New 03 YZF 450

coolhand
Posts
475
Joined
9/10/2006
Location
Atlanta, GA US
8/17/2015 10:42am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2015 5:20pm
Had one in 03, loved it. Found a brand new one to replace it.



|
circus
Posts
341
Joined
12/28/2008
Location
gladwin, MI US
8/17/2015 11:02am
Congrats man!! For some reason I have an attraction to 1997 RM125s, its always cool to find an older bike that is in like new condition. Enjoy your new bike!
moore433
Posts
525
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Denton, TX US
8/17/2015 11:54am
Congrats on the new bike, what a find!!
Wish I could find a new:
87 cr125
92 rm125
93 cr 250
or
97 cr125
bents
Posts
3278
Joined
12/31/2009
Location
CA
Fantasy
694th
8/17/2015 12:45pm
Coolhand-awesome! I loved that bike and to this day I think it is one of the best 450 motors ever produced. That four speed had power all day long and I remember the handling being pretty darn good too. Add a tooth, put er in 3rd, and ride it in one gear-just don't stall it!

I would love to hear about how it goes for you. Where did you find that bad boy?
8/17/2015 1:05pm
Very nice! I had an 04 in lovely condition but that one ^ really is spectacular. Wasn't a great handler imo (though it was at least predictable) but the motor was an absolute brute - I loved it personally. I hear the 03 was even more barky.

The Shop

sozo
Posts
1170
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
8/17/2015 1:10pm Edited Date/Time 8/17/2015 1:10pm
I liked my 05 250F... Like the handling too actually!
coolhand
Posts
475
Joined
9/10/2006
Location
Atlanta, GA US
8/17/2015 1:46pm
Guys, love this bike. I have a 07 and enough parts to build a couple of yamaha 450s from 06-09.

Servicing suspension this week ..just because I want to. Power wise, she rips. I have a set of SS forks if I can't get the 03s dialed in.

Handling? With a good front tire and sag, it works very well. I'm a vet rider who prides himself on being in moto-shape..I am going to embarras some guys on 9 k bikes. As far as starts...if you get beat to the first corner on this bike..you may want to look at taking up tennis real hard.
Forty
Posts
2783
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
8/17/2015 1:51pm
03 had a monster motor...and 4 speed--pure moto bike

Nice find
MtnBoy
Posts
1080
Joined
10/8/2011
Location
ID US
8/17/2015 2:09pm
That thing is more than capable of embarrassing some guys on $9k bikes!

40Plus_922mx
Posts
2901
Joined
4/17/2009
Location
High Desert, CA US
8/17/2015 4:23pm
Had an 03 also. That think BARKED off the line. Where'd you find a new one if I may ask?
8/17/2015 5:25pm
Seems like a lot of people have fond memories of that bike. Did y'all forget about the forks that came on that thing?
stillwelding
Posts
3187
Joined
1/22/2007
Location
Santa Clarita, CA US
8/17/2015 6:39pm
What a great find. Nearly the equivalent to what Stefan Everts won on.
RandyS
Posts
6184
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
8/17/2015 6:51pm
Seems like a lot of people have fond memories of that bike. Did y'all forget about the forks that came on that thing?
I had an 04 which I believe was a bit milder. My arms hurt just looking at it.
Talispam
Posts
30
Joined
7/1/2015
Location
Southbury, CT US
8/17/2015 6:56pm
That thing was a beast, my friend bought one new that year. I remember riding it at this twisty sand track in Holland when I was 15. Couldn't believe how fast it was, It seemed really sketchy handling at the time but I guess that's a result of me being a skinny 15 year old haha
whammy
Posts
50
Joined
7/24/2015
Location
Buffalo, NY US
8/17/2015 7:03pm
circus wrote:
Congrats man!! For some reason I have an attraction to 1997 RM125s, its always cool to find an older bike that is in like new condition...
Congrats man!! For some reason I have an attraction to 1997 RM125s, its always cool to find an older bike that is in like new condition. Enjoy your new bike!
With good reason. 1996 and 1997's RM's look downright badass.


motokiwi
Posts
2842
Joined
4/2/2008
Location
2t4L, AL US
Fantasy
235th
8/17/2015 10:48pm
whammy wrote:
With good reason. 1996 and 1997's RM's look downright badass. [img]https://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/RM-RMX-series/RM125/1997_RM125_yell_side_450.jpg[/img]
With good reason. 1996 and 1997's RM's look downright badass.


