Highlights

Comprehensive £7,000 restoration by seller
£2,500 spent on chromework alone
Beautiful and highly detailed RD250
Ideal basis for a show bike or ride and enjoy
Matching numbers engine and frame
Very rare to find in this condition

The Appeal

If you need to understand what happened to the British bike industry, just take a look at this fascinating RD250. In the 1970s, if you were new to biking or just wanted the best-looking, best handling and quickest 250 on the block, you wanted one. It was so popular and so good that it remained in production from 1973 to 1987 and forced the Government to introduce the 125cc limit for new riders - just so that they couldn’t have Yamaha’s wonderbike.

These, then, are evocative and nostalgic machines. Not surprisingly good examples of these bikes are in demand. They look so good that they’re equally engaging as a static display object or as a classic ride.

The current keeper of this magnificent gold metallic ‘73 has done both. It is currently on display in his living room. He has just completed a comprehensive restoration at a cost of £7,000. That £2,500 of that went on the chromework alone just indicates how much brightwork there is on this beautiful bike. Virtually everything has been renewed, replaced or reconditioned.

It is a matching numbers bike with detailed photographic and invoice records of the recent work. The RD250 is one of the greatest real-world bikes of the 70s and we’re not sure you’ll find a better one on the market.

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The History and Paperwork

First registered in 1973
One of 6,017 built-in 1973 at the start of production
First UK registered according to DVLA records in February 2018
Three registered UK keepers
V5C in current keeper name
Registered as a Historic Vehicle so MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
Odometer appears to have been zero’d and shows 122 miles in photos
Old tax discs
Various invoices supporting the restoration and previous work
Vendor tells us the bike is sold with ‘all of its history and paperwork’
Rebuilt by seller earlier this year and currently displayed in his living room
Vendor reports that he has spent £7,000 on the restoration
This included repainting the engine, re-chroming and rebuilding the wheels
Photographs include of the bike prior to restoration
We are told this is a matching numbers bike across engine and frame

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The Condition

Beautifully restored with very detailed restoration in gold metallic
Described by the seller as ‘pristine’
Refinished in period-correct and more stylish RD250 livery and decals as shown
The photos of the earlier bike show the less appealing but also factory-correct decal set
£7,000 renovation by seller including £2,500 spent on rechroming
The condition is fresh from the restoration with no known marks, scuffs or deterioration advised
Chromework is bright and recently refinished to a high standard
Well-detailed bike including painted engine and ancillaries as shown
Wire wheels have been recently rebuilt
Well-kept fittings including vinyl seat, grips and dials

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The Mechanics

247cc two-stroke twin developing 32bhp
All RD250s were fitted with 6spd gearboxes
Early models like this one had 5spd with a removable blanking plate for the extra gear
We cannot confirm which configuration this bike is supplied in
Vendor reports that it runs and rides very well
Crankshaft replaced in 2017
Oil pump works correctly
Refurbished by seller in 2024
No reported running or riding issues

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BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

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