Posts
465
Joined
8/1/2008
Location
Auckland
NZ
Edited Date/Time
2/19/2016 2:10am
I've been toying with the idea of building a Bradshaw tribute bike for a few years.
Well, I bought this today and can't wait to pick it up and start work on it.
This will be my first MX bike project and I'm bloody excited to say the least, this will be a complete rebuild so I'm looking for plenty of help and advice from all you old school guys to source parts and generally get the details right.
The challenge is to turn this
into this
Well, I bought this today and can't wait to pick it up and start work on it.
This will be my first MX bike project and I'm bloody excited to say the least, this will be a complete rebuild so I'm looking for plenty of help and advice from all you old school guys to source parts and generally get the details right.
The challenge is to turn this
into this
Please post updates!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Great job on the 125, 38spl!
BM255, good luck with the project! Being a Bradshaw fan, I can't wait to see it's progress.
It starts and runs pretty well I have to say, but will need at the very least a top end, I'm not kidding myself though as I'm sure it will need much more once I get further on.
I haven't been able to spend much time on it yet but heres some pictures anyway.
Generally pretty rough throughout
Radiators have definately seen better days
Interesting use of zip ties
Some non-standard bolts here and there......to be expected I guess
More pictures coming this weekend when I have time to get further with it
The Shop
The only difference between a WR/YZ would be gear ratios in the tranny and maybe some different jetting/suspension settings and the 18 inch rear wheel vs. the 19 on the YZ.
I have a 1991 YZ250 and the stock silencer does not extend that far beyond the rear mounting bracket. The 91-92 YZ's were nearly identical aside from the 92's restyled front number plate, graphics and minor mechanical tweaks.
My 91 is close to a Bradshaw replica, it has the GYTR 1992 race team orange/blue graphics & seat cover and a 1992 front fender. I never got around to adding the 92 front # plate. It is too bad that the plastic has yellowed with age, that is the biggest drawback on the white Yamahas.
I also wondered whether it was a WR250 but I did some research on the serial numbers and it's definitely a YZ250. It has a 19" rear wheel and the shock spring is pink but has been painted black by someone at some stage. Also the radiator shroud are OEM Omaha and have the original pink YZ250 graphics. The muffler is definitely not correct so I think this was added at some point by someone, the previous owner used it for trail rides so it could have been him.
Graphics ABA-92SXD-CL-01
Seat cover (standard) ABB-3XK24-92-PL
Seat cover (gripper) ABB-3XK24-92-PN
I googled the #'s and of course they come up discontinued/obsolete. It is probably a very long shot to check dealers and see if anyone somehow still has any laying around on a dusty shelf.
I am not sure who supplied the graphics to Yamaha but the seat covers were made by CEET Racing
It looks like CEET still offers a purple cover for the 91-92 model. However it may not match the race team replica cover sold through Yamaha's accessory division. The one I have has the gray gripper material on the seat and the white/orange "Yamaha" graphics on the side.
You are probably going to have to go with custom graphics. The odds of finding a set are probably not too good and if you did the vinyl may have shrank and the adhesive aged to the point where they may not stick very well.
Mine was changed from the stock magenta look to the purple/orange factory scheme back in 92-93 when the stuff was still available.
If you need to make custom graphics I could dig it out of the garage and take some close up detail photos of the graphics for reference.
Some feedback on them here...
http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Old-School-Moto,22/1994-KX250-Restoration…
http://www.ufoplasticusa.com/year.php?brand=6&model=71
I got a chance to do a few more hours over the weekend, it's just about completely stripped down now and I have to say that I'm pretty happy with what I've found. With the exception of one snapped off bolt and a few mismatched or non-standard items, it's all pretty much there and undamaged. The frame is in really good condition, not bent or repaired, no missing brackets or stripped out threads, so it's just going to be a straight out refinish.
The engine is out and on the bench, this will get a complete pull down and the cases will go out for paint, not sure what goodies to put in it when it goes back together though, I'm keen to get your thoughts/feedback, especially in the carb and reed department
The forks and shock are coming out next and will go out for a complete rebuild with heavier springs.
