Posts: 10
Joined: 9/19/2018
Location: Needles, CA USA
How is it going guys. I'm looking at this 2005 honda crf250r to buy. But the problem is that he said it just needs a valve adjustment. He also told me that it runs but it's hard to start and wants to die. So is it just the valves that need to be taken care of? Thanks for your time
Posts: 1448
Joined: 6/2/2016
Location: Forest Grove, OR USA
Or the valve seats are so beaten down it can't be adjusted anymore. Common on high-hour, abused older CRFs. Means you need a full head rebuild, and I'm sure lots more. I'd pass. 13 year old used bikes are never a bargain, especially 4 strokes.
Posts: 2061
Joined: 10/12/2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
I own one and have been through this. Definitely the valves and definitely going to cost you big time in about 20-30 hours of riding. You can maybe get by shimming your valves about 3 times before you have to do a top end rebuild. Each time you shim them, you will regulate your issues for about 10 hours of riding. Start saving your money if you're trying to buy that bike. You're looking at at least 1-1.5k to have someone rebuild the top end.. Other than that, Its a very solid bike. IMO, I wouldn't buy it unless you're paying like 1500 and its solid. Its just not worth the headache you're about to experience.
Posts: 2170
Joined: 10/1/2017
Location: GBR
He's probably selling it because it needs the head done. I'd run away as fast as possible unless you have a grand to throw at it as soon as you buy it.
Posts: 5849
Joined: 1/31/2018
Location: Mansfield, OH USA
If you buy it, be ready to replace the valves, seats, guides, springs, piston, timing chain, and get the carb cleaned and jetted. That bike obviously hasnt been cared for
Posts: 9412
Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: So Cal, CA USA
OP, if you bought a 2 stroke you wouldn't have to worry about valves and you could also change your username to PullinAlltheGirls
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 2061
Joined: 10/12/2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Squirrelings wrote:He's probably selling it because it needs the head done. I'd run away as fast as possible unless you have a grand to throw at ...more
Exactly.
Posts: 8422
Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: SD, CA USA
^ Yes, that is code for "it needs a head". And while you're in there, gaskets, a top-end, the chain and sprockets that are clapped, etc...
Posts: 10
Joined: 9/19/2018
Location: Needles, CA USA
mattyhamz2 wrote:OP, if you bought a 2 stroke you wouldn't have to worry about valves and you could also change your username to ...more
I dont have a job at the moment. A two stroke would be my choice but I just dont have the money for it atm
Posts: 9412
Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: So Cal, CA USA
mattyhamz2 wrote:OP, if you bought a 2 stroke you wouldn't have to worry about valves and you could also change your username to ...more
PullinNoGirls wrote:I dont have a job at the moment. A two stroke would be my choice but I just dont have the money for it atm
What is your budget?
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 10
Joined: 9/19/2018
Location: Needles, CA USA
mattyhamz2 wrote:OP, if you bought a 2 stroke you wouldn't have to worry about valves and you could also change your username to ...more
PullinNoGirls wrote:I dont have a job at the moment. A two stroke would be my choice but I just dont have the money for it atm
mattyhamz2 wrote:What is your budget?
$2000 max. I still have to get new gear.
Posts: 9412
Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: So Cal, CA USA
Edited Date/Time:
PullinNoGirls wrote:I dont have a job at the moment. A two stroke would be my choice but I just dont have the money for it atm
mattyhamz2 wrote:What is your budget?
PullinNoGirls wrote:$2000 max. I still have to get new gear.
You can pick up a 2 stroke for that, easily. There's an 05 YZ250 in Lancaster for $2000. Really clean!
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 2681
Joined: 11/10/2015
Location: San Clemente, CA USA
PullinNoGirls wrote:I dont have a job at the moment. A two stroke would be my choice but I just dont have the money for it atm
mattyhamz2 wrote:What is your budget?
PullinNoGirls wrote:$2000 max. I still have to get new gear.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/d/99-yz250/6700548407.html
See you at the track.
"A link is only as long as your longest strong chain"
Posts: 9412
Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: So Cal, CA USA
mattyhamz2 wrote:What is your budget?
PullinNoGirls wrote:$2000 max. I still have to get new gear.
Stuntman949 wrote:https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/d/99-yz250/6700548407.html
See you at the track.
Haha I started looking too
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 10
Joined: 9/19/2018
Location: Needles, CA USA
PullinNoGirls wrote:$2000 max. I still have to get new gear.
Stuntman949 wrote:https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/d/99-yz250/6700548407.html
See you at the track.mattyhamz2 wrote:Haha I started looking too
Thanks I appreciate it
Posts: 9412
Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: So Cal, CA USA
Stuntman949 wrote:https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/d/99-yz250/6700548407.html
See you at the track.mattyhamz2 wrote:Haha I started looking too
PullinNoGirls wrote:Thanks I appreciate it
You might have to drive a bit to get something, but they are out there in your price range. There's no shortage.
