapros Brad
Engine Rebuild, Carburetor Rebuild, Wheel Build Assembly
parapros
Clarke Manufacturing
OEM Style Fuel Tank
www.clarkemfg.com
ICW
Radiator Straightening and Bracing
www.icwbikestands.com
Uni Filter
Two-Stage Air Filter
www.unifilter.com
DeCal Works
Semi-Custom Graphics Kit, Preprinted Number Plates Backgrounds
www.decalmx.com
Sano Metal Finishing/Sypher Coatings
Vapor Honing, Sand Blasting, Custom Cerakoting
www.syphercoatings.com
MX Plastics
Full Plastic Kit, Mud Flap
www.mxplastics.com
Works Connection
Hour Meter, Stand, Front Brake Rotating Bar Mount, Brake Reservoir Cap, Elite Clutch Perch Assy, Oil Filler Plug, Stem Nut
www.worksconnection.com
MotoTassinari
V-Force Reed Cage
www.mototassinari.com
ODI
Emig V2 Lock-On Grips, Podium 7/8 MX Bars Champ Bend
odigrips.com
Galfer USA
Brake Line Rear, Brake Line Front
www.galferusa.com
Specbolt Fasteners
Nickel Engine Bolt Kit, Plastic Complete Bolt Kit, Rear Sprocket Bolt Kit
www.specbolt.com
San Diego Powder Coating
Sandblasting, Powder with Super Durable Clear and Race Prep Masking
www.sandiegopowdercoating.com
VP Racing Fuels
C12 Fuel
www.vpracingfuels.com
Nacstar USA
Excel Silver Rims
www.nacstarusa.com
Tusk Off-Road
Front & Rear Spoke Kit, Kill Switch, Shifter
www.tuskoffroad.com
SPD Factory Development
Radiator Hoses, Radiator Hose Clamps, Chain Blocks, Footpeg Pins
www.spdfactorydevelopments.com
IMS
Super Stock Foot Pegs
www.imsproducts.com
Fasst Co
Rear Brake Return Spring, Rear Brake Clevis
www.fasstco.com
Klotz Synthetic Lubricants
R-50 Two-Stroke Pre-Mix and Chemicals
www.klotzlube.com
AK Technologies
3D Printed Radiator Louvers
www.akramertech.ca
Motion Pro
Rim Locks, Turbo SE Throttle Housing Cable
www.motionpro.com
Carbon Solutions
Custom 3D Printed In-frame Cable Holder
www.carbonsolutions3d.com
Enduro Engineering
Rear Brake Pedal Tip
www.enduroeng.com
Moto Seat
Seat Foam, Seat Cover install (96 Replica from Throttle Jockey)
www.motoseat.com
Robby’s Pipe Repair
Strip, Buff, Factory Look FMF Pipe, Shorten PowerCore FMF into a Shorty
robbys_pipe_repair
Other items of note:
Kick Starters obtained from ebay, hour meter, custom bracket above number plate, custom made front brake clamp
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[@JacksonD489]

Jay is an absolute superhero of dirt bikes! Super knowledgeable and always willing to help...

[@dirkharvey]

I love it. Going deep. I couldn't ever let one rot on the side of the house. Loved them more when I sold them than when I got them because of that sentimental value. It's like your wrench work and maintenance is a relationship with the machine. The more you do that, the better it takes care of you. Allowing for experience in exchange for it's efforts. A beautiful thing really.

[@gmeyer6657]

This year & the ‘93 were my favorites! Best balanced & speed. I had FMF do my motors, they were fast and never broke! RIDE RED for life!!

[@barnescycle]

All of the 93s were the best all brands just My opinion

[@JoeCole12]

I bought one of those brand new. Best bike I’ve ever owned. Even switched it over to a woods bike after a couple yrs of moto and the soft bottom end allowed it to chug over slippery roots and rocks great.

[@angelracing]

extremely beautiful, extravagant good looking, i wish we could heard this beauty´s engine running low rpm´s on iddle at last... 🤤

[@ironeagle22a]

Nothing beats the sound and smell of a two stroke hole shot.

[@robmacisaac9011]

I just finished a ‘95 KX, took over 2 yrs but mine is on the same level as this CR. I can relate to EVERYTHING he is saying.

[@ochoabtor9597]

Nice job! My old 1995 CR250 was saweeet! Even had a Wiseco on my from Jay! 🎉

[@dr00andrew]

I watched the entire video start to finish in hopes we could hear it idle and it did not disappoint

[@emiljohansson8435]

Sad not to build a rider… I get its alot of work into it but…. Damn, would be nice to hear it ridden…

[@chrisvozza6530]

Beautiful bike jay dam. But yea I wouldn't to be able to help my self I would have to take it out for a hard rip every once in a while. Love 2strokes nothing like um

[@raymondsiewert2720]

I even knew every McGrath's stat question.......l get to ride it ! 😅 I already have the last generation CR 250 in mint condition with only good performance parts on it. Ride it every week.

[@jeremytrussell4942]

Are any of the other 4 bikes for sale? Would love to own one

[@chetmanley7209]

Once again great build, unfortunately we have to listen to Keefer talk and complain non stop. Jay please post a video on this bike on your own channel.

[@jpconard]

I said 93. Rumor was the frames would stretch in the season.

[@IRRIGATIONKINGS]

Should Team Honda paint their frames white? Might be cool..

[@Chiefee]

Pearl white would be nice

[@mr2981]

Talking about motorcycles and not riding them is pretty boring.

[@BryanSutherland-w7e]

Have you not seen/heard enough 2-stroke videos? They’re everywhere. This video is about what it takes to build a bike of this caliber. Go watch a million other videos if you wanna hear a 2-stroke rip around the track. There’s no shortage…

[@VolkZ-wl4ci]

@@BryanSutherland-w7e Yeah it's not that hard, i have 3 Replica bikes and i ride them, this shit is gay as fuck.

[@JKrause616]

The fork tubes would be better if anodized gold/bronze instead of black.

[@alexarmstrong1134]

watch time for this video 1 minute

[@VolkZ-wl4ci]

Not riding a bike that was created to race is criminal.