Not what should I get.. but what do I have?
As I mentioned in the introductions forum, I've picked up my first two wheeled deathtrap. An older neighbor had it for years, and used it just to go down to the river to fish, and get back home. He's gotten a bit old to ride, and the bike has gotten quite rough, so I was able to pick it up for a song. Anywho, I'm crossing over from the world of 4x4 trucks and know not much at all about bikes. The only thing that I know about this particular bike is its a 1982 Yamaha 250, that runs, makes some godawful noise, bogs down at over 1/2 throttle, but runs just the same. Nothing else.
Since this classifies as a "What do I" question, I've decided to post this here. What do I have here? I'd like to find out everything I can about this bike, so I can start about repairing and running it myself down the trails.
What I know..
My ears tell me its a four stroke, but all the info I can read up on the 82 MY says water cooled two stroke. This bike lacks any water cooling parts.. and it doesnt look like anything is missing. I also note a removable panel labelled "oil filter", right next to the oil fill hole.. that also tells me four stroke.
I removed a panel where the battery is supposed to be, but isnt, and found the emissions control sticker..things I'm curious about:
Engine family: CYA025041A8 / 250cc
Gasoline Grade: Regular (Leaded) 91 Octane Min.
Engine Oil: SAE 20/40 Type SE
Is there anything yall can pull out of this info to tell me more about my new addition?
Right now I've got a gallon of regular unleaded (87 is regular in this part of the country).. think that would be related to the knocking sound I hear? Guess I'll get a bottle of CD2 lead substitute/octane booster dealie and drop that in the gallon eh?
And finally (for tonight) is there any way to measure the oil level? I see the fill hole, and the drain plug on the bottom...how can I verify its got enough? And/or whats the official capacity so I can just change it and call it a day?
Thanks in advance guys.. With yalls help, hopefully I'll get a few years of good riding out of this beast. :cool: