[QUOTE="James"] Ok, BTH, how far off the mark am I?[/QUOTE] I'll have a go, but of course this is all to the best of my knowledge. I've been told that the first models imported to Australia in '88 were GPX250R-II. These were generally in the familiar black/red colour scheme, with two front disks and flush-mounted front indicators[1]. The orange indicator lenses on either side of the tail light were replaced with red lenses, and "outrigger" rear indicators fitted in order to pass ADR's[2]. Grey-import GPX250R-II bikes will usually have both outrigger and tail-mounted indicators fitted, like this: [URL]http://www.motorcycledisposals.com.au/158R%20G14.jpg[/URL] Grey-import bikes also seem to have a higher gearing internally, since when on standard sprockets and tyres The Jackal runs about 1000rpm faster at 100kph than nameless Boy. I suspect that's due to the 80kph Japanese national speed limit. The igniter box on my '88 is totally different to Minx's '94, and doesn't incorporate a rev limiter. Grey imports have a different rear mudguard, and don't have that "pope's nose" numberplate light. Sometime around '92 the handlebar switchgear was changed, and the ability to switch the headlight on and off was removed. The parking light was also deleted from the headlight housing. So far as I know up until about 2001 the only changes were the colour scheme. Christian's 2002 model has carburettor de-icing plumbing, which probably comes in handy down in Cooma. ;-) I vaguely remember reading something about a K-TRIC throttle position sensor on some of the newer ones[3], but I've never actually seen it. I've heard that the ZZR250 engine is the same internally as the GPX250 one, but has a different sump fitted. I haven't closely examined a GPX and a ZZR to find out. I always thought that the GPZ250R motor was the same as the GPX250R one, but while I was scanning the manual I discovered that in fact it's substantially different internally, as well as having larger carbies and presumably different cams.[4] For what it's worth, if I were customising a GPX250 to suit myself I'd have an '88 GPX250R-II, with the wheels repainted to match a current-model blue fairing. With slightly longer preload spacers in the front forks and a GPz500 rear shock. And the newer switchgear, it's nicer to use. ;-) BTH [1] The same as those fitted to the GPX600R. [2] Apparently the standard tail-mounted indicators are 40mm too close together. [3] Which is used as a sensor input to the igniter box, and apparently improves throttle response and emissions. [4] The GPZ250 was supposed to have slightly more power and slightly less torque than the GPX250, but in practice I doubt that the difference would be noticeable.
