1992 RM 250 find....build....refresh...

sandman768
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12/27/2015 11:36am Edited Date/Time 7/7/2022 2:11am
Looking for a clean example, can need a freshening up, as I enjoy the tear down & rebuild process, but not looking for basket cases or something that has been sitting outside for 10 years. Hope to find one in northeast, so I can drive to make cash deal. Thanks!
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12/27/2015 2:37pm
Had a real gem of a '91 RM250 a few months ago. Came in a garage cleanout sale I bought.

sandman768
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12/27/2015 2:51pm
Had a real gem of a '91 RM250 a few months ago. Came in a garage cleanout sale I bought.[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/12/27/117037/s1200_003.jpg[/img]
Had a real gem of a '91 RM250 a few months ago. Came in a garage cleanout sale I bought.

Ha ha, I"m trying to avoid that ......I"ve done a few that I should have passed on....
sandman768
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12/27/2015 5:13pm
So..............Project Racer, What did you ever do with it? Wink
sandman768
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1/4/2016 7:38am
Not having much success finding a decent example of these models, there are about 3 basket cases in my area, trying my hardest to avoid this, especially when I see a nice clean bike 5 states away for 1000.00. May have to expand my model year for better results? Anyone have any input on the 93 rm 250? I know it was a lot of changes that basically added up to the same thing for Suzuki but from what I read it was improved over the 89-92 models. Side note: is everyone on Craigslist a moron?

The Shop

wpark89
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1/4/2016 9:14am
I'd take a good 92 over the 93. But if you're considering a 93 you might as well look for a 94 or 95. Then you'd have the twin chamber forks and in my opinion a better motor.



450exc115
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Hebron, CT US
1/4/2016 12:44pm
A buddy of mine had what was supposedly a Phil Lawrence's 93 RM250 and it was a rocket ship. Moto Tansenare built the motor and it was decked out in technosel graphics/seat. When we rebuilt the motor it had a lot of work done to the ports and fully blueprinted lower end. The suspension had been massaged with some nice polishing/coatings and modified valving pistons. We had two carbs too, 38mm and one bored to 40mm that really gave it a boost on top.

Still wish my buddy kept the bike or at least I could find it.
1/5/2016 3:44pm
sandman768 wrote:
So..............Project Racer, What did you ever do with it? Wink
Sold it for what I paid for the garage cleanout. That garage mess was quite a little money maker.

This RMX was a bust. lucky to break even on it.

Jmcd1988
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1/5/2016 6:02pm
Haha. I bought it for parts!!
sandman768
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1/5/2016 6:16pm
Every RM of this era I come across in in boxes, wonder if that's an indicator of their reliability! The search continues...
vmx3
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Indianapolis, IN US
1/6/2016 6:40am
sandman768 wrote:
Every RM of this era I come across in in boxes, wonder if that's an indicator of their reliability! The search continues...
I have a 92 that's not in a box but it has hardly any hours on so maybe that's why it's not in a box haha, I know a dude that had an absolutely mint & original '89 for sale about a month ago I'll ask him if he still has it.


vmx3
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1/6/2016 7:05am
My bad it's actually a '90





sandman768
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1/6/2016 8:18am
sandman768 wrote:
Every RM of this era I come across in in boxes, wonder if that's an indicator of their reliability! The search continues...
vmx3 wrote:
I have a 92 that's not in a box but it has hardly any hours on so maybe that's why it's not in a box haha...
I have a 92 that's not in a box but it has hardly any hours on so maybe that's why it's not in a box haha, I know a dude that had an absolutely mint & original '89 for sale about a month ago I'll ask him if he still has it.


Those bikes are mint! Yes, very interested if your friend still has the bike for sale. If you are located in/ around Indy, my brother occasionally goes there for work and I have been out to race the Gncc before, not that bad of a drive. I would make that drive for something that clean & original......
wpark89
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1/6/2016 12:17pm
sandman768 wrote:
Every RM of this era I come across in in boxes, wonder if that's an indicator of their reliability! The search continues...
I think part of that is guys who bought RM'S raced the shit out of them. You find craigslist Hondas or some YZ's that might of just trail rode or putted around a bit and got stored away. But most guys like me that would buy a RM in the 90s were racing them every weekend, multiple classes and chasing contingency money. The bikes got used and wore out.

