Project YZ 250 thoughts...

ginger969
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ginger969
Edited Date/Time 11/5/2015 3:24pm
Alright folks -

I've got some cash to buy a YZ250 and am torn on which route to go...Let me know what you all think!

OPTION 1:

Buy a 2004 YZ250 and swap the forks/shock w/ the SSS off an 09 YZF and do the 16 plastics kit

OPTION 2:

Buy a 2006 or newer Alu framed YZ and put the 16' plastics on it...

I know the steel and alu frames will handle drastically different so which route do you guys think would be the best for performance and handling???

Thanks!

Shelby
|
Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 11/4/2015 9:52am
11/4/2015 9:52am
I loved my steel framed YZ250. I vote that.
Hudd_421
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Hudd_421 11/4/2015 10:07am
11/4/2015 10:07am
Go newer
zehn
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zehn 11/4/2015 11:44am
11/4/2015 11:44am
06+
chocolatethunder782 11/4/2015 11:50am
11/4/2015 11:50am
Buy a 2006 and find a steal frame for it and buy new shrouds so it looks like a 2016.

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Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 11/4/2015 11:56am
11/4/2015 11:56am
get the aluminum frame. the steel does have a nicer feel but its heavier and you have to swap stuff.
mb
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mb 11/4/2015 1:37pm
11/4/2015 1:37pm
I think it depends on personal preference. I rode my buddies brand new one a while back and couldn't get over how it vibrated. Not through the handlebars like I was accustomed to, but through the pegs to your feet even while riding. Something I have not noticed on my '03, but something you could get used to.

From a financial standpoint I would expect to pay more for 2006+. If you can find 2004-2002 for substantially less than I would jump on it, otherwise for the same price I would get the 06+. You seem curious about the steel frame so I would go that route, I certainly like mine.
jpatz319
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jpatz319 11/5/2015 4:52am
11/5/2015 4:52am
ginger969 wrote:
Alright folks - I've got some cash to buy a YZ250 and am torn on which route to go...Let me know what you all think! OPTION...
Alright folks -

I've got some cash to buy a YZ250 and am torn on which route to go...Let me know what you all think!

OPTION 1:

Buy a 2004 YZ250 and swap the forks/shock w/ the SSS off an 09 YZF and do the 16 plastics kit

OPTION 2:

Buy a 2006 or newer Alu framed YZ and put the 16' plastics on it...

I know the steel and alu frames will handle drastically different so which route do you guys think would be the best for performance and handling???

Thanks!

Shelby
If you do end up buying a steel frame one I have a suspension set-up off of a 08 YZ 250 that im looking to sell.
keeptwostrokesalive 11/5/2015 4:55am
11/5/2015 4:55am
ginger969 wrote:
Alright folks - I've got some cash to buy a YZ250 and am torn on which route to go...Let me know what you all think! OPTION...
Alright folks -

I've got some cash to buy a YZ250 and am torn on which route to go...Let me know what you all think!

OPTION 1:

Buy a 2004 YZ250 and swap the forks/shock w/ the SSS off an 09 YZF and do the 16 plastics kit

OPTION 2:

Buy a 2006 or newer Alu framed YZ and put the 16' plastics on it...

I know the steel and alu frames will handle drastically different so which route do you guys think would be the best for performance and handling???

Thanks!

Shelby
come on man, me and you were going to start a trend with the steel framed yz250's and newer suspension!Tongue You know which route I am going to take, I have a set of 2007 yz250f forks, triple clamps, bars, front brake assembly, front axle, and spacers ready to go for a 2003-2004 yz250. I am hopefully going to possibly trade my bike for one this weekend
Reefer Sutherland 11/5/2015 4:57am
11/5/2015 4:57am
If I were into Yamahas, I would get an 04, then start begging Technical Touch to find you a set of KYB Bell Bottom forks. The answer you'll get is "they've all been destroyed" but there is more than likely a set or two floating around, unaccounted for.

Crush
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Crush 11/5/2015 5:43am
11/5/2015 5:43am
You couldn't pay me to run the new plastics kit... If you're gonna do a YZ, it's a 2004, SSS/swingarm and shock from a 09 250/450F, v-force, PC works pipe/shorty silencer, 2004 replica graphics and all the castor you can run. I will do it one day, it jostles for next build between that and the TractionMX retro 92 RM250....

