Picked this up at the weekend RG250 mk1

[alfiestorm]

Got it for 2.5k off a mate.

11k miles imported from Canada.

Very good I think condition for an original unrestored bike.

Getting it registered and do a few bits and bobs to it and enjoy it on the road

[alfiestorm]

Been busy, fitted new chain, ultra sonic cleaned the carbs and set them up to factory spec and gave it a bit of a tune up and now running very nice. Gave it a bit of a polish up too came up quite good for original paint.
First video is how it was with leaky carb and running quite rough.
Second video is it running after I had ultrasonic cleaned the carbs and tune it up, running spot on.
 

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2024 by alfiestorm

[alfiestorm]

This is what it looks like now, after I had fitted Tyga cans, single seat cowl from Japan (that was an expensive experience), Chrome chain guard from a GN250 just to brighten up the back end a bit, dark tint screen, fitted an MPH speedo, removed the undertank two stroke oil tank and fitted one under the seat to make life easier, just some paint repairs left to do. get the standard shock rebuilt as it is a bit tired now but not leaking probably have a crack at doing it my self, changed the aged tyres too.

Great fun smoker to thrash about on and handles very well.

[SiBag]

Looking good..

[alfiestorm]

Paint repairs there were so many spots here and there it was easier to repaint the whole thing. This is it in progress and almost finished, waiting for some decals for the single seat cover from image works which should be here early next week.

 

[alfiestorm]

And here it is wearing its freshly painted clothes, just waiting for one more piece the single eat cowl to be finished off.

[graveltrapexplorer]

lovely job .

[DAZ]

Beautiful job bringing it back to life, great bikes too , unfortunately overshadowed by the rgv and not necessarily given the love they deserve 

[Wee Man]

Wish I could hear it! Looks great.

[alfiestorm]

Have since ditched the big ugly ninja 300 mirrors and put some bar end ones on although I will be changing them to ones that come out of the top of the bar end so they dont stick out so far. At the solent rally the weekend just gone. 

[alfiestorm]

I had some mitaka pistons in the bike after I done a top end rebore and refresh, Probably got about 400 ish miles on them and the ring grooves in the Mitaka pistons decided now is a good time to widen themselves for no apparent reason, what alerted me to this was a rattle developing on the left cylinder, stripped it off for inspection and found the issue along with the gudgeon pin looked as though its done 10k not 400 and the small end looked off but no damage. The small end eyes in the rods are good and the bores are still in top condition thankfully

Had a good chat with PJME (very helpful and knowledgeable) about the possibility of different pistons maybe forged ones. They are finding out what can be used and will call them in the new year to see what if any other pistons can be used other than Mitaka as I have lost faith in that make. MK3 pistons cannot be used as they have different ring pin positions due to port sizes as they are power valve engines.

I have checked oil lines for blockages and checked the flow from the pump and that is all good, that was my first thought of what could have caused it. 

Not a fault of the bike but it was the fault of low quality pistons maybe Mitaka have changed their supplier of piston slugs and this is the result, never before have I had problems with Mitaka pistons in rgv's, TZR's 250/350 LC's etc until now in my RG.

[alfiestorm]

It's back up and running again with new pistons from Motorcycle and moped spares used to be called Predator motorsport, anyway they are japanese pistons actually made for the RG MK1 and MK2. £130 the pair with rings pins and clips.

Sounds very nice now no rattles anymore. Covered 56 trouble free miles yesterday on the new pistons and checked it over no leaks and still sounding sweet.

 

[Leblowski]

Cracking little bikes, i just sold mine. The riding position was killing me. Did not want to mess up a complete original bike so sold it on.

[R1guy]

On 3/6/2026 at 12:11 PM, alfiestorm said:

It's back up and running again with new pistons from Motorcycle and moped spares used to be called Predator motorsport, anyway they are japanese pistons actually made for the RG MK1 and MK2. £130 the pair with rings pins and clips.

Sounds very nice now no rattles anymore. Covered 56 trouble free miles yesterday on the new pistons and checked it over no leaks and still sounding sweet.

 

Loomies and Portsdown hill- nice route