street legal 2-strokes

[breakdirt916]

whoa! nice bike!!

I do sort of wish my '94 was a '99+ and I have seen some for sale, but they are way overpriced IMHO

the issue with that bike is the plate - it's from NV. Getting a NV or AZ plate is actually pretty easy when you live in CA, but converting that to a CA plate is impossible...

there is an '02 yz250, CA plated for sale right now, but again, way overpriced @ $3,800

2002 Yamaha YZ250 2 stroke Street Legal Dual Sport YZ 250 CAL. Plated



I love having 1 dirt bike for trails/desert/mx/gym & grocery runs...and $1,600 was worth it for me, but not $3,800...in the end, 2-strokes do sort of suck on the street

[breakdirt916]

update - Kurlon you got me thinking...

just got off the phone w' factory connection - basic service starts @ $109 + oil, $45 labor to swap the fork bottom from the fleabay forks to the old ones, and only ~$40 more to have it re-valved...seems like a no brainer if I'm that far

so I discussed with them the valving types - it can be MX or more woodsy...I am thinking "soft" end of MX and just adjust the clickers when I do more trail stuff...for proper trail duty, I will setup the KDX200 and never do MX with it

[Kurlon]

More important than mucking with the valving is getting the base spring rates right, figure $110 for springs if you need them. I went for a 'middle ground' setup as well, not quite as soft as you'd go for full on woods, but clearly not MX stiff either, which works for me 'cause I'm not MX fast yet.

[breakdirt916]

the tricky part there is I have no idea what's in the bike already...no stickers indicate it's been resprung, so there's a good chance it's stock, and he said that's usually for a 150lb rider (I'm 140). A bike specific suspension shop like factory connection has the tools to measure that spring rate. When I talked to them, they don't do anything except off-road suspension...no street bikes, no "general servicing" on your bike. Hopefully I can absorb some their expertise into my old girl. I was told I have single chamber forks (still good enough...can still clear triples), which have been replaced by dual chamber stuff...but people like the single chamber stuff off-road because it's generally softer, so a "soft MX" setup for everything will work perfect.

I'm also not MX fast at all

but one of my 2015 goals is to take a few lessons...being on a MX track can get really dangerous, really fast...

I'd rather learn how to do it properly just for safety's sake...I also want to learn to jump safely because I eventually want to hit some dunes and have fun while I'm there



based out of NH

Dropped off...21 year old forks may not have had any work done on them their whole life, so I am having them disassemble them first, find out what needs to be replaced (and maybe take parts out of the fleabay forks), measure the spring rate, then go from there.

Going riding next weekend with the bike, so will drop off shock after that ride

[nhbubba]

based out of NH

Yep. Couple miles from my place.

[breakdirt916]

sweet! when you move to CA, you will feel at home w' another FC around the corner

pulled the seat/tank and got the 426 carb out - was a LOT easier than the 650L, DR200, and RM125

terrible question - the YZ426F has a carb w' electronic power jet - so I assume that I should not sink this in the ultrasonic cleaner?



the power jet also has security torx screws...I'm guessing it's best that I don't take it out at all...



there also looks like *two* pilot jets - is 1 for the power jet and 1 for the pilot jet?

I tried spraying carb cleaner through both, and nothing came out - so I will pull the jets and ultrasonic clean 'em, then see if maybe I can spray cleaner through the remaining passageways

[Kurlon]

That's not a power jet... that's a throttle position sensor.

[breakdirt916]

cool!

what's the thing that looks like a 2nd pilot jet?



aka - what's the mangled thing on the left?

I successfully got the pilot jet out on the right and cleaned...the carb cleaner flow through that pilot jet is potentially better than before. The stream into the carb is present, but very small (which it should be on a 48 pilot)...that might solve the problem (won't idle w'out rolling throttle...pops a lot w' throttle closed)

but the "2nd pilot" (that's what I'll call it now) is mangled...it looked a little rough before I even tried, so I knew it was a salvage effort to get it out and replace it

used replacement carb $189 on fleabay

I will replace that mangled part first...but what is it?

I can't really tell from the microfiche, but to the best of my knowledge, it's just another jet

[Kurlon]

It's a jet... #72 is standard... it's listed as a 'starter jet'?

