1981 yz250 upgrades

JamieDS5
Posts
2
Joined
2/9/2021
Location
New Market, MN US
I recently purchased a 1981 yz250, looking for some upgrades to the bike. I’m definitely going to do the race tech suspension. I was looking for a top triple clamp that puts the bars in a better riding position with the rubber mounts looking for more of a stock type look.
2. I’ve heard that a swap can be done to make the bike a digital ignition, swapping to a YZ 85 ignition. Does this help? If so, how? What is needed to get the job done.

Thank you!
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450exc115
Posts
664
Joined
11/6/2014
Location
Hebron, CT US
2/9/2021 12:46pm
1983 YZ490, 83/84 IT490, 83-86 TT600 top clamps are all rubber mounted and the right width. It has to be a drum brake bike to get the width correct. The disk brake clamps would need an upper and lower clamp and the wheel won't be on center due to the extra width the disk brake front wheel needed.

Reworking the back shock is a good thing and getting the right springs will do wonders. I have a 81 YZ465 with a fox shock and it was great. Even my modified YZ shocks are way better than stock. It was a fun bike.
captmoto
Posts
5139
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
2/15/2021 9:39pm
I used clamps from something mid 80's and they didn't line up with the bottom, mine was slightly narrower, so good info from 450exc115.
RCN4HIM
Posts
218
Joined
1/21/2013
Location
Holly Springs, SC US
2/17/2021 9:17pm
Save your money for oil and gas and get seat time on it before you gate up and you will be just fine. I ran 20 OZ of Mobil 1 0W-20 in each fork leg, stock forks with just a little extra preload on the stock springs on my 81 YZ250 and, had Racetech springs, gold valves on my 81 465 and the 250 forks were just as good 😎. I’ve blown a gazillion dollars on VMX bikes, 81 YZ250’s are not ones that you need to mod 😉
1
2/18/2021 5:29pm
JamieDS5 wrote:
I recently purchased a 1981 yz250, looking for some upgrades to the bike. I’m definitely going to do the race tech suspension. I was looking for...
I recently purchased a 1981 yz250, looking for some upgrades to the bike. I’m definitely going to do the race tech suspension. I was looking for a top triple clamp that puts the bars in a better riding position with the rubber mounts looking for more of a stock type look.
2. I’ve heard that a swap can be done to make the bike a digital ignition, swapping to a YZ 85 ignition. Does this help? If so, how? What is needed to get the job done.

Thank you!
If I remember correctly it was a mid range motor that hit hard,
Maybe an heavier flywheel from an IT ?? may smooth things out, not a lighter flywheel.

On my bike back in the day the cylinder head was modified by the shop, probably squish and maybe shape.
That with Boysen reeds and is was a strong engine, still mid range.

As for the top triple clamp the 1982 YZ490 was rubber mounted and pointed the bars more upright than back.


The Racetech suspension is a great upgrade, especially in the rear.

I also spent money on upgrading to a twin leading shoe front brake, although i never managed to get it working any better than the stocker!

The Shop

tmphotoart
Posts
672
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Yorba Linda, CA US
Fantasy
1144th
2/19/2021 8:23pm
Boysen reeds is an easy engine mod for better throttle response and a clutch arm extender for easier pull worked wonders!
1
2/21/2021 4:34pm
tmphotoart wrote:
Boysen reeds is an easy engine mod for better throttle response and a clutch arm extender for easier pull worked wonders!
Yes, clutch arm extender, or Arm pump reducer as i call it.
mb60
Posts
4743
Joined
3/7/2010
Location
GRAPEVINE, TX US
2/27/2021 2:30pm
Find some triple clamps off a 83-85 model.

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