My Winter Project

[robwbright]

In October, 09, I bought an 03 YZ250f with recently rebuilt motor for $1000.00. Came with TAG triples, full Yoshi exhaust, Unbreakable brake lever, billet hot start, etc. . . Wasn't much to look at when I bought it.

Here are the pics of the bike right after I bought it:

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w134/robwbright/OldRight.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w134/robwbright/OldLeft.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w134/robwbright/OldFront.jpg

I spent a lot of time and about $350.00 on plastics, graphics and other parts, paint, etc. . . Here's the bike this morning:

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w134/robwbright/NewRight.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w134/robwbright/NewLeft.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w134/robwbright/NewFront.jpg

The only thing I'm dissatisfied with - I wish I'd spent the money and had the frame powder coated. The 2 coats of primer and 4 coats of paint are already chipping. Otherwise, I'm quite pleased.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

It looks good Rob, nice job.

I'm not so sure on the graphics. I'm sort of partial to the look of the OEM Yamaha graphics, but what do I know?

 

[robwbright]

Thanks, Rich. I thought the argyle kit sort of went with the whole attorney thing. . .

Maybe I could ride the bike at the golf course as well. ;)

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Maybe I could ride the bike at the golf course as well. ;)

NOW you're thinking!!! :cool:

 

[robwbright]

Actually, while I do enjoy golf when I get to play, between my work, my soccer league, my daughter's soccer league and MX, the only time I get to play golf is the annual tri-county bar association tournament.

There's one local course that would be a nice ride, though.

 

[robwbright]

BTW, Rich, I put new clear fuel line on the bike Tuesday and the fuel would not flow down the line - until I let a little flow through before re-connecting to the carb. Then I ended up with a bubble in the line.

Stuck float?

Started and ran alright, but was having idle issues (need to play with the new quick adjust screw).

 

[YZ__rider]

It seems to me that you got a steal on the bike. Ive tried priming and painting the frame and it never holds. Ive even tried bedliner on my '99 YZ400F frame as an experiment, and it chipped off too. I figured it couldnt look any worse than the rust. Of course, no way would I do that to a newer bike. Powdercoat is the only way to go.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

BTW, Rich, I put new clear fuel line on the bike Tuesday and the fuel would not flow down the line - until I let a little flow through before re-connecting to the carb. Then I ended up with a bubble in the line.

Stuck float?

Started and ran alright, but was having idle issues (need to play with the new quick adjust screw).

It could be a stuck float. When fuel breaks down it can leave fairly tough deposits behind that can easily "glue" the needle & seat together. There is also the possibility there was enough fuel in the bowl to keep the air pocket from breaking without a little help.

You'll find the quick adjust fuel screw to be an extremely helpful tuning aid. Lots of bang for the buck.

 

[robwbright]

It seems to me that you got a steal on the bike. Ive tried priming and painting the frame and it never holds. Ive even tried bedliner on my '99 YZ400F frame as an experiment, and it chipped off too. I figured it couldnt look any worse than the rust. Of course, no way would I do that to a newer bike. Powdercoat is the only way to go.

Agreed on both counts - I would never have bought an older 250f unless it had recently been rebuilt (and it is a new head, valves and the valve clearances were within spec, etc. . .). I was thrilled to find it for $1000 and then sold my 02 Eric Gorr RM 144 to my bro for $900 (he got a steal as well, as the bike was in very good shape for the year - but he's my brother).

I was just trying to keep costs down - didn't seem to be a lot of point putting $200+ into powder coating on a bike that I didn't have much money in. Plus, I knew I was going to be spending $600 on suspension rebuild, revalve and lowering 1" because of a prior broken wrist and my being vertically challenged.

If I had it to do over again, I'd likely powder coat it. Maybe next winter's project.

Speaking of steals, I just missed a 99 WR400f for $600. Was leaking a small amount of coolant into the oil, but otherwise in good contition - could have parted it out and doubled the money - or fixed it and sold it. The guy sold it before I could get the $$ to him. Darn.

 

[robwbright]

It could be a stuck float. When fuel breaks down it can leave fairly tough deposits behind that can easily "glue" the needle & seat together. There is also the possibility there was enough fuel in the bowl to keep the air pocket from breaking without a little help.

You'll find the quick adjust fuel screw to be an extremely helpful tuning aid. Lots of bang for the buck.

Could be either - I had the carb off all winter and I don't recall if I had emptied the bowl or not. I think so, because I know better, but it's 4 months ago.

How important is it to get the air bubble out of the line?