REBUILDING MY ABANDONED HONDA CB250 | THE BEGINNING

[@BikesofRye]

I was asked for longer videos and so I delivered! Hope you enjoy and don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already done so 😁

[@TheREGGIE1324]

Top man 🎉 longer FTW

[@shutinyanks]

loving the longer format

[@chrisjohn4101]

Brings back so many memories, my first bike was the same bike/year as this, I was 17 then and my 250N was my life, used to ride it 174 miles to see my first fiance at the weekend then back again to start work Monday morning, such wonderful recollections - thank you.

[@grayfool]

I ran a CB250 for a couple of years back in the early eighties and it was the most reliable bike I have ever owned. Great to see you cracking on with this one.

[@shammon1]

Best tip--- make your own loose oil to get stuck bolts loose, 50% Acetone 50% red power steering fluid. Put both together in a spray bottle and shake well. I have been working on bikes for over 22 years this never fails to get them off easy. let it soak with multiple applications is best. Give it a try on your channel!

[@AndyPat239]

and heat too..

[@malcolmabram2957]

Thanks for the video. I started biking in the late 70s, and then they were looked at as poor man's transport if you could not afford a car (putting aside the exotica). The Honda 250 super dream was a very popular bike, cheap to run, could hold 70 mph on the motorway, reliable and did the job perfectly well as a commuter.

[@martyndunn1905]

These videos are quality viewing, absolutely love a restoration of an old skool motorbike. Keep up the good work, it's going to look amazing.

[@rick79991]

Top job fella, this is the best type of content on you tube, real life......just a bloke tinkering, spot on mate

[@gdfggggg]

Agree

[@mickibbett2120]

Just a little bit to help. You are getting better at your bolt removal. Keep up the good work. And thanks very enjoyable

[@BleachDemon99]

Heat is a mechanics best friend…

[@gdfggggg]

I agree, he’s progressing nicely. I’d prefer a hotter source of heat, though. Sometimes the bolts/nuts need to be red.

[@BleachDemon99]

@@gdfggggg oh yes, recommend a plumbers blowtorch of the Mapp variety 👌🏼 ideal for the home mechanic.

[@gdfggggg]

@@BleachDemon99that’s useful. I’ve been using a standard torch, and it’s crap. The gun you suggest has a hotter flame 👍🏻 when I was a mechanic we had oxy 😎

[@BleachDemon99]

@@gdfggggg I discovered mapp gas when I worked in a garage that was near residential area and we wasn’t allowed oxy acetylene on site. Look up Induction heater bolt removal….game changer 👌🏼

[@WoBlink1961]

Good to watch you with those exhaust studs, Rye - you've developed the 'engineers feel'! The reason they didn't shear was *entirely* down to the skills you have developed - so take the win, and celebrate it! Studs & bolts will still snap on you in the future, but they do for everybody - and now you can be happy in the knowledge that it isn't your fault 👍

[@clivehewitt-zo5yq]

I remember my 250 super dream delux, first bike when I passed my test. Happy memories.... Good luck with the build.

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Nostalgic viewing , had three of these when they could be bought for £200 in the Winter , and sold for a small profit in the Spring , having given good service for a few months .The bike has the now rare ' security ' style digits numberplate , very common in the early 80s but soon disbanded and matches the 250N graphics on the side covers.

[@stevehowe8218]

I sheared of the exhaust manifold bolts (3 out of 4)on my Super Dream when it was 12 months old in 1981. As you know the bolts and studs used by Honda in that ear were made of chocolate. Great job getting them off! looking forward to following this rebuild. Bringing back great memories

[@luddite6239]

Those crusty old tyres were made in week 51 of 1984 - should be good for another couple of years!

[@BikesofRye]

It makes me pause for thought at the fact they are that old... I wasn't even born

[@colinculverwell325]

With respect thats incorrect. I read that as 0514. The first two numbers are the week of manufacture, the second two the year. So that makes it week five 2014. Old but not quite as old. Begs the question as to why a bike that's been off the road since 86 has a 2014 tyre?