Basically, Just like Reefer posted. I think bell bottoms is dreaming though, that shit would be impossible.
keeptwostrokesalive 11/5/2015 6:37am
11/5/2015 6:37am
Crush wrote:
You couldn't pay me to run the new plastics kit... If you're gonna do a YZ, it's a 2004, SSS/swingarm and shock from a 09 250/450F...
You couldn't pay me to run the new plastics kit... If you're gonna do a YZ, it's a 2004, SSS/swingarm and shock from a 09 250/450F, v-force, PC works pipe/shorty silencer, 2004 replica graphics and all the castor you can run. I will do it one day, it jostles for next build between that and the TractionMX retro 92 RM250....

Basically, Just like Reefer posted. I think bell bottoms is dreaming though, that shit would be impossible.
What all do you have to do to attach the 09 swingarm to an 03-04 yz250? I know its lighter and has a little bit better turning characteristics so I was thinking that could be an option for me
keeptwostrokesalive 11/5/2015 6:37am
11/5/2015 6:37am
I'm guessing I would have to do a full linkage swap, but would I also have to get a new rear wheel?
keeptwostrokesalive 11/5/2015 6:48am
11/5/2015 6:48am
I calculated that it would cost me around $600 to do a full rear end swap for 2009 components. Would I have to go that far and does anyone have experience doing this? I also read somewhere that the 09 250f swingarm is a little bit shorter then the 450f so which one would be the best option? So many optionsUnsure
Reefer Sutherland 11/5/2015 6:52am
11/5/2015 6:52am
keeptwostrokesalive wrote:
I calculated that it would cost me around $600 to do a full rear end swap for 2009 components. Would I have to go that far...
I calculated that it would cost me around $600 to do a full rear end swap for 2009 components. Would I have to go that far and does anyone have experience doing this? I also read somewhere that the 09 250f swingarm is a little bit shorter then the 450f so which one would be the best option? So many optionsUnsure
I've been saying for years that in the age of the internet, there needs to be a website dedicated to motorcycle geometry measurements.

Triple clamp offset
fork lug rake
axle diameters
linkage ratios
shock lengths
fork tube diameter
among others.

The basics. Maybe something like that exists and I don't know about it.
ginger969
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ginger969 11/5/2015 7:03am
11/5/2015 7:03am
Reefer Sutherland wrote:
If I were into Yamahas, I would get an 04, then start begging Technical Touch to find you a set of KYB Bell Bottom forks. The...
If I were into Yamahas, I would get an 04, then start begging Technical Touch to find you a set of KYB Bell Bottom forks. The answer you'll get is "they've all been destroyed" but there is more than likely a set or two floating around, unaccounted for.

Are those the 50mm forks??
Reefer Sutherland 11/5/2015 7:17am
11/5/2015 7:17am
Reefer Sutherland wrote:
If I were into Yamahas, I would get an 04, then start begging Technical Touch to find you a set of KYB Bell Bottom forks. The...
If I were into Yamahas, I would get an 04, then start begging Technical Touch to find you a set of KYB Bell Bottom forks. The answer you'll get is "they've all been destroyed" but there is more than likely a set or two floating around, unaccounted for.

ginger969 wrote:
Are those the 50mm forks??
Yea, they're 50mm. I'm trying to think of who would know more about them. Probably DV12, DocWob, maybe Ozzie.
ginger969
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ginger969 11/5/2015 7:40am
11/5/2015 7:40am
Reefer Sutherland wrote:
If I were into Yamahas, I would get an 04, then start begging Technical Touch to find you a set of KYB Bell Bottom forks. The...
If I were into Yamahas, I would get an 04, then start begging Technical Touch to find you a set of KYB Bell Bottom forks. The answer you'll get is "they've all been destroyed" but there is more than likely a set or two floating around, unaccounted for.

ginger969 wrote:
Are those the 50mm forks??
Reefer Sutherland wrote:
Yea, they're 50mm. I'm trying to think of who would know more about them. Probably DV12, DocWob, maybe Ozzie.
Mr. Lindsay knows more about them I think...Do you have any articles or write ups on them? I swear I keep going back and forth between steel and alu haha I was supposed to pick up an 06 last night but it turned out needing a full chassis rebuild and it was beat so I passed...
Reefer Sutherland 11/5/2015 7:49am
11/5/2015 7:49am Edited Date/Time 11/5/2015 7:49am
Those forks are before his time. If you think he knows more about them than a rider who tested them, a world championship mechanic, and a multiple championship mechanic/team manager, give it whirl.

MXA did a brief write-up, obviously in 04. But like I said, the "corporate" answer is "they were all destroyed" and the complicated answer miiiiiiiight be "a set or two probably vanished at the end of 05" unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

It's hoop dreams, just go spend a few hundo on some SSS, or better yet IMO find a blown up 09 YZF, pull what you need, and part the rest out to recoop. That would be a little work, but you'd end up with $0 dollar suspension if you're patient enough.

