The gearhead culture in Southern California never ceases to amaze me. Sure, all kinds of weird and wonderful cars and bikes and the folks that love them can be found all over the country, and all over the world. But the intensity of it here is something else: you almost get blasé about it, since any weekend drive in the Los Angeles area will expose you to a veritable parade of exotic cars, vintage bikes, rat-rods, and all manner of weird, is-that-even-legal-here machinery. Oh look, was that Jay Leno driving a pre-war, aero-engined race car? Yes, yes it was… The irony is that the CA DMV is among the most draconian in the country, largely a result of a famously bad smog problem caused by vehicle emissions during the 60s, 70s, and early 80s. Which is why something like this Honda NSR250R SP Rothmans Replica with a clean California title is something of a unicorn!
The NSR250R was the definitive quarter-liter sportbike of the period, and featured Honda’s 90° liquid-cooled 249cc v-twin with a six-speed cassette gearbox that allowed gearsets to be quickly and easily swapped to suit different race tracks. Fuel was delivered via carburetors, but the ignition system was Honda’s sophisticated PGM-III that controlled the bike’s ignition based on throttle-position, revs, and gear selection. Note that the seller refers to this as an “SE” but the fairing proclaims it an “SP.” I’m assuming it’s the former, and the SP is there to match the Rothmans livery. The SE generally didn’t come with the Magtek wheels, but this one has them, bringing it up to SP spec, since both the SE and SP had the dry clutch, versus the regular NSR250R’s wet clutch.
I have seen a few late 80s and early 90s grey market two-strokes running around the Malibu canyons on the weekend, but still an MC21 done up in Rothmans livery is something to celebrate, especially in such sharp condition. From the description, it looks like the bike has undergone a cosmetic restoration, and looking at some of the photos, that restoration appears to have been more than just skin-deep. Appropriate maintenance has been taken care of for the new owner as well, and the bike appears to be ready to roll.
From the original eBay listing: 1993 Honda NSR250R SE Rothmans Replica for Sale
This is a beautifully restored 1993 Honda NSR250 SE Rothmans Replica MC21. This bike has the factory dry-clutch and adjustable suspension along with the Magtek wheels. This low 4490 mile (7226 Klm’s) NSR has just undergone a cosmetic restoration, as in: new bodywork, new wave-rotors, brake pads.
Add-on’s include, a Tyga, GP style rear brake caliper hanger and a Brembo billet rear brake caliper, along with clear turn-indicators and tail light (adds a nice modern touch along w/the wave-rotors).
Also, freshly powder-coated Magtek wheels, with new Pirelli Diablo SuperCorsa tires. All hardware has been re-zinc or re-chromed. Other items refinished include, the mufflers, fork bottoms, top triple clamp, etc..
Forks rebuilt with new oil and seals. All other fluids changed or flushed. Recent tune-up with new plugs, air-cleaner. De-restricted ECU. (Full power). Small scratch and chip on gas tank, (no dents). Comes with clean transferable (in your name) California title and street registered. (lic. plate off now for photos) Can help with shipping, but up to buyer to make all arrangements.
nice, although I think the rear turn signals/incators should be orange not clear and also the brake master cyclinder fluid looks like an odd color
I recently ordered some higher end brake fluid as it had really great reviews. It’s this same dark amber color….really not sure why but it was a surprise to me as well when I opened up the canister. Apparently not all brands are colorless.
Really good looking bike. I think the price is spot on for what it is
Motoul rbf 600 brake fluid comes Amber like that and it’s like one of the best brake fluids you can get. For that price I’d expect more then just cosmetics and brake work n suspension. It better had at least rebuild carbs and maybe a top end done with maybe new throttle and clutch cables.
But for that price one could import do all the titling work rebuild the entire motor and the cosmetic stuff. I’m starting to see these bikes not moving above the 7k prices.
Looks like the seller pulled the listing, must have got a good offer.
Not necessarily related to just NSRs, but I recently met a guy who used to be a Yamaha engineer during a heyday of race replicas. He told me that 45hp gentlemen’s agreement was a total bull, that most 2-stroke bikes of the time was leaving factory with something upwards of 60hp or thereabouts.
Don’t think they made a Rothmans replica in 1993. Don’t think that they made an SE version either. Doesn’t mean it isn’t a fun bike to ride, just don’t buy it thinking you got a real MC21 Rothmans replica.
You are correct. That’s why the “SE” in the description doesn’t match the “SP” on the fairing: the bike is an SE done up in Rothmans colors. Spec-wise it’s technically correct, since the only difference between the SE and the SP was a lack of Magtek wheels, which have been added to this bike. Both had the dry clutch and adjustable suspension. Experts as always should feel free to chime in.
I wonder if you couldn’t maybe import a NSR and
put an RS motor in it….
100% NOT true.
The Kawasaki was the only one to “kind of” skirt the law.
No reason to put an RS motor in it, though we had a guy who got a TZ registered for the street. Problem is that you need to replace the top end every 300 miles and rebuild with a new crank every 1250 miles. Why bother? An RZ or TZ will only really shine on the track.