1979 HONDA CR250R ELSINORE

THE RED ROCKET

Stunning Frame-Off Restoration

Loaded With Fox Air Shocks & Works DG Pipe

Over $15,000 Invested; $4,500 in New Parts Plus 70+ Hours Labor @$150 PH ($10,500 Labor)

If you're looking for one the most desirable & collectible twin-shock Hondas ever built, you've found it.

This stunning 1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore "Red Rocket" represents the pinnacle of Honda's twin-shock motocross era. Aside from the unobtainable factory RC works bikes, many enthusiasts consider the 1979 CR250R to be the most desirable and best-looking twin-shock Honda ever produced. With styling heavily influenced by Honda's factory race machines, this motorcycle looks every bit like the works bikes that dominated motocross in the late 1970s.

This CR250R has undergone a comprehensive frame-off restoration performed to a high standard. Every nut and bolt has been inspected, refinished, restored, or replaced as needed. The result is a motorcycle that is equally at home on the starting line at MX Rewind or displayed in a world-class motorcycle collection.

Highlights Include:

• Complete frame-off restoration

• Original factory frame refinished in Honda Red

• Original swingarm refinished

• Original engine cases in exceptional condition

• NOS Fox Air Shocks installed ($1,500 value)

• The Engine is rebuilt with New Piston & New Rings

• 140 PSI compression & Visible crosshatching still present in cylinder

• New Clutch & Gear Lube

• The engine was detailed, refinished & repainted in the iconic Honda red

• New engine hardware throughout.

• The carburetor was vapor honed and completely rebuilt with fresh jets and settings. Combined with the DG exhaust system and intake upgrades, the bike starts easily, idles cleanly, and runs exceptionally strong.

Cold start? First kick.
Hot start? First kick.

The carburetion and jetting are spot-on.

• New Clutch Plates, New Spark Plug & All New Gaskets

• DG Works-style expansion chamber with matching DG silencer

• New Staiger Designs replica graphics

• Reproduction Original factory warning decals

• New Renthal handlebars

• New Renthal crossbar pad

• New ODI grips

• New throttle assembly and throttle cable

• New MSR quick-adjust clutch perch and lever

• Matching new front brake lever assembly

• New front fender

• New rear fender

• New front number plate

• New oversized footpegs with new mounting hardware

• New gold drive chain

• New rear sprocket and mounting hardware

• New chain slider

• New Twin Air filter

• New fuel petcock

• New fuel lines and vent lines

• New front tire and tube

• New rear Dunlop tire and tube

• New front and rear brake shoes

• and Much More

Suspension & Chassis

The original fork assembly has been completely restored with:

• New fork seals

• New fork oil

• New fork sliders

• Polished fork lowers

• Excellent chrome fork tubes with no pitting

The original triple clamps were vapor blasted and refinished.

The frame rails are exceptionally clean and straight with virtually no evidence of abuse—an important factor when selecting a motorcycle worthy of a restoration of this caliber.

Original Components Preserved

This motorcycle retains its original Honda DID wheel set, complete with:

• Original Honda hubs

• Original spokes

• Original DID rims

• Original factory markings

• 12/78 date codes

The rims show minor age-appropriate patina, exactly what you'd expect from nearly 50-year-old original components.

Cosmetic Condition

The fuel tank was beautifully refinished by the previous owner and presented extremely well. During inspection we found only a few minor beauty marks, including a small touched-up area from a previous nick in the paint.

The tank presents beautifully and complements the overall restoration perfectly.

The Seat cover was also replaced.

Overall, the motorcycle is visually stunning and draws attention everywhere it goes.

Investment Grade Honda Motocross History

These motorcycles are becoming increasingly difficult to find in properly restored condition.

Anyone considering restoring one themselves should understand the reality:

• This level of restoration is extremely time consuming and is rarely performed correctly.

Ready for the Museum or the Motocross Track

Whether your goal is:

• Vintage motocross competition

• MX Rewind events

• Motorcycle museum display

• Honda collection centerpiece

• Long-term investment-grade ownership

This CR250R is ready.

The bike needs nothing.

It is mechanically sorted, cosmetically beautiful, and prepared for another 50 years of enjoyment.

Kaplan Cycles

At Kaplan Cycles, we don't simply clean motorcycles and sell them. We perform comprehensive inspections, restoration work, mechanical servicing, and detailing to ensure every motorcycle represents the highest standard possible. Our mission is to preserve motorcycle history while delivering exceptional machines to enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

We have sold thousands of motorcycles nationwide and internationally and are known for accurately representing every machine we offer. Our team stands behind our work and takes tremendous pride in every motorcycle that leaves our facility.

Questions? Call Ken Kaplan directly at 860-454-7024

Financing and nationwide shipping available.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.