2021 RMZ 250 [no longer frugal build, informative thread]

Joe512
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Joe512 3/27/2021 8:14pm
3/27/2021 8:14pm
Came across a video on the ksrt mxgp bike and thought I'd share the motor mount they were running.




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250 cross
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250 cross 4/7/2021 3:05am
4/7/2021 3:05am
That "window" in the bracket makes way more sense than just drilling that little hole in the middle. I'm a mechanical engineer and just can't see that little drill hole making any difference, maybe if I saw a stress model!
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36Wheeler
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36Wheeler 4/7/2021 4:52am
4/7/2021 4:52am
250 cross wrote:
That "window" in the bracket makes way more sense than just drilling that little hole in the middle. I'm a mechanical engineer and just can't see...
That "window" in the bracket makes way more sense than just drilling that little hole in the middle. I'm a mechanical engineer and just can't see that little drill hole making any difference, maybe if I saw a stress model!
I would imagine it makes an incredibly small difference to the deflection and flex between the engine and chassis. I mean a 10mm hole would make such a tiny difference on a bracket like that. To get any serious movement you would be getting very close to the yield point of the aluminium.
The fact that pro level riders can feel a clear difference with or without a small hole in the bracket is mind blowing.
seth505
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seth505 4/7/2021 5:57am
4/7/2021 5:57am
250 cross wrote:
That "window" in the bracket makes way more sense than just drilling that little hole in the middle. I'm a mechanical engineer and just can't see...
That "window" in the bracket makes way more sense than just drilling that little hole in the middle. I'm a mechanical engineer and just can't see that little drill hole making any difference, maybe if I saw a stress model!
I agree yet even JGR was using a bracket with the small hole drilled in it. If I drill mine, I’m going to pay close attention to the location of the hole.

The Shop

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seth505
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seth505 4/7/2021 10:12am
4/7/2021 10:12am Edited Date/Time 4/7/2021 10:13am
Little update, another direction that was not in the original plans. Decided I'm going to give the motor some massaging and see how much more enjoyable this bike can get.

I won't spill all the beans now but someone who is very experienced and competent with the RMZ will be working on the powerplant. My requirements: 1) Noticeable improvement without losing the bottom/mid punch, 2) remain reliable.
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Joe512
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Joe512 4/7/2021 5:59pm
4/7/2021 5:59pm
seth505 wrote:
Little update, another direction that was not in the original plans. Decided I'm going to give the motor some massaging and see how much more enjoyable...
Little update, another direction that was not in the original plans. Decided I'm going to give the motor some massaging and see how much more enjoyable this bike can get.

I won't spill all the beans now but someone who is very experienced and competent with the RMZ will be working on the powerplant. My requirements: 1) Noticeable improvement without losing the bottom/mid punch, 2) remain reliable.
Lee Mccollum? 😁
deez387
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deez387 4/8/2021 6:29am
4/8/2021 6:29am Edited Date/Time 4/8/2021 6:29am
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling even better. This is with a Ride Engineering link and I have a -10mm subframe. Also, got some advice on gearing for those that want to give it a try. Went to a 14/54. Very similar to 13/51 gearing, and while you lose a small amount of torque, it pulls longer up top. My motor is very similar to the JGR stage 2 kit, pulls forever in 3rd and 4th. With the 14/54 gearing, it almost feels like a 450 power wise. This is the most fun bike I have ever owned!
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Pgd09yz450 4/8/2021 6:45am
4/8/2021 6:45am
deez387 wrote:
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling...
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling even better. This is with a Ride Engineering link and I have a -10mm subframe. Also, got some advice on gearing for those that want to give it a try. Went to a 14/54. Very similar to 13/51 gearing, and while you lose a small amount of torque, it pulls longer up top. My motor is very similar to the JGR stage 2 kit, pulls forever in 3rd and 4th. With the 14/54 gearing, it almost feels like a 450 power wise. This is the most fun bike I have ever owned!
What's the fork height set at
deez387
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deez387 4/8/2021 6:51am
4/8/2021 6:51am
deez387 wrote:
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling...
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling even better. This is with a Ride Engineering link and I have a -10mm subframe. Also, got some advice on gearing for those that want to give it a try. Went to a 14/54. Very similar to 13/51 gearing, and while you lose a small amount of torque, it pulls longer up top. My motor is very similar to the JGR stage 2 kit, pulls forever in 3rd and 4th. With the 14/54 gearing, it almost feels like a 450 power wise. This is the most fun bike I have ever owned!
Pgd09yz450 wrote:
What's the fork height set at
have them at 5 mm from flush
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seth505
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seth505 4/8/2021 7:00am
4/8/2021 7:00am Edited Date/Time 4/8/2021 7:14am
deez387 wrote:
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling...
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling even better. This is with a Ride Engineering link and I have a -10mm subframe. Also, got some advice on gearing for those that want to give it a try. Went to a 14/54. Very similar to 13/51 gearing, and while you lose a small amount of torque, it pulls longer up top. My motor is very similar to the JGR stage 2 kit, pulls forever in 3rd and 4th. With the 14/54 gearing, it almost feels like a 450 power wise. This is the most fun bike I have ever owned!
Nice, I've been thinking long and hard about the gearing so this is good info. Going to see what is suggested when the motor gets spruced up as well.

