Alright, let me tell you about my time with this Honda CR 85 R. It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, you know? More like a full-on wrestling match in the mud, but hey, that’s where the fun is, sometimes.
Getting My Hands Dirty – The Beginning
So, I decided I needed a project. Something with an engine, something that screamed. The CR 85 R popped up, looking a bit sorry for itself, but the price was right. I thought, “An 85cc two-stroke? How hard can it be?” Famous last words, my friend, famous last words.
First thing I did was drag it into my garage. It was caked in old dirt and grime. So, the initial step was just a massive cleanup. I hosed it down, then got in there with brushes and degreaser. Already, I was finding little things – a bent lever here, a missing bolt there. Nothing major, or so I hoped.
The “Simple” Teardown
I started taking things apart. The plan was to check the engine, clean the carb, maybe new plastics. You know, the usual.
- I pulled off the seat and the tank. Easy peasy.
- Then I tackled the carburetor. Oh boy. That thing was gunked up like you wouldn’t believe. I spent hours carefully disassembling it, soaking the jets, scrubbing every tiny passage.
- Next, I wanted to peek at the top end. So, off came the exhaust pipe, then the cylinder head and barrel.
This is where things got a bit more “interesting”. The piston looked okay-ish, but the cylinder had a few light scores. Not terrible, but not perfect. I figured, while I’m in here, might as well do it right. So, a new piston kit and a cylinder hone went on the shopping list.
The Parts Hunt and Reassembly Drama
Finding parts for an older CR 85 R wasn’t as straightforward as I imagined. Some stuff was easy, other bits, especially OEM, took some digging. I spent a fair bit of time online, cross-referencing part numbers, calling around. It’s not like a modern bike where everything is a click away.
Then came putting it all back together. This is where patience really gets tested.
- I installed the new piston and rings. Getting those rings compressed just right without snapping one? Sweaty palms time.
- Bolting the cylinder and head back on, torquing everything to spec. I double-checked, then triple-checked the manual. You don’t want to mess that up.
- Reinstalling the cleaned carb, new air filter, fresh spark plug. All the little things.
I also decided to refresh the suspension linkage bearings because they felt a bit gritty. That was a job in itself, pressing out old bearings and pressing in new ones. My workbench looked like a disaster zone for weeks.
The Moment of Truth… and More Truth
Finally, the day came. Fresh gas mix, everything buttoned up. I kicked it over. And kicked. And kicked some more. Nothing. Just a sad wheeze. My heart sank a bit, I won’t lie.
I went back to basics. Spark? Yep. Fuel? Seemed like it. Compression? Felt okay. I pulled the plug – it was wet. Flooding. Typical two-stroke shenanigans. I played with the carb settings, cleaned the plug again. More kicking. Then, POP! It coughed. Then another kick, and BRRAAAAAAP! It roared to life! The sound of victory, echoing off the garage walls. Man, what a relief.
But it wasn’t over. Getting it jetted correctly took a few more sessions. Two-strokes are fussy little things. Too rich, it bogs. Too lean, you risk seizing it. I spent afternoons doing plug chops, adjusting the needle, trying different pilot and main jets. It’s a real art, or maybe a black art.
Why I Even Bothered
You might be wondering why I’d go through all this for an old, small dirt bike. Well, a few years back, I was stuck in a rut. Same old routine, day in, day out. I needed something totally different, something that would force me to learn, to get my hands dirty, to problem-solve in a way my day job didn’t offer. I wasn’t a mechanic, not by a long shot. I just wanted to understand how these things worked, to bring something back from the brink.
A buddy of mine, he’s always messing with bikes. He kept saying, “You gotta get a two-stroke, man. Nothing like ’em.” I guess it just planted a seed. And that CR 85 R, it was a challenge, sure, but it was also a teacher. It taught me patience, persistence, and a whole lot about how not to strip a bolt.
So, What Now?
The CR 85 R? It runs like a champ now. It’s ridiculously quick for its size, a proper little pocket rocket. I take it out to the local tracks sometimes. It’s a blast. Still have to tinker with it, keep it happy. That’s the nature of these beasts. It’s not a show bike, it’s got its share of scratches and dings – character, I call it.
Looking back, that whole process, from a neglected heap to a screaming machine, it was frustrating at times, no doubt. I cussed at it more than once. But getting it running, actually fixing it myself? That was incredibly satisfying. It’s more than just a bike now; it’s a story, a bunch of lessons learned, and a reminder that sometimes, diving into the unknown, getting your hands thoroughly greasy, is exactly what you need.
