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Newbie - just bought a mk2 :)

Posted: 23 Aug 2011, 12:37
by Hallsy
Hi guys, newbie here, both to this site and bikes!!

Been into cars since 17 (am now 29), always wanted to get a bike but recently I decided I was definitely going ahead with it. Booked up my theory and passed that last Thursday, same day I got all excited and bought a bike!

Hopefully looking to get my DAS course booked for September, so with us getting into poorer weather and me being a prospective new rider, I thought the route of a sports bike would not be too clever, nor get much use. So living in Suffolk/Essex border there are quite a few lanes around us, so decided to get something I could do some green laning on over the autumn/winter.

I wasn't over fussed what I bought, me being me, I was looking for something cheap, maybe something to do up a little bit (as I say, always tinkered with cars, and am an electrical engineer by day), had my eye on a Mk2 CRM 250 in bits local to me, so thought 'why not'!! Just got to keep it hidden from the missus for a little while now!!

Was hoping to pick it up last night, but got stuck in traffic so couldn't, will have to wait until Saturday morning now :(

The bike looks to be pretty much all there, no doubt a few fasteners/bearings, etc missing but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. The seller says the engine is in good condition, that is stripped also. All plastics and road legal stuff is there, FMF exhaust, new graphics & discs, wheels & tyres are good.

Not sure on plans yet, as I'm in no hurry to get it built I will take my time cleaning & checking over various bits, probably paint the frame (or get it powdercoated), and generally try to get everything looking mint (asking myself why for a green laner, but hey!), service forks, etc. If I get on with the bike then I'd probably look to sort out a set of supermoto wheels for it.

I've not ridden a bike since I was a kid (field bikes), so will be intersting, whether it helps much or not, I've been into MTB for a while now so do a bit of offroad on that.

Anyway, I'm sure this site will help me out no end, as well as the members on it, so looking forward to it! Will get some pictures up as soon as I have my hands on it!!

Re: Newbie - just bought a mk2 :)

Posted: 23 Aug 2011, 17:14
by fallenmikethebike
Hi welcome, I hope the rebuild all goes to plan with no nasty surprises.
I'm over in Surrey, just be careful what green lanes you use in you're area, as them councils were absolute twats prior to the NERC act, so there may not be that many LEGAL green lanes.
At this point I always recommend people look up their local TRF group, who will keep you legal.
Mike

Re: Newbie - just bought a mk2 :)

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 18:44
by Hallsy
Cheers Mike, I do intend to stick to legal byways, etc and had heard that it was worth joining up with the TRF so will do that.

As you say, hopefully there are no nasty surprises with the bike, I suppose worst case the engine will need rebuilding (seller assures me it is good though) which I'll be able to do myself apart from the rebore, so should just be cost of parts after that.

Elsewhere, working in an engineering workshop has it's perks. I don't intend to get too carried away with the rebuild, without seeing it so far I am thinking powdercoating frame & swingarm, braided brake hoses, replacing anything that is tired. Just a general tidy up.

Need to think about gear as well. Hopefully get my DAS booked for next month!!

Re: Newbie - just bought a mk2 :)

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 18:56
by knackeredMk1
Welcome to the forum :) .

Please check that it will be legal to ride your CRM after doing the relevant tests. I don't know/understand the rules now but I'm pretty sure that a CRM250 does not come in under the 33bhp (or there abouts :roll: ) ruling if this applies to you once you have passed.

It would be really disapointing to put in all that effort and not be able to ride the results.

Re: Newbie - just bought a mk2 :)

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 20:58
by back off road
welcome to the forum a word of advice check the swing arm bolt, prone to siezing (if thats how you spell it ) the engineering workshop will prove useful if its stuck and save alot of grief ,black nails and grinder work ,good luck with your test next month

Re: Newbie - just bought a mk2 :)

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 23:29
by Hallsy
Knackered - I'll be taking a DAS course which means you do your CBT then further training is on a 500cc bike, and the Mod 1 & Mod 2 tests are taken on a 500cc bike, this means you can then ride whatever you like once passed and over 21 (which I am!). :)

Back off road - do you mean the main pivot? If so looks like I will be OK as the swingarm is disconnected from frame. As you say, these things come apart one way or another!!

Re: Newbie - just bought a mk2 :)

Posted: 26 Aug 2011, 14:53
by superbob
I believe your correct Hallsy Im training to be a motocycle instructor atm if you do your test when you are under 21 you have to be restrected to 33bhp for two years as I was.