You just need some midnight racing gear and a 90s 2nd tier Shoei to top it off Wink
coolhand
Posts
475
Joined
9/10/2006
Location
Atlanta, GA US
8/18/2015 3:41am
Roost a lot.

The forks can be fixed...or I will put a set of SS that I have on it. It does hit hard, but I have a CR smoker that was a HOT bike that hits harder to train on! I still have my notes and set up tricks for it. Will keep you guys updated. Racing it this weekend.

Booth
Jimfunn
Posts
438
Joined
4/17/2013
Location
GB
8/18/2015 3:50am
How did the '03/'04 yam motors compare to that CRF450 '03?
We have an old '03 450 Honda and it is scary fast and a bloody handful!
coolhand
Posts
475
Joined
9/10/2006
Location
Atlanta, GA US
8/26/2015 9:09am
Jim,

The Yamaha was full on moto, the Honda was more for the masses.

Bike works good, new INT tries on it now. Have 49 tooth coming for the rear.

I had a top clamp for it and put my stock O7 450 bars on it. Ridding it back to back

with a 07 and a 14 it hits hard! like a 2 stroke. Pulls like hell, feels really light and with

correct sag turns good. It wants to be ridden hard! I dig the shit out of it.

I pulled 2 starts on it and did the math, beat about 70 K worth of bikes. Now that's Moto!
coolhand
Posts
475
Joined
9/10/2006
Location
Atlanta, GA US
9/2/2015 10:14am
Update: She is fast!

Question, I have a set of SS forks off a 07 YZ that I may fit on the 03? see any issues with that? Other than
uses clamps from O7 the specs look the same. I know I can work on the 03 forks and make then better, but they will
never bee as good as the SS.

Booth
cwtoyota
Posts
1895
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA US
9/2/2015 11:04am
coolhand wrote:
Update: She is fast! Question, I have a set of SS forks off a 07 YZ that I may fit on the 03? see any issues...
Update: She is fast!

Question, I have a set of SS forks off a 07 YZ that I may fit on the 03? see any issues with that? Other than
uses clamps from O7 the specs look the same. I know I can work on the 03 forks and make then better, but they will
never bee as good as the SS.

Booth
I know there are slight fork tube length differences on the various years of YZ/YZF.

You'll have to get a set of triple clamps from a SSS equipped bike. Not only are the fork tubes larger where the clamps grab them, the centerline distance from fork tube to fork tube changed on the SSS bikes. You may have to do some work to the steering stops on the lower clamp, or on the frame to make them work properly. The steel frame has a slightly different steering stop.

The steering stem lengths vary from YZ's and YZF's, but you should be able to press your original steering stem into any set of SSS clamps to make them fit the bike. I think if you stick to a 450F clamp it will have the correct length stem.

Another thing to note is that the 2007 and later four strokes as well as the 2008 and later two strokes have a more modern version of the SSS fork. The difference is in the lower tubes, especially the axle lug.

So if you have the '07 Two-Stroke forks, you have a set of the earlier fork lugs. I believe those are something like 5mm or 6mm longer tubes than the later version of SSS components. The good thing is that your 2003 brake caliper bracket should bolt right onto those early forks. If you have the later style SSS, you'll have to find a caliper bracket from a later bike. The later SSS fork axle lug has less distance between the caliper bracket bolts.

Here are some rough measurements so you can confirm what you have:

2007+ four strokes and 2008+ two strokes:
=================================
-Distance between caliper mount bolts center to center = 78mm (3.07")

2002 - 2007 YZ's and 2002 - 2006 YZ-F's (Measured my 2002 YZ250):
===========================================
-Distance between caliper mount bolts center to center = 102mm (4.02")

coolhand
Posts
475
Joined
9/10/2006
Location
Atlanta, GA US
9/2/2015 11:30am
CW,

Thanks Man. I have a set of SS clamps off a 07 and complete front wheel unit.

I see the issue with the stop, but should not be a game changer.

I appreciate the response.

