Specs and/or history of YZ250

hello all,

recently made a deal for a '97 YZ250 and i am just searching for some specs and/or history of the YZ250. I'd like to learn more about it and the differences throughout the years.

If you have any good links, please let me know.

Thanks!

ok, so, let me phrase this question a different way.

would a '97 YZ250 be considered "outdated" in the current world of YZ's?

What would be the biggest differences at least, besides the 2004-2005 models?

cool.. thanks for all the replies fellas.. this is the kind of info i was looking for.

okay, now on to more mundane stuff since i'm basically getting the picture.

this is my first true MX bike. Is there a site or an article somewhere you can point me to that talks about maintenance on these bikes?

for example:

1) how often do you re-do your top-ends (in hours) ?
2) do you rebuild the powervalve every time you redo your top-end?
3) does the PV wear out more often than the top-end?
4) how often do you replace the chain and sprockets, tires?
5) how often do you replace the seals on the front-end?

..etc.

Sorry to ask so many questions, just want to make sure i do this right. I'm an avid jet-skier, so i know how to work on 2-stroke engines, ive built a few over the last couple of years, i'm just new to the dirtbikes.