Alvin's Honda NSR250R MC28 SP Repsol

1996 Honda NSR250R MC28 SP Repsol

A Custom NSR500-Inspired Build | Vietnam 🇻🇳

Owner / Project Direction: Alvin Nguyen – MISANO Motorsports
Technical & Restoration Lead: Dieu Pham
Custom Paint & Finish: An Phan – AP Custom
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 🇻🇳

Project Overview

Inspired by the legendary Repsol Honda NSR500 ridden by Mick Doohan during the golden era of 500cc Grand Prix racing, this 1996 Honda NSR250R MC28 SP underwent an extensive six-month restoration and customization project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The objective was to preserve the unmistakable character of Honda’s iconic two-stroke motorcycle while incorporating modern suspension, braking technology, and a unique NSR500-inspired design.

Custom TYGA Performance Bodywork

One of the defining features of this build is its custom fairing.

Rather than installing a complete off-the-shelf kit, we started with TYGA Performance’s extremely accurate NSR250V-style bodywork and combined it with a separate TYGA dual-intake front nose originally designed for the OEM-style NSR250R MC21/MC28 fairings.

Since these components were never designed to fit together, extensive fiberglass fabrication, reshaping, reinforcement, and custom fitting were required to create our own interpretation of the legendary NSR500, while incorporating legally required headlights and taillights.

To preserve the race-bike appearance while retaining street functionality, TYGA-designed headlights were discreetly integrated into the front intake area.

The finished bodywork was complemented by a TYGA carbon-fiber fuel tank and a custom Repsol Honda livery painted by AP Custom.

Complete Build Specifications

Motorcycle

– 1996 Honda NSR250R MC28 Repsol SP
– 249cc liquid-cooled, 90° V-twin two-stroke engine
– 6-speed transmission with factory dry clutch
– Aluminum twin-spar frame
– Honda Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm
– Honda PGM-IV engine management

Bodywork & Paint

– Custom-fabricated NSR500-inspired hybrid front fairing
– TYGA Performance NSR250V-style full bodywork
– TYGA LED headlights and taillights
– TYGA Performance NSR500-style dual-intake front cowl (OEM fitment MC21/MC28)
– TYGA Performance carbon-fiber fuel tank
– TYGA carbon-fiber front fender
– TYGA NSR500V-style tail section
– TYGA carbon-fiber tail tidy with LED turn signals
– TYGA GP-T race seat
– Repsol Honda NSR500-inspired Mick Doohan championship livery
– Custom FRP rear fender

Suspension & Steering

– Öhlins FGRT210 inverted front forks, customized for the NSR250R
– Öhlins NSR250R MC28 rear suspension (TYGA specification)
– Öhlins SD0068 steering damper
– Custom CNC-machined triple clamp and handlebars

Braking System

– Brembo GP4-RX front calipers
– Brembo Corsa Corta 19 radial master cylinder
– Brembo billet rear brake master cylinder
– Brembo 2-piston rear caliper
– Brembo Supersport HBK discs
– HEL stainless-steel brake lines

Wheels & Tires

– OEM MC28 SP MAGTEK magnesium wheels
– Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa tires

Engine & Exhaust

– Completely rebuilt Honda MC28 engine with a new crankshaft
– Honda SP dry clutch
– AS UOTANI SP2 ignition coil kit
– TYGA Performance NSR500V exhaust system
– TYGA sprocket
– D.I.D 520-series VR46 drive chain
– T2 Racing clutch, oil-pump, and choke cables
– T2 Racing reinforced dry clutch kit
– T2 Racing single-layer radiator
– T2 Factory Pulley Kit MC28

Controls, Lighting & Accessories

– T2 Racing rearsets
– T2 radiator shroud (gold)
– T2 Racing coolant tank cap (gold)
– T2 Racing oil cap (gold)
– T2 Racing kickstart stopper
– T2 Racing two-stroke oil cap (blue)
– T2 Racing water pump cover (gold)
– T2 Racing distributor cover
– T2 Racing oil reservoir
– T2 Racing suspension bracket
– T2 Racing gas cap
– T2 Racing bar ends
– T2 Racing key
– MISANO Motorsports CNC chain guard
– Kohken billet clutch lever
– Kohken throttle housing
– KOSO digital temperature gauge and voltmeter

The Build

What began as a restoration eventually evolved into a much more ambitious project. Nearly every aspect of the motorcycle required careful attention, from sourcing rare components internationally to adapting modern suspension and braking systems to a thirty-year-old chassis.

Achieving the desired NSR500-inspired look required multiple stages of fabrication, fitting, reinforcement, and refinishing before the bodywork reached its final form.

Throughout the project, Dieu Pham led the mechanical restoration, technical work, and component integration, while AP Custom (An Phan) was responsible for the custom Repsol paintwork and finishing on both the motorcycle and the helmet.

After approximately six months of restoration and customization, the result is a unique interpretation of Honda’s legendary NSR500, combining classic two-stroke engineering with modern performance components.

More importantly, this is not simply a display motorcycle. It was built to be ridden and enjoyed.

Thirty years after Honda’s two-stroke Grand Prix machines dominated the world’s racetracks, this MC28 continues to celebrate an era of motorcycle racing that may never return.