Posts
8167
Joined
3/21/2014
Location
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
Edited Date/Time
2/21/2019 5:23am
just started restore of 88 rm 250. When I figure out how to get pho's off my phone, I will upload some. the fun has already started. Bike looked decent but the usual signs of neglect by former owners. the biggest issue is the fact that NO One ever greased anything on the bike! teardown was going well until swing arm bolt would not come out, eventually got it out, but after cleaning swing arm, noticed 2 cracks on both parts of swing arm where bearings go, cracks are almost entire length of bearing surface. Needless to say, I need a swing arm! Does anyone know if the 87 rm 250 arm fits the 88 250? cannot figure out how to decode suz part #'s...thanks...p.s also does anyone know what wide footpegs fit these bikes? cannot find any listings for wide pegs, most aftermarket pegs only go back to 1991 models.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
For wide pegs what I usually do is look for sets of pegs on Ebay from 1993-95 RMs. They have a slightly larger pin but you just drill out the frame to that size. They are nice and wide compared to those clothes-pins on the older RM's.
I have a brand new swingarm bearing kit for that bike if you need it. As stated previously, it can be welded. I've had a couple 80's RM's welded in that spot and a good welder will actually make it better than stock.
Great looking '84!! Would like to see some clearer pics of it.
If your frame lug on the '88 looks like this, '91-02 RM pegs will fit....... if you drill out the mount and get the bigger pins (as mentioned above)
1988:
and finally, the most awesome RM250 of the 80s...
1989:
Pit Row
Just join FullFloater.com on Facebook. Ed Tajikian (SP?) is on there all the time. He'll know for sure. Also, Dave Dixon is usually a big RM465/500 guy-- but he's restored about 6 of the '88 RM250s. I've done business with both, and both really know their stuff. I'm sure you'd get a lot of your questions answered there.
I have an '82 RM250 with a set of Simons UDX-60s. Marc Shade built that and several other bikes for me. Marc runs FullFloater.com, try it-- and say hello to him for me. Those are all good folks.
Some updates: After some helpful responses from you guy's, I went ahead & ordered foot pegs for 96-02 rm's. Found a nice set of what appears to be pro Circuit pegs for 20.00$, ordered 96-02 pins & springs & drilled pin holes in frame larger, they fit great! I also ordered a skid plate and clutch side case guard from long time sponsor: Works Connection. They do not list a skid plate for an 88 rm, so I asked them what may be close & the owner knew that 89 rmx was similar. the plate fits good, just had to bend out front tab to clear engine mounts & slightly modify rear brcts, lastly, I also had works connection send a case guard for a newer year rm 250, I selected guard based off photo only. surprise, it will fit nicely & protects the clutch case & lower water pump as designed. This bike had a damaged clutch case & I have seen many others with damage clutch cases, appears they stick out farther, maybe due to Suzuki adding 2 clutch plates in 88. Now I can send frame to welder to have cobby Suzuki welds redone and case guard brcts welded. While at the welder I'll see what he says about the swing arm.
While waiting for the swingarm & frame to come back from the welding shop, I replaced all bearings & seals in the linkage rocker & wheels. I picked up an ebay swingarm, but found cracks very similar to mine & mine was much cleaner, so off to the alum. welder to get mine repaired. I have an extra linkage assy if anyone needs one, needs all new bearings of course! cylinder is at Powerseal getting plated & bottom end is getting a new rod kit, all engine bearings & seals & tranny gears inspected. Once I get the frame back I can refinish that & really start to build it. I'm just hoping to get this bike rolling b4 summer actually starts in NY...A local bike salvage shop had a going out of business sale, he was a KTM dealer, but I stopped in anyway. I went through a bunch of old boxes & found a brand new frnt sprocket, frnt brake levr & rear brake pads! for the RM. I then walked out back to see if they had any parts bikes & there stood an 87 rm 250! Realy the only bike that has Some interchangeable parts. Motor was gone & bike sat out in the elements, swingarm was cracked just like mine! I was able to get a part that was missing off my bike, the airbox lid. the seat base was decent, but I have already repaired mine, so I did not take it. Although I wish I had, I later found out the new rear caliper piston I ordered from R/mountain was discontinued, I was able to pick up an ebay caliper for 20.00$. this build is turning out to be a little problematic but some of that is due too my mechanical ability!
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