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1909
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4/15/2019
Location
League City, TX
US
Inspired by the post on the steel frame that was mod'd to look 2022. I found a 2003 YZ250 for 1800 bucks, that supposed to run. May get brave enough to to look at it tomorrow. I'm a little cautious, splitting cases on a somewhat modern 2 stroke looks to be a lot more complicated than in my younger years, When I was racing and working on Scooters in the 70's. I'm 66 and things have changed.
I'd like to do the normal, go through the engine top/bottom, try my hand at Creakote etc. Along with the nomral other stuff including upgrades to get to 2022 look.
I've watched a few Youtube vids and read etc. Looks to be more to splitting the cases now than back in the 70's, at least it looks like it. My bike tools consist of what most of us have, Fork tools for seals, clutch basket tool etc. I do not have any cases splitting/Fly Wheel tools. Looks like 70-80 bucks on Amazon or Ebay could fix that.
My struggle is I buy this old YZ, get in to it and need gears, shifting forks and all of a sudden I have a money pit. Which won't change my life style, but also don't want to spend bad money and get in over my head. I split the sases on a Suzuki street bike years back and liked to never got it back to gether, but I was young and didnt know any better. Along with no service manual or much money.
I'm retired and have time. I guess its always a crap shoot buying old dirt bikes. But you have to go through them anyway. At least you know what you have when your finished. I would think between YouTube vids and a good shop manual I could pull it off.
Also thought about finding one in better shape, pay more but then just because someone says it only have 5 hours on top end by be someone pissing on your leg and telling ya its raining.
My thoughts on cost provided gears are good. Its going to be about $500 for top/bottom parts, $170 for Ken O'Connor crank rebuild, $200 for Cylinder work. Another 500 for clutch and misc parts. Then another grand for upgrade plastic, seat, tanks etc. to get to 2022 look. $1800 to get the bike home thats about $3300 (parts and bike) total on the low side my guess if I did the math right. High side I'd guess 4 grand total on the stuff I didnt think about.
Comments please on this year YZ for a build, your experiences and any words of wisdom.
Thanks, Billy
I'd like to do the normal, go through the engine top/bottom, try my hand at Creakote etc. Along with the nomral other stuff including upgrades to get to 2022 look.
I've watched a few Youtube vids and read etc. Looks to be more to splitting the cases now than back in the 70's, at least it looks like it. My bike tools consist of what most of us have, Fork tools for seals, clutch basket tool etc. I do not have any cases splitting/Fly Wheel tools. Looks like 70-80 bucks on Amazon or Ebay could fix that.
My struggle is I buy this old YZ, get in to it and need gears, shifting forks and all of a sudden I have a money pit. Which won't change my life style, but also don't want to spend bad money and get in over my head. I split the sases on a Suzuki street bike years back and liked to never got it back to gether, but I was young and didnt know any better. Along with no service manual or much money.
I'm retired and have time. I guess its always a crap shoot buying old dirt bikes. But you have to go through them anyway. At least you know what you have when your finished. I would think between YouTube vids and a good shop manual I could pull it off.
Also thought about finding one in better shape, pay more but then just because someone says it only have 5 hours on top end by be someone pissing on your leg and telling ya its raining.
My thoughts on cost provided gears are good. Its going to be about $500 for top/bottom parts, $170 for Ken O'Connor crank rebuild, $200 for Cylinder work. Another 500 for clutch and misc parts. Then another grand for upgrade plastic, seat, tanks etc. to get to 2022 look. $1800 to get the bike home thats about $3300 (parts and bike) total on the low side my guess if I did the math right. High side I'd guess 4 grand total on the stuff I didnt think about.
Comments please on this year YZ for a build, your experiences and any words of wisdom.
Thanks, Billy
I have not restored anything that new. But I can tell you the ease of finding items becomes so much easier the newer you go. I will not say cheaper just easier to find. Depends on model and popularity.
Join a Facebook Yamaha group and look for a uploaded service manual from Yamaha for that year. That will be free.
Your figures to do a proper restore are reasonable. Cost drives up as you start replacing rims/spokes/seals/bearings for motor and swingarm and other parts.
I wouldn’t be too concerned about tranny issues unless there was a issue to begin with. I have restored 4 motors and yet to find anything wrong with that area.
I do have case splitting tools. They make the job easier for sure. But I wouldn’t consider them a necessity. Having proper fitting sockets and a power drive (battery/air) to move nuts is important. A impact drive that you hit with a hammer is another item I wouldn’t be without. Just watch its use as it will damage heads easily. A good quality torque wrench is another tool I use every time restoring. Torque values are there for an reason. Here the Yamaha service manual will provide.
I fortunately have other bikes to ride. This in itself makes a massive difference on me taking my time. Many doing restores start cutting corners since they just want to ride.
I love the challenges of doing complete restores. I do not mind condition if the year and make are what I am looking for.
But if the motor has holes I probably will pass. If priced reasonably I will be a buyer running or not.
I have split cases on too many motors to count. I do not find any greater difficulty with newer 2 strokes vs older. Sure water cooled and power valves adds complexity but we now have the web and free service manuals.
$1800.00 for a non running bike may be steep in this market place. It’s turned to more a buyers market these days than a sellers.
There is only so much you can check on a non running bike.
Check compression/get bike on a stand and check swingarm looseness. Check steering. Any looseness in hubs. How does the drive train look. Did the owner stay mindful of maintaining this. Check oil color and thickness. Is it holding water in the radiators. Pull plug and check for spark at least.
Good luck and let us know how it went.
The good thingI have two other scooters to ride.
The common sense side of me says you’ve turned enough wrenches in your life time. Just ride enjoy life and quit working on shit. The other side of me says. I sure would like to build up a a really cool smoker before I get to old. !!!
Thanks Billy
If it was close, I’d run over and look at it but it’s hour and half away though Houston traffic. I still may look at it, at least the guy is honest.
The Shop
Maybe the stars will align one day.
Easy engine to split the cases etc.... rmatv has a great video on how, you will need the tools, dont skimp, but the correct tools for the job. Probably 1k to get it running to ride, another 1.5 to update to 2022. If you got time and the money i say go for it.
Im 59 and splitting the cases on my sons 05 this weekend. Also thumpertalk had a good forum for YZs with a lot of useful info.
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