Gazman

Here you go Mark, I will definetly do more tomorrow mate.

Sorry mate, nothings changed yet, they still look the same as the pics i've posted. I will take some fresh ones tomorrow, close up's of the rot and grime, so that you can see the current condition. Been on google quite a bit today, sourcing parts, you know ally tanks and clip ons, Oh and a leather helmet and some flying goggles.

Me too, been tinkering all day, clearing space, looking at what I've got and searching for bits on, amongst others, Ebay. Keep you posted.

Im sure it won't be many days before I need some assistance with something on these old bikes. I know where to turn if I get stuck though.

Sounds like good fun mate. I don't think this will be too hard a slog, compared to the Bandit project I've just finished. Don't really have to source to many new or original parts. There are bits on the other bike I can rob for the cafe racer, because they are not up to standard for the restoration project but will modify nicely for the non standard machine, all the rest off evilbay, see what I can find. Going to pay a lot of attention to the finish though, I won't want to ride it if it's shabby. Gaz

That's fine mate, how many sugars in your tea ?

OK boys and girls. Just got home from a couple of days in Lincolnshire. I went on my own with my daughters yorkie puppy in the van and collected the 2x CB250 project bikes. Left Lincoln at 4am this morning because our little puppy was making a lot of noise and as I was up, I thought I may as well leave and get home in time to get the new projects settled in at my place. Just to get this thread started I am posting the sales pictures here as a before reference. I will be taking loads of pic's and posting info and progress every step of the way. Can't wait to get started, will post more pics later, once the bikes are off loaded. This is the Cafe racer project This is the restoration project which I will start straight after the cafe racer is complete Gaz

Nice bike

Yeh especially when there's a bike in here Stue, but to be honest most of my work is away from the office.

You're right boys but the good thing is, there is still a few weeks of summer to get going, surely we must have some sun at some point, and I work from home with my old garage converted into an office and I have just aquired a large solid wood desk top to make a lovely corner bench at the rear, already got dado trunking there with power in it. Should work out quite well through the cold months, bench, tools, polishing wheels and bike, all in the warm and dry. It's cheating I know but the back and knees are on there way out, should be sweet.

I do know what you mean mate, my wife raised an eyebrow when I finished my bandit a week ago, got it on the road and bought 2x more bikes this week, money, time, mess etc.

Yes mate, thank you. I am very excited to get these 2x bikes, the cafe racer project is a wreck with a good covering of rust but mainly complete, the restoration project is very complete, much better condition and runs, of sorts. The guy selling them has some spares as well. This is the Cafe racer project This is the restoration project which I will start straight after the cafe racer is complete

I know the cafe racer thing is not everybody's cup of tea but I can guarantee it will be very pretty to look at and a lot of fun for me being able to modify the bike as the bandit was 99% restoration, which I absolutely love, but modifying this first little CB250 quite radically will be a very different set of challenges and should educate me enough to do a top job on the restoration project afterwards. My first bike was a 1954 James 197 and I have a lot of time for old bikes of all eras. Of course both bikes will feature some extensive ally polishing, it's got to be done.

Right, great excitement. Just bought 2x Honda cb250's. Gonna collect them both on Friday from Lincoln. One is fairly complete and will be fully restored to original and hopefully mint condition but this is gonna be the second project of the two. The first project will be the non runner/ barn find and this will become my very first cafe racer attempt. Really looking forward to starting this and getting up to speed with everything I need to know about the Honda CB 250. The cafe racer project should stand me in good stead for the full restoration project. I will start a new thread named brand new project really old cb 250 (cafe racer)and of course I will be posting loads of updates and stacks of pictures, just bought a new compact Pentax today to assist with this. Anyone who is interested look out for the new thread on Sunday evening with pics, can not wait. Gaz

Cheers Mark, Had a little look at your vid the other day, on youtube, sounds sweet mate. I nearly took the mods a step to far with my seat a couple of days ago. Put it all back to standard now but with a nice new black cover, I think for my bike that's about it for mods but am currently looking at a cheapish project cafe racer, just for a bit of fun and to keep me busy for a few weeks. You got anything interesting planed mate ? Gaz Oh yeh, bought a slightly damaged hugger on the bay yesterday so will be repairing and spraying black with a silver stripe late this week.

Thanks for reading it mate, Gaz

Thought I should just give a little update. I'm loving riding my bike, been on the road a week nearly,taking things carefully, I'm not a spring chicken and I don't want to loose the bike I have now through something that could be avoided. Gonna go on a long ride into to cotswold's tomorrow after a couple of minor adjustments, gear shift a little lower and take a little bit of slack out of the throttle linkage. Oh yeh took a trip to George White Swindon on Monday and treated myself to some lovely bar end mirrors. Gaz The mirrors work so well with the low bars.

Nice one Mark, bikes looking mint mate.

Looking and sounding sweet mate.

Got it all ready for a spin today. Here's a few pic's of the finished bike. Gaz

Been a bit busy for a few days, worked on the bike from 7 o'clock Friday morning until 12:30 Saturday morning, then up again at 6 Saturday to finish off last couple of jobs for MOT. Anyway, got an MOT and insurance, just waiting until tomorrow morning for a tax disc. Well pleased with the bike, drag bars are sweet, so much better than standard ones. Will post some pics later today, after I've done a couple of small jobs and thoroughly cleaned it.

Thank you mate, appreciate you taking a look and taking the time to comment. Gaz

Hay Mark, how you doin ?, just out of interest mate, how much did you add to your side stand, I had 50mm put in and it's perfect for the dog bones I've fitted, although they did raise the back end by 55mm when it should have only been 40mm. Thought I was gonna have to change them, but it seemed fine once I had fitted the footrests and tried the riding position, only riding it will tell though. Won't be long now, got it running last night, if it doesn't rain non stop this weekend I will be going for an MOT on Friday (week today)and not getting off it until Monday night (got a 4 day weekend booked).Gaz

Delivered my standard side stand to the same guy who removed the dent from my down pipes, at lunch time today and collected it, extended by 50mm, on my way back from a job this afternoon. Well pleased, he's done a sound job, Just gonna try it on the bike, before I spray it tomorrow.

Your welcome mate, I'm enjoying the project and enjoying posting progress and pic's. Gaz