2000 YZ 250 Basket Case Build

There I was, on Facebook marketplace, scrolling along looking for a needle in the haystack when suddenly I stumbled upon the younger sister of my long lost 2001 YZ250. As I gazed upon my screen in wonderful delight I couldn’t help but hear my misses sure responses of “you don’t even ride the other two you have” you know winter is coming and you’re gonna be off work for about a month” “I will never see you again” 


BULLOCKS I say! I must make this beautiful 2000 YZ250 GREAT AGAIN!!! As I sprung into negotiations it became apparent to me that the seller just wanted his once beautiful mistress gone when my initial offer of $550 dollars was accepted I all but squealed in delight “SHE SHALL BE MINE!!” IMG 5172 

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10/28/2024 8:10pm Edited Date/Time 10/28/2024 8:11pm

When I arrived at home with my new found love i wasted no time in getting to know her, other than the monster energy edition subframe and the 1/2 inch of play in the main bearing I could tell the bike at one point was pretty well cared for. The applied triple clamps, extra cylinder and fresh clutch  plates paired with its non grooved clutch basket and un scathed clutch cover were all almost euphoric discoveries. And then I saw it……the cherry on top…..the period correctness about knocked me over from sheer excitment A PRO CIRCUIT R304 SHORTY WITH STINGER 😍😍😍😍😍 somebody pinch me IMG 5261.jpeg?VersionId=slX8jWJIMG 5262.jpeg?VersionId=o 4Csr1Re.H5lJgKwKmIMG 5260 0IMG 5285 1

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10/28/2024 8:17pm Edited Date/Time 10/28/2024 8:20pm

First on the list of to dos was try out the 30 dollar gravity feed sand blaster that my wife surprised me with about a year ago. I spent about a half hour cleaning up the cases with some degreaser and elbow grease then started my assault breathing some life back into these puppies, the blaster it self didn’t work great but it works good enough!


After about a hour of blasting with glass bead media and shaking the blaster like I was head maracan in the mariachi band I had the final product which were some I’d say 8/10 cases I will likely work them over a little more at a later date IMG 5326 4.jpeg?VersionId=WbZCF9u7zG51hn3ClIJvzfEszbFrIMG 5280 2.jpeg?VersionId=b3VH6yhwpAl.zHFG nPNGQIMG 5287 0.jpeg?VersionId=hq3YN6IYRlrBd8x4.5ohkIMG 5289 1

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10/28/2024 8:20pm

It's sad you are feeling so blue, it may have been an opportunity to add some color to your life.

But it is a nice find, good luck with the build!

1
10/28/2024 8:21pm Edited Date/Time 10/28/2024 8:22pm
It's sad you are feeling so blue, it may have been an opportunity to add some color to your life.But it is a nice find, good...

It's sad you are feeling so blue, it may have been an opportunity to add some color to your life.

But it is a nice find, good luck with the build!

But the blue kool aid just tastes soooo good 😝

 
I'm blue
Da ba dee da ba di
Da ba dee da ba di
Da ba dee da ba di
 
1

The Shop

10/29/2024 1:51pm Edited Date/Time 10/29/2024 1:52pm

On to the forks… after 7 years of these cartridge seals sitting in my shop in a dark corner I finally have the opportunity to use them! It’s come to my understanding though that some revamping is required for them to function properly and I’m hoping one of you fine people can shed some light on that? These are made by Terry Hay of Shock Treamtent in the AU so maybe it will be best if I call him for info but thought I might as well ask here too. The forks then selves look to be in pretty good shape though but I will definetly need a re spring and probably a revalve….im almost thinking about Sub tanks as well (edit: photo of disassembled fork not uploading) 


IMG 5322IMG 5319

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10/29/2024 1:55pm

 

IMG 5316

I’m kind of partial to this mind meltingly beautiful kit (with white backgrounds of course) 

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450exc115
Posts
718
Joined
11/6/2014
Location
Hebron, CT, USA
10/30/2024 8:42am

Those old KYB had a few years of a cylinder valve in the cartridge that was suppose to back fill the MV during compression to help with rebound.  Tough to tune so a lot of folks ditched them for a normal sealed setup like what Terry made.  I have a set of 99s with the PC works kit in them which was similar and included a hydraulic bottoming system.  Personally I'd ditch the stock BV setup for a RT gold valve as they can help provide tuning stacks.  You'll have a lot more tuning options than that style of Base valve.  Cool project and someday I hope to get to my 98 YZ250 that I bought brand new.   

