1988 Yamaha YZ 250 vintage racer... eventually

Brad_Garnas751
Edited Date/Time 9/1/2022 10:16am
Hey im new to this page and im looking forward to hearing from you guys. I recently picked up this roached out 1988 yz 250 for $600. Im really wanting to get into vintage moto. My dad has a bunch of old CRs but ive always been a blu cru dude. Im trying to get this old girl back to racing shape soon. Let me know what you think. I was a little inspired by the pulp mx 1988 yz 250 build. Post pics if you have one. Keep in mind ive had the bike less than a month. Heres my progress so far.




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DGE.532
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8/20/2021
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Wichita, KS US
DGE.532 9/30/2021 11:33am
9/30/2021 11:33am
Lookin good
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sandman768
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Saratoga Springs, NY US
sandman768 10/2/2021 5:45pm
10/2/2021 5:45pm
100% improvement, I restored a 92 not too long ago…
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Brad_Garnas751 12/16/2021 9:48am
12/16/2021 9:48am
Finally made a little more progress on the old girl. Revalved and resprung the rear shock with racetech components. And added a genuine PWK 38mm Air Stryker. Forks are going to be gone through next...





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CR-Dude4
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unknown, TX US
CR-Dude4 8/27/2022 8:47am
8/27/2022 8:47am
time for some mono cross stickers. Blue crue? Nah Yz have always been black and yeller and or red and white. IT enduro bikes are blue. Good rebuild. Keep pluggin away.
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The Shop

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Brad_Garnas751 8/31/2022 3:15pm
8/31/2022 3:15pm




Finally got the old girl dialed in. Had the suspension valved and sprung by Race Tech. I'm 265 pounds and she feels dang good. I threw a new top end in it and went racing. She held together on the maiden voyage. I still need to make it look pretty. Just focused on getting it just right performance wise first. The old bike rips good! Not nearly as fast as my 06 but its decent considering the age.
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Brad_Garnas751 8/31/2022 7:09pm
8/31/2022 7:09pm
I also found out the yz 426 kick starter bolts right up and is way better to kick than the stock kick starter.
Brad_Garnas751 8/31/2022 7:16pm
8/31/2022 7:16pm
I also used an inner clutch cover from a 1992 YZ 250 so i could have quick change capabilities. Switches right over. You just have to use the old power valve linkage arm. Water pump stuff swaps straight over. Now I can pull the basket and everything out without pulling the whole clutch cover off. Well worth the $65 investment.



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sandman768
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sandman768 9/1/2022 6:07am
9/1/2022 6:07am
Nice!
Brad_Garnas751 9/1/2022 10:16am
9/1/2022 10:16am
sandman768 wrote:
100% improvement, I restored a 92 not too long ago… [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/10/02/512954/s1200_BACB515A_2DB2_489B_9318_65E0512B3FA1.jpg[/img]
100% improvement, I restored a 92 not too long ago…
That thing is beautiful by the way! I'd love to have one of those
Brad_Garnas751 9/1/2022 10:19am
9/1/2022 10:19am
Heres my little moto child. She just turned 2 and rips her Stacyc. Just wanted to share even though its not related to the build haha.



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Brad_Garnas751 1/18/2023 1:10pm
1/18/2023 1:10pm

Screenshot 20230118 130725 Gallery.jpg?VersionId=fWvEdbYXaISbo9jsRu5jV8oZCKkwm

 

I had moto envy make me a vented front plate. After looking at it i decided to make another on for my other yz 250. Super easy!

Brad_Garnas751 1/18/2023 1:13pm
1/18/2023 1:13pm

Screenshot 20230118 124510 Gallery 0.jpg?VersionId=bnJCmSvni

 I decided to powdercoat the head lollipop red with a super chrome base. Did it myself! Just starting to figure it out.

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Brad_Garnas751 1/18/2023 1:15pm
1/18/2023 1:15pm

Screenshot 20230118 131421 Gallery.jpg?VersionId=lL9v1F6VhfqM

 I also started building my daughters PW. Motor should be done soon!

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Gene Frenkle 1/31/2023 9:20pm
1/31/2023 9:20pm

Looks good I've got an 89 too.

A good mod is to run a right hand side cover from the 1986-199 YZ125.

Team Yamaha did the mod back in the day from 89-90 on Bradshaw's bikes to stop your boot snagging the seat/tank/side cover junction on the right hand side. It takes a little bit of fiddling to get it to fit nice but works a treat.

See this photo...

Factory Yamaha.jpg?VersionId=s dSLmscl3Nv 6mNHtogzRkQPO6xLI 

 

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Pit Row

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Brad_Garnas751 2/7/2023 4:38pm
2/7/2023 4:38pm
Gene Frenkle wrote:
Looks good I've got an 89 too. A good mod is to run a right hand side cover from the 1986-199 YZ125. Team Yamaha did the...

Looks good I've got an 89 too.

A good mod is to run a right hand side cover from the 1986-199 YZ125.

Team Yamaha did the mod back in the day from 89-90 on Bradshaw's bikes to stop your boot snagging the seat/tank/side cover junction on the right hand side. It takes a little bit of fiddling to get it to fit nice but works a treat.

See this photo...

Factory Yamaha.jpg?VersionId=s dSLmscl3Nv 6mNHtogzRkQPO6xLI 

 

That is genius! I think i might try that! I almost died when i was seat bouncing a double and my boot snagged the gap lol.

rubenslagboom 6/17/2024 8:01pm
6/17/2024 8:01pm

Is it normal when you rotate the crank shaft 3/4 of a turn for it to engage the trans  out put shaft on any gear  could it have broken dog off main shaft??

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