xr 250's

[dklink2000]

I have a chance to pick up a '88 or '89 XR 250 CHEAP. Like any cheap bike, it's in pretty sorry shape. The question is, how much did these things change over the years? Parts are easy to get, but I have some consern that I'll have a hard time finding ones from the 80's if Honda redesigned them some time in te 90's

 

[honduki]

A 89 has a drum rear brake but the rest is the same thru to 95. So most of a pre 96 will be the same.The 96 on has some parts the same . I think the 85 and older is a different engine and may be related to the 84,85 200 4 valve "hand grenade". These are reliable hard working versatile and go well in tight going but arent competive in the open any more.
I have owned a 91 since 1994, did blow up the gearbox but is still on original piston and valves, did a valve grind and new rings when fixing gearbox.