Yamaha RD250LC maintanance advice?

[wilkinsons]

I recently brought a 81 RD250LC. Could anyone give me some advice on what things would need to be check or replaced and any other important info you could give me. I'm just getting into bikes and i thought this one had some good history.

[Romeo]

<!--

Not serious, just envy rage ;P


-->Are you the mongrel who you bought that beautiful black/white RD250LC off TradeMe for only $999!?

If so, I hate you!

[Grahameeboy]

I recently brought a 81 RD250LC. Could anyone give me some advice on what things would need to be check or replaced and any other important info you could give me. I'm just getting into bikes and i thought this one had some good history.

Plenty of sites specific to RD's...usual 2 stroke checks...too much smoke etc, worn rings etc. All easy to sort out. Try

www.yamaha-rd.com (http://www.yamaha-rd.com)

I had the RD350 and 350YPVS (and a 500ypvs) and every 2 weeks I would remove the baffