Bought a 1995 250R .. worth it to flip a profit or no?

[Alex DeFreitas]

Hey guys, been off the site for a while. Swamped with schoolwork (boundary layers... transfer functions.. fatigue life.. stuffs no joke lol)

 

Anyways a month or two ago I bought a 1995 XR250R. It has some goodies like an XR's only cover, slip on and new blacked out paint.

 

So basically I ended up getting it for $400. I am content keeping it as a trail bike, but am getting low on funds in my third to last semester of my undergrad. 

 

I would post on the 250 site, but everyone here rocks right?

 

I am wondering what sort of profit I could see with a fresh top end, maybe a new hotcam and jetting. Oh and of course.. the VT registration to make it a street legal 250.

 

My thoughts,

 

Bike = 400

Top end = 150

hotcam = 100

rejetting = 30

street legal tusk kit along with paperwork fee and inspection = 300.

 

So I am looking at a total investment of about $1000. What I am wondering is if I am crazy to think I could get $2000. Anything less than $700 profit (sale for $1700) really is not worth my time right now.

 

Please don't give me the "well it all depends on what someone is willing to pay". Am I crazy to think $2000 is attainable for a street legal 250cc (or after piston 280cc) honda dual sport?

 

 

About what price do you think I should be confident of getting? I live in Massachusetts where dual sports are kind of a hot commodity. 

 

 

Here's a picture of the bike. It is in great shape but needs some top end jetting exhaust work since it smokes white smoke like a banshee in any throttle range other than idle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a picture of the smoking under any throttle opening. It is the main reason I'm doing the fresh top end and jetting / exhaust work. It looks like someone de-packed the XR's exhaust so I'm not sure where the smoke is coming from. Maybe a toasted valve seat..

 

 

 

and here it is under idle. no sign of smoke:

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

 

-Alex

[JoeBlow Kokomo]

Everyones idea of "great shape" is different.  
 To me, it looks solid and all there, but pretty ratty (well used). 

That does not bring top dollar.

Ratty plastic, lots of scratches on exhaust, etc  takes away not only from how much $,  but interest at  all to discriminating buyers.  
 You didn't include a new(used) tank or plastic in your costs.  

I think to get decent money you're going to have to make it look good. 

That means a new chain too so there's a couple hundred bucks more with plastic.

Little parts add as fast, especially with shipping. 
Around here, likely $1500ish, so maybe there with new plastic and what you describe. 

 

Understand that while to some, "fresh top end" means 'new parts is good'. To others it means it's already been used up once. 

Edited October 4, 2013 by MindBlower

[planetwister]

Looks well used, definitely needs all new plastics. I would do a new tank also, kick stands broken, peg looks bent, shift lever looks bent? Needs to be taken down to bare frame and and re-paint things and just clean up the whole bike. Might be able to make a couple bucks? But it will be hard

[Alex DeFreitas]

I guess it will stay as a project for me and my second bike. This thing screams. Question though..

Why the HELL does this have 6 gears and my 650 only has 5!?!!!?!?

I would kill for a tall 6th gear on the 650L smh?

[Alex DeFreitas]

 

 

 

 

[Onederer]

Why the HELL does this have 6 gears and my 650 only has 5!?!!!?!?

 

 

The same reason some 50cc two-cycle race bikes in the 1960's had 14 gears.

 

 

http://www.bikeexif.com/suzuki-rk67

Edited February 19, 2014 by Onederer

[scalejockey]

Top end on that bike??? Every time ive seen that year of THAT bike that smoked like that,,,,it needed a cam and head too!   Toss it!

Besides a cylinder rebuild and piston will cost ya 300.

 

Or........buy some oversized rings,,file the ring end gap to spec on that worn out bore,,it will stop smoking thus making it sell-able..but you didn't hear that from me! ?

 

(Yes,,i did this once 30 years ago) LOL!

[Alex DeFreitas]

Figured I would put an end to this thread.. sort of.

 

After pulling the top end, I found the ring gap to be about 3X what it should be.

 

http://i61.tinypic.com/3008mc0.jpg

 

Since the wiseco piston was in really good shape, I ordered a new set of rings for the 0.5 mm oversize piston. I also did a light hone on the cylinder to help the new rings seat.

 

http://i60.tinypic.com/15nubrt.jpg

 

http://i57.tinypic.com/21cw5k8.jpg

 

I lapped the valve seats and installed new valve seals. I also used electrolysis to clean the valves and cylinder head

 

Here are some pictures of the gunked valves before they were cleaned.

 

http://i58.tinypic.com/10cpx78.jpg

 

http://i62.tinypic.com/f41lc5.jpg

 

http://i62.tinypic.com/34ir1tv.jpg

 

Here they are after cleaning

 

http://i62.tinypic.com/2r6fhpw.jpg

 

http://i58.tinypic.com/1hyqrr.jpg

 

 

Here is the cylinder head:

 

Before:

 

http://i61.tinypic.com/zwg6xe.jpg

 

After:

 

http://i60.tinypic.com/2lmtmah.jpg

 

http://i60.tinypic.com/262p9ax.jpg

 

http://i61.tinypic.com/33yhs08.jpg

 

 

Additionally, I am currently converting the bike to DC power. I fit a battery on top of the airbox, and am installing a rectifier to change the AC power from the stator to DC to charge the battery.

