would a dirt bike that needs piston rings run?

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Wahab

New member
i might buy a honda cr 250 in the mid 90's that needs piston rings, a clutch lever, and a rear fender. the bike itself is a little shady but its pretty cheap. im pretty shure there are other things wrong with it but im not shure. how can i tell if it is a good bike? thanks.
 
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DonR

Member
You don't know it only needs piston rings without pulling off the head and cylinder to examine the piston and rings. Clutch levers are cheap and the rear fender can probably be replaced cheaply as well. The engine is the biggest concern. You might get a whole used engine for a couple hundred bux from salvage. Labor fees will eat you alive.
 
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DonR

Member
You don't know it only needs piston rings without pulling off the head and cylinder to examine the piston and rings. Clutch levers are cheap and the rear fender can probably be replaced cheaply as well. The engine is the biggest concern. You might get a whole used engine for a couple hundred bux from salvage. Labor fees will eat you alive.
 
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DonR

Member
You don't know it only needs piston rings without pulling off the head and cylinder to examine the piston and rings. Clutch levers are cheap and the rear fender can probably be replaced cheaply as well. The engine is the biggest concern. You might get a whole used engine for a couple hundred bux from salvage. Labor fees will eat you alive.
 
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CandidChris

Member
There is a point between NEED and ABSOLUTELY NEEDS.
Yes the engine may start and rev-up, but when put into gear and put under pressure to move is the check-point. If it hardly wants to push you along it absolutely NEEDS rings. This can also be tested with a compression tester but you would need to know the factory specs for proper judgment.

Buying most any cheap MC will have its problems to deal with, get a Shop Manual and read it.
 
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Paul

Member
If someone's telling you it doesn't run because it needs rings, they are not being completely honest. It has most likely seized and will require a re-bore, piston, rings, pin, etc to get it running again, if you're lucky. It MAY also need a bottom end rebuild too, which requires splitting the cases AND a whole lot of money.

If you can't fire this thing up and ride it, it better be REAL cheap, or walk away.
 
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