Yamaha SR250 Project Bike Updates - Battery, Tank Badges, and Rear Shocks
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- The 1981 Yamaha SR250 project bike is back with a few updates - one functional (battery), one aesthetic (new tank badges), and one performance (new rear shocks). I'm really happy with how the bike looks and handles after these relatively inexpensive upgrades (under $150 total). I invite you to check out my Yamaha SR250 RUclips build series on this bike if you haven't seen it yet.
Links to the parts used in this video:
Battery: ebay.to/3bYIPI8
Rear Shocks: ebay.to/2M23dh8
Tank badges: amzn.to/2X5FYZU
As an eBay affiliate I earn a small commission if you purchase using one of the above eBay links.
If you enjoy this video I hope you’ll give it a “like” and will consider hitting the subscribe button. Have a comment or thought? Please leave it below…comments are always encouraged and appreciated! For more content you can also follow me on Instagram at / jimmytmoto and at my website, jimmytmoto.com .
This channel is for motorcycle riders, mechanics, and enthusiasts who enjoy the simple joys of motorcycling, from dual sport riding to fixing up old bikes on a budget. My videos also consider the perspective of short motorcycle riders (when it’s helpful and relevant) in choosing and modifying bikes and equipment.
I’ve been hooked on motorcycles since 1975 when, at the age of 11, my dad brought home a shiny new Suzuki TM75 for me and a Suzuki TC185 for himself so that we could trail ride together in the hills of West Virginia. Since then I’ve worked as a mechanic, owned countless bikes, and even worked in the motorcycle industry for a number of years as a photographer and journalist. Now I do mainly video production and enjoy nothing more than making and sharing these motorcycle videos on RUclips.
Thanks again for watching. Ride safe!
jimmytmoto
Your SR250 video series has been such a pleasure to watch. Great job all around!
Definately insspiring and you have made it all look super easy. That engine is a little peach!
I have an Sr 250, I love it very much
Yes! More SR love!
Right on! It's amazing what a strong following the SR has. More to come...
SR 250 guy here. Yours runs way better than mine!
Loved the scenery.
Thanks, Murray, it's always good to hear from another SR owner. It definitely took some work to get the SR back in a great state of tune but, man, was it worth it!
Love those little bikes even though I'm 6' they take me back to my teens.
I'm right there with you! I would have been 17 when this bike came out in '81. Great times.
Wow nice sir!
What a great video. Watching this bike transform from what it was definitely inspires me to do more work on the bikes I've got. Your points on spending on a project bike couldn't be closer to the truth, some people get the idea in their heads but can't swallow the price after a purchase. It's always a better idea to do some simple budgeting and see how much it might cost to restore and old beat up bike. I hope to eventually make videos like this but there's no way my video skills will be anywhere near as good as yours. Thanks for the inspiration and enjoy the bike you proudly built. (P.S. it's snowing where I am so now I'm just watching other people ride.)
Hey Jimmy - Merry Christmas - here's to a Happy 2021. Really enjoy your channel.
KT
Thanks for the video!. I own a SR250 SE from 1995 but I had a SR in 1987
Thanks, Fernando, it's always great to hear from SR owners - glad you liked the video!
yes! finally
Back in the saddle!
Thanks for the ride Jimmy.
Beautiful countryside and the bike sounds really good.
I'm looking forward to your next video.
Ride Safe.
Regards from S Africa
Clive
Great series of videos. I like the new 1 inch taller shocks. It really gives the SR a new look. I've ridden a Yamaha FZ6 for years as my primary transportation and still have and love it. Recently I got a used Kymco Spade 150 (UJM style mini bike like the Grom or Monkey). I was looking for something different, lighter and more relaxed. I'm really finding myself enjoying smaller displacement motorcycles for the fun and simplicity. Next I hope to get a small dual sport. Look forward to more videos from you!
Nice ride! Man those tank badges changed the whole look of that bike. I always wanted the little brother to that bike, the exciter. New shocks are always good. While you were upgrading I found my dream xt225, 2002 with 1500 miles, looks new can't wait to pick it up next week!