 

I replaced the headlight with my headlight from the 650L, and also am using the 650L speedo utilizing the speedo cable which is the same for the 650L and 250R's trip meter.

 

 

 

 

Currently I am finishing the electrical, and finishing the CAM install. Here is how she sits:

 

 

 

 

 

I am nervous the new rings won't fix the smoke, but optimistic the huge ring gap is the cause of it. I was also able to obtain a Mass title and plates, and will sell this bike as a street legal XR 250R.

 

All in all I have about $1600 in this bike. I am hoping to sell it in the range of $2400 to $2800

 

 

So to answer the purpose of this thread, it was not worth it to flip a profit. I have many hours in this bike... BUT I for see a profit being made.

 

 

That being said, all my hours of labor will probably factor into like somewhere between 2-4 $ an hour. haha

 

 

As you guys know, we don't work on these to make a living.. rather to further our knowledge and because WE FREAKING LOVE THESE BIKES.

 

 

Thanks guys

 

-Alex

[Alex DeFreitas]

 

 

 

 

[rheim954]

How do u like the sound of that dg exhaust?? I have been thinking about getting on for my 650L

[bork]

You get a title & tag? Let me know if you sell for more than $1500.

[ThumpNRed]

Good luck selling it. Spray painted dirt bikes equal "roach" and usually don't sell well. Around here, I doubt it would go for much over $500. A few examples... there's a very clean 2002 XR400 that just posted on Craigslist for $2800. http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/4601596718.html How about a clean '91 XR250 for $1150? http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/4589950013.html

If you like the bike, keep it and ride it. If you see it as an investment, you just dumped a fistful of cash down a rat hole.

[Alex DeFreitas]

How do u like the sound of that dg exhaust?? I have been thinking about getting on for my 650L

 

I really like it. It was the cheapest aftermarket slip-on.

 

 

You get a title & tag? Let me know if you sell for more than $1500.

 

Yessir mass title and plates. Tusk dual sport kit. Swapped my 650L headlight and speedo as well. It did not have a trip meter cable but I got another one and it hooks right up to the 650L speedo.

 

 

 

Good luck selling it. Spray painted dirt bikes equal "roach" and usually don't sell well. Around here, I doubt it would go for much over $500. A few examples... there's a very clean 2002 XR400 that just posted on Craigslist for $2800. http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/4601596718.html How about a clean '91 XR250 for $1150? http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/4589950013.html

If you like the bike, keep it and ride it. If you see it as an investment, you just dumped a fistful of cash down a rat hole.

 

No hope Wayne! I have about $1400 - $1500 in to the bike. With a honed new ringed piston, reground valves and seats, new valve seals, exhaust, carb jetting, and some paint I believe it to be worth what I have in to it. The MSRP is $1150 and I believe the street legal title to be a big plus for most people.

 

The only thing I spray painted was the red accents. The frame and swingarm I primed and hand brushed rustoleum oil based paint.. I did that to the 650L and liked how it came out. Everyone makes a big deal out of powdercoating but it scratches just as easily as oil based in my opinion and cant be touched up as easily when it does scratch.

[Alex DeFreitas]

Yeah I now understand most people appreciate the stock look but the reality is you never know the shape of the engine and what actually matters. With pictures to show and a fresh top end to some people that can trump a nice stock bike with a "no one knows" condition engine. (i.e. in both those adds there is no mention to maintenance, mileage, or any engine work).

 

I personally would pay an extra $300 - $400 for the street legal title. 

 

 

In all seriousness it is not complete. I am doing more coats of paint and also trying to figure out if there is any way to succesfully paint a plastic gas tank without it bubbling. If not I may just put my 5.8 gallon acerbis tank on it and put the stocker back on my 650.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNtDuU7GqHU&feature=youtu.be

Edited August 4, 2014 by Alex DeFreitas

[desertwalker62]

 

just bought this today... $1500 with cali plate!

97xr400

[Alex DeFreitas]

📎newxr.jpg

 

just bought this today... $1500 with cali plate!

97xr400

 

Nice looks good! I wanna rip one of these 400's eventually. They are quite expensive however. You can never find one for around $1500 in NE...

[desertwalker62]

you just gotta find one with a dirty carb!

[redhurricane]

you just gotta find one with a dirty carb!

If I had a nickel for every bike I bought like this....

[Tryingoutdirt]

Nice looks good! I wanna rip one of these 400's eventually. They are quite expensive however. You can never find one for around $1500 in NE...

 

I am in New Hampshire , if you can't find a xr400 for 1500 or less you ain't looking in the right spots. I have a 96, 98 and a 2002 all plated street legal and all great running bikes bought for 1500 or less with nothing needed but for me to ride em.

 

 

Edited August 4, 2014 by Tryingoutdirt

[Alex DeFreitas]

Haha I browse the Boston CL but go through the NH and ME one as well. True the prices are much lower.