[@BikesofRye]

@@colinculverwell325 the code is C514

[@luddite6239]

@@BikesofRye Thank you. Yes the four digit code didn't come in until the 2000s. Before that, the first two digits represented the week and the final one the year. If it had been 1994, there'd have been a triangle after the final digit.

[@colinculverwell325]

@@BikesofRye thanks, I read that wrong. Apologies.

[@newbymick1]

For that front wheel axle, try soaking it with white vinegar. Put some in a spray bottle and squirt it every time you look at it. The vinegar will eventually penetrate into the bearing and loosen up.

[@timoplants5869]

Takes me back to the early eighties when I had a blue version. Rode down from Leicester to Ilfracombe for the weekend with my mate on the back. It all went well until the headlight bulb blew on the way home. Had to use the highbeam and pushed the headlight down so it didn’t blind everyone!

[@CHuzz7777]

I get worried by small jobs and mark everything with labels and take photos so I have some idea of how it goes back together. Watching a tear down like this brings me out in a cold sweat!!

[@noelg3384]

When I changed my Blackbird headers. I sprayed the bolts with no nonsence penetrating oil from screwfix and left it work its magic for a day. Then I put pressure on the nuts as too tighten slightly then undo. Then I sprayed them again and worked the nuts back and forth loose then tighten then loose then tighten this cleans the threads. I had no problem. So easy to snap them.

[@michaelsnelson2748]

Thanks, very strong visual memories and feeling of skinned knuckles. I stripped down my 400N super dream outside my student flat but I did have a Haynes Manual. ( only had basic spanner’s though!) Remember carrying / manoeuvring the engine up the stairs to my room. Reminded me of the weight of the exhaust system, I spent valuable beer money on a yoshimura 2:1. The name and ease of putting it on was almost worth the sacrifice. Happy Days,keep it coming.

[@MiniFR12]

Great work! This video has got me inspired to get started on my mum's old CB400, been her's since 1997 but has been sat partially stripped since 2006. I want to get it back on the road again even though she can't ride anymore as I know how much it means to her.

[@jota1221]

Great vid, when I was hooning around on my 125 in the early 80s I lusted after these Superdreams, especially the 400 haha!. Can’t wait to see how this turns out.

[@gdfggggg]

Progressing nicely my friend. Wacking a bolt with a rubber hammer is pointless as the force is absorbed by the rubber, but good to try first, guess. I get you’re trying not to damage things. When removing wheel bolt put the nut on as much as possible but not to expose the end of the bolt, then hit with a steel hammer. You may damage the nut but it’s cheap. Workout where it’s seized and use heat if possible. Worst case, you might damage the bolt but no big deal to replace. If needed, spend a couple of days consistently spraying with lubricant. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to bash the hell out of it with steal hammers/heat etc 😅 Well done, mate. Gurt lush 👏🏻 Edit: the bolt might be threaded in the forks so be careful 👀

[@tichwykes]

Great job I think if my memory serves me correct the front forks are threaded also so you may need to just undo the wheel spindle rather than belt it with a mallet. I think with the clamp & nut it were like a bit of overkill but I never known a wheel to fall off either.

[@muzzb40]

I am eager to see how this turns out as this was my first "proper" bike after I passed my test on a 125 - exactly the same colourway too. The video brought back so many memories. I bought it from a bike shop that used to be in the Wynd, Letchworth back some 40 years ago - I think the Garden City Brewery occupies the premises now. Like others I used it to visit GF's, even rode it to the coast with a pillion a couple of times - wouldn't do that on a small naked these days!

[@danharbun483]

Try a blow touch to heat the old nuts heat will maje the nut expand helping it to undo👍

[@czarekp3552]

to give yourself a best chance not to break the stud, clean it first to prevent rust and sand getting stuck in the thread

[@RobsNeighbor]

I will be doing the same thing in a few weeks with a Honda 400 twin the automatic deal. Very good videos!

