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joelster Added a reply to 04 KX125 125 PSI Compression After Rebuild and Reeds
5/25/2025 9:01am You should always check it. You put the brand new ring into the cylinder and then push down with the piston to make sure it's perfectly square. Then use a feeler gauge. If the cylinder is worn too much the gap can be .017"+ and it won't run properly. The could be the case here.
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joelster Added a reply to 04 KX125 125 PSI Compression After Rebuild and Reeds
5/25/2025 8:40am What were the ring gap(s) at when you put the new top end in? You could put a new piston/ring assembly into a worn cylinder and it still won't have compression if it's worn out. For a fresh ring package you'll want .010" or close to that. Compression can also bleed out by the power valve assembly.
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/25/2025 4:43am
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/25/2025 4:40am Built the front wheel yesterday. I got the spoke pattern wrong and had to redo it lol. Took my time truing it and got it near perfect. Also installed the new headset bearings and triple clamps.
joelster Added a reply to 1985 CR500 value...project bike...
5/24/2025 5:03am If it's the bike in the pic you posted AND it runs, it's worth every penny of $5k. Go for it. I try to restore bikes as close to stock as possible. I don't farm out anything, unless I absolutely have to. I could probably make that bike near-perfect for about $2500 (parts/materials). That is with using a lot of...
PN27416 Liked a reply to forum topic Vintage races
5/21/2025 4:18pm
I plan to make it this year. Ed A. has done an amazing thing here! They held a 500 national in 73 and i believe an inter-am race as well.https://www.facebook.com/groups/579378813583472
This forum topic has 21 replies.
joelster Added a reply to Vintage races
5/21/2025 4:48am In Western NY we have an amazing event that is in it's 3rd year. It's the Zoar Valley Motocross Track. It was a pretty famous track back in the 70's and into 1981 (I think). Typical track that DeCoster and others would come to and smoke everyone. A local guy got permission to revitalize the track and hold an event...
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/20/2025 4:56am Got some more stuff powder coated and did the first assembly. Got the footpegs mounted and the bike is officially on the stand now! This weekend i will polish the spoke nipples and reassemble the front wheel.
450exc115 Liked a reply to forum topic Building a 1987 YZ250
5/19/2025 9:15am
Man you're spending a tremendous amount of time and energy on the chassis but I'm surprised that you'll just send it on the motor. You can get larger pistons from wiseco and woosner for it. All the way up to 2mm over stock. I'm about to wrap up my 86 build as I have a race this coming weekend that I need it to be ready for. I doubt I'm going to get much testing in before hand but that's what I get for putting family first. Lol
This forum topic has 49 replies.
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/18/2025 4:57pm Rear spring
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/18/2025 4:55pm Did some powder coating this weekend. Did the rear spring in racer red, and did the footpegs, upper triple clamp, and front hub in gloss black. Everything came out great!
450exc115 Liked a reply to forum topic YZ490 Case Compatibility
5/16/2025 5:33am
YZ465 - 5 speed and helical gears between clutch and crank YZ490 - Straight cut primary gear clutch changed in 82 but the better clutch basket was 84+. The old ones had pressed in kick starter gears while the 84+ were one piece. The better kick starters and clutch cases came out in 88 as the case had a bushing and the kicker had a one piece stop instead of the pressed on one that was prone to cracking. Cases got a little beefier through the years but all work and are interchangeable. There are 4 flavors of top ends...
This forum topic has 4 replies.
joelster Added a reply to 1983 CR 480R
5/12/2025 5:51pm Don't use old sneakers like I did
joelster Started a new thread 1983 CR 480R
5/12/2025 5:45pm I picked this beast up 2 weeks ago. I've always wanted one. Just not sure how crazy I want to go with it. Starting it is an experience with that stupid left hand kick lol.
This forum thread has 1 reply.
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/12/2025 4:52am The motor ran good, and based on the lack of wear on everything inside it looks fairly fresh. The rings look fresh, there's green gaskets under the jug, the piston top had a small spot of carbon on it that wiped off. Both rings check out well within spec. There's zero play in the crank up and down. My guess...
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/11/2025 4:38pm Here's a short video of me doing the spokes:
450exc115 Liked a reply to forum topic Building a 1987 YZ250
5/11/2025 4:36pm
Good stuff. I have a 86 YZ250 that I've raced at the local Harescramble series the past few years. I'm on my 3rd overhaul of it and it's been a great bike. The 87 is nearly identical to the 86 with different cylinder porting for more low end power (no Boyesen transfer ports) and a white frame and white radiator shrouds. The whole bike shares a lot of commonality with the YZ490 that ran from 86-90 and the TRI-Z 250 had the same motor so motor parts are pretty easy to get. Talon makes a clutch basket, ProX has rods...
This forum topic has 49 replies.
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/11/2025 1:51pm Got the front wheel torn down. All of the spokes came right off. The tire was mounted backwards too. I'm going to powder coat the hub next weekend. I cleaned each spoke by spinning it in a cordless drill while wrapping it with sandpaper (320 grit) and a dab of polish. Unfortunately there's nothing I can do about the rims...
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
5/11/2025 1:45pm Dove into the engine today amongst other things. Found that it has a Wiseco 1mm over piston (.040"). I pulled both rings and checked the gap. The top ring is .014" and the bottom ring is .012". There is very little visible le cross hatch in the cylinder. I'm gonna send it lol.
joelster Added a reply to Building a 1987 YZ250
4/27/2025 2:37pm More progress done on the '87 YZ250. My first attempt at powder coating. It came out amazing! I'm very happy with the results. I had a few tiny issues though. The bottom steering stem plug that I made fell out during the cure and landed right in front of a heat gun. It started to smoke so I panicked and...