People always bitch about their quality but I had a new rm 125 or 250 every year from 92-99 and never had anything abnormal break besides a 125 ignition in 99 that Suzuki warranted.
sandman768
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1/6/2016 12:27pm
sandman768 wrote:
Every RM of this era I come across in in boxes, wonder if that's an indicator of their reliability! The search continues...
wpark89 wrote:
I think part of that is guys who bought RM'S raced the shit out of them. You find craigslist Hondas or some YZ's that might of...
I think part of that is guys who bought RM'S raced the shit out of them. You find craigslist Hondas or some YZ's that might of just trail rode or putted around a bit and got stored away. But most guys like me that would buy a RM in the 90s were racing them every weekend, multiple classes and chasing contingency money. The bikes got used and wore out.

People always bitch about their quality but I had a new rm 125 or 250 every year from 92-99 and never had anything abnormal break besides a 125 ignition in 99 that Suzuki warranted.
A valid point, Suzuki did have a good contingency program back in those days. I raced 84 & 87 rm 250"s when I was just starting out and both bikes were reliable, I wasn't exactly pushing the limits but I put a lot of hrs on them.
RF145
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1/6/2016 2:46pm
sandman768 wrote:
Looking for a clean example, can need a freshening up, as I enjoy the tear down & rebuild process, but not looking for basket cases or...
Looking for a clean example, can need a freshening up, as I enjoy the tear down & rebuild process, but not looking for basket cases or something that has been sitting outside for 10 years. Hope to find one in northeast, so I can drive to make cash deal. Thanks!












I just missed hooking you up with this bike.

Richard
sandman768
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1/6/2016 2:56pm
sandman768 wrote:
Looking for a clean example, can need a freshening up, as I enjoy the tear down & rebuild process, but not looking for basket cases or...
Looking for a clean example, can need a freshening up, as I enjoy the tear down & rebuild process, but not looking for basket cases or something that has been sitting outside for 10 years. Hope to find one in northeast, so I can drive to make cash deal. Thanks!
RF145 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/01/06/118651/s1200_002_3.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/01/06/118652/s1200_003_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/01/06/118653/s1200_004_2.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/01/06/118654/s1200_005_3.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/01/06/118655/s1200_006_2.jpg[/img] I just missed hooking you up with this bike. Richard












I just missed hooking you up with this bike.

Richard
That hurts! Nice bike, you restore it? I know I"ll find one, they are out there, my dad used to say" there's an ass for every seat" coming to the conclusion, if you want one bad enough, you have to act quick & make the drive, however far it is. Sure as shit if I drive 8 hrs for one, a week later one will pop up 30 mins from me!
RF145
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1/6/2016 3:25pm
sandman768 wrote:
That hurts! Nice bike, you restore it? I know I"ll find one, they are out there, my dad used to say" there's an ass for every...
That hurts! Nice bike, you restore it? I know I"ll find one, they are out there, my dad used to say" there's an ass for every seat" coming to the conclusion, if you want one bad enough, you have to act quick & make the drive, however far it is. Sure as shit if I drive 8 hrs for one, a week later one will pop up 30 mins from me!
I was on the phone before I posted this to make sure it sold. My friend Jackie did all the work. He did not get paid just yet and I told him to call me if the deal falls through. I knew for about a week he wanted to sell this bike......I just have been too busy to be checking the forums.

I will keep my eyes open as I am heading to the York Pa swap meet on 1/17/2016

And as bad as my memory has gotten, I can still remember if somebody is looking for a bike if I see one for sale. Like the match game we played as kids. Suzuki RM = Sandman on Vital Smile
1/6/2016 9:43pm
There is a '92 on Craigslist near me for $450. I've been considering trying to pick it up. It looks rough, but also looks to be all there and together. Too bad I'm in southeastern Louisiana lol
sandman768
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1/7/2016 5:48am
sandman768 wrote:
That hurts! Nice bike, you restore it? I know I"ll find one, they are out there, my dad used to say" there's an ass for every...
That hurts! Nice bike, you restore it? I know I"ll find one, they are out there, my dad used to say" there's an ass for every seat" coming to the conclusion, if you want one bad enough, you have to act quick & make the drive, however far it is. Sure as shit if I drive 8 hrs for one, a week later one will pop up 30 mins from me!
RF145 wrote:
I was on the phone before I posted this to make sure it sold. My friend Jackie did all the work. He did not get paid...
I was on the phone before I posted this to make sure it sold. My friend Jackie did all the work. He did not get paid just yet and I told him to call me if the deal falls through. I knew for about a week he wanted to sell this bike......I just have been too busy to be checking the forums.

