the YZ250 basketcase

[dennis da menaceMember]

…….Jan 2010 :ohmy:
my good mate and computer illiterate OBT member, Smokey (Craig) and i set about the task of restoring his 1989 YZ250.
i asked the question why?? but old smokey was adament that this was the best bike in the free world and needed rebirthing :dry:

Craig isnt the hardest bloke on bikes, in fact he has been riding this YZ for over 15 years…
and only put a piston and rings in it in in around 2003 :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

it should be noted that this bike was still in running condition when we pulled it apart and still started second/third kick.

seven years out of a top end is pretty good going i reckon :blink:

i remember him having it at my bucks weekend in 2000 and having to spend some quality drinking time trying to get the front brake working :laugh:
“it hasnt worked for ages. dont worry, i dont use it anyway” he told me :laugh: :laugh:

it was in near new condition when he bought it back in ’94, but over the years he had slowly managed to destroy it…… as you do

as you can see by these happy snaps…

poor old girl.

bit wonky in the arse department.

awesome….. bike stand

has spent some time on the ground :whistle:

rear disc is under 1mm thick :pinch:

this footpeg worked great as a ground anchor :laugh:

front disc….. only used on sundays

[dennis da menaceMember]

…so the gigantuan task of sourcing parts began.

as Craig is computer illiterate… well just generally illiterate, good old Menace got the job :laugh:

it started with just plastics and new factory decals footpegs and a few other bits……

then i made the ghastly mistake of giving him a centerfold of an ’89 YZ250.
he stuck it straight up on the wall in his loungeroom and for a while only looked at the hot chicky draping herself over it :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

then one day he had a dream…..

to rebuild it to full specs and get it in a magazine too…….

[dennis da menaceMember]

fast forwad a couple of years and countless hours of internerd searching and offshore buying and its all here….in boxes :laugh:

recored and recoed radiators

OEM bolts and stuff

rebuild shock and new spring

fully… and i mean fully rebuilt engine and gearbox, all OEM where possible

FMF pipe and muffler

mirror polished linkage, swingarm, lower tripleclamp, forks, brake carrier and chainguard. they look bloody schmicko

frame straightened, blasted, rustproofed and powdercoated

bars and grips and the good oil :laugh:

disco’s

OEM seatcover and decal kit

new bearings and seals for everything.. rimlocks, (and rims, not in picture), carby kitand a magura hydraulic clutch retrofit kit

OEM rad hoses and throttle parts

chain, sprockets, rollers, twin air filter, hour meter, etc.

triples assembled, OEM new top clamp and all bolts,

the state of it yesterday….

the total price so far is around $6000 :ohmy:

i told Craig, he could have almost bought a new one for that dough…
his reply was, “it will be wicked though, people will stare at it on the trailer”

hey, whatever floats your boat

[Dwayne OMember]

Looking the schniz Spidy

Aint a Basket Case no more hey ????
Well kind of is, cause some bits are still in the basket awaiting fitment :laugh:

Will lok grouse when finished too,,,,,, only hope old mate has improved his riding skills now and doesn`t throw it along the trail as much with all the new bling :whistle:

Thanx for the update,,,

[GregMember]

Is this the one i am building the wheels for at Sunny Corner? It’s an incredible rebuild you are doing one of the best I have seen. Factoryphil has just completed the same sort of rebuild on his CR500 and won awards at the recent Barry Sheene weekend at eastern creek. This YZ looks like it will be even better

[Nick JacksonMember]

Top story Menace

I’ve got a soft spot for restoring the old bikes , I started a BSA Gold star in the UK but emigrated before getting very far.

Was it easy to source the parts ?

Nick

[dennis da menaceMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Is this the one i am building the wheels for at Sunny Corner? It’s an incredible rebuild you are doing one of the best I have seen. Factoryphil has just completed the same sort of rebuild on his CR500 and won awards at the recent Barry Sheene weekend at eastern creek. This YZ looks like it will be even better

yes it is TB.

one minor problem though. the front spokes are wrong i just found out today. there isnt enough bend on the hub end.

the left one is the new spoke and is wrong.
the other one is the old spoke.

whats the chances of me getting a set of stainless steel ones to suit by wednesday night…

buckleys i reckon :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

looks like you might only have one to do TB

and no Nick, it was a long and painful process to source.
started off well enough but when we got to the nitty gritty like 4th gear and a new cylinder powervalve and a few rad hoses and stuff Yamaha said no.
not in stock anywhere, not even in Japan!
i had to start emailing individual dealers all over the world. i got most things eventually and only had to buy 2 things second hand, the rear brake lever and airbox

man, it prolly would be easier to do a BSA :laugh: :laugh:

[GregMember]

Menace ring Ballards, order and pay for them and have them leave them in my name under the counter. PM me when its done and I will pick them up. I would be surprised if they arent in stock or they couldnt get them before thursday arvo

If that helps

TB

[dennis da menaceMember]

the picture that started it all :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

i still cant get past the chick

[dennis da menaceMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Menace ring Ballards, order and pay for them and have them leave them in my name under the counter. PM me when its done and I will pick them up. I would be surprised if they arent in stock or they couldnt get them before thursday arvo

If that helps

TB

i’ll do it first thing in the morning

thanks champ

[James RookyardMember]

Great rebuild! Do you reckon that sheila still looks that good in a bikini?

[scott bockingMember]

menace wrote:

the picture that started it all :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

i still cant get past the chick

I hear you brother!!

Even my wife made a filthy comment about her arse and don’t even ask me what the Hippo said :laugh:

STM

[dennis da menaceMember]

i bet it had something to do with a Hippo slappin :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

and jimmy, yeah i reckon she would still be alright…
picture was taken in 2010

[Mick DMember]

I am pretty sure that bike on the poster, is in the front window of the Unit store in Harbourtown on the Gold Coast, if it isn’t it, it is a bloody good replica.

[FezMember]

menace wrote:

the picture that started it all :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

i still cant get past the chick

If you can’t go past her, just go through her. If you do take lost of photo’s.

[Author]

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