Dream: XT350 reborn, with a 4 valve air cooled engine, lighter frame, better suspension, and an extreme wide ratio 6 speed. As long as they keep the low seat height, and keep it under 300 pounds, they'll have a game changer in the market. They could do it, and a guy can dream, but I doubt they will.
But back here in reality, congratulations on finding a good XT225, you're going to LOVE it, hopefully as much as Jimmy and I love ours. Thanks go to Jimmy for pointing the way with his videos here.
Mike, congrats on the XT225! Welcome to the club!
Y'know, if I stumbled across a clean XT350 I think it would have to join the stable. And I've been thinking a lot about what my absolute "dream bike" would be...but then I get busy riding. :) And I appreciate the kudos on sharing the XT225 love. Seriously, this bike has an incredibly strong following for so many good reasons!
@@jimmytmoto There is an exceptionally clean one on craigslist Detroit. I was never a fan of 2 carbs on a single cylinder bike and kick start only kill it for me, 10 years ago, maybe
@@jimmytmoto I had a very clean mid 80's XT350, back in the early 90's. For about 2 weeks. I live in a small and isolated town. Bought bike, loved it. Rode to the big city to visit friends. Bike was stolen, never saw it again. Still owed money for it. Back to SR250 I went. The only down side I recall is it was kick start only, and mine was hard to start when hot. But it was FAST, I remember hitting about 90mph once, it was the fastest I had ever been on a bike. In all honesty, I'm happier with the XT225 (thanks to you, I'm never gonna let you live it down). Cheers :)
Nice ride through lovely country once again thank you keep riding safe
Thanks, Darren! It's a perfect little bike for these rides.
@@jimmytmoto pleasure you have inspired me to buy a klx250 for some light mc fun I left my job last year due to the boss being an arsehole 17 years new boss comes and it all went to shit ! The 250 will suit my poor pockets for a while big change from my BMWF800GS ! Cheers Darren
My Exciter came with Cheng Shin tires from the factory. They caught every groove and I'd get the occasional wobble. When I got new tires, the bike was better in every way. Tires aren't a "mod", but I've never had a bigger improvement. I like your windscreen, it's period correct for the windscreens we were putting on the bike back in the 80's. I was wishing I could do a before and after ride on those rear shocks. Cool bike!
The only 16" dual sport rear I ever found is a Bridgestone TW40 fortnine.ca/en/bridgestone-tw40-trail-wing-dual-sport-rear-tire , which really is a great tire, handles everything including wet cold paved roads, I rode 4 seasons in BC. If you still have your SR250, just do yourself the favor.
Dual sport tires will definitely happen at some point in the future. After you mentioned the Trail Wing I found that Duro also makes a 16" dual sport rear now, too.
Hey, thanks, it's always great to hear from Exciter owners! I can picture the wobble. It's amazing how even these inexpensive Shinkos are so much better than the cheap tires used to be. Back in '81 or so I bought the cheapest Cheng Shin rear tire on our dealer's rack and, I swear, it felt like more plastic than rubber. My little Kawasaki KZ400 had hardly any power but it would spin that tire everywhere! It was kind of fun in a straight line but scary as heck in the turns.
@@jimmytmoto LOL, that Duro HF904 looks very similar to the TW40. Good picture at ebay.us/xrxBJ8 The TW40 comes in a 120/90-16, but the Duro only comes in 130/90-16 rated as a tubeless tire with high speed ratings. Duro also has a 110/90-16 with lower speed ratings, but nobody seems to sell it. Looks like the 130/90 is meant for bigger bikes and could be a lot heavier. The TW40 might just be the sweet spot, unless you can find a Duro 110/90-16 somewhere, which would be lighter still.
I like what you do. Thinking about getting a single again, so I can be single minded. I have had two SR 500 in the past and enjoyed them. There is a 250/Yam exciter for sale in my area. Thinking about it.
Just bought this as my first motorcycle today, watching your videos finally gave me the confidence to get started! Do you have any recommendation for clutch brake levers?