2
10/30/2024 4:05pm Edited Date/Time 10/30/2024 4:06pm

Thanks for the info! I already was kind of considering a gold valve kit especially since I enjoy the hands on aspect. 

Now’s the time to get that 98 going! It’s going to be cold soon lol 

Brad460
Posts
4610
Joined
5/15/2012
Location
Richfield, WI, USA
10/30/2024 4:32pm

I spend hours on FB marketplace looking for these type of projects…picked one up in July. Found so many random missing parts as I went back together…😂

1
450exc115
Posts
718
Joined
11/6/2014
Location
Hebron, CT, USA
10/31/2024 7:56am
Thanks for the info! I already was kind of considering a gold valve kit especially since I enjoy the hands on aspect. Now’s the time to get...

Thanks for the info! I already was kind of considering a gold valve kit especially since I enjoy the hands on aspect. 

Now’s the time to get that 98 going! It’s going to be cold soon lol 

Ha.  Need to refresh the race bikes for 2025 first.  The 86 YZ250 vintage bike needs a crank refresh and fresh plastic after 3 seasons of racing.  My 21 YZ250X is going to get a 86 retro themed refreshed also for next years hare scramble season.  There is also a couple of other projects to finish before that like my 88 Cagiva WMX 250 and a 94 GasGas EC125.  Those are about 60-70% done.  Never enough time to get it all in.  

Make sure you get the head squish right before putting it back together, it comes on the generous side and it really livens up the bike through the whole RPM range.  I switched from a cut head to Apex head with XC dome and really like how linear the powerband is (did the PV mod also on the X).  It lugs nice and low for the technical stuff but yet revs higher than stock did.  Some of that might come from the Boyesen Pro Series reeds also.  I went with a SRT replacement pipe as they get smashed all the time.  Ran a FMF shorty with it but the snap off idle at times would get me in trouble so I went back to stock.  Nice score on the stinger exhaust!

1
11/7/2024 8:12am
IMG 5408

Inspiration is everywhere all you have to do is look 🥹


Since I plan on keeping and riding this bike I’d like to find some Enzo Subtanks and a PC works pipe if anyone has either item for sale please do let me know. 

The plan for this weekend is to start stripping the “monster energy edition” sub frame and lay a few thick coats of clear over the raw metal and go from there. This build will probably be a bit of a slow burn so bare with me 👍🏼 

3
UGOTBIT
Posts
966
Joined
8/14/2018
Location
Upstate, NY, USA
11/10/2024 6:39am

@Bobby Barracuda - a set of sub tanks just hit the bazaar, scoop them up! 

1
BoxcarWilly
Posts
1298
Joined
10/5/2023
Location
Thunder Bay, ON, CA
11/11/2024 8:35am

Buy those before I do...

Inferno
Posts
467
Joined
3/8/2024
Location
Laguna, IC
11/12/2024 2:55am
450exc115 wrote:
Ha.  Need to refresh the race bikes for 2025 first.  The 86 YZ250 vintage bike needs a crank refresh and fresh plastic after 3 seasons of...

Ha.  Need to refresh the race bikes for 2025 first.  The 86 YZ250 vintage bike needs a crank refresh and fresh plastic after 3 seasons of racing.  My 21 YZ250X is going to get a 86 retro themed refreshed also for next years hare scramble season.  There is also a couple of other projects to finish before that like my 88 Cagiva WMX 250 and a 94 GasGas EC125.  Those are about 60-70% done.  Never enough time to get it all in.  

Make sure you get the head squish right before putting it back together, it comes on the generous side and it really livens up the bike through the whole RPM range.  I switched from a cut head to Apex head with XC dome and really like how linear the powerband is (did the PV mod also on the X).  It lugs nice and low for the technical stuff but yet revs higher than stock did.  Some of that might come from the Boyesen Pro Series reeds also.  I went with a SRT replacement pipe as they get smashed all the time.  Ran a FMF shorty with it but the snap off idle at times would get me in trouble so I went back to stock.  Nice score on the stinger exhaust!

Hey, I'm waiting updates on that Gasgas 125!
and also on that new look for the YZ250, 'Im thinking of refreshing my YZ with an old style look.