I'm at 104mm sag and the bike feels very balanced/predictable. Fork height is 2.5-3mm. It's probably more of an issue with my riding but I still turn in too tight in a lot of ruts. The bike turns so well that I just need to keep faster roll speed and trust that it will turn like it does.
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Keating
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Keating 4/8/2021 12:28pm
4/8/2021 12:28pm
deez387 wrote:
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling...
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling even better. This is with a Ride Engineering link and I have a -10mm subframe. Also, got some advice on gearing for those that want to give it a try. Went to a 14/54. Very similar to 13/51 gearing, and while you lose a small amount of torque, it pulls longer up top. My motor is very similar to the JGR stage 2 kit, pulls forever in 3rd and 4th. With the 14/54 gearing, it almost feels like a 450 power wise. This is the most fun bike I have ever owned!
I thought about that ratio. We were doing something very similar to the KX450 in '06 with the new 4 speed tranny, but I was concerned about the lower chain guide not allowing enough clearance for a 54. Did you have any issue with clearance?
I'm liking my sag at 103 right now. Since you guys are having such good luck at 105, I'm gonna give 105 a try again, and see if I like it better!
Thanks for the great tips!
Just got my engine back together and am breaking it in today....!
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deez387
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deez387 4/8/2021 5:53pm
4/8/2021 5:53pm
deez387 wrote:
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling...
Have had a few rides now trying a couple different sag settings. Overall, finding best setting at 104-105mm. Bike feels perfectly balanced and makes the handling even better. This is with a Ride Engineering link and I have a -10mm subframe. Also, got some advice on gearing for those that want to give it a try. Went to a 14/54. Very similar to 13/51 gearing, and while you lose a small amount of torque, it pulls longer up top. My motor is very similar to the JGR stage 2 kit, pulls forever in 3rd and 4th. With the 14/54 gearing, it almost feels like a 450 power wise. This is the most fun bike I have ever owned!
Keating wrote:
I thought about that ratio. We were doing something very similar to the KX450 in '06 with the new 4 speed tranny, but I was concerned...
I thought about that ratio. We were doing something very similar to the KX450 in '06 with the new 4 speed tranny, but I was concerned about the lower chain guide not allowing enough clearance for a 54. Did you have any issue with clearance?
I'm liking my sag at 103 right now. Since you guys are having such good luck at 105, I'm gonna give 105 a try again, and see if I like it better!
Thanks for the great tips!
Just got my engine back together and am breaking it in today....!
I did have to do some modifications to the chain guide. The stock one will not work and give you enough clearance unless the wheel is almost all the way back in the swingarm...and even then, its very close. I had an acerbis chain guide from a 2017 rmz450, that I ended up modifying to fit (with a Dremel) the newer gens swingarm. It sits much lower than stock chain guide and allowed proper clearance for the 54t, without it being slammed to the rear. It is not an easy gearing change, but it really helps. 14 allows the chain to grab sooner and helps with tension on the chassis.
seth505
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seth505 4/8/2021 7:06pm
4/8/2021 7:06pm
There are so many looks for the Suzuki that I dig that I figured I'd mix it up from time to time but decided on a 30 year throwback to the 1991 RM for now.

I realize I'll probably be the only one to dig this but I love it, respect for the old RM! Grinning

ERA Moto kicked it out of the park for me. Super easy to work with, super quick and flexible. Quality stuff if you're ever looking for graphics!