Booth
slipdog
Posts
10043
Joined
7/25/2009
Location
Nor Cal, CA US
9/2/2015 12:29pm
I helped a guy put '06 forks on an '03 250t, just had to take a grinder to the steering stops like cwtoyota said.
cwtoyota
Posts
1895
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA US
9/2/2015 3:33pm
coolhand wrote:
CW, Thanks Man. I have a set of SS clamps off a 07 and complete front wheel unit. I see the issue with the stop, but...
CW,

Thanks Man. I have a set of SS clamps off a 07 and complete front wheel unit.

I see the issue with the stop, but should not be a game changer.

I appreciate the response.

Booth
No problem.

I'm betting you're going to want stiffer springs in those babies. If my memory is correct, the YZ250 smoker has a .44 fork spring rate and 4.9 spring on the shock. (I'm basing that on memory of the stock stuff for my 2010 model. I stayed with the stock rear spring and installed .47 fork springs from a 2009 YZ450F.
RMT
Posts
1234
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Lake Forest, CA US
9/3/2015 6:09am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2015 6:09am
This got me thinking about picking up a first year yz400f and 250f. Would be cool to have the bikes that changed things and caused so much controversy. Thinking about a nice Doug Henry replica and a Yamaha of Troy 250. Easy to get all those parts still so why wait till it's harder!
friday10
Posts
631
Joined
12/15/2009
Location
Northridge, CA US
9/3/2015 6:19am
coolhand wrote:
CW, Thanks Man. I have a set of SS clamps off a 07 and complete front wheel unit. I see the issue with the stop, but...
CW,

Thanks Man. I have a set of SS clamps off a 07 and complete front wheel unit.

I see the issue with the stop, but should not be a game changer.

I appreciate the response.

Booth
Here's a tip for that baby, find a later model float bowl with the leak jet. That will help stop flame out.
motomike137
Posts
6887
Joined
4/22/2010
Location
Fenton, MI US
9/3/2015 8:55am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2015 8:57am
I had one and it was my favorite bike I've ever owned. I had a local shop (Tech-Care) do the suspension and Dave convinced me to put the chambers on the forks, they were amazing and very adjustable.
motomike137
Posts
6887
Joined
4/22/2010
Location
Fenton, MI US
9/3/2015 8:59am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2015 8:59am
coolhand wrote:
Update: She is fast! Question, I have a set of SS forks off a 07 YZ that I may fit on the 03? see any issues...
Update: She is fast!

Question, I have a set of SS forks off a 07 YZ that I may fit on the 03? see any issues with that? Other than
uses clamps from O7 the specs look the same. I know I can work on the 03 forks and make then better, but they will
never bee as good as the SS.

Booth
I would run the stockers and get them massaged by somone that knows those bikes. They can be made to feel very good.
coolhand
Posts
475
Joined
9/10/2006
Location
Atlanta, GA US
9/3/2015 9:59am
Guys,

Thanks for the responses, I and going to try both the stockers and the SS. I have another set of 04 forks that
I get set up and do some trackside testing, I found a set of tanks that I can use that are trick of the 04s.

There is all kind of trick stuff for the 03 out there that is cheap now, this is fun, never really been into the
high $ parts but for what I can do for the price I will have some bling.

I will do the carb mod, she is a little to easy to flame out, but she hits like Tyson in 88 and pulls hard.

Again, Thanks for the feedback.

Booth
Lightning78
Posts
6306
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
9/3/2015 1:21pm
coolhand wrote:
Guys, love this bike. I have a 07 and enough parts to build a couple of yamaha 450s from 06-09. Servicing suspension this week ..just because...
Guys, love this bike. I have a 07 and enough parts to build a couple of yamaha 450s from 06-09.

Servicing suspension this week ..just because I want to. Power wise, she rips. I have a set of SS forks if I can't get the 03s dialed in.

Handling? With a good front tire and sag, it works very well. I'm a vet rider who prides himself on being in moto-shape..I am going to embarras some guys on 9 k bikes. As far as starts...if you get beat to the first corner on this bike..you may want to look at taking up tennis real hard.
I have to agree with you coolhand and many others about this 03 yz450, I never owned one but did get to burn some motos on one when I was in the best shape of my life and TO THIS DAY this bike is/was hands down the best 450 I ever rode. Im 6'3 and the ergo's were PERFECT for me, motor was unreal fast yet perfect especially mated to that 4 speed tranny. This is the only 450 I would consider buying strictly the 03. Handled great too...dammit now i want one and am gonna start looking on craigslist.

Post a reply to: New 03 YZF 450

The Latest