Engine vin # 2006 rm 250

Perhaps post pictures of your bike.

i think it might be an 03. The front forks look like the KYB that were changed to showas in 2004- if there is a big hex on the fork cap, then definately KYB forks. The front brake routing is also pre 2004.

The power valve cover looks like it came from the new cylinder design that was first brought out in 2003.

The 2004 had showa components and direct routing front brake line

on closer inspection, it might be even older- i notice it has a external reservoir for the rear brake...i cant remember if 2002 was the last year they did that.

2003 i think- google images shows plenty of rm250 with the external rear brake res.

It has 03 rotors as well as the front brake routing found on 01-03 rm250's. In 04 the front brake line was routed "Honda style" and the rear brake reservoir changed from what is pictured above. Its weird that the frame has the little tab to hold the external reservoir hose. 06 frames did not have this.

Can you post the VIN#

PS: get the little loop attached to the lower clamp for the front brake line. Having it tucked behind the number plate could pull the line out of the banjo bolt.

I agree with slowtime, it looks like an 03. I wonder if someone changed the numbers?? I don't remember my.2005 having the tab for the rear brake res.

Is there an aluminum spacer between the carb manifold and the cylinder?? They changed that in 2006 and included a shorter carb manifold straight from the yz250.

If the frame was painted, maybe the number is being misread?? Or altered?

As far as the engine goes, from 03 they all looked the same but porting and head spec were changed internally.

What about the needle in the carb?? It might have changed over the years.

If you are looking for hop ups, I have a shorter front brake line with the fork guards from an rmz450...they bolt straight up without the need for the guides. I will include the hose bracket and the upgraded bolts for the fork guards that done need the little steel ring inserts.

I think I have the optional 2005 needle that might run better and also a front brake hose guide that screws to the front number plate.

In 2005. They also went to Ti footpegs, they were moved 10mm back to improve handling... I think i have some of those also.

The swingarm looks like a 2001 to me. The '01 swingarms were blocks and by '03 they tapered down a little towards the rear axle.

It definitely looks like an 01 to me as well.

the 2002s also had slotted brake rotors rather than drilled.

I think the entire bike is a 2003, with changed frame numbers.

If anyone has a 2003 manual, I think they list the engine numbers.

From memory, the 2003 was when they changed the engine the most- after that, the engine changes were porting, head spec and jetting.

The 10th digit of a vin number is the year.

http://delaware.craigslist.org/mcy/4842320606.html

Someone else is going to be fooled.

Saw that bike when browsing CL knew it sounded too good to be true for the year. As others said the tell tale sign is the front brake design. At least the OP got his bike back.

I guess that just confirms that the seller is a twat and fully intends on scamming some poor bugger.

Just recently had another bike like this around my area. Guy claims it was a 2006 and said so on the frame. Looked at the front brake line was the 01-03 style. Even the rear shock was the older 01-03 KYB and not the newer Showa on the 04-08's. Owner even had Showa stickers on the front forks. I called them out on this and they still went back to the VIN saying it is an 06. If you are looking at a late model 04-08 RM250 be careful people are trying to sell older models as the late ones.

The frame had the same basic design from 01 to 07. My 03 frame cracked right under the head tube, and I was told this was a common RM problem.. Chances are his was cracked and he thought he would pull a fast one by buying an 06 frame and bolting everything on and tried to sell it as the newer year. Had he run the 04 and up front brake cable routing he probably would have fooled most people. Glad you offed it and got your old bike back!

my 2001 was bought by me under the pretence it was an 05. I didn't even check the numbers on buying, I took the seller at face value. he needn't have lied though as the bike was mint and had just been fully rebuilt and still looks as clean as a 2014 bike. its nicer to be tld the truth as it makes it less of a challenge when buying spares ect. anyway while were talking rm's, does the showa rear shock off later models bolt straight up to 01/02 bikes?