Posts
13
Joined
1/16/2017
Location
AU
Edited Date/Time
1/1/2020 12:01am
Hi everyone, I bought this YZ a bit over 12 months ago with the intention to restore to it's former glory. I finally got the chance to pull it down and tidy it up a bit.
Here it is when I first picked it up. Leaking fork seals, dented and horribly painted pipe, and converted in trashy stickers. Despite the cosmetic issues, it appeared to be in excellent mechanical condition and didn't look to have done any hard work.
I replaced the fork seals, changed fluids, removed terrible stickers and rode it as is for 12 months in the bush and occasionally on the mx track.
Finally the time came to tear it down and start cleaning everything up.
The first thing that I did was send the frame, swingarm and rims off for powdercoating. I don't really love the blacked out bikes everyone seems to be doing these days but I decided to powdercoat the frame in an effort to make cleaning easier in the future.
Whilst these components were getting coated I began ordering new seals, bearings and anything else that needed (or didn't need) to be replaced.
With everything apart I cleaned and restored items as time permitted. The local area I ride has a horrible red dirt that finds its way into every nook and cranny and isn't that easy to clean.
I sent just about every nut, bolt, spring etc to be zinc plated thanks to a recommendation from a fellow vitalmx member. Everything came back perfect with the exception of the axles and swingarm pivot bolt which came back between 0.1-0.2mm too thick (my fault - I requested for these to be coated by hanging rather than barrel coated). After the swingarm pivot bolt got stuck I realised I'd need to borrow a friend's lathe to tidy up the axles.
While the wheels were apart and engine covers off I had vital member elliottmagnus cerakote my hubs, engine covers and triple clamps. Super stoked with the finish.
Finally reassembly could begin. So happy with the plated items.
A friend told me about using RIT dye to dye plastic parts and I thought I'd give it a go on my flywheel and front sprocket covers.
Some fresh Dunlops
A cheap 2005 YZ250 popped up during this build and had a full pro circuit pipe on it, so I swapped it out with the DEP system before riding it a few times and then selling it on. It's pretty amazing how much better the 06+ SSS suspension is.
I had hoped to finish the build before my 2 week holiday (1000km drive from home) to go riding with friends but ran out of time. So I threw all the tools I thought I'd need and packed the parts into the car (hoping I didn't forget anything) and am now trying to finish the build at the in-laws.
This is essentially where I'm up to and have one more day to get the bike sorted before hitting the mx track this weekend.
Here it is when I first picked it up. Leaking fork seals, dented and horribly painted pipe, and converted in trashy stickers. Despite the cosmetic issues, it appeared to be in excellent mechanical condition and didn't look to have done any hard work.
I replaced the fork seals, changed fluids, removed terrible stickers and rode it as is for 12 months in the bush and occasionally on the mx track.
Finally the time came to tear it down and start cleaning everything up.
The first thing that I did was send the frame, swingarm and rims off for powdercoating. I don't really love the blacked out bikes everyone seems to be doing these days but I decided to powdercoat the frame in an effort to make cleaning easier in the future.
Whilst these components were getting coated I began ordering new seals, bearings and anything else that needed (or didn't need) to be replaced.
With everything apart I cleaned and restored items as time permitted. The local area I ride has a horrible red dirt that finds its way into every nook and cranny and isn't that easy to clean.
I sent just about every nut, bolt, spring etc to be zinc plated thanks to a recommendation from a fellow vitalmx member. Everything came back perfect with the exception of the axles and swingarm pivot bolt which came back between 0.1-0.2mm too thick (my fault - I requested for these to be coated by hanging rather than barrel coated). After the swingarm pivot bolt got stuck I realised I'd need to borrow a friend's lathe to tidy up the axles.
While the wheels were apart and engine covers off I had vital member elliottmagnus cerakote my hubs, engine covers and triple clamps. Super stoked with the finish.
Finally reassembly could begin. So happy with the plated items.
A friend told me about using RIT dye to dye plastic parts and I thought I'd give it a go on my flywheel and front sprocket covers.
Some fresh Dunlops
A cheap 2005 YZ250 popped up during this build and had a full pro circuit pipe on it, so I swapped it out with the DEP system before riding it a few times and then selling it on. It's pretty amazing how much better the 06+ SSS suspension is.
I had hoped to finish the build before my 2 week holiday (1000km drive from home) to go riding with friends but ran out of time. So I threw all the tools I thought I'd need and packed the parts into the car (hoping I didn't forget anything) and am now trying to finish the build at the in-laws.
This is essentially where I'm up to and have one more day to get the bike sorted before hitting the mx track this weekend.
Are you in the river land in S.A.?
The Shop
After 9 years away from mx I forgot how much fitness is required so ill put off performance mods until I can ride it as is.
No I'm in Moranbah in central QLD.
http://www.bigsquidrc.com/how-to-dye-plastic-parts-with-rit/
Your bike looks nice!
I can't let go of the 250, it's so cool, sounds excellent (the real Braap), and have it's use in certain areas when grunt is needed, but it SUCKS compared the 125 because of confidence and it's not possible to ride as in use the potential of a 250 two stroke if you are not a pro or a former one. The 46 hp light switch power equals whiskey throttle, rear wheel all over the track with the risk of ending on the ground, and arms like spagetti and it's hard to time things when it's on or off. I honestly want it to have 40 hp and no hit.
But I still want to ride it. It's weird.
Nice build by the way!!!
still pretty durable though
Pit Row
Post a reply to: 2006 YZ250 Refresh - 100% Complete