Bobby, that steel framed YZ project looks really good!🤟

moto543
Posts
124
Joined
7/7/2011
Location
USA
11/12/2024 11:37am Edited Date/Time 11/12/2024 11:42am
Thanks for the info! I already was kind of considering a gold valve kit especially since I enjoy the hands on aspect. Now’s the time to get...

Thanks for the info! I already was kind of considering a gold valve kit especially since I enjoy the hands on aspect. 

Now’s the time to get that 98 going! It’s going to be cold soon lol 

IMG 0556 2.jpeg?VersionId=fSHF8GHSDvhqeBI did Gold Valves front and rear on my ’01 YZ. Highly recommend it! 

1
450exc115
Posts
718
Joined
11/6/2014
Location
Hebron, CT, USA
11/12/2024 11:38am
Inferno wrote:
Hey, I'm waiting updates on that Gasgas 125!and also on that new look for the YZ250, 'Im thinking of refreshing my YZ with an old style...

Hey, I'm waiting updates on that Gasgas 125!
and also on that new look for the YZ250, 'Im thinking of refreshing my YZ with an old style look.

Bobby, that steel framed YZ project looks really good!🤟

I'm close to assembling the 94 GasGas and believe I have everything to get it running.

I had Evo Mx do up a set of graphics with seat cover to match what they offer on my 86 for my 21.  Seat cover is red with white stencil.  I'm running white UFO plastic and the wheels are black hubs with gold Excel rims.  The motor is getting black engine guards to make it look closer to the black painted engine in the 86.  Should look sweet when done!1000002849

2
Inferno
Posts
467
Joined
3/8/2024
Location
Laguna, IC
11/12/2024 1:15pm
450exc115 wrote:
I'm close to assembling the 94 GasGas and believe I have everything to get it running.I had Evo Mx do up a set of graphics with...

I'm close to assembling the 94 GasGas and believe I have everything to get it running.

I had Evo Mx do up a set of graphics with seat cover to match what they offer on my 86 for my 21.  Seat cover is red with white stencil.  I'm running white UFO plastic and the wheels are black hubs with gold Excel rims.  The motor is getting black engine guards to make it look closer to the black painted engine in the 86.  Should look sweet when done!1000002849

Love this kit, man!! Evo MX always makes sweet sets, all my classics have their kits.

 

11/12/2024 2:52pm
450exc115 wrote:
I'm close to assembling the 94 GasGas and believe I have everything to get it running.I had Evo Mx do up a set of graphics with...

I'm close to assembling the 94 GasGas and believe I have everything to get it running.

I had Evo Mx do up a set of graphics with seat cover to match what they offer on my 86 for my 21.  Seat cover is red with white stencil.  I'm running white UFO plastic and the wheels are black hubs with gold Excel rims.  The motor is getting black engine guards to make it look closer to the black painted engine in the 86.  Should look sweet when done!1000002849

Evo does really good work 

11/24/2024 9:48am

Been pretty busy lately but here’s a picture of the subframe I was able to start blasting, need to get some more media to finish it up and also should be taking delivery of a set of subtanks very soon. 

Thanks Kimmer!!


50645AF6-7C83-470E-A56B-8CA164B45152 0.jpeg?VersionId=8Safy19lABn5Je

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11/25/2024 9:42pm
IMG 5907

Score! Super excited about these!! I will be sending  the suspension off to Enzo soon for a revalve, respring and installation of these sub tanks. Usually I would wait on a revalve until after a few rides but since I have experience on the same exact bike from a few years back I know exactly what I want and need out of this suspension. 

Also have elected to ditch the Terry Hay cartridge seals per Enzo’s reccomendation so if anyone is interested in them shoot me a message and I will get them out to you if you just pay shipping 👍🏼 

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12/13/2024 9:28pm

Not much to report lately as work has been really kicking my butt lately. I was able to strip the cylinder down to be sent off and replated. Also went out tonight to organize a bit and get ready to finish blasting the subframe and silencer this weekend. 

Hoping after the holidays I will have more time to devote to this build 

IMG 0305 1.jpeg?VersionId=x1x8dqEqIMG 0304 0.jpeg?VersionId=6El1mNWKwpMW7Hkn3

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BoxcarWilly
Posts
1298
Joined
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Location
Thunder Bay, ON, CA
12/13/2024 9:47pm

Looks like we’re now one in the same…IMG 2915 2.jpeg?VersionId=IJjouDk29.Nwa

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