1986 HONDA CR250R

A No Expense Spared $15,000+ Frame-Off Restoration

Factory Race Team Level Build

If you’re looking for one of the most iconic,

race-proven machines of the golden era of motocross this is it.

This 1986 Honda CR250R represents the absolute pinnacle of 1980s two-stroke performance and design. Widely regarded by collectors and racers alike as one of the most coveted CR250s ever built, this was the same platform that carried Rick Johnson to dominance—winning both the AMA 250 Outdoor Nationals and Supercross Championship in 1987. Alongside legends like Johnny O'Mara (125cc) and David Bailey (500cc), Honda swept the era—and this bike is a direct reflection of that dominance.

THE BUILD – TRUE FRAME-OFF, NO EXPENSE SPARED

This is not a cosmetic refresh. This is a museum-quality, nut-and-bolt restoration with performance upgrades that make it a true race weapon.

ENGINE – COMPLETELY REBUILT FROM THE CRANK UP

• Cases split, vapor honed to factory finish

• New crankshaft, bearings, seals, gaskets throughout

• Brand new Wiseco piston & top-end bearing

• Ported & polished cylinder and head

• New water pump assembly (common failure point addressed)

• New clutch Side Engine Cover & Water pump Housing

• New Clutch basket, plates, springs

• New Boyesen factory racing clutch & ignition covers

• New HPI upgraded ignition system

• New Keihin Air Striker carburetor (modern upgrade)

• New V-Force / V4 reed system + Twin Air filter

• New Pro Circuit Works pipe + stainless silencer

Result: Instant throttle response, brutal midrange, and top-end that rivals modern 250 two-strokes.

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION – DIALED TO PERFECTION

• Frame stripped and refinished (slightly darker for works-bike look)

• 86 = first year of cartridge forks → fully rebuilt, polished lowers

• Rear shock rebuilt with Race Tech spring & bumper

• New steering stem bearings, swingarm bearings, and linkage bearings

• Zero play anywhere – tight as a factory race bike

This suspension setup is widely considered better than later upside-down forks of the late 80s

WHEELS, BRAKES & RUNNING GEAR

• New Takasago Excel A60 black rims (front & rear)

• New spokes, bearings, tubes, rim locks

• Hubs vapor honed – factory race finish

• Michelin tires

• New Stainless braided front brake line

• New Rebuilt front brake system

• New Rear drum brake rebuid (last year before disc)

DETAILS THAT SET THIS BIKE APART

• Brand new plastics, graphics, and seat

• New Renthal bars, ODI grips, Works Connection clutch perch

• New New throttle assembly, cables, levers

• New Gold chain + ProTaper sprocket

• New chain guide, slider, and hardware throughout

• Original radiators in exceptional condition

• Every nut, bolt, and fastener replaced or refinished

Only ~30 minutes runtime since completion (3 heat cycles)

PERFORMANCE & COLLECTIBILITY

This isn’t just a showpiece—it’s a race-ready weapon:

• Competitive in AHRMA, vintage nationals, and local pro classes

• Capable of holeshots and podium finishes in the right hands

• Power and handling on par with modern 250 two-strokes for most riders

“If you can’t win on this bike… it’s not the bike.”

INVESTMENT GRADE BUILD

• Over 75 hours labor Invested @ $150PH = $11,250 + $4,500 in parts = $15,750

• Plus The Cost Of a Clean Original CR250

• 6+ month wait to duplicate a build of this caliber

This one is DONE. Turnkey. Ready to race, show, or collect.

CALL TO ACTION

Bikes like this DO NOT LAST.

Call 860-454-7024 to secure it now

Or bid high and bid often—this one will be gone in a New York second

FINAL WORD

This is more than a motorcycle—it's a factory-era legend reborn, built to outperform and outshine anything in its class.

Kaplan America Approved.

God bless America.

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.