Congrats on your new bike! I just use the stock clutch and brake levers from the dealer...I'm not sure if there are any/many aftermarket options?
Awesome video. I love this 250. I wanted one but it's hard to find
Thanks, Rui. I spent a couple years casually looking for one of these, off and on, and it eventually appeared. It was worth the effort!
I just got a 1981 XT250 today loving these videos you are making!! If I could ask for your help where is a reliable place to look for parts for upgrading and getting this beaut of a bike up and going to its full potential?
Love the upgrades Jimmy! Question: is that the original seat that came with the bike? I'm also upgrading an SR250 and the seat that came with mine is way bigger (looks like a couch).
hey jimmy, i have an SR185 yamaha, im just wondering where you find your aftermarket parts, i think the SR185 shares the same chassis, but i cant seem to find tires in the stock size, or rear shocks
Hey Crab, I've been riding since 1975 so I just take some guesses on aftermarket parts from eBay using my experience because there isn't a big aftermarket for these models. I also spend hours on the forums and cross refencing parts on all of the major online retailers. When it comes to tires I found the Shinko 712 tires were the only good matched set in the correct size for my SR250, so hopefully they'll work for the SR185, too. And for shocks I measured the stock ones eye-to-eye and purchased a slightly longer set on eBay that worked out well. But it's kind of a gamble...same for the gas tank I bought from overseas by measuring the stock tank dimensions, comparing them, and then creating my own tank mounts. I'm sorry there isn't an easy answer but, really, that's also part of the fun in working on old bikes. :) Thanks for watching!
@@jimmytmoto love the channel man, i did find tires in the stock size, though they were a tad hard to get off some czechoslovakian moped website. However i soon realized i couldve just fit some normal size tires and it was kind of a waste of time. Anyways, i put bars and grips and mirrors on as well as the tires and a new headlight. But then the starter clutch went. So i replaced that, and after some riding i decided to sell the bike. Now i have a new to me 1981 Kawasaki LTD750, quite the step up, still an old bike though haha.
Hi Jimmy, nice ride. Would you please cover the windshield in another video when you have a chance. I am planning to get one. Does it make a big difference? What speed you ride on (max)? Cheers,.
Hi, Ken. I really do love the windshield and pretty much ride the speed limits (with occasional stints around 65 or so on longer rides). For that it works great. I'm also a shorter rider (5'5") so it does a good job of deflecting wind for me. For more info you can check out this video where it was installed and taken for the first ride, hopefully it will answer more of your questions: ruclips.net/video/UWhV76qMUeA/видео.html
Hi Jimmy, just a curiosity question. Can you use these road bikes like your SR250 for trial riding or through dirt tracks?
I can answer this one with confidence, because I rode a 1982 SR250 in the bush for decades: YES EMPHATICALLY YES. Specifically the SR250 is very happy on easy trails and back roads, including reasonable single track, assuming you're happy going slow. It isn't an enduro race winner, a trials bike or a mountain goat, it won't like any whoops because it just doesn't have the suspension. But it will go many more places than any street bike was ever intended to go, and do it quite comfortably. If you look closely, you will realize there is actually very little difference between it and the 1970's era dirt bikes, and the balance is FAR better than many street bikes for dual sport use, it is light enough to not be a horrible pig, and it has passable ground clearance. First gear is a bit higher than is optimum for really rough trails, but that never stopped me. BUT: it is begging for dual sport tires. The only 16" dual sport rear I ever found is a Bridgestone TW40 fortnine.ca/en/bridgestone-tw40-trail-wing-dual-sport-rear-tire , which really is a great tire, handles everything including wet cold paved roads, I rode 4 seasons in BC. For the front you need a 3.00-18, either a Shinko 244 or Kenda K270 would be a great match for the TW40 rear. Those tires don't degrade street performance in any noticeable way on a light bike like the SR250, they are quiet unlike knobbies, but they HUGELY improve the off road handling. I rode for many years on stock 1980's era street tires, and still went many places, but the TW40 was a radical game changer, couldn't believe how much better good tires made. Now I ride a TW225 (thanks to Jimmy's videos here), I know a lot more, and I'm not surprised. I can recommend the SR250 without hesitation as a truly great bike, and about the closest thing you'll get to a dual sport street bike, at least from within that general "vintage" style category (including the modern similar bikes like Suzuki TU250X). However, if you want harder dual sport fun, the TW200, XT225 or XT250 are still about the best things going that fall in a similar range as the SR250.