I will keep my eyes open as I am heading to the York Pa swap meet on 1/17/2016

And as bad as my memory has gotten, I can still remember if somebody is looking for a bike if I see one for sale. Like the match game we played as kids. Suzuki RM = Sandman on Vital Smile
I may attend the York swap meet as well, weather permitting. Are there usually a lot of complete bikes at York ?
sandman768
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1/7/2016 5:56am
There is a '92 on Craigslist near me for $450. I've been considering trying to pick it up. It looks rough, but also looks to be...
There is a '92 on Craigslist near me for $450. I've been considering trying to pick it up. It looks rough, but also looks to be all there and together. Too bad I'm in southeastern Louisiana lol
If that is a running bike, I would buy it for that price. Would rather have a complete running bike that needs a refresh/ restore vs a bike that someone did a cheap cob job makeover for 1500.00. I have called on a few bikes listed as "restored" only to find out the motors were not even torn down. I think some people actually try to make money flipping these old bikes! Comical"....
sandman768
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1/7/2016 8:50am
92 is the best. Go for it! :) [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/01/07/118754/s1200_12112419_10152950078175834_1331962727919329814_n.jpg[/img]
92 is the best. Go for it! Smile

I have followed your build, very nice job! Your bike looks great, the works raw pipes look great!
RF145
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1/10/2016 10:34am
sandman768 wrote:
That hurts! Nice bike, you restore it? I know I"ll find one, they are out there, my dad used to say" there's an ass for every...
That hurts! Nice bike, you restore it? I know I"ll find one, they are out there, my dad used to say" there's an ass for every seat" coming to the conclusion, if you want one bad enough, you have to act quick & make the drive, however far it is. Sure as shit if I drive 8 hrs for one, a week later one will pop up 30 mins from me!
RF145 wrote:
I was on the phone before I posted this to make sure it sold. My friend Jackie did all the work. He did not get paid...
I was on the phone before I posted this to make sure it sold. My friend Jackie did all the work. He did not get paid just yet and I told him to call me if the deal falls through. I knew for about a week he wanted to sell this bike......I just have been too busy to be checking the forums.

I will keep my eyes open as I am heading to the York Pa swap meet on 1/17/2016

And as bad as my memory has gotten, I can still remember if somebody is looking for a bike if I see one for sale. Like the match game we played as kids. Suzuki RM = Sandman on Vital Smile
sandman768 wrote:
I may attend the York swap meet as well, weather permitting. Are there usually a lot of complete bikes at York ?
Sandman, the deal went south on that RM. if you want to speak with the owner, email me rf145 at aol dot com
Richard
T.Page
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1/11/2016 6:57pm
May be for sale later this spring. Idk, just a thought. I do love the look of these bikes. All of them.



sandman768
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1/11/2016 7:20pm
T.Page: well done, great looking bike, is that a 90? Is that an rmx rear swing arm/ chain adjuster setup. Almost had a 90 a few weeks ago, looked pretty original but kid who had just bought it off original owner was in the process of destroying it, by the time I could get out to see it he said he traded it for something else!
mxnick
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1/11/2016 8:07pm
I have a very clean 1992 model. Still has a really good OEM seat, which is near impossible to find. The rest of the bike is mostly all stock aside from some small things like grips, etc. PM me if still interested and I can send pics.
T.Page
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1/12/2016 3:38am
It is an 89. The swingarm is rmx, it was clean and available. Stinks to miss a clean bike.
sandman768
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1/12/2016 4:27am
mxnick wrote:
I have a very clean 1992 model. Still has a really good OEM seat, which is near impossible to find. The rest of the bike is...
I have a very clean 1992 model. Still has a really good OEM seat, which is near impossible to find. The rest of the bike is mostly all stock aside from some small things like grips, etc. PM me if still interested and I can send pics.
Trying to buy one locally within driving distance, some of the real nice ones on this thread are located pretty far away. Are you in NorCal as your avatar suggest? At minimum you have to post up some photos! I do have tenative plans to stay a bit in southern cal next winter, with a visit to a friend in San Fran area. Hmmmmm
RyanLester761
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1/12/2016 4:30pm
sandman768 wrote:
Trying to buy one locally within driving distance, some of the real nice ones on this thread are located pretty far away. Are you in NorCal...
Trying to buy one locally within driving distance, some of the real nice ones on this thread are located pretty far away. Are you in NorCal as your avatar suggest? At minimum you have to post up some photos! I do have tenative plans to stay a bit in southern cal next winter, with a visit to a friend in San Fran area. Hmmmmm
There's a decent '92 RM250 on craigslist right now. I'm just chiming in on this thread but it sounds like you might be in NorCal?


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