I wonder if someone in China could get one?

Maybe our neighbors in Canada can help out.
http://www.xingyuecanada.com/bike-xy400y2.php

Info@xingyuecanada.com

THAT'S a good suggestion! :idea:

Git 'er done! :P

Getting one from China would probably get better results. I have dealt with Xingyue Canada before and they seem to be a really fly by night operation. They didn't instill any confidence in me at all. Such as no or slow responses to emails (weeks at a time).

That sucks too then.

I'm afraid the Chinese actually designed their own engine here. It does not seem to be a clone. That's what Spud figured.

That's what kept me from buying one myself...

Yeah, first time I emailed Xingyue Canada I waited about a week and a half for a reply. Then the guy who replied told me to email him directly since nobody checks the website email... Kinda sounds dodgy yes?

Maybe Jim needs to pay them a visit.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rl...ed=0CBMQ8gEwAA

You're welcome. I tried to replicate the angle that you produced. Sorry the skidplate is in the way, but you get the idea that the bolt pattern is the same. The difference is the starter mount; I'm not convinced that our Chinese friends designed a new engine. I believe that there is a Honda out there that uses the same cover and has electric start. We just have to find it.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...wheelCover.jpg

After some digging, I found two XR250 models with electric start: the XR250ES and the XR250L. I came across this photo on ADV:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../IMAGE_331.jpg

I found it at the bottom of this page: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=407799 It sure looks like that cover would fit your bike.

I also found this manual for a Honda XR250 Tornado, which was released who knows where: http://doc.razorscript.com/moto/hond...1-02_fiche.pdf

It seems that the part number for the side cover is 11341-kpf-900 (page 76).

That does look like the same cover! Excellent detective work. I wonder if Daddy could order the Honda one and then return it if it didn't fit? Might have to pay a small restocking fee at most. I checked ebay but it only came up with one cover and I don't think it was the electric start one.

Or, order the gasket only and see if it fits. If it does chances are better than good that the cover itself would fit. Not much money thrown at it trying. Great detective work.

Great work!

The Honda 250's that I researched were different. I'm glad you found what is likely the right part. Now the question is where to get it, and was it on a US market engine.

I found a reference to a 2001 XR250L that was released in Australia, and it has electric start:

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...r250l%2001.htm

wow guys thanks for all the looking! i really appreciate the effort - right one or not. Im going to call pitster on Monday to see if they have a legit interest in helping me out or if they are just screwing me around. Thanks again fellas!

daddy 8)