[@philliplewis4212]

I had one of these back in the day, a very good bike never let me down

[@HollyBerryDOOG]

I used to have a CB100n and longed to have a 250 wet dream but then I bought a proper bike, an RD350 YPVS F2 and I saw the religion!

[@patrickfay1055]

So good to watch your videos and you will keep learning we all had to start somewhere take care keep up the great work

[@phildavies1192]

Workshop envy😢 No matter what people say about thd superdream, its a great looking bike, in my opinion ❤

[@charlesscottkelly]

These where common around my area, I never liked the look of them and always wanted the cx500 on my street... but unfortunately I was only 13 and dreaming.. I still want one now at 55.

[@robertbattison4136]

Think the tyre was manufactured in the 51st week of 1984, (C514) so it's probably the second rear tyre after 10k miles.

[@jonnyvt6602]

Even the rust has seen better days!! At least the next project will seem alot easier; from one who has done many of these, since 1988.

[@TheDavedadd]

hey mate good series on the old classics. Really enjoying watching this one. A good place for parts for some of the older bikes is David Silver he is a specialist in Honda parts and reasonably priced too. 😀

[@derekwaters932]

Motad used to do aftermarket exhaust for these.

[@BikesofRye]

Will look into it thanks for the suggestion!

[@derekwaters932]

My experience of old rusted bolts, if they move out a little, fresh squirt of lube turn it back on, go again until it tightens, another squirt and tighten back. It helps get more lube on the threads and lessens the chance of it shearing off. Enjoy watching you learn, keep it up!

[@user-ot1dv6ri4f]

get an air lifting cushion to aid in getting rear wheels on and off, I just ordered one and looking forward to using it next week

[@stevefletcher2334]

I can watch people wrench on old rusty bikes all night long!

[@nevpfc]

Been following the channel for a while now but joined the patreon last month. Keep up the great work 💪🏻

[@BikesofRye]

You are very kind! I will look to give this bike away to one of you so keep an eye out for that on how to win it

[@tiarnanobrien2221]

I rode an identical black CB250 for about 4 years. I got rid of the exhaust splitter box under neath once it rotted away.

[@turbobock]

Looks easier than doing a Blackbird on the driveway……. Great vid.

[@astrostrotch]

Next tool to buy. Map gas blowtorch.

[@andrewashman3333]

Great stuff - bin the exhaust and the tyres.

[@jackbeanstock7710]

pro tip, use a torch to put some heat into rusty bolts and nuts BEFOR you try to take them off..... works every time, 60% of the time. :)

[@kanggoo57]

ive got the same bike! Mine is the 400N though, so a bigger engine and dual calipers they actually shot up in value because the CB250T was used in the popular anime, tokyo revengers, and our N is basically the same bike, same frame and engine. so its modifyable to look like the bike.

[@gary321]

I had the old cb250t(rnd tank) dream mate and put a 2 into 1 on it however can't for the life of me remember which it was. Keep doing what your doing it's class👍🏼

[@shaunhardie6077]

Possibly a "MOTAD" system as they were all the rage back in the good old days.

[@SAVING_ICONIC_MACHINES]

Great video mate keep up the good work ❤

[@BikesofRye]

Thanks 😁

[@noelg3384]

There should be a four digit code on the side of the tyre the first 2 two digits are the week made and the next two digits are the year made.

[@luddite6239]

That's the current system; in the 80s it was three digits - 514 = week 51 of 1984.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

I passed my motorcycle test in 1980 on a 1979 CB250N, as soon as I got my full licence, I traded the 'Superdream' in against a Triumph TR7RV 'Tiger' 750.

[@kevp6345]

You need to buy a nut splitter. It would make your life so much easier. Also, put tennis balls on the end of the handlebars to protect you whilst working. Great video though

[@gk73man51]

These don’t like aftermarket pipes, however that standard system is toast other than the headers. I’d look for the bits to make up another stock system, they may even still be about as NOS.

