1976 Honda CR

CR125M3006615

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1976 Honda Elsinore CR125 in exceptional condition. This is the motorcycle that changed motocross, as we know it. Honda came out with the Honda Elsinore in 1973 and it was such a big hit that Honda could not keep up with the orders they were getting from the dealers. This would be a great “final” restoration project and now that winter is here – it just take a couple weeks to get this completely restored. Or maybe just a great Christmas present for someone to do the same or keep it just the way it is. I have restored several Elsinore motorcycles (both CR and MT models) and they are probably one of the easiest motorcycles to restore – I just don’t have the time to “completely restore” this one – so here’s your opportunity. This is a no reserve bid auction, so the highest bidder over the very reasonable starting price, will get this Elsinore. The Elsinore bikes were named after the famous Lake Elsinore Grand Prix (LEGP) located in Southern California in which Steve McQueen and Malcolm Smith raced and were featured in the epic motorcycle aficionado movie “On Any Sunday”. This is the best known off road motorcycle race of the 1960’s and 1970’s. This bike is original and is in "unrestored" condition and is in great shape for being almost 40 years old. It even has the original Bridgestone tires that came with this bike in 1976 that are in great condition for being 37 years old, which right there tells you that this is time capsule that has hardly been used. It has been kept in the garage all its life, but was not ridden for over 30 years. It starts on the first kick and runs great. These bikes weigh only 195 pounds and have six close ratio gears - they fly. Again it has the original Bridgestone Motocross M16 4.00-18 rear tire that still has plenty of knobby on it and the infamous 21 inch rim on the front which also has an original Bridgestone brand M7 (3.00 inch wide) tire and both of these tires appear to have less than 300 total miles on them and are not cracked, which is unheard of for a 37 year old motorcycle. One of the items that these Honda Red Elsinore’s are noted for, and this is the first year of the Red Elsinore’s, is the 21 inch front end. It’s in great condition, so right there tell you this bike was not ridden a lot. The bike has “matching” numbers – the motor is original to this bike - Frame: #CR125M-3006615 Engine: #CR125ME3006667. For those that we probably ask me about the numbers not being the “same” and not “matching” – what I mean is that this is the correct engine for a 1976 frame. If the engine number was much higher, or lower, it would be from another year. It has the all of the original parts with the exception of the hand grips and the seat cover. I have installed new Scott hand grips and the Honda seat cover – the foam was in great condition. It also has the original kill button. The front forks and air rear shocks are original and are in excellent condition. It has the original DID rims, which still have the stickers on them and also in exceptional condition. The rims are not bent. It has the original exhaust that has two small dents which can be expected with a down tube exhaust. The exhaust has been painted with high temperature paint. It also has the original fenders which have been painted. The frame, swingarm, tank, front number plate and side covers have not been touched or painted. It has the original gear shift lever, rear brake pedal, foot pegs, kick starter lever, original handlebars and Keihin carburetor. It has a brand new UNI air filter. It appears to have the original chain and sprockets, which in itself will indicate that it has not been, rode or raced very much but I can not honestly guarantee that they are original. In fact, on the front downtube is the off road vehicle sticker and the expiration year is 1978 – so I am guessing that this Elsinore was only used less than two years and the reason the tires are original and the gas tank is in such great condition. The bike appears to never been crashed – the frame and forks are straight. It also has the original front number plate and the side covers look almost brand new. The front number plate or the side covers have not been painted – only the fenders. The only thing that this bike needs is a new chain. The chain that is on the bike appears to have not been used in 35 years so there is evidence of some rust but it still works fine. The most exceptional and remarkable aspect of this Elsinore is the original, not restored or painted gas tank that has no dents in it. What is amazing is that this tank is in almost perfect, off the showroom condition, and it still has the original Honda clear “competitive use only” and “as is/without warranty” stickers which right there is unbelievable for a 37 year tank that is on a motocross bike but the best part of these stickers, is right below them. It still has the Blythe Honda dealership sticker with a 714 area code on it that is also in great condition. For those that are not familiar with Southern California, or the Australians that also really appreciate vintage MX bikes, Blythe is on the border of California and Arizona and is over 200 miles from Los Angeles. For this bike to have that sticker with the 714 area code, which, back in the seventies was the only area code for all of Southern California - is history in itself and definitely a motorcycle to collect! Today there are almost 20 different area codes in Southern California. It also has the original gas cap, breather tube and petcock as well as the original Honda wing stickers on both sides of the tank. The motorcycle will be sold as-is, with no warranties implied and it comes with a valid California title that is in my name and has not been signed and/or dated. Some people will say they have the title, but it is already signed and dated and California DMV will charge you late fees from the date that it is on the title because you only have 30 days to transfer vehicles into your name in California after purchase. Please check my Ebay history – it is at 100% satisfaction for a reason and ninety five percent of my Ebay sales are related to motorcycles or motorcycle parts. I have been riding, racing, restoring and collecting motorcycles for over 45 years. Please check out my Ebay profile picture – that is me racing my 1975 Elsinore 125 at the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix a few years back. That bike has since been completely restored and now gets first places at motorcycle shows. I also have several transport contacts and can get this Elsinore transported almost anywhere in the United States for much less that most motorcycle transporters and USHIP. I also have transported motorcycles to Australia and Europe and I have no issues selling to anyone out of the country. I know of several international transporters and will charge only $150 to get the bike there and fifty cents a mile both ways – you pay the transporter to get it over the ocean but I will assist with the logistics and finding a shipper. As you can tell from the pictures, this is a great bike to race, ride or restore. I have done my best to keep this bike to as close to how it came from the factory with just a little touch up painting of the fenders and the exhaust. As previously stated, it has mostly all original parts, except the grips and the seat cover and appears to have never been thrashed around. Please contact me with any questions or if you would like other pictures. You are welcome and encouraged to start, ride and see this bike in person before the auction ends – just email me. Please check out my other Ebay listings – a exceptionally restored first year big bore Yamaha 360 RT1, a partially 1974 Yamaha 125 Enduro, a fully restored 1969 Bonanza BC 1200 minibike and a fully restored 1969 Cat 300X mini bike, as well as a several vintage motorcycle and mini bike parts that are priced below EBay “book” value. Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 On Dec-16-13 at 17:17:41 PST, seller added the following information: There were two questions that have been posted and I would like to explain in detail. This Elsinore is in fact a 1976 and it was verified by both the California DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and also the CHP (California Highway Patrol). For this not familiar with the California vehicle registration policies, if you do not have any paperwork (title) or formal documentation - they make you take it to the CHP and get the vehicle verified for the VIN and engine numbers and to insure that the vehicle has not been stolen. Believe me, the CHP verification officers take at least one half hour to do this - so you know it's correct. Also I forgot to mention that this Elsinore has current ORV (Off Road Vehicle) sticker and license until June 2015 - I just didn't attach it to the bike. To answer the fork boot question, they are polished and you see that from the picture that I added that shows where the red fork boots (which are not standard) have "polished" the fork. It appears to be painted from 37 years of "weather oxidation". They will polish up just fine. Regarding the handlebar crossbar - you are also correct in that they should have the crossbar and I just saw the black handlebar and thought it was original - my bad. Sorry. Regarding the inside of the tank - it looks almost as good as the outside and performs just as well. The other question will tie into the tank condition because the bike engine and clutch work just fine. It was started and rode today and runs great with the fuel inside the tank. If you live in Southern California, or otherwise, and want to inspect it, ride it and insure it performs to your expectations - just EMail me and we can arrange that.