[gregp]

Yes - That "Starter Jet" feeds fuel into the start circuit - when you pull the choke knob out to the "Start" position. AFAIK - when the choke knob is set in the "Run" position, that jet does nothing.

[Kurlon]

Cool, adjustable choke! That would have made starting some of my mini's SO much easier.

[breakdirt916]

good to know!!

and *very* important when starting a 426...this thing needs to be f'n perfectly jetted to start - NO throttle, choke on, 1/2 kick from TDC w' full kick

I ordered the carb rebuild kit from fleabay - estimated arrival Tuesday and I'll stop by HF to get a larger screwdriver or possible a screw extractor kit to get out the old one

[breakdirt916]

ordered this on a Wednesday night, delivered Saturday! very quick!



will take the carb to hardware store tomorrow and to fit a slotted screwdriver that might help me get the starter jet out...if not, I might have to use a screw extractor kit on it

will likely be installed by Tuesday night, test it on Wednesday (and dirt ride Wednesday afternoon after riding to a ride/lunch meet), then hit Gorman on Saturday!

Then likely going to move this bike...and move onto...the breeze 125 quad?

[breakdirt916]

picked up a screwdriver w' a thicker slotted bit and unscrewed the starter jet...screw extractor kit not necessary!!

didn't get a chance to fix it...(went drinking and eating for taco tuesdaaaayyy), but will do so after a street ride/lunch meet tomorrow...

this week's rides:
-pre-lunch street ride w' friend that has sumo EXC350
-post-lunch fire road dirt ride
-Saturday - (day) Gorman w' YZ426 and '00 YZ250, (night) street bike to cougar bar to see the show, lol
-Sunday - Wildomar w' both YZ250's

dirt mania!!!

[breakdirt916]

went on a street ride w' my friend on his exc350 sumo...



he said we were cruising ~55mph...and the YZ250 still wheelies under power alone in 5th gear at that speed



I must say, I know newer bikes are way better, but this is definitely enough for me!

met some guys that work in that area for lunch...I was the only dirt bike/2-stroke



kickstand on a street-legal bike is a must

Edit #1: went to a bike night followed by a stunt ride...full out vests and wheelies on the freeway. pinned 5th tops out around 85-90...but riding ~65mph, the bike still felt like it just wanted to go, so I found out tonight that (on knobbies, stock gearing, 19" rear) it was able to hold a power up wheelie at over 70mph

beast bike! a 250 smoker is just awesome!!

When we got to our destination there was one dude who had trouble with his freeway wheelies that gave me cred for being able to do it on a dirtbike

[breakdirt916]

New starter jet installed on 426...headed out to ride it!!

[breakdirt916]

YZ426 - started FINE in the morning...2nd kick (1st kick I forgot to take out the exhaust plug)

I let my friend try - and he couldn't get it...I try again, and IT WON'T START!! (flooded maybe? dunno...gonna try again now)

don't care - went to grab the '00 YZ250, and the tire's flat...try to get the tube out and I don't have irons and a screw driver ain't helping...

I look at the 426 - wheel looks about the same size - swap that onto the YZ250 in about 30 mins, and we're good to go!

smokerville...



the 2000 YZ250 has a LOT more low/mid range torque w' a shorter throttle turn...the '94 has a little less power on the pipe, but MUCH milder mid/low power...but it also has a stock pipe, so I'm not sure if it's the bike or the setup/tuning

the '94 also sits more like an enduro bike...you're more comfortable "sitting" and riding vs. the 2000 model...seeing how it doubles as a street machine, I'm pretty happy with the riding position

still fun to ride hill climbs on it...video processing...







cool thing about Gorman/CA state vehicular recreation area - loading docks! lines up perfectly with the truck!!

[breakdirt916]

Gorman is well groomed - even the hill climbs are smooth!



'94 yz250 attempt coming soon...

[breakdirt916]

Right now I'm a 9 O'Clock boy...



don't have the balls to get high enough past braaaap #3

2015 goal - get from 9 o' clock boy to 12 o' clock boy without crashing into a 6 o' clock boy!

