Part it out or repair it?

wydopen
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wydopen
Edited Date/Time 12/1/2021 8:11am
So I’ve had my RM250 posted for sale for awhile and had 2 potential buyers lined up. Was signed up for the 2stroke class at day in the dirt and told the guys I was going to do “one last race” and it would be available to pick up Monday.

Had second thoughts as I need the $ but figured it would be fine. During my race I was trying to take some new lines on the last lap to stay out of the chop as my hands were going numb and I hit a a rock or a pot hole or something on one of the highest speed sections where you are g’ing out going down and up a big hill on the fire road sections. Bottomed out super hard but didn’t think much of it. Washing my bike after the race and notice the fender looked a little tweaked which I thought was strange since I kept it on 2wheels. Upon closer inspection the tab on the frame where the subframe mounts on the pipe side snapped clean off..

Called the guy who wanted to buy it, he was adamant I call him as soon as I get home as he really wanted the bike and explained the deal. My friend is an expert welder/fabricator, he’s fixed stuff for me that other people said was impossible and it held up, like welding and machining the cam journal on my old 450 or welding some pieces on some high stress areas on equipment at my work. He said he can obviously weld it but can’t guarantee it will last forever. Dude said he still wants to buy it if he can fix it but I would hate to sell it to him and have it snap off again..there’s a frame for sale on eBay for 350$ but no title and the guy wants a bike for next weekend.

So my question is, has anyone repaired something similar and had it held up? Unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot of material there to work with..could probably part it out and make more but I hate to put a good handling bike out of existence and with shipping costs right now i really don’t want to deal with it.

Let me know what you think


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sandman768
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sandman768 11/29/2021 5:22am
11/29/2021 5:22am
Have your welder friend repair and reinforce that tab, no big deal… it’s a Suzuki…. A welder, die grinder and upgraded hardware are standard items in a Suzuki toolbox👌
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mx317
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mx317 11/29/2021 5:22am
11/29/2021 5:22am
easy fix
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yz133rider
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yz133rider 11/29/2021 5:24am
11/29/2021 5:24am
Fix it up and sell it since he knows about it and isn’t concerned about it. He knows what he’s getting into. And you’re being honest and i wouldn’t be too worried about it.
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gristle568
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gristle568 11/29/2021 5:30am
11/29/2021 5:30am
I've had subframe mounts and pipe mounts fixed in the past without problems, i wouldn't hesitate to fix that.
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The Shop

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shuggs
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shuggs 11/29/2021 5:41am
11/29/2021 5:41am
Weld it & reinforce. As long as your up front with buyer all is good
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Richy
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Richy 11/29/2021 6:20am
11/29/2021 6:20am
If your man there can fix a cam journal, that tab is a piss easy fix.

Don't sweat it, like someone else mentioned you've not hidden anything from the buyer so all good, if he's happy, no worries.
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Jack_Wagon
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Jack_Wagon 11/29/2021 6:22am
11/29/2021 6:22am
Like most have said here, fix it and sell it. Parting it out is not as easy as it sounds. You will inevitably be stuck with some stuff that just doesn't sell, and it's time consuming- taking it apart, cleaning everything, making the adds, dealing with potential buyers, finding the correct size box, shipping the stuff. There's probably going to be seller fees, and hopefully there's no problems with packages getting lost. It can be a headache.
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DA498
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DA498 11/29/2021 6:23am
11/29/2021 6:23am
Its not the space shuttle!
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sandman768
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sandman768 11/29/2021 6:30am
11/29/2021 6:30am
When I first started reading this post, I thought for sure your clutch or transmission exploded😂
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 11/29/2021 6:38am
11/29/2021 6:38am
Bottoming out after “crossing the road” can be an eye opener on the DITD GP course! Grinning
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wydopen
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wydopen 11/29/2021 8:06am
11/29/2021 8:06am
TeamGreen wrote:
Bottoming out after “crossing the road” can be an eye opener on the DITD GP course! Grinning
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's a little right hand hip jump into a right hander going downhill then you go back up before you drop into REM track..was trying to ride the edge and rest my hands for a couple seconds and stay out of the roost and I have no idea what I hit..definitely felt it in the lower back.... guess that's what I get for sitting down trying to rest

Thanks guys that makes me feel better...was just worried because it's pretty thin and there isn't much material around where the threaded part is...
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scott_nz 11/29/2021 8:52am
11/29/2021 8:52am
Weld it , it’s a common repair
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Boomslang 11/29/2021 8:58am
11/29/2021 8:58am
TeamGreen wrote:
Bottoming out after “crossing the road” can be an eye opener on the DITD GP course! Grinning
wydopen wrote:
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's...
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's a little right hand hip jump into a right hander going downhill then you go back up before you drop into REM track..was trying to ride the edge and rest my hands for a couple seconds and stay out of the roost and I have no idea what I hit..definitely felt it in the lower back.... guess that's what I get for sitting down trying to rest

Thanks guys that makes me feel better...was just worried because it's pretty thin and there isn't much material around where the threaded part is...
That's no problem for a skilled welder. You mention not enough wall thickness, thats also no concern for someone skilled.