I have an Ohlins rear shock that was previously in my 2007 CRF450 which is just lying around, does anyone know whether it will fit, or should I just sell it and spend the money rebuilding the stock one?
The bike is well and truely pulled apart now, the motor is completely stripped down and the cases are going out to be repainted. It's getting new bottom end, rod kit and of course the top end, the gearbox was perfect as was the clutch basket, so just new clutch plates needed. The carb is in decent condition, but I'll do a rebuild kit anyway. The original choke lever assembly is missing and someone replaced it with a knob, so I'll sort that out while I'm at it.
The forks and shock are getting completely rebuilt with heavier springs and revalved to suit my weight etc.
There was some minor damage to the swingarm where a sprocket bolt has come loose at some point, so that is being welded up and refinished, while I'm at it I'll grind off the caliper guard bracket as it looks like the factory bikes didn't run a caliper guard from the pics I can find.
I've ordered so many replacement parts that It's going to be like christmas here soon when the packages start turning up. Basically I've ordered all new fastenings, plastics, cables, graphics ......the list goes on and on.
A couple of questions for you guys though......
I can't seem to find the correct seat cover, I've contacted CEET and they have the correct color but the YAMAHA lettering is white and doesn't have the orange shadow, if I went for this cover it would bug the shit out of me everytime I looked at it. Does anyone know where I could source the correct replica seat cover?
Also I was wondering if anyone knows which pro taper bars Bradshaw ran and if that model is still available?
Footpegs.....I want to replace these with some that have a factory look to them, I'm struggling to find anything suitable, any ideas?
Some more pictures of the pull down
Sweet bike, Down South! The yellowing/patina looks fine to me.
However the stock honda 95 era cover I got from them is excellent, low price too.
Lovin this Brashaw build, although not really a yamaflaw fan I always liked these years of yz''s.
Pit Row
alassioalex@alice.it
Speaking of Öhlins shock this was mounted on my 90. It looks similar to yours but shorter. The length of mine is ~443mm and it should be possible to change the rod if you only find one that have the right length.
Some of the parts have started arriving and there's been a steady stream of courier deliveries.
Here's some pictures of progress so far.
The frame came back looking awesome, totally exceeded my expectations
The Swing arm stripped back to bare aluminium, There was a big gouge from a loose sprocket bolt so this had to be welded up and ground back, I've spent hours on it with scotchbrite to get it to this point. I think I will keep a brushed finish and then have it anodised. A bit more work to do to get it how I want it first though.
Some parts I just finished repainting, I'm using the stock triple clamps for now, but long term I'm thinking of getting some custom billet ones made up by Emig Racing.
I've kept the Soda blasting guy pretty busy, makes the parts come out like new!
Stock shock completely rebuilt with new shaft and heavier spring
New Plastics have arrived
New seat foam from CEET racing
Some hardware back from plating
New replacements parts are coming in thick and fast
http://www.vitalmx.com/photos/member/EVO-TWINSHOCKs-album,17160/Graffix…
Details like that make all the difference
I really like that bike
Are you going to ride ths bike?
The cost of plating will vary depending on who you use and how much stuff you want plated, also there are different plating options and how much prep work is required.
The cost for plating (bright zinc) the parts in the picture I posted was around $80 (NZD).
These are all large bolts like axles, swing arm pivot, engine mounting bolts, linkage pins etc, all other nuts and bolts for the bike will be new.
Yes I do intend to ride the bike but it will be limited to a few rides per year so it stays in mint condition, it's funny how the more I work on it the more I feel like I shouldn't ride it when it's finished, but I just can't bare seeing a bike like this sitting around unused.
My left radiator looks like yours. That left shroud really digs in when you crash and puts a mangle on the radiator.
Anyways, great job on the restoration and I look forward to watching your continued progress.
I do have a question though........I can't decide what to do about footpegs, I would really like something that looks "factory" but limited to what I can find available that will fit this model bike. What advice can you offer? should I go stainless steel or Titanium? if titanium what is available? if I go stainless what feedback do you have on IMS brand or any other brand for that matter?
Looking forward to your thoughts
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