[breakdirt916]

went down to Wildomar OHV today w' a Dad who had ridden dirt as a kid growing up in the desert...

hard packed, ATV wide trails through the mountain brush...





you can catch air on the mini-jumps in the middle of the trail...



even had an "extremely difficult" trail marked as "bloody jersey"...right up my alley...



engine on, heavy brakes, too much momentum

bike falls...



I flip off the bike...



and tumble in a roll...hello bike..



feet on the ground don't offer any traction...so we both slide down the hill



f rocky hills. video pending...

bought a 32gb microSD card...hopefully w' the GoPro app I can review video straight away on my phone

good times...

[breakdirt916]

Got a call back from factory connection...when they took it apart, he said the front forks were actually in pretty good shape in terms of wear parts...hopefully just means a bike this old wasn't ridden or beat up too much off road for all these years. Getting new seals and oil regardless

Stock spring rate is a 0.40 and we are going to increase it to a 0.44. I asked him what this would mean and his explanation was that everything from that era was made too soft...springs and valving. You end up using up *most* of the spring's stroke with that stock setup so by going up on the rate, we can adapt it to use more of it. Bike will be revalved as well and when complete will feel like night and day...

He actually brought up the threads and mentioned that they considered re-tapping it, but did not have the tap. I already got one from ebay so they might actually try that first...but I am 90% sure I want a full set of cast threads from the fleabay forks...and it's only $45 to swap it over anyways

Turn around looking at 3-4 weeks with the new springs, I will also bring them the shock to service it and match the forks...he said they will replace the upper shock bearing, and I can likely replace the pivot linkage bearings myself

Gonna feel like a new bike!

When all that is getting done and bike is non-op, I will get the top end serviced as well...checkout that lower end and get a banjo bolt brakelight switch for the rear brake

[breakdirt916]

friggen love having a plated bike...

bike + truck = drive to mechanic, drop off truck, ride bike home!

on the way I saw a guy fueling an XR650L - started talking and turns out he's around the block from me...so we go on a quick cruise around the gravel spots in long beach



mid week rides

riding this around the "hood" of long beach is so much fun - a LOT of smiles/thumbs up/wheelie requests when they hear that smoker zing!

he was behind me during some 3rd/4th gear wheelies...to him they looked straight vertical while he was behind me...my whoolies are gettin better!

edit 1: hot dawg

1997 Yamaha WR250 WR 250 2-Stroke STREET LEGAL, COLLECTORS CONDITION! - $3200



1997 Yamaha WR250 WR 250 2-Stroke STREET LEGAL, COLLECTORS CONDITION!

[breakdirt916]

cool article on the 90's YZ250

GP's Classic Steel #47 - '95 YZ250 | PulpMX



key positives:

the early nineties YZ’s were well suspended, easy-to-ride and stone reliable.

The 1995 Yamaha YZ250 was in the third and final year of its development cycle. Originally introduced in late ’92, the YZ had been a successful design from the very beginning. The ’93-’94 motors had been smooth and rider friendly, with wide power curves and tractable deliveries. This combined with their solid suspensions and stable chassis had made them excellent race bikes. They were basically great do-it-all bikes, which did not dominate in any one category, but also lacked the serious flaws of most of the competition.

In deep loam, the CR’s hard hit and top-end pull gave it an advantage. If the track was dry or slippery, however, the tractable YZ was the bike to beat.

In 1994, Yamaha YZ250’s were the acknowledged king of the holeshot on the National level. The hot ticket that year was to add “long-rod” kit to the 249cc YZ mill and start cashing your 1-900-PRO-RACE holeshot checks. All told, Yamaha YZ’s nailed about 75% of the starts in ’94 and helped propel Larry Ward to the highest finish ever by a privateer in Supercross.

the '95 was rated ~44hp (but had a slightly different engine design)...which, by comparison my '03 yz450f is ~49 and my friend's sumo exc350 ~45...so even at 9 and 20 years behind, 44hp is pretty impressive!

edit: you need to read through, but the '94 was the last year of the right motor until '99 - Looking at a 96 YZ250 - Yamaha 2-Stroke - ThumperTalk

edit 2: twentynine palms trip Friday/Saturday & Morongo Casino Saturday night!



Then another dirt ride Sundayyyyy!

[breakdirt916]

hMMMMMmmmm

found a local dirt spot in Long Beach!!!

[nhbubba]

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