Newbie YamSR250 project

[Bitkrusha]

Hi Guys,

I've come to the very quick conclusion that I'm not gonna get this project finished without some help.

Here's my starting point....bought for me by my beautiful wife as a surprise!

I'd really appreciate your input. I'm quite handy but on a very low budget.

There's so many great modified SR250's out there I'm starting to waver over what I want

 

[Bitkrusha]

And this is where I am now:

 

[Bitkrusha]

I could really use some pointers on the wheels to start with.

The rear wheel is 16" and looks way too small. I'd like to avoid re lacing the hub onto a larger rim (how do I get spokes the right length etc). Are there any direct replacements I could get?

Also...I'm in the UK. Where can I find the really cool Firestone ribbed tyres?

I'm also 6'2" and 18stone so I'm trying to make the bike a big as possible!

 

[pigp3n]

for an 18 inch rear rim read this thread
http://www.sr500forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=8138
he used an xt550 rear rim.

 

[cosworth]

Leave the back whee alone. Get the correct MS90 tire on it if there if it isn't yet.

I went motolanna seat, suzuki gt380 custom tank and clip ons. In my sig.

 

[Bitkrusha]

Thanks Guys.

I'd like to avoid messing about with the rear wheel if possible but the difference in size is annoying me. It worries me that I may find fitting an XT 550 harder than it's worth.
That being said your SR250 (Cosworth) looks really good with the bigger, higher profile tyre. What's the make? Where can I get one?
Absolutely love your tank....not sure my welding 's up to your standard. Trying to get a GSX250 tank.

Really really appreciate your advice

 

[cosworth]

Chneg Shin MS90. Standard cruiser size.

 

[hdscarbro]

I could really use some pointers on the wheels to start with.

I put the wheels and forks from an XS400 Seca on my SR250. Everything bolted right on. Just had to add a brake arm and get a custom rear sprocket made with the XS400 bolt pattern. The XS400 has a 530 chain.

The build blog for my SR250 is here.

 

[DesmoBro]

.....

 

[Bitkrusha]

I put the wheels and forks from an XS400 Seca on my SR250. Everything bolted right on. Just had to add a brake arm and get a custom rear sprocket made with the XS400 bolt pattern. The XS400 has a 530 chain.

The build blog for my SR250 is here.

That's interesting! I'm going to check out parts prices. And availability. Ebay isn't so cheap anymore for bike parts. Just finding a decent tank for reasonable money is hard enough.
I might do tyre first and do the wheel later.

 

[Bitkrusha]

Chneg Shin MS90. Standard cruiser size.

Many thanks.

Did you cut and straighten the frame under the seat? There's a definite flick up at the end which yours doesnt seem to have.

 

[Bitkrusha]

Chneg Shin MS90. Standard cruiser size.

Sorry to be a pain! But do you know the width and profile? They don't seem to supply the MS90 in the UK. I'm sure they do an alternative.

 

[hdscarbro]

That's interesting! I'm going to check out parts prices. And availability. Ebay isn't so cheap anymore for bike parts. Just finding a decent tank for reasonable money is hard enough.
I might do tyre first and do the wheel later.

I found a whole non-running bike for $75.00 on Craigslist. Once a breaker gets ahold of a bike and starts selling it off a piece at a time, there are no bargains in my experience. The xs400.com forums are a good place to look for parts.

 

[zap2504]

I could really use some pointers on the wheels to start with.

The rear wheel is 16" and looks way too small. I'd like to avoid re lacing the hub onto a larger rim (how do I get spokes the right length etc). Are there any direct replacements I could get?

Also...I'm in the UK. Where can I find the really cool Firestone ribbed tyres?

I'm also 6'2" and 18stone so I'm trying to make the bike a big as possible!

I understand your pain as I am also 6'2" (33" inseam) but I'm re-making mine for more of a standard-sized rider. I think the reason you see the rear wheel as too small is that your rear shocks are so long (they look like 15"). I assume you did that to gain peg-to-seat clearance and to raise the tank rear. I went with a set of 13" Progressive Suspension units (from a XS650) and it barely sits on the center stand (and I'm raising the tank tail with a spacer). You might also think about using a high-mount XT250 exhaust to take up some of that visual room. I don't think there are any easy/cheap rear spoke wheel changes; maybe going to a late '70s XS400 spoke wheel? I have read that you can (fairly easily) change out the front end with a XV250 front end, retaining the spoke wheel, getting larger forks and a disk brake. I'm putting on a set of Shinko 712s (the key is to get the front/rear tire diameters as close as possible) as they provide the desired "character" at an affordable price.