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 10
Joined: 9/19/2018
Location: Needles, CA USA
mattyhamz2 wrote:Haha I started looking too
PullinNoGirls wrote:Thanks I appreciate it
mattyhamz2 wrote:You might have to drive a bit to get something, but they are out there in your price range. There's no shortage.
I can do la to Las Vegas so a drive isn't a hassle 
Posts: 9412
Joined: 7/6/2015
Location: So Cal, CA USA
PullinNoGirls wrote:Thanks I appreciate it
mattyhamz2 wrote:You might have to drive a bit to get something, but they are out there in your price range. There's no shortage.
PullinNoGirls wrote:I can do la to Las Vegas so a drive isn't a hassle
Then you'll have a bike in no time. Just keep checking CL in LA, Vegas and surrounding areas. There are plenty out there.
2017 RMZ450
2005 YZ250-sold :,(
1998 YZ250
2005 KX250F
80% of the time it works every time
IG @2HRacing
Thanks to : Factory Effex, N2Dirt, Acerbis, DT1, Fasthouse, Matix, FMF, ASV, 100% & Mika Metals
Posts: 717
Joined: 9/26/2013
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Donovan759 wrote:I own one and have been through this. Definitely the valves and definitely going to cost you big time in about 20-30 hours of ...more
Having owned an 04, 05, and 06 Donovan is right. Once the valves start moving they aren't going to stop and shimming will only be a bandaid. You'll need new valves, and have seats cut and machined in. You'll also want to replace the piston, cam chain, and other valvetrain wearing parts while you're in there to freshen the whole thing up.
However it WILL NOT cost 1-1.5k. maybe if you take everything to the dealer it would? But you can do the work yourself and have a machine shop clean up the head and be good to for under $600.
Posts: 1495
Joined: 6/15/2010
Location: Linton, IN USA
Edited Date/Time:
2 words: MONEY PIT!
Run from that one. If all it needed was a valve adjustment, why didn't he do it?
Plus, that was at a point time when all the OEM's were trying to develop their 4 strokes and struggling with reliabilty. Lots of issues back then, including valves.
A couple years later they all improved drastically.
Save your money and wait for a good 07 or newer. Or as some have said, find a nice 2 stroke.
Posts: 3980
Joined: 8/25/2015
Location: Taylorsville, GA USA
Those old hondas ate valves. Just avoid it. Best 4 stroke of that era is the KX. 2 strokes are more better though
Posts: 690
Joined: 8/29/2013
Location: OH, USA
If you insist on a crf250r, look for a 14-17 low hour unit. They’re pretty reliable and can be nodded easily.
GL, Ghost
Posts: 5985
Joined: 10/13/2013
Location: Big Sand Whoops, MI USA
You’re kidding right? Honda got the valve seat issue fixed by 07 - you can’t be advocating anyone touch a 05-07 KXF/RMZ!?!?
Washed up moto and enduro weekend warrior.
Posts: 3980
Joined: 8/25/2015
Location: Taylorsville, GA USA
Hes looking at a 05 honda. The KX was all new for 2006. Best 250F that year hands down. The 2004 2005 wasnt awful, just needs a new cover. Still a better bike than the honda, and faster than the Yamaha.
Posts: 3489
Joined: 8/1/2013
Location: Avondale, PA USA
Literally like everyone knows and accepts the best 250f of that era was yamaha. Same engine till 2013 so making it faster isnt a secret. They had reliability down in 01 better than the other brands until maybe recently lol
Posts: 594
Joined: 9/9/2014
Location: NJ, USA
Donovan759 wrote:I own one and have been through this. Definitely the valves and definitely going to cost you big time in about 20-30 hours of ...more
Local shop by me charges $40 to cut the seats and install new valves and springs. Just bring them the head and parts.
Posts: 671
Joined: 8/9/2018
Location: CAN
Do a compression test on it. That will help tell the condition of the top end for cheap.
My post is my opinion. If you don't agree with it, I'm OK with it.
Posts: 11938
Joined: 8/15/2006
Location: AZ, USA
if you have no job, spend what ever you have trying to get a job and paying bills. don't be stupid.
Posts: 1118
Joined: 8/12/2015
Location: Auburn, CA USA
Once titanium valves start moving, they don't stop, like you'll be adjusting every ride until you're out of adjustment, but stainless moves more evenly and lots of people with older Hondas have swapped to stainless, so who knows what's in actually in there. If I were looking for an older crf250r/x, I wouldn't necessarily let it deter me if the bike were clean, it would just need to be a deal, like a $2k bike for $1k kind of thing.
Posts: 2061
Joined: 10/12/2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Donovan759 wrote:I own one and have been through this. Definitely the valves and definitely going to cost you big time in about 20-30 hours of ...more
Yeah, to clarify, I was stating the cost to have a dealer do all the work. There aren't a lot of non-dealer shops around me. Back in 2011 when I did mine, I had heard too many horror stories from my buddies who are mechanics doing their own top end and the bike blowing up minutes after the rebuild. When I had my top end redone in '11, it was around 1k.