One could even machine up a whole new part then weld it on strong. Then dive in with a drill then tap new thread...i can't see very well without me ol reading gogz but you'll be good.

Minor inconvenience and you have been upfront with the potential buyer. I forsee a happy ending for you both.
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Kyle978
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Kyle978 11/29/2021 9:06am
11/29/2021 9:06am
I literally broke a 2005 RM250 frame at the foot pegs on both sides about 2 hours after I fixed an exploded transmission.

Those bike are badass when they’re running but damn do they fall apart quick 😂
5
Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 11/29/2021 9:41am
11/29/2021 9:41am
I’ll trade you 27 grams of BC bud strain #2.
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wydopen
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wydopen 11/29/2021 10:25am
11/29/2021 10:25am Edited Date/Time 11/29/2021 10:29am
TeamGreen wrote:
Bottoming out after “crossing the road” can be an eye opener on the DITD GP course! Grinning
wydopen wrote:
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's...
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's a little right hand hip jump into a right hander going downhill then you go back up before you drop into REM track..was trying to ride the edge and rest my hands for a couple seconds and stay out of the roost and I have no idea what I hit..definitely felt it in the lower back.... guess that's what I get for sitting down trying to rest

Thanks guys that makes me feel better...was just worried because it's pretty thin and there isn't much material around where the threaded part is...
Boomslang wrote:
That's no problem for a skilled welder. You mention not enough wall thickness, thats also no concern for someone skilled. One could even machine up a...
That's no problem for a skilled welder. You mention not enough wall thickness, thats also no concern for someone skilled.

One could even machine up a whole new part then weld it on strong. Then dive in with a drill then tap new thread...i can't see very well without me ol reading gogz but you'll be good.

Minor inconvenience and you have been upfront with the potential buyer. I forsee a happy ending for you both.
That’s what I was thinking. Might be better to just replace that whole piece

Falcon
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Falcon 11/29/2021 10:40am
11/29/2021 10:40am
Snoop Dogg would say, "fixz that shiz." So do I.
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Bearuno
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Bearuno 11/30/2021 1:55am
11/30/2021 1:55am Edited Date/Time 11/30/2021 3:14am
Fix a bracket or part a bike out so as not to fix it?

To do properly, it's Not a 5 minute job. The time comes down to access and preparation. Welding time? = little more than a few minutes. With the bike assembled - a right pain in the arse for the repairer. The less he / she has to deal with, the better, so, it's down to you, the owner, unless you pay someone else, to pull things apart for fabrication and welding.

Paint off, both frame and absconded bracket, shaping reinforcement plates to the bracket, then with those welded onto the bracket, shape those plates to go to the frame, with the bracket going back into it's original position. Then, perfect, unobtrusive TIG - f**k MIG or Stick, they are disgusting - welds ( I've TIG welded and made / modified / repaired frames for over 5 decades now) , re-paint, then, job done. A well done job, with extended plating, should not fail.

Something to have in mind is : if one side has broken, the other side May be close to failure as well.

Or, give up, and part ( what was a good bike, one assumes, not a crap one?) a bike out, and, endure that process. I've watched people do that, and it doesn't look like fun.
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wydopen
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wydopen 11/30/2021 4:38am
11/30/2021 4:38am
Bearuno wrote:
Fix a bracket or part a bike out so as not to fix it? To do properly, it's Not a 5 minute job. The time comes...
Fix a bracket or part a bike out so as not to fix it?

To do properly, it's Not a 5 minute job. The time comes down to access and preparation. Welding time? = little more than a few minutes. With the bike assembled - a right pain in the arse for the repairer. The less he / she has to deal with, the better, so, it's down to you, the owner, unless you pay someone else, to pull things apart for fabrication and welding.

Paint off, both frame and absconded bracket, shaping reinforcement plates to the bracket, then with those welded onto the bracket, shape those plates to go to the frame, with the bracket going back into it's original position. Then, perfect, unobtrusive TIG - f**k MIG or Stick, they are disgusting - welds ( I've TIG welded and made / modified / repaired frames for over 5 decades now) , re-paint, then, job done. A well done job, with extended plating, should not fail.

Something to have in mind is : if one side has broken, the other side May be close to failure as well.

Or, give up, and part ( what was a good bike, one assumes, not a crap one?) a bike out, and, endure that process. I've watched people do that, and it doesn't look like fun.
I’ve got it stripped down as far as it needs to be..going to do the prep work to keep my friends time down to a minimum..he never lets me pay but I’ll insist this time. We usually trade favors but I owe him 3 or 4 at this point. My main problem is nailing him down to do it. He’s a busy guy and when you are asking for a favor I have to take what I can get. We are both busy with our kids now, he doesn’t ride much and I feel like I only call him when I need something, which I don’t like.

