Single-minded Andy

Brisbane Advertising man ANDY BIRD is keen on Honda’s CB250RS. “OBA readers with a soft spot for the Honda CB125S featured last issue may also be fond of its bigger brother the CB250RS released 1980-82. The RS (Road Sport) has the 249cc engine with twin exhaust outlet from the XL250S of the era, though they differ in some details, and features nice touches like alloy rims, plastic panelling and guards which contribute to its light and nimble nature. Overall, a well balanced, quality package that someone in Japan put a lot of thought into getting right when many 250 four strokes at the time were heavy and slow. I restored my 1981 example about 7 years ago with the intention of creating a classic commuter and it has proved to be a reliable friend ever since. The RS is ultra slim for splitting lanes, has enough power to win the drag from the lights and works surprising well on the hinterland roads outside of Brisbane where it relishes a good neck wringing and rewards with a lively ride that won’t get you arrested. While not perfect, my RS is fairly original and everything was straight and fitted when found, though pretty rough cosmetically. The once fashionable black paint applied to almost every bike during the 80s was in a particularly nasty state of endemic corrosion. Bucket loads of lethal industrial strength paint stripper revealed the virgin alloy beneath on the engine, fork legs and hubs, which was brought to a beautiful shine using multiple grades of wet and dry and lots of elbow grease. During restoration everything had to be stripped down and cleaned of rust, grime and oxidation, along with cobwebs and a long abandoned mud wasp nest in the air box. However, and fortunately, the tank, side covers and go-fast ducktail, complete with handy storage compartment, only needed a good polishing. The spongy standard shocks were replaced with YSS units, a lusty British Motad 2-1 exhaust system was fitted, and the saddle reshaped to acquire cheaper single seat registration. The CB250RS is a worthy sibling to the CB125S and other much loved Honda singles of the 70s. While the American flat tracker styled FT500, comstar wheeled XBR500 and oddball CBX250 came out a year later, the only Honda single road bike in recent times has been, I believe, the CBF250 commuter released in 2004. While it’s fairly easy to slot an XL500S engine into the RS frame for extra excitement, a purpose built, modern spec large capacity Honda single with the same refinement and spirit of the CB250RS would be most welcome today.”