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Chance1216
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Chance1216 4/9/2021 8:15pm
4/9/2021 8:15pm
250 cross wrote:
That "window" in the bracket makes way more sense than just drilling that little hole in the middle. I'm a mechanical engineer and just can't see...
That "window" in the bracket makes way more sense than just drilling that little hole in the middle. I'm a mechanical engineer and just can't see that little drill hole making any difference, maybe if I saw a stress model!
seth505 wrote:
I agree yet even JGR was using a bracket with the small hole drilled in it. If I drill mine, I’m going to pay close attention...
I agree yet even JGR was using a bracket with the small hole drilled in it. If I drill mine, I’m going to pay close attention to the location of the hole.
And diameter 😉. J/K bud. Enjoying the build. Hope your doing well.
seth505
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seth505 5/3/2021 8:04am
5/3/2021 8:04am
Camshafts are currently being built. Here are my Era 30 year throwback graphics. Tribute to the interesting 1991 RM (international version).





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Pit Row

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seth505
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seth505 5/23/2021 2:51pm
5/23/2021 2:51pm
PSA: If anyone is buying an RMZ and planning on switching to stiffer clutch springs (great idea in general), do it right away. I was wondering how I was getting so much yellow paint in my oil filter screens when changing oil and it turns out the stock clutch springs have yellow paint SLATHERED all over them. Like someone thought they were painting a house. Grinning
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jamiechapman418 5/24/2021 12:52pm
5/24/2021 12:52pm
Bike looks awesome! Nice work. Will we be seeing a custom seat cover to go with those graphics too??
seth505
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seth505 5/24/2021 4:02pm
5/24/2021 4:02pm
jamiechapman418 wrote:
Bike looks awesome! Nice work. Will we be seeing a custom seat cover to go with those graphics too??
Man, that was my original plan but I haven't found anyone who does a full on custom seat. If I did it, I'd want to do a 91 replica as close as possible.
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seth505
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seth505 5/25/2021 10:19am
5/25/2021 10:19am Edited Date/Time 5/25/2021 11:48am
Normally wouldn't use this rainbow stuff but with the '91 motif I figured wtf.
Also, threw in the stiffer clutch springs as recommended by the engine builder.






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Rickyisms
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Rickyisms 5/25/2021 10:50am
5/25/2021 10:50am
Ebay Ti? I find it so hard to throw stock fasteners back on after buying Ti here and there. Looks so much better.
seth505
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seth505 5/25/2021 11:47am
5/25/2021 11:47am
Rickyisms wrote:
Ebay Ti? I find it so hard to throw stock fasteners back on after buying Ti here and there. Looks so much better.
Got this stuff on amazon, was kind of nice they had all different lengths for what I've needed so far.
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seth505
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seth505 5/28/2021 8:34am
5/28/2021 8:34am
Head is off to Dean Baker [bakerspeed].




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kwenske321
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kwenske321 5/28/2021 9:13am
5/28/2021 9:13am
seth505 wrote:
Some minor before and after 'under the radar' additions. -Suzuki race team spark plug coil holder -Suzuki race team clutch cable bracket -Suzuki race team rear...
Some minor before and after 'under the radar' additions.

-Suzuki race team spark plug coil holder
-Suzuki race team clutch cable bracket
-Suzuki race team rear axle castle nut
-Suzuki race team chain guide hardware

















Where did you get the chain guard hardware? Any chance you can put me on a set? Thanks!
seth505
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seth505 6/16/2021 11:18am
6/16/2021 11:18am
Much Excite! Stuff from Dean Baker showed up today.






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JWACK
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JWACK 6/16/2021 7:22pm
6/16/2021 7:22pm
Well there went the mostly frugal!

Can’t wait for the ride report.
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deez387
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deez387 6/17/2021 5:24am
6/17/2021 5:24am
seth505 wrote:
Much Excite! Stuff from Dean Baker showed up today. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/06/16/497910/s1200_IMG_7867.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/06/16/497909/s1200_ex_bakerafter.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/06/16/497911/s1200_intake_bakerafter.jpg[/img]
Much Excite! Stuff from Dean Baker showed up today.






Interested to hear how you like the Baker mods. My motor was also built by Dean when he was at JGR. Probably very similar to what you have minus the ignition.
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