A motorcycle enthusiast in southern Vietnam spent more than a year and hundreds of millions of dong sourcing parts from Japan to restore a rare Honda NSR250R MC28 Repsol.
Spending heavily to revive a childhood dream
The Honda NSR250R MC28 Repsol was the final SP version of the NSR250R MC28 series. Introduced in Japan in January 1996, production was limited to 1,000 units, with a retail price of 800,000 yen before tax.
The motorcycle belongs to Vuong Quoc Cong, born in 1992 and living in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai province. He spent more than a year restoring the aging bike, sourcing genuine parts from Japan while seeking to preserve its original appearance and ensure it remained fully operational.
"I first saw the NSR250R MC28 in Hong Kong movies when I was a child. Back then, I didn't know much about engines or speed. I just thought the bike looked very different, and its two-stroke engine sound was unmistakable," Cong said.
That childhood impression stayed with him into adulthood. Before beginning this project, Cong had owned a Rothmans-liveried MC28. This time, however, he wanted to build a motorcycle with his own personal touch while retaining the model's original character.
Finding a suitable motorcycle was the first challenge.
An NSR250R MC28 with legal documentation is difficult to find in Vietnam, meaning collectors have little choice over color or version compared with buyers of a new motorcycle.
The bike Cong eventually acquired was old and many components had deteriorated, although its engine remained a viable foundation for restoration.
For Cong, restoring a vintage two-stroke motorcycle involved far more than improving its appearance. The finished bike had to be genuinely roadworthy rather than merely a display piece.
"With these old two-stroke bikes, perhaps the two happiest things are owning one legally in your name and, more importantly, having it function as a real motorcycle - one that runs, is safe and delivers the complete experience," he said.
Cong spent about VND600 million ($22,800) to buy the motorcycle, then invested several hundred million dong more in parts and restoration work. The entire process took about a year.
Working with a friend, Cong began rebuilding the old motorcycle with a clear objective: source suitable components, prioritize original parts and preserve the appearance and character of the MC28 that had captivated him as a child.
He said this was the most important principle throughout the project. Modifications were intended to complete and improve the motorcycle without sacrificing the original design and spirit of the MC28.
"The goal was that, after everything, the bike would still retain the classic soul it originally had," Cong said.
Hunting down parts from Japan
Sourcing components proved even more difficult.
According to Cong, genuine NSR250R parts can still occasionally be found on Japanese sales platforms, but they are not always available and rarely appear as complete sets.
"You have to hunt for them one by one and gradually collect everything over time," he said.
Everything from the bodywork and fuel tank to smaller components was sourced according to how well it suited the motorcycle. Several important parts were ordered from Japan, where the NSR250R MC28 was manufactured.
Fortunately, the original engine had not suffered serious damage. Cong nevertheless inspected and serviced its internal components before completing the restoration. The electrical system was also checked to ensure reliable operation.
After months of searching, the parts gradually arrived and the aging MC28 began its transformation into a restored motorcycle bearing its owner's personal touches.
One notable modification was a Dogfight exhaust system, a brand familiar to longtime NSR250R enthusiasts. Cong said the exhaust provided a distinctive sound while matching the style he wanted for the MC28.
Significant attention was also paid to the rear suspension. The motorcycle uses a GEARS R9-series suspension system developed by GEARS and T2Racing specifically for the NSR250R MC28.
The system features a separate reservoir with a dedicated bracket that can be positioned similarly to the original reservoir. Its Kicks spring has a stiffness rating of 14kg, while compression and rebound can each be adjusted through 14 settings.
Cong said the suspension was selected not merely for its appearance but also to improve adjustability, with its design suitable for both street and track use.
At the front, the motorcycle is fitted with a T2Racing triple clamp and handlebars featuring anodized surfaces and laser-engraved details. The brake fluid reservoir was replaced with an aluminum unit featuring a fluid-level window and dedicated bracket.
The foot controls use anodized aluminum T2Racing rearsets with heel guards on both sides.
Other smaller components were also replaced, including a Takegawa kickstarter, T2Racing fuel cap, bolts and fasteners.
According to Cong, these parts are not decisive to the motorcycle's operation but help complete the overall build.
"The small details gradually came together, giving the bike something distinctive while still retaining the character of the MC28," he said.
The radiator was replaced with an aluminum T2Racing unit. While its overall dimensions are similar to the original, the number of cooling core rows increased from 25 to 31, with coolant connections designed to remain compatible with the original system.
An SP2 ignition coil was also added, along with components including a radiator guard, oil filler cap, kickstarter protection bracket and small carbon-fiber covers.
One of the most notable features is the Magtek wheel set, originally a defining feature of the SP version. The magnesium wheels offer advantages in weight and rigidity, reducing rotating mass and helping improve suspension response.
Rather than retaining their original color, Cong had the wheels painted orange to match the Repsol bodywork.
The finished motorcycle is fitted with Dunlop Alpha-14 tires, while details including the headlight bracket, specification decals, air ducts and backrest padding were also restored or refined.
Overall, the NSR250R is not completely identical to how it left the factory. Cong modified numerous components, but said his overriding objective remained preserving the MC28's original shape and character while creating a motorcycle tailored to his own preferences.
After more than a year of work, the Honda NSR250R MC28 Repsol was completed and returned to the road.
For Cong, the project's value is not measured by the number of upgraded components or the amount of money invested.
What mattered more was the experience of searching for individual parts, waiting for components to arrive from Japan and watching an aging motorcycle gradually regain its former shape.
Vietnamnet.vn
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