KR250.ORG : 2014 Diary

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January 2014

A new year and suddenly there's a glut of KR's on the market. West Coast Imports had a shiny one up at Ł5895 which is strong money, even for them. Close inspection of the photos revealed that it was actually a KR250S with a green/white respray, which makes it both more and less desirable at the same time. Gold wheels really suit it though. Gary's 2000-registered minter that he reluctantly sold last year to Mark popped up for sale again at Ł4295. Quite a mark up on the previous sale, though definitely a lovely example and it sold fairly quickly. I was also contacted by Attila in Hungary who was looking to sell his KR so I spread the word on the KR Forum. A snip at 1500 Euros, and someone else obviously thought so too. None of the new owners have popped up to publicly admit their purchases yet by the way, including the chap in the USA who asked my opinion on an Australian-spec bike he'd found locally.

Also on Ebay was a sad-looking KR that was being broken for parts in Kenya. Nabeel (the seller) is on the KR Forum but I think the whole bike might have gone now. There was another one on Gumtree in Australia in a similar state, someone got a good source of parts cheaply. That ad got a lot of discussion on Facebook. Incidentally, I've thought a few times about starting a KR250 group on Facebook, but I think it would be a nightmare to look after so there are no plans. I've been in touch with a few other KR owners on there though. Consistently horrible weather has meant that I've not done anything else with my bikes this month, contenting myself with buying an April 1984 issue of Motor Cycling Weekly featuring a KR launch test.

February 2014

Also for sale is the KR250S that West Coast Imports sold a couple of years ago. Colin (who bought it and runs Gatwick Motorcycles) seems to have found some fairing panels for it now, and the price has risen to Ł5995. He's also selling a green/white normal one for Ł4995. I might have to rethink the values on my insurance policy at this rate.

Also this month, Jim the editor of Practical Sportsbikes magazine told me he was lined up to ride both a normal KR and an S, back to back. Hmm, wonder where he found those - ha ha ! I sent him a few technical details on the differences between the bikes and said he could use some of my photos from here in his article. It'll be in the next issue.

March 2014

Malaysian KR owner Aman had been unable to find a RH bar clamp for his in-restoration red/white bike but I managed to find one in my spares stash and sent it to him. Also this month, I retrieved my spares bike from my parents' garage and found time to take my main KR for a quick spin before the MOT ran out.

April 2014

Which it did. But Easter Monday was warm and dry, so time for some long-overdue maintenance. There was a bit of coolant in the bellypan but no clues where it leaked from. The nuts holding the front exhaust on were nice and tight so no easy victory there. The rear one was held on fine too, so I needed to remove it to investigate where the noise was coming from. Although I knew really...

You can remove the rear exhaust without removing the battery box or rear-wheel, just. Unbolt the pipe, then unbolt the subframe. You should be able to lift the subframe up and back just enough to pull the exhaust out. You need to disconnect the steel pipe that feeds fluid to the rear brake and you must also be careful not to stretch the wiring loom or HT leads. Not easy, though the pictures show I had some 'help'...

As suspected, the exhaust has split along the seam, and my previous chemical-metal bodges will need grinding out and a plate welding in.

May 2014

My mate Simon at SF Services ground back the rusty metal and welded in 3 plates - he said it was like working on a 1970's Lancia ! He painted the repaired pipe too, and I refitted it with a new exhaust gasket from my NOS stash. A top-up of oil and brake fluid and it was ready for an MOT. Which it passed. Though it still seems to be spilling coolant - has the head gasket gone ? 2-Stroke Day at Clay Cross Kawasaki is beckoning...

June 2014

Actually, it was CMC who were staging the event, but having unearthed my old Clay Cross Kawasaki T-shirt from 1991 I had to pop over the road for a photo !

There were over 250 two-strokes turned up, and everyone was asked to vote for their favourite three. Astonishingly, the KR won a trophy for 7th place, and my mate Shaun deservedly got 2nd for his as-new AR125. Afterwards, we both went for a nice 50km ride through the Peak District and he kindly let me take the AR for a spin. The KR lost some coolant again though it didn't overheat at all so maybe there's just a split in the header tank or hose instead. It did take several attempts at push-starting it though...

September 2014

My KR was booked to be on the KR Forum stand at Japfest2, held at the Haynes museum and organised by the VJMC. So I fired it up, swapped a couple of too-long bolts that had been annoying me, fitted the show plate and gave it a polish.

A week later, it lined up with 5 parallel-twin KR's (and millions of pounds worth of rare and exotic cars) where the display received 3rd Best Club Stand award. And after the show, with expectant KR fans watching, it started first kick.

December 2014

Look what Santa brought me for Christmas ! He must be expecting me to fall off in the snow...

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