Hey, Joe, exploder69 knows what he's talking about! As long as you aren't in hurry you'll be surprised at where you can go. Back in the 70s/80s we'd basically try and take any bike anywhere and it was all fun. Better tires are a must and then the biggest challenge I see would be bigger rocks, roots, or ruts because of the smaller tires and ground clearance. The taller bikes now make ruts a lot deeper than they used to and the vintage bikes can get grounded quickly.
Hi exploder69, thank you for your informative answer which delivered a good understanding of the vintage road bike as well as gave a comparison value of the different types of tyre accessories and suspension values for improving the ride on a versatile road bike. I think for durability some of these older classics were better built than thses high revving dirt bikes, thank you again for your effort and time and I am very satisfied with your answer.
Hi Jimmymoto, I am enjoying your videos and all the work that you put into your desire motorcycle hobby, the ride, the fixes and other adventure stories.
I used to live on a farm, and have done light trails on my SR250.
It's doesn't have tons of travel, but has ground clearance and is lightweight with no felt engine heat.
The weird tire size will limit your tire choices.
Excuse me, but woudn't you like to polish the tank a bit, it looks great though (retro/military), so I also understand if you don't want to. For me it's 50/50 to decide, so I just ask about your opinion ;)
Hi, Fernando, that makes perfect sense, I just haven't taken the time since the paint has all cured. You have a good eye for spotting that. And now that you mention it, I'm 50/50 on it, also, but will remind myself next time the bike gets detailed out. Thanks!
question about the XT225 you own: hey man does your front headlight cover fender kinda thing have any bolts on it? mine didn’t when i bought it off of the guy and i just crashed mine doing some stuff in the dirt and the headlight cover fender thing flew right off and now whenever i put it back on it doesn’t stay like it did before. i could t find any bolts bolted into it or anything so i’m kinda confused maybe you could somehow help me figure it out. thank you
Hey, Jonathan, the headlight cover attaches at three points. There's just one screw at the very bottom of the cowling, under the actual headlight. You should see a hole there for the little screw. Then there are two plastic tabs toward the top of the cowling, one each side on the back. Check to see if one of those might be broken off or if the little rubber grommets they fit onto might be missing, that could make the whole thing fit loosely, too. Good luck!
Mine mounted without any bolts and/or nuts.It was so tight side-to-side. With a bit force I was able to clip that on.
Hello mr.jemmy .iam from sri lanka .i have sr 250 bick .my carburetor not work good .i watched your video .please how can i buy carburetor repair kit
How wide are the bars you have fitted?
no jimmy you worked for wayfair??not youu nooooooooooo
It's true, I sold my soul! Actually, I'd work for them freelance 4-5 weeks a year at their local studio to help pay the self-employment bills. It wasn't without conflicts.
@@jimmytmoto i bet, theyre always up to some very sus stuff
Jimmy, this brings back a lot of fond memories. I am going to have to restore my SR250 some day, it's a crime I've left it neglected for too long. But meanwhile the XT225 holds all my attention, and I'm eager to hear your next video about mods that didn't work out. Meanwhile I'm waiting for parts to cobble together a combined left hand rear brake + clutch, similar to a Clake 2, but a DIY ghetto build using Chinesium parts. When I get it put together, I'll have to video it and share, because I think it's going to be pretty unique.
Hey, when the time is right you'll get back to the SR250. This is why we all need at LEAST two motorcycles! And definitely video the brake/clutch when you get it implemented, I'd love to see it. Another commenter has a similar set up and you guys are the first I've ever heard of it. Sounds cool!