89 RM250

Rat_ranger

Coast to Coast
So I picked this up cheap with a "stuck" motor with the intention of swapping an XR200 motor in to make a trail bike with good suspension.

Once I got it home I had the motor un-stuck in a few minutes. A little kroil in the cylinder and rock it with a ratchet. Carb and reeds were trashed from a mouse nest. Some "new" reeds and carb had it running for a floatbowl of gas. So further checks were needed. Crank bearings are stiff and one side had .002" play. So after pulling the stubborn swingarm bolt the motor is stripped.

Currently waiting on gasket kit and crank bearings. So while I wait the motor got scrubbed in the parts washer and is now waiting on the ultrasonic to heat up.

Now I'm thinking if I can keep costs low enough it might get flipped and I'll find a different bike to put the xr200 motor in.
20210719_180458_HDR.jpg
20210806_173830.jpg
20210806_190455_HDR.jpg
 
Haven't posted anything in a while. No pictures, but forks rebuilt with new bushings and seals, bottom end has new bearings and seals, swingarm and linkage bearings replaced, wheels bearings replaced, calipers and master cylinders rebuilt, new levers, new brake lines, shock cleaned and new fluid.

Waiting on spoke kits, brake pads, chain and sprockets, silencer and cylinder to come back from being replated.

Have new tires waiting for the wheels to be respoked, need to order plastics, air filter, clutch cable and throttle cable.
 
Just a funny turn of events. When I had my xr200, I found myself in need of a motor. My local breaker had one.... that was stuck in an rmz frame haha. I pulled it and put it in my bike.

You'll do a nicer job than whoever did on the one I pulled the lump from though
 
Yeah, this bike is currently getting a mechanical restoration while not getting painted. I'll either sell the bike, or if I can't get asking price I'll sell the motor and swap in the xr motor.

I would have preferred a mid 90s cr125, but everyone wants too much for ratted out piles.
 
I'm currently in the works of riding/restoring a 98 YZ250. I love these older dirt bikes. They still have so much fun to offer, it makes me sad to see so many of them buried and tossed to the salvage. I'm looking forward to seeing how this all turns out.
 
Yeah, I have a 97 CR80 with a 120cc xr100 motor in it. It's a blast, but a little small on longer trails. I got rid of an 08 ktm 250sxf because it was just way more bike than I need. I bought this one originally to swap an xr200 motor in, but since I got it to run before pulling the motor I thought it might be better to get it up to par and keep looking for a cr with a blown motor.
20210505_151601.jpg
 
Well that's a nice toy. I'll throw up a pic of the YZ and a blurb of the maintenance/restorative work done so far if you don't mind the extra post on your thread?
 
It's starting to look like a dirtbike again. Wheels are back on with new tires, engine is back together, plastics are ordered, and the 91 fork guards are almost adapted.
20210923_190114_HDR.jpg
 
UFO ships plastics fast. Waiting on new radiators and hoses and this thing should be good to go.
 

Attachments

  • 20210925_162335_HDR.jpg
    20210925_162335_HDR.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 129
It runs and rides now. The shifter needs to be replaced and the front rotor is warped. Both are already ordered.
20211008_155254.jpg
20211008_155319.jpg
 
Short update on this bike. 1.5hrs of ride time now, tensioned the spokes, checked fasteners and it's ready to ride more. Weighed it and it's 245lbs ready to ride.
20211023_092957.jpg
245lbs.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom