Can a bike be too roached?

Look at the radiators as well.

It all depends on how well (or bad) the bike was maintained when it was ridden. Did you change your gearbow oil often? Did you use premium quality premix? etc...

If you do chain, do both sprockets. This bike is not in bad shape..... just needs some TLC.

- Top End Job
- Bottom End (maybe)
- Clean Carb
- New Plastic and graphics
- New VForce
- New Sprokets and Chain
- New Cables (or lube them well if in good shape)
- New bearings
- Service Forks and Shocks
- When body is off bike, very good clean job.

This bike will be like new.

I once had an RM250 that spent most of its life as an off road race bike for a kid that didn't maintain that well. I knew it was in bad shape when I looked at it, but the price was right and I was planning a total rebuild anyways so I bought it.

By the time I got it stripped down for inspection it was evident it was in terrible shape. My biggest concern was the frame. It wasn't craked or repaired, but I couldn't believe how egg-shaped most of the holes were for the engine mounts and pegs. I would guess the constant years of beating and loose fasteners caused the bolts to wear the frame holes. I scrapped the frame and bought a better one on Ebay.

I had to throw away the swingarm because the slot for the brake caliper was all chewed up and it barely had enough material left to keep it in place.

The brake discs were garbage, both calipers were shot and needed full rebuild kits, and of course every bearing and race had to be replaced.

I guess what I am getting at here is....even though I had to spend over $2g on the bike, I had an awesome new feeling bike for less than $3g total.

The fun part on these builds is that you pretty much get to build them up how you want it. Spend some time planning out the build and it will be a nice bike when you are done. I still argue that these late-model RM250s are some of the best bikes ever built.

About a year ago I bought an 01 yz250 that "just needed a crank". $1900 later I gave up, sold all my new parts and got out while I could. I wish I'd just finished, because I'm in exactly the same situation again with a 00 kx250. If u have another bike to ride while u rebuild, just make it a long term project. Those RMs are worth it in my opinion.

Anything is possible. This bike I did was the most well used bike i have restored. It needed a linkage because the lower shock bearing bore was so ovaled it almost wore through. If you take your time, and are willing to spend enough money to make it perfect... I don't know that there is a bike out there too beat to rebuild



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That's a fantastic example. as long as the bolt holes aren't walloed out and the cases and rest of the components are in rebuildable shape go for it. Heck I bought a cr that was pretty and the rest was roached out.. built it back up and now its super reliable and I know every nut and bolt.. that extra piece of mind is nice..

Its a sdg pleated seat cover over a stock seat. I will say it looks like your bike is in much better shape than the one in the pics i did! If you need parts let me know.

Anything is possible dude! just gotta work hard. Heres an example. The pic of when the rmz had black shrouds was right when i bought the bike as a project. it had a stack load of hours, very minimal maintenance and every single bearing in the bike was rusted and seized into its surface. The other picture is after my project, looks wise nothing changed too much but every bearing on the bike was changed aswell as all the valve issues were fixed it got a fresh motor including a new tranny and was sent to tokyo mods so they could work there porting magic and accompany the porting with there cams, valves and a couple other things. I was proud of this project because i used this bike for arenacross as well as a full season of 250B..

I sure as hell hope not! I'm in the midsts of a rebuild myself. I would just go for it and hope that you get to keep at least a few original parts . Either way you'll probably get to a relatively newish state for less than the close to $10K that a new bike costs these days. I would rather invest more time and work into my bikes than just money.

The nice thing about RMs is they are pretty bulletproof bikes.
I think I'll take a stab at this thing. Just had a new baby so no new bike coming, unless I hit the lottery.

No bike would be to roached IF you have a large bank account lol

Here's what I'm starting with lol. At least your bike is assembled.

All engine parts are here but in shifty condition. About $1700 will have me a brand new bike. Not including the $200 I paid for the bike

From this:





To this:







It's all about how bad you want it. That 04 RM 125 had a TOTAL of $1,800 invested into it.

See when you see a build like this, it's pretty easy to get full of piss and vinegar, but you just gotta make the right calls and take the time to do it correctly.

It's a good thing to pull apart a bike regardless, I'd rather know what's what then find out later!

I agree. The bike I did is a good example. Not that it was mine (it was for a customer) but there was a lot of things that we could of gone a cheaper route or left alone. Just set a target budget and try to stick to it!

It turned out great mate, one of the nicest RM's I've seen. They look great with the black frame too.

A rm 250 is a great bike to refurbish and ride. Personnel opinion... Best 2banger ever. Minus a brand new ktm...

This is an awesome thread guys!

I have an 07 crf450 thats in great shape, but i just tore it all down ,cause, well why the hell not!
Anybody have any 05-08 honda's that have been cleaned up? Im looking for ideas on color ways and such...

These bikes are bitchin, you guys have good taste!