Ah Ha i am about to get NSR250 no 2, an SE this time, Im getting it for a good price, but is there any way i can check to see if the engine has been rebuilt, would a builder mark it? or tag it? basically the chap says its been rebuilt by the previous owner but took his word for it as he was a mechanic. now i know the R i have has been done as Andy confirmed the crank and i have emails and docs to suport a head/topend rebuild prior to the crank.... the bike is tidy and clean, with non standard fairing, has all Mot's since 1995. Can anyone help is there a noise i can listen for? knocking, etc etc some people i have spoken too have always said you can tell when it needs done it makes a noise. !!!!! What !!! Ah Ah Ziiiinnnnggg Re ziiiinnnng Build Ziing ME LOL any help from you cleaver lot would be great, will post pic when i get it, If it turns out to be a pile o pooh ill have some very clean parts for sale LOL

Check the rear of the barrels. If there's a serial number stamped on it, it's likely been replated. Not all replaters do this though, so no mark doesn't mean much!

If it's just been rebuilt, there'll be witness marks on the head nuts, and probably bits of stray goo round the exhausts. There shouldn't be any spooge at the headers if they've cleaned it up. The powervalves should move freely if it's been de-coked too.
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MC21SP Plaything
BMW F800GS Bumblebee
Triumph 9551 Daytona Big boys toy
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Cheers Dave this all helps. Will hav a look when it arrives on Saturday Morning, Im hoping for fresh stamp and marked nuts etc etc, otherwise ill be in the dark, on the plus side its like my R non standard fairing but looks well cared for, the pics i saw the bike looked very clean indeed.

Of course, the real answer is a compression test. A rebuilt engine with good seals will make in the region of 120psi. Less than 100 and it's fubar.

Got a tester? they're about £15 from Machine mart, and it could be worth buying one if the sale hangs on it...
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MC21SP Plaything
BMW F800GS Bumblebee
Triumph 9551 Daytona Big boys toy
FJ1100 Sporting relic
GTS1000 oddball