Pit Row

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ML512
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ML512 11/5/2015 7:53am
11/5/2015 7:53am
Reefer Sutherland wrote:
Those forks are before his time. If you think he knows more about them than a rider who tested them, a world championship mechanic, and a...
Those forks are before his time. If you think he knows more about them than a rider who tested them, a world championship mechanic, and a multiple championship mechanic/team manager, give it whirl.

MXA did a brief write-up, obviously in 04. But like I said, the "corporate" answer is "they were all destroyed" and the complicated answer miiiiiiiight be "a set or two probably vanished at the end of 05" unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

It's hoop dreams, just go spend a few hundo on some SSS, or better yet IMO find a blown up 09 YZF, pull what you need, and part the rest out to recoop. That would be a little work, but you'd end up with $0 dollar suspension if you're patient enough.
I know where there are four sets right now, only walked by them about a hundred times. But no, I haven't ridden with them.
ginger969
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ginger969 11/5/2015 8:03am
11/5/2015 8:03am
Well the 09 forks/shock would still be impressive on a steel frame...wish I could ride the two chassis back to back!!!! haha
ginger969
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ginger969 11/5/2015 8:13am
11/5/2015 8:13am
ginger969 wrote:
Alright folks - I've got some cash to buy a YZ250 and am torn on which route to go...Let me know what you all think! OPTION...
Alright folks -

I've got some cash to buy a YZ250 and am torn on which route to go...Let me know what you all think!

OPTION 1:

Buy a 2004 YZ250 and swap the forks/shock w/ the SSS off an 09 YZF and do the 16 plastics kit

OPTION 2:

Buy a 2006 or newer Alu framed YZ and put the 16' plastics on it...

I know the steel and alu frames will handle drastically different so which route do you guys think would be the best for performance and handling???

Thanks!

Shelby
jpatz319 wrote:
If you do end up buying a steel frame one I have a suspension set-up off of a 08 YZ 250 that im looking to sell.
Can you message me pricing? Also - what did you replace your suspension with??
ginger969
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ginger969 11/5/2015 8:26am
11/5/2015 8:26am
Reefer Sutherland wrote:
Those forks are before his time. If you think he knows more about them than a rider who tested them, a world championship mechanic, and a...
Those forks are before his time. If you think he knows more about them than a rider who tested them, a world championship mechanic, and a multiple championship mechanic/team manager, give it whirl.

MXA did a brief write-up, obviously in 04. But like I said, the "corporate" answer is "they were all destroyed" and the complicated answer miiiiiiiight be "a set or two probably vanished at the end of 05" unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

It's hoop dreams, just go spend a few hundo on some SSS, or better yet IMO find a blown up 09 YZF, pull what you need, and part the rest out to recoop. That would be a little work, but you'd end up with $0 dollar suspension if you're patient enough.
ML512 wrote:
I know where there are four sets right now, only walked by them about a hundred times. But no, I haven't ridden with them.
Is the engine basically the same from 04-06? I notice they sound way different but could just be the frames? idk haha
RutDipper
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RutDipper 11/5/2015 8:47am
11/5/2015 8:47am
I know where a set of true bell bottom forks are, and they are collecting dust right now, have the Ti-Ni coating and all.....rode with them back in 07-08 for a weekend. I'll dig thru my pics from that time.
ginger969
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ginger969 11/5/2015 8:49am
11/5/2015 8:49am
is the dif obvious in feel?
Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 11/5/2015 9:06am
11/5/2015 9:06am
The engine is basically the same from 99-2016 LOL
Crush
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Crush 11/5/2015 2:44pm
11/5/2015 2:44pm Edited Date/Time 11/5/2015 3:17pm
Interestingly, Matthes said Reedy didn't like those forks when they came out.. I've also seen a few pics here and maybe DocWob? Maybe a nice KYB A-Kit coated to look the same is the go regardless...

There is shit loads on thumpertalk about this conversion too
newmann
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newmann 11/5/2015 3:14pm
11/5/2015 3:14pm
So they were all destroyed but five sets surfaced in one thread.
newmann
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newmann 11/5/2015 3:15pm
11/5/2015 3:15pm
Markopolo400 wrote:
The engine is basically the same from 99-2016 LOL
Like a fine wine.
HackMan162
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HackMan162 11/5/2015 3:24pm
11/5/2015 3:24pm
I'd go steely after owning numerous steel and alu framed YZs. But, ONLY if you can find a low hour steely, since those frames wore out pretty quickly compared to the alu.

The frame weight difference is a little over 3 lbs though, so you will want to throw some cubic dollars into a weight loss program to create the ultimate ride.

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