Main reason I was thinking of parting it was this isn’t a high dollar bike. I basically just need the $ for a kyb conversion for my husky and I’m not getting much more than that out of it as a complete bike..By the time I spend a little $ and some time on it to repair, I’m really not getting much more for the whole bike than I could probably sell the engine for on eBay. Plus it has a lectron carb and some decent wheels, also I’m assuming the buyer will use it as an opportunity to get it for cheaper than we agreed to..I’ve bought 3 new (to us) bikes for my kids and I in the last month which I really couldn’t afford so could really use the $ for this one and don’t want sell it for less than it’s worth. But I also don’t like being dishonest and selling something that isn’t 100% and not disclosing it.
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Timo
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Timo 11/30/2021 5:29am
11/30/2021 5:29am
This will start being an issue with these old bikes, KX250's, CR250R's, and RM250's will start being showroom bikes instead of racers because of lack of replacement parts. People will be dropping YZ engines into RMZ frames to get yellow 250 2 strokes...
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vtec_
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vtec_ 11/30/2021 5:57am
11/30/2021 5:57am
Timo wrote:
This will start being an issue with these old bikes, KX250's, CR250R's, and RM250's will start being showroom bikes instead of racers because of lack of...
This will start being an issue with these old bikes, KX250's, CR250R's, and RM250's will start being showroom bikes instead of racers because of lack of replacement parts. People will be dropping YZ engines into RMZ frames to get yellow 250 2 strokes...
the thing is ..alot of people like the steel frames as they are less ridged and have other qualities that aluminum frames dont have. they dont vibrate as much

i think the new bikes have come along way, but i still think there is some way to go before they are like the steel frame bikes

i havent ridden a modern mx bike so maybe someone else could chime in
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Boomslang 11/30/2021 6:42am
11/30/2021 6:42am
wydopen wrote:
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's...
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's a little right hand hip jump into a right hander going downhill then you go back up before you drop into REM track..was trying to ride the edge and rest my hands for a couple seconds and stay out of the roost and I have no idea what I hit..definitely felt it in the lower back.... guess that's what I get for sitting down trying to rest

Thanks guys that makes me feel better...was just worried because it's pretty thin and there isn't much material around where the threaded part is...
Boomslang wrote:
That's no problem for a skilled welder. You mention not enough wall thickness, thats also no concern for someone skilled. One could even machine up a...
That's no problem for a skilled welder. You mention not enough wall thickness, thats also no concern for someone skilled.

One could even machine up a whole new part then weld it on strong. Then dive in with a drill then tap new thread...i can't see very well without me ol reading gogz but you'll be good.

Minor inconvenience and you have been upfront with the potential buyer. I forsee a happy ending for you both.
wydopen wrote:
That’s what I was thinking. Might be better to just replace that whole piece [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/11/29/520312/s1200_203D5638_1AE1_4276_B500_77812A79CE5B.jpg[/img]
That’s what I was thinking. Might be better to just replace that whole piece

That's a better picture for assessment. That can be welded and it will be better than new.

If it were my bike, id bead blast the whole frame then carefully check for any stress fractures or hairline cracks.

A skilled welder will be able to strengthen weak points without losing to much flex.

Then give the frame a new spray job...but thats for your buyer to decide.

Bottom line is that its nothing serious. Good luck.

1
Radical
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Radical 11/30/2021 9:53pm
11/30/2021 9:53pm
wydopen wrote:
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's...
Haha that was rough too but it was actually after that section when you do the second pavement section then go up the fireroad and there's a little right hand hip jump into a right hander going downhill then you go back up before you drop into REM track..was trying to ride the edge and rest my hands for a couple seconds and stay out of the roost and I have no idea what I hit..definitely felt it in the lower back.... guess that's what I get for sitting down trying to rest

Thanks guys that makes me feel better...was just worried because it's pretty thin and there isn't much material around where the threaded part is...
Boomslang wrote:
That's no problem for a skilled welder. You mention not enough wall thickness, thats also no concern for someone skilled. One could even machine up a...
That's no problem for a skilled welder. You mention not enough wall thickness, thats also no concern for someone skilled.

One could even machine up a whole new part then weld it on strong. Then dive in with a drill then tap new thread...i can't see very well without me ol reading gogz but you'll be good.

Minor inconvenience and you have been upfront with the potential buyer. I forsee a happy ending for you both.
wydopen wrote:
That’s what I was thinking. Might be better to just replace that whole piece [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/11/29/520312/s1200_203D5638_1AE1_4276_B500_77812A79CE5B.jpg[/img]
That’s what I was thinking. Might be better to just replace that whole piece

It looks like that was going bad for a long time, then finally gave way.
I'd take a close look and see if there are other cracks that need reinforcement. The welder probably has a minimum charge anyway, so it may not cost any extra.
A good welder/fabricator should be able to fix that no problem.
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stillwelding
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stillwelding 12/1/2021 6:53am
12/1/2021 6:53am
DA498 wrote:
Its not the space shuttle!
He thinks it is, the way he rides it Grinning
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