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10/30/2017 9:33pm
10/30/2017 9:33pm
Edited Date/Time
11/30/2019 10:22am
I'm a little hesitant starting this as there is so much great work in this section and I am going the econo route.
But what the hell!
Picked up a '95 YZ-250 cheap with a locked up tranny and in need of TLC. The plan to keep the costs way down but
still build a solid bike. Clean up what's there whenever possible and eBay or whatever for used parts. Maybe some crude fabrication here and there and do as much of the work myself as I can. Maybe learn a few things along the way!
This won't be a quick project but if somehow I had it done for the 2-Stroke National at Glen Helen, that'd be awesome.
But what the hell!
Picked up a '95 YZ-250 cheap with a locked up tranny and in need of TLC. The plan to keep the costs way down but
still build a solid bike. Clean up what's there whenever possible and eBay or whatever for used parts. Maybe some crude fabrication here and there and do as much of the work myself as I can. Maybe learn a few things along the way!
This won't be a quick project but if somehow I had it done for the 2-Stroke National at Glen Helen, that'd be awesome.
Left center case has pieces broken off around the shift shaft and motor mount. I should be able to fix these but will also keep an eye out for a used one and if it comes up cheap enough, that would probably be the preferred route.
The Shop
Working on it today, taking some things apart.... You know what I find so incredibly frustrating, is seeing the absolute what-the-fuckery of the prior owner. It's like I want to bitch slap the moron for being such a hack. ...... *must take deep breaths*
?????
Found a set of ’08 clamps laying around at a local shop and they appear to fit my frame perfect. (Though I still have to check about the steering stops).
Then came across this well-used suspension stuff. In all honesty, the coatings don’t have a lot of life left in them but for me, and this project, it will work just fine. And the price was right because they aren’t much use to the guy I got them from as he wasn't going to bother with re-coating them and he just got all new stuff. He was just getting rid of them.
Then got the front wheel in primo shape with spacers, rotor, axle and brand new front tire for cheap from Damaged Goods. http://stores.ebay.com/Damaged-Goods-Global Good source for used stuff!!
Sooooooo, things are moving right along!
Hey, are you the guy with the primo 95's I see on CL? We'll have to meet up at some point so I can pick your brain a little. I'm always in the area going to NCY or whatever.
rebuilding the '95 stuff so that's the detour. Famous last words "This will be a simple, low budget project . . ." hhahaha
it is, put in some .47 springs, 375cc of fluid and just see how it feels. Then go from there.
Pit Row
First was the swing arm. The one that was on the bike was hammered and you can find them cheap on eBay so why not. Gonna trash the one that came with the bike.
Then, as shown above, i realized a later model front end is pretty much a bolt on affair with a little mixing and matching so there goes that. Later model shock bolts on, too, so what the hell.
The subby that came with the bike was bent and re-welded poorly in spots so, aw heck, found a decent one to replace it.
I knew the bike was kind of a mess so I knew going in there were these issues and I didn't really have any intention of replacing things. I wanted to just fix what was there. But some of these parts upon closer inspection were just better off, time and money wise, just getting better used ones from eBay. Plus, I think it's important to exercise the tweaker demons that have infiltrated the bike.
Then the frame . . . I knew the rego was past due and I knew about how much it was going to cost, but when I started looking closer, man, it was fucked up. Cracked and poorly welded in spots. I think this bike at one time was well cared for but it fell into the hands of a crack head and just got some neglect. Shame.
Anyway, I wasn't super excited about the frame so after looking around, found a frame in better condition and who's registration, in the end will cost less than the white frame so *boom*, out goes the frame, too. I'll probably be able to eventually sell some of these old parts for a couple/few hundred so, yes, a fair bit of leg work but dollar wise, not all that bad. I think I'll keep the white subby and see if I can't repair it properly to keep as a spare. Maybe.
There was a thread about doing a build just buying parts here and there and in the end, I'm practically doing just that. Hahahhahha.
Anyway, I somehow lucked out and some brackets came up used on eBay fairly cheap and so I grabbed those. Yes, they would have been an easy part to fab but it was even easier to hit "buy".
Since the seat base inserts are gone, I welded some bolts through some flat stock to attach the bracket. Luckily these won't be visible. I definitely have to get better at my fab skills.
Just wanted to do a good clean up, not go crazy grinding off seams or the pits and dings from
the years. One thing I found was using a brass (softer) wire wheel on a slow speed. Gives
a nice finish and doesn't leave very big marks.
Note the linkage drilled for safety wiring the bottom shock bolt. Again, I think this was once a well
care for machine before it fell into the hands of a tweaker. Sad.
Interestingly, the bearings were in great shape. Which is super strange considering how fucked up
other parts were.
Still need to grind them down a touch for decreased turning radius.
Both subbies had the front cross member broken off and were bent at the back of the triangle. Straightened things out, added the cross members, and added some gussets at the top rear where these always bend.
https://nh.craigslist.org/mpo/d/titanium-subframes-for-crf/6436763668.h…
He’s had them for sale for almost a year now; I would see if he would ship all the way to CA for you.
$250 plus shipping I would imagine. Or maybe he’d do $250 shipped.
Hmmmm . . . That's something to consider! There's also AC racing which does an aluminum subbie.
Went to take the second one off and SNAP-OLA. Crap......
Too deep to and no way to get a straight shot with a drill for an EZ Out. Kinda doubt it would have worked anyway.
I did consider coming in from the outside of the frame and then welding up the carnage. But would have to go through two tubes (it's the boss on the right in this photo) and that seemed like a lot of damage to do the repair.
In the end, I decided to just add more material around the boss, then I can easily and safely tap it for a 10mm. I have about 20mm of depth to work with so that's plenty. So I'll have one mismatched bolt for this assembly but it will still be structurally sound.
Also have you found any alternate foot pegs? Mine are pretty beat up
Looks great man can’t wait to see what route you go with
Post a reply to: 1995 YZ-250 long rod. Tom Morgan porting magic. :)