[@akaski777]

Only problem I've had rebuilding mine is the petrol tank respray, wish I'd have left the original paint on next time I've sent it to be resprayed professionally save some money and time

[@jbenn43457]

My Uncle had a 400N, went to change the oil and filter, but the after market exhaust covered the filter housing. He went to remove the exhaust, snapped a stud. Drilled it, inserted an easy-out, snapped it. Tried to drill that, the drill bit wandered off and left a bit hole in the cylinder head. Had to remove that and get the stud spark eroded. Put in 2 helicoils, one inside the other. When he put the head back, the cam was 180 degrees out. That's when he asked me to sort it 😂

[@julianpritchard2558]

As there’s is good compression, and the bike has run, why strip it, rebuild the carbs , give it a service and it’s good to go.

[@michaelclutton8446]

I was thinking the same 10K isn't a lot of miles

[@chrisstephens6194]

It's never going to be worth a full restoration

[@AndyPat239]

i think brakes, suspension, chains etc might need servicing too

[@johnmcpheedhl6162]

Tyre is manufactured week 5 of 2014 ye could do with some Bulldog BDX for the siezed bolts spray on day before you going to remove

[@katywalker8322]

I suspect the front wheel spindle is seized to the spacer between the wheel bearings. If so at least being the front you can drop it out, take the fork off one side and drive the spacer and bearing out with the spindle.

[@DavidCooper-rv6wg]

Check the comstar wheels for cracks near the rivets

[@BoYFroMLT]

If you have bolt with nut on the end of it, you always should unscrew it by the nut, holding the bolt, and not reverse.

[@GixxerWayne]

Great vid , I can't stress enough at how good Bulldog BDX is and will be a great help with your projects , I swear by the stuff . Once again, loving the vids and seeing how keen you are even when it gets tough, great stuff.

[@brian623]

I think the exhaust needs to be thrown away and purchased some nice new ones

[@flibbertigibbet6200]

Don't risk it fella, Before starting a project keep soaking bolts in wd40 days before starting, and if still stuck always go for heat as you did with some.

[@brian623]

I don’t think I would trip the engine down. I think I would try and get it dry ice 10,000 miles it’s not very much at all you’re doing a fantastic job

[@roybrown9267]

I'd recommend using a t-bar or 1/2 inch breaker instead of a ratchet.

[@BikesofRye]

The 1/2 inch breaker came in handy! 😎

[@thomascharnock]

Been looking forward to this one for a while mate. Get that badboy on the road!

[@dave8204]

Delkevic do a full 2-1 exhaust system for the Superdream for £239 including delivery,a bit of a bargain as they're top quality systems . You might be able to get a bit off if you tell them there's publicity in it for them. Their systems are stainless steel and there's a 5 year warranty. Superdream exhausts were junk from the start and that mild steel collector box under the engine where it would pick up road salt etc was never a great idea,why most aftermarket systems were 2-1

[@johnr4459]

TFR and a hot pressure washer should be first port of call

[@gdfggggg]

True. All tools will make his life better and easier, but these things cost big bucks. He’s only starting out.

[@Jay-Ninja]

Good progress. A lot of work to do so good luck.

[@03rrrider64]

For the foot rests loosen the nuts on the back first then run them out Any exposed thread clean with wire brush to stop nuts locking on the crud 👍

[@petergrinnell2500]

Wat a rare honda my dad had one and the horrible superdream 250cc & 400 and when i was 17 years old i had a 125cc might not of been a nice looking bike as my friends had better bikes but it never let me down i only sold it to have a Nsr 125 (2stroke) that was fast good luck with it can't wait to see it finished them exhausts bolts are a pain like you said snap as the drilling out is tricky you was very lucky i would i would of soaked them in Wd 40 for a while 👍

[@jonnyvt6602]

Ah ha, the wet dream, the first 'real bike' I ever rode, was like a rocket ship after my restricted moped!!

[@pl1068]

Love it, when we were 17 we used to call these the Honda Wet dream 😂 childish I know.

[@mickibbett2120]

Thanks

[@BikesofRye]

That will help massively thank you!!!

[@simonlunt353]

The 250 super dream was my second bike and I know a lot of people will say l am mad but I did like my 250 l think l only had it about two years and then it got nicked 😢l did get it back but it was in Terrible state but happy days 😊when I was riding it

[@markhouston3404]

Get some tins of plusgas, its much better than gt or wd for getting rusty bolts out.

[@vincentshellard1273]

Have owned four of these over the years ,so i must be a glutton for punishment ....just kidding....what was once a good cheap winter hack is now a much sought after bike....if only i'd known....nice to see one being worked on.,.loving the vids ,brings back old memories.

[@robinberryman5949]

Hi l am enjoying your videos thank for posting. I have Cb650z in the same condition as, this little 250 with similar problems. Should you need a front wheel disc and spindle I have one in the garage, bought hoping it might fit mine but of course does not so no good to me. Keep posting please looking forward to next one.

[@KentRoads]

you'll be speedrunning death welding those forks

[@alfiedodah9799]

always heat exhaust studs/bolts with mapgaz torch before hand........never ever use twelve point sockets or ring spnnars to undo bolts......they round the corners off.....always use six point sockets......always use JIS tipped screwdrivers on crosshead screws.....In the factory JIS screws are done up to a torque setting and do n ot 'turn out'....phillips head drivers will 'turn out'...

[@funguseater40]

Predator UK make a stainless 2 into 1. Weight 7 kg, £425 road legal 👍. Or available are aftermarket silencers and collector from David Silver spares UK.

[@ReeceSlade02]

love the video but where do you find all these treasures of a bike to work on :)

[@colinbarton3960]

Loving it. Thanks CB

[@JIMWSMITH]

Why don't you strap the bike down on the lift ? Accident waiting to happen...

[@mrmr9767]

Best of luck with the engine sprocket.

[@comfysofa1549]

Definately put it back together with Stainless fittings. if youre going to throw a few grand at it...id definately go with a motogadget MUnit and switch gear....you can trash the entire wirng loom then reducing the wiring by about 70% and do away with all the fuses.

[@alanashley1]

As said before use penetrating fluid on the nuts and studs. I replaced my FZ6 Fazer exhaust nuts to stainless steel much easier

[@smoll.miniatures]

Get the blowtorch on stuck bolts. Heat gun is far too tame.

[@A_S_100]

I think C514 is probably 51st week of 1984 If I'm not mistaken.

[@ambrosiad1588]

be careful taking apart those drum breaks, many of them used to have asbestos in them

[@BikesofRye]

Thanks for the advise will do

[@BleachDemon99]

Are we shot blasting and powder coating that frame Ry? I think this one needs that quality finish, get some wire wheels and some polishing paste….that engines gonna need some elbow work 😁

[@BikesofRye]

Will have the frame professionally done yep agree needs to look the best

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

A Sweet Geek

[@dennissmith224]

Using the wrong tools , ie You should use a ring spanner on the oil drain plug and not use a ratchet on the exhaust studs you should use a a T bar , the rubber mallet was pointless , etc etc . I taught Motorcycle Mechanics for twenty years and have a BSc in Mechanical Engineering .

[@alb10ngb37]

400 version is the one to go for.

[@BleachDemon99]

Those holes are drainage holes for the condensation…..that one big one isn’t, started out as one ……probably

[@neilrd350]

Delkavic do an exhaust for it. And they are great quality 👍

[@gdfggggg]

I love their exhausts. Got one on mine and it’s great.

[@HollyBerryDOOG]

I honestly think you have the knack, I would’ve snapped it!

[@redzed40]

Top job, keep the tax disc on it

[@dermerlo]

Nice! I'm doing a restomod of a CB250T on my channel.

[@haznkaz]

Your spanner skills are painful to watch 🙈

[@Steve-wx9gl]

Personally I would of soaked everything in WD and left it overnight

[@KentRoads]

the noise of the ratcheting is like 3000x louder than your voice

[@czarekp3552]

hasn't Sealey rang, or has Del monopolised their sponsorship? greedy bast......