BIG MISTAKE: RD250 Build By A Newbie *Help Me Grow Up!*

J

JiveTalkinRobot

Been Around the Block
I think I've made a mistake, as someone who knows nothing of these old bikes and is not mechanically inclined what-so-ever, I shouldn't have been so ambitious. Somehow I caught the bug, navigating through Do The Ton I saw so many beautiful builds from scratch that I got motivated to try it myself.

After searching for weeks and missing out on some opportunities, I ended up picking up an RD250 (with an RD350 top end, which from I read, pretty much makes it an RD350). I think I jumped on it too quick...and paid too much...it was not in the condition I was expecting.

Reality set in when I got home and couldn't even start the darn thing. It started up great when he kicked started it this morning, one kick and it was up and ready. I realized I don't even know the procedure... I put the fuel pecock in the on position, turned the ignition, held down the clutch and kicked...nada. At this point I'm not sure if I got suckered into a lemon or if it is me...probably a little bit of both (I should have known it was a little sketch when he listed it as a RD350 on Craigslist). I thought I had at least a good engine to work with...

lol. I can't even get the dang thing started and yet I'm going to try a build.

Oh well, here goes! At least I am going to learn a lot...

Day 1: Get the owners manual and shop service manual and read them over.

Here's the bike:

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Looks like a good place to start. Needs a front fender or fork brace and you could probably make/find a sleeker seat and rear fender arrangement to smarten it up. The place to start though it getting it started. Charge the battery and give it a complete once over/service.

I wouldn't do anything to the rolling chassis until the motor is running 100% or until you know for sure what's wrong and have to strip teh motor to fix it. Otherwise teh motor will still not start after the rebuild and that would be very disheartening
 
You don't hold the clutch when kickstarting a bike :) Lesson #1 - that disengages the kickstarter from actually turning the engine over ;) Put it in neutral and then kick it over - no clutch.
 
Tim said:
You don't hold the clutch when kickstarting a bike :) Lesson #1 - that disengages the kickstarter from actually turning the engine over ;) Put it in neutral and then kick it over - no clutch.
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haha, now you realize the extent of my "challenges."

Thanks a bunch, I appreciate it.
 
BTW - welcome to the wonderful world of DTT and the addiction. None of us will help you kick the habit, but we'll help you find more bikes ;) The RD looks great and will be an incredibly fun bike to zip around on.

Lesson #2 - make sure you see a bike started from cold - guy probably had it all warmed up when you arrived and of course it started easily.
 
JiveTalkinRobot said:
I did buy it in SD, you're making me nervous...
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Don't be. I saw it the other day on craigslist hahahah. I was like oh shit, that looks like the same one.
I was actually gonna buy it.
 
I just bought an rd350 and am having a similar issue as you. The guy told me the bike had good compression and needed some carb work, plugs, battery, and regulator to run. Well, compression checked out at 30(L)/65(R). From what I've read on the 2-stroke forums these bikes need a top end rebuild if they've sat for very long. I'll be following your build closely. Good luck.
 
A two-stroke is a good way to start working on bikes - a minimum of moving parts.

And when the parts start moving it's impossible not to grin!

Crazy


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Von Kirk 75 dt250 said:
Don't be. I saw it the other day on craigslist hahahah. I was like oh shit, that looks like the same one.
I was actually gonna buy it.
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Hahaha, I was getting worried you were going to say, "I also took a look at it, don't know what to tell you but that thing was a POS and the seller was hiding all kinds of things."
 
JiveTalkinRobot said:
Hahaha, I was getting worried you were going to say, "I also took a look at it, don't know what to tell you but that thing was a POS and the seller was hiding all kinds of things."
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Shit, i'd give my right nut for that thing. i've wanted an RD250 for a while.
 
It would probably be a good idea to use the 'choke' when starting from cold (it's really an enrichener)
 
Von Kirk 75 dt250 said:
Shit, i'd give my right nut for that thing. i've wanted an RD250 for a while.
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I'll sell you my 350. It's complete but doesn't run. PM me if you're interested and I'll give you details.
 
If you are getting gas and spark, then you need to check your points, once you get them set correctly it will run. 2 strokes are cold blooded and need to be choked, if it ran when you picked it up you sould be good. I have 5 RD's and each one is diff on the starting procedure, youll figure it out and love it!
 
RDs are awesome. You'll love it. Even a novice can get the hang of one with some patience and time. BUY A PROPER MANUAL ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Keep an eye on the oil if it isnt premix if it is read about how to mix your fuel
 
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