Parts availability 8-10 year old bikes

[bultaco4ever]

I've been a vintage Bultaco racer. Getting parts for Buls is pretty easy because Bultaco did not redesign their bikes every other year. The parts interchange from year to year. (That's what ultimately caused them to go out of business. They didn't evolve fast enough).

Now I want to race in a different vintage environment. My AMA district defines 'vintage' as an 8 year or older machine. So, I am looking for a 2001-2003 YZ250, CR250, or RM250 two strokes.

What is the parts availability issues with these model years?

 

[RM_guy]

Bike bandit is pretty good for OEM parts and with an AMA # you get 10% off the total bill. They also sell aftermarket parts. Plus $8.95 shipping on all orders no matter how many items. In their parts search the year goes back a long way but the aviliblity may not be there. I'd browse their site to see what brands have the best selection of parts that you expect to need to buy for the year you need.

I like their service and price and highly recomend them.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

Parts should be easy to get except for the RMs...most people have realized what POSs those are by now and have discarded them. :p

 

[bultaco4ever]

Heard some negative things about the 97-03 CR250 frame being too stiff. Is that true?

 

[RM_guy]

Parts should be easy to get except for the RMs...most people have realized what POSs those are by now and have discarded them. :p

I love you too Mike.

 

[mideastrider]

YZ's and the CR's should be no problem to find new or used. I don't know anything about the RM's

 

[bultaco4ever]

Thanks for the help. Do Kawasaki KX's in this era require the cases to be split to replace crank seals?

 

[Uchytil]

The parts are easy to get. At least that's MHO. I still pick up oem stuff for a 2001 CR125, 1997 YZ125, and just sold an 04 YZ250 that I rebuilt quite often with oem parts. In my neck of the woods they pretty much consider those years non-current rather that vintage. My 79 Maicos are not vintage - they run EVO (evolution class). Anyway for my money I'd get a YZ. Pretty sure most people would agree they were pretty good bikes.

 

[bultaco4ever]

Yeah, I have a '79 Bultaco that I run in an Evolution class. (Northern Illinois). Thanks for the YZ advice.

 

[bultaco4ever]

Maintenance-wise...How long can piston and rings last in these 01-04 two strokes? I'm going to look at an '01 YZ250. Any suggestions on what to look for or how to evaluate?

 

[High Lord Gomer]

6-10 hours when ridden by a pro.

60-100 hours when ridden by Ivan.

6-100 hours when ridden by me (depends on when I crashed on the throttle side and left it WFO).

I normally look at the common wear points to evaluate how well it has been taken care of: Kickstarted, shifter, pegs, wheel bearings, etc.

 

[truespode]

Gomer... that is the nicest compliment you have ever given me :)

I am more in the 100-120 hour range now.

Ivan

 

[Uchytil]

Hey we just sold an 04 YZ250 (I mentioned this already), anyway, I know there are quite a few people who might disagree, but, my son raced about every other weekend, B class, and practice here and there, and he changed to piston and rings during winter downtime. At that time he also inspected the entire engine. He did his bottom end every other winter until he got his 09 YZ250 which he still races. He loved the 04 but definetly likes the 09 suspension better(not to mention the aluminum frame). I'd go for an 04 and have the suspension sent out and set for you. Might be a good time to lay in some extra OEM parts if you plan to keep the bike. Just think - would'nt it be cool if someone stocked up on OEM Taco or Breako parts back in the day and still had them ( I mean me!).

 

[Senior KX Rider]

I have a couple KXs 95 and 99 and have NO problem getting parts

 

[Uchytil]

I have a couple KXs 95 and 99 and have NO problem getting parts

Absolutley! I still get 97 YZ125 OEM parts. I just wish I had my own parts department with 25 of everything Maico! At some point the parts are no more :(

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Absolutley! I still get 97 YZ125 OEM parts. I just wish I had my own parts department with 25 of everything Maico! At some point the parts are no more :(

Wouldnt that be nice :nod:

 

[MXLord327]

I have no problem at all finding parts for my '98 YZ250.

 

[HondaBrat]

Best thing to do when going to look at a different bike is take a compression gauge with ya.

 

[2strokerfun]

Best thing to do when going to look at a different bike is take a compression gauge with ya.

Or just take a new piston and rings with you.

 

[tx246]

Depends on how ya ride it. A B/C guy running a couple of practice days and a few races a month should get a year before a new piston. If you wanted to throw in a set of rings 6 mo in, you could measure the piston to gauge. I still have a 2000 CR that sees mixed use.