In desperate need of advice

[Stickchick]

I have got a 88 VT250f which is in need of revinning to make it road legal. I got Tss to have a quick look over for me to tell me how much it would cost to make my bike road legal. Bad news as it is going to cost at least $1500 and thats not even the cost to revin.

problem I have is that I'm a learner rider (Well hopefully as of Sunday) and not too sure whether it is a smart idea to buy a new bike or what.

Any advice would be much appreciated

[Colapop]

What has to be done to it? Give us a list if possible...

I crashed my bike and was told it was a write off ($6.5k) I've spent $280 so far with another $150 to go. Of course that's not including a paint job which I can't afford just yet. But that'll only be another $500. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you can get done...

[Stickchick]

I haven't got the list just yet but will post it once I see them tonight or tomorrow

[Colapop]

I can almost guarantee that something will be able to be done...

[Wasp]

Cool, a chick with a vt250f! i used to have the naked vtz250 version

there are a few people around with this bike, i strongly suggest getting it checked over before you throw money at it - they can have a few issues with the engine, last thing you want is to get it back on the road only to have to blow up

[Roj]

I have got a 88 VT250f which is in need of revinning to make it road legal. I got Tss to have a quick look over for me to tell me how much it would cost to make my bike road legal. Bad news as it is going to cost at least $1500 and thats not even the cost to revin.

problem I have is that I'm a learner rider (Well hopefully as of Sunday) and not too sure whether it is a smart idea to buy a new bike or what.

Any advice would be much appreciated

I suspect that figure is a bit high unless the bike is a real mess, I would offer to help but am a little far away, I have a PDF version of a manual for the britsh version VTR250 (my son has a 1989 VT250Fg) which I think may be similar, PM me if you want a copy

Bikes don't take much to get warrantable if there are no major faults, I have just had to replace the brake hose as the front brakes were soft and nothing would fix the problem.

If you need cheap parts try Malcom at http://www.econohonda.co.nz/
I have always found him to be helpful with both genuine and aftermarket parts at good prices:scooter:

[Macktheknife]

Post the list and we will see what can be done.

[Stickchick]

Ok here is the list that is wrong with it. Unfortunately I can't really read the guys writing so hopefully it makes sense.

Brake declaration ( supposed to take about 2 hours)
Fork Seals (Supposed to take 3 hours)
No indicators in front
No mirrors in front
No bar end (?????? What the hell is this???)
Engine noise probably from Cam chain
No horn

They reckon my Cam chain is desparate need of repair?? unfortunately I'm not too sure what they mean by this. BUt they reckon that the repairs will take about 10 hours and even then can't guarantee that its everything that the VTNZ are happy with to give me a warrant

So what do you think I should do or can anyone help me fix this for less than $1500.00?

[Squiggles]

fork seals would take an hr at the most, cam chain has nothing to do with revinning, brake deceleration??? no idea

ive got some vt250fd bits, what year was your bike?

[Ixion]

Brake declaration is not required for a pre 1990 bike. Yours is 1988 so that can go.

Cam chain isn't relevant to a VIN, and that's the biggest item.

You will need front indicators and a mirror, call a wrecker, should be less than $100 fitted. And a horn . Maybe $10 from a wrecker. Check Trademe.

Bar end may be bar end, a plug in the end of the handlebar. There's a theory that it's illegal to have the open end of the bar unplugged.Go to the plastic shop and buy a little plastic plug and bung it in. The theory is highly suspect anyway.

Fork seals, valid, two or three hours max, and maybe $30 for parts (assuming one fork only, for two a bit more, but not double)

However , if your cam chain really IS bad you'll need to get it sorted in the not distant future. Cos if you don't your engine may make a very nasty bang. And stop working. Just you *don't* need it done for the VIN. And that will cost somewhat. Though not $1500 I wouldn't have thought.

[Panther]

thats insane!!
fork oil is about 35$ and the seals $30...and ive seen people do it in under an hour!
im sure you could get some nice wellys kb members to help you out fixing up your bike for a vin:yes:

[SuperDave]

With a rough quote of $1500 for that stuff (Most of which as already pointed out costs next to nothing to sort out) you'd swear that the bike shop you've been dealing with DON'T want your business.

[Wasp]

Engine noise probably from Cam chain
They reckon my Cam chain is desparate need of repair?? unfortunately I'm not too sure what they mean by this. BUt they reckon that the repairs will take about 10 hours and even then can't guarantee that its everything that the VTNZ are happy with to give me a warrant

So what do you think I should do or can anyone help me fix this for less than $1500.00?
FARK $1,500 includinng a cam chain job IS CHEAP AS CHIPS!

seriously walk away now - replacing all the parts in the cam chain system costs well over $2,500 just in parts (trust me, i've been down this road)

on the flip side rwh blew his up and has a parts bike so you could probably get mirrors, indicators, horn, bar ends all from him!

anymore questions please just ask, we're here to help

Doug

[smoky]

You should find out whats involved with the cam chain job first.
Don't spend anything on the rest of the bike yet - take the bike some where for a second opinion for the cam chain. or to someone local who knows abit about them (maybe some on KB localy could offer).It may need adjusting? or replacing - there maybe other things in the motor needing to be don, find that out first.
Then make a desicion to either fix it or flick it.

[Wasp]

stick chick, where abouts in wellington are you? im in Lower Hutt - Its been awhile since I owned mine but I should still be able to pick up the cam chains rattling

pm me please

p.s. kinda busy today

[Macktheknife]

Brake declaration is not required for a pre 1990 bike. Yours is 1988 so that can go.
Correct


Cam chain isn't relevant to a VIN, and that's the biggest item.
Correct again


You will need front indicators and a mirror, call a wrecker, should be less than $100 fitted. And a horn . Maybe $10 from a wrecker. Check Trademe.
Should be easy to fit yourself


Bar end may be bar end, a plug in the end of the handlebar. There's a theory that it's illegal to have the open end of the bar unplugged.Go to the plastic shop and buy a little plastic plug and bung it in. The theory is highly suspect anyway.
Wine cork, plastic one from cheap bubbly is popular with some, or buy them from local bike shop/wrecker/trademe.


Fork seals, valid, two or three hours max, and maybe $30 for parts (assuming one fork only, for two a bit more, but not double)
2 hours is taking the piss never mind 3 hours. Local KBers should be able to do this in an hour or so if you supply parts and beer.


However , if your cam chain really IS bad you'll need to get it sorted in the not distant future. Cos if you don't your engine may make a very nasty bang. And stop working. Just you *don't* need it done for the VIN. And that will cost somewhat. Though not $1500 I wouldn't have thought.
Have the engine checked out thoroughly, might be better to get another one if this one is rooted.

Good luck with it all :rockon:

[rwh]

on the flip side rwh blew his up and has a parts bike so you could probably get mirrors, indicators, horn, bar ends all from him!


Ha. The bar ends might be there, but I think most of the rest is missing.

However, my dead engine didn't do the cam chain ... it might be possible to use the chains, sprockets etc from that? Or the crank from the other in my engine?

Richard

[crazybigal]

fark!!! they are taking the piss!
brakes wont need to be done,(thats for post 2000 bikes and 2 hours! no way! i had one checked off in 5 min and a box of beer!
fork seals prob 1-2 hours.
cam chain prob 4-5 hours at a guess, someone on here will have done one for sure. but that has nothing to do with a VIN
im sure some nice lads on here will be happy to help you with most of the bits you need.
Id say you will prob want some new tyres if the bike has been sitting for a while. Also check the inside of the fuel tank, its prob rusty!.
Id say TSS just dont want to do it, dont get me wrong, good bunch of guys and great service.

[avgas]

If it costs anymore that $1K buy a new bike. Should get 1 with Reg/Wof for less than that. Get onto your restricted then get a better bike....if you have to.

[Shadows]

The bike is nearly 20 years old and has a noisey cam chain. My opinion would be to flick it off and get something more mechanically sound that already has a reg and WOF. This thing sounds like trouble to me, not much is surer to put a new rider off the whole idea of motorcycling than to end up with a dunga that spends most of it's time in the shop.

[imdying]

2 hours is taking the piss never mind 3 hours. That makes the extremely dangerous assumption that nothing goes wrong...

[FROSTY]

my suggestion---give a certain auckland KBer a yell--He owns a VT250 that is legal beagle and definitely has a quiet camchain--hes been onto me he wants to sell it Its been sitting in my gargre for a couple of months now --between the two bikes build one and sell of the remains --in the end it might end up being nearly freee

[chanceyy]

Bar end may be bar end, a plug in the end of the handlebar. There's a theory that it's illegal to have the open end of the bar unplugged.Go to the plastic shop and buy a little plastic plug and bung it in. The theory is highly suspect anyway.


Mine was missing a bar end on one side .. did not stop it from getting revinned & warrent ... inspected frame tires all lights reflector at back ... brakes (also pre 1990) had paperwork from mechanic re rotors & brake pad thickness ..

horn indicators mirrors etc & all done .. just needed to have proof it had been registered previous .. vtnz helpdesk found that fr engine number last registered 1993 .. & you need proof that you purchased said bike

[dogsnbikes]

Cheak out ecohonda in Te arhoa I got parts for mt CB250 including fork seals $11.80 each and tracked down a mirror at bucket and bits for $10 will be cheaper than you think .........and good luck

I had some work done on my CBR a few years ago in stokes valley think he went under the name motorcycle maintainace and was good too deal with I found and I am sure that one of the members here may know his where abouts

[Wasp]

I think you guys miss the point - there is no point in spending money on mirrores etc if the engine will blow up after a few hundred kms.....

I couldnt check it out for you today stickchick so will try and pop in tommorow if i get time

[rok-the-boat]

I had an old VT250 and ran it for a year flat-out with no bother whatsoever.

Everyone is assuming the camchain is buggered. I wouldn't assume that until I heard it. If it's a low milage model the chain could be fine. And if there is noise it could be a tensioner. Of course, it could be something completely different ...

[Stickchick]

my suggestion---give a certain auckland KBer a yell--He owns a VT250 that is legal beagle and definitely has a quiet camchain--hes been onto me he wants to sell it Its been sitting in my gargre for a couple of months now --between the two bikes build one and sell of the remains --in the end it might end up being nearly freee

And who would that be?

[XP@]

Forks can be a bit tough to stop leaking if the inside pipe is bent, badly worn or more often than not pitted (small circles of rust).

If they are only leaking a little tiny bit then just make sure they are clean before you go in. You can lift the dust seal and clean that out too. If come rag happened to get stuck under the dust seal it may buy you enough time to get passed the inspector.

Disclaimer: Remember they check forks for a good reason and you should not ride around with empty forks or fork oil on your stopping gear. So get them sorted as soon as you can.