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I’ve had my eye out for a while now looking for a shed project. The plan was to find a suitable two stoke that would make a fun bike and possibly replace the DRZ. I’m toying with the idea of getting an adventure tourer next year and to afford that the DRZ will need to find a new home.
The problem is I could not live without a proper dirt bike. I have been searching all the usual online sites to find a cheap earlier model two stoke. I have looked at some Huskies and almost won a neat 2002 KTM250EXC on Ebay.
I looked at a number of RMX250S and thought I had worked out a deal for one. Most I have looked at are well used or over priced.I found one that looked promising. 1999 model with less than 2500km. Same owner since it was 5 months old. Recons it has had little use in the last nine years. I went for a drive up the coast today and had a look. The owner was unable to get it to fire up as it’s been sitting for a while. As he also owns a DRZ400 I knew he would be trustworthy sort of bloke so I took a punt it wouldn’t take much to get it going. Other than that she looked in great shape for a 12 year old bike. Also has a nice bash plate, Barkbusters and Renthal bars.
A deal was cut and a 1999 RMX250 was on my trailer for $1800.
Still had the front disc guard.
I dropped into Suttos on the way home and picked up some of that two smoke oil and a new plug. Got the old girl home, drained the tank. Pulled the carby off and gave it a clean. The bowl had water in the bottom. Screwed in a new plug. Put it all back together and with only two kicks that unmistakable sound of an angry two stroke could be heard resonating from Scotty’s shed. Love the simplicity.
Took it for a couple of laps of the street (apology to the neighbours). Feels very similar to the DRZ. A bit like the DRZ’s skinnier, angry little sister.
Stable mates.
The short term plan is to give it a good service, oils, brake fluid, regrease swingarm and headset and put some decent tyres on it, (the front is the original 12 year old tyre), change the bulky head light for the RMX enduro one I already have, than get it out for a ride to see how it feels.
For the long term I think I might strip it back to the frame and rebuild it. Paint the frame and any other parts that need cleaning up. No doubt the suspension will get the Teknik’s treatment. I also see there is a common carby swap which makes jetting much easier. I think the wheels would look nice anodised black. Now who do I know who can relace wheels, cough TB cough.
I think it is the makings of a good project and will make a great trail bike with a bit of work.
Wow thats cool Scotty you lucky bastard :laugh: you didnt buy it you stole it
Would be happy to strip and respoked your wheels and can organise where to get the rims done
Now get into it and get that adventure bike, have all the options like the rest of us that are smart
Will watch the project with interest, arrrhhhh love the smell of a bike project in the morning
TB
Nice one Scotty
I was looking at that bike as well :whistle: but I wouldnt have been able to fit it in the shed , Seriously :laugh:Here is my list of things that I think should be done to get the most out of this great little bike.
1. Suspension upgrade including heavier springs to suit your weight.
2. Pro cicuit pipe and muffler standard pipe is a twin wall and very heavy,muffler very restrictive.
3. Keihin 38mm Airstriker carb
4. Machine the handlebar lugs off the top triple clamp reweld redrill the holes and fit bar raisers and fat bars. (big improvement if your a bigger than a 45kg LBFM with a GFB !)
5. Radiator Gaurds or braces
6. Steering Damper ( a WER works well )
7. Get braided brake lines stock are rubber crap ones
8. Get a lighter rear gaurd setup.
9. remove all the unessecary crap like helmet holder speedo headlight switches blinkers etc,if you cant get rid of 5kgs of crap your not trying hard enough
10. Get a DRZ kick starter as the standard one is poxy and will fail. (biggest bug bear of any RMX owner) $250 for a replacement RMX
11. remove clean inspect your power valve these are over $250 and you can only get from Aussie dealership. Dont wind to much tension on the PV spring, really deadens the power.
12. check the squish and compression a RM gasket will increase the compression
13.remember that a Aussie 98-2001 RMX is a totally different bike to the US version
14.Be careful when wheel standing as the rear subframe is brittle and virtually unobtainable. ( dont ask how I know this :blush: )Youve got yourself a great bike mate and will look with interest as Im still rebuilding mine as we speak
Ollie
Nice buy Scotty
I am not into two smokers at all, but that looks like a cool project right thereWatch out for Ollie, he will wait till you complete it & knock it off :whistle:
Cheers
Hey Scotty, mainjet motorcycles can supply a airstriker carb and jd jetting kit all installed and ready to go for a real good price
With the compression thing I was mainly talking about raising the compression above standard,(makes a big difference, you can remove the spacer out of the head gasket, 3 piece)Ollie
Ollie wrote:Hey Scotty, mainjet motorcycles can supply a airstriker carb and jd jetting kit all installed and ready to go for a real good price With the compression thing I was mainly talking about raising the compression above standard,(makes a big difference, you can remove the spacer out of the head gasket, 3 piece)
Ollie
I did a search on the Airstriker and Mainjet website was on top o the list. I plan on giving them a call tomorrow to see if they have stock. At this stage i’m just looking to get it running nice not looking for more power, yet. Been a few years since I’ve ridden a smoker so will ease myself into it. The more I look at it the more I think I’m gunna like it lots and go the full hog on it.
Well I called Mainjet Motorcycles on Wednesday and spoke with Leah. He was very helpful. I ordered a 38mm Keihin Airstiker prefitted with a JD jet kit, $359 with free express post. Was on my doorstep Friday. Awesome service.
Old vs New. The big difference is the idle screw is now separate from the choke. It’s hard to see but the black screw circled in yellow is the idle screw.
A got time to have a play in the shed this afternoon and got the new carb fitted. Took a bit of modifying the cable as I also fitted a whirlpool throttle assembly.
All fitted fired up with a couple of kick. Once it was warmed up a couple turns in on the idle screw and the RMX was idling nice and would cleanly rev with the crack of the throttle and setting back to idle.
Once warm, only takes a little bit of throttle and fires up first kick. As it was getting late and was now dark outside I only went for one run up the street and back but felt good. I’m now looking forward to getting the RMX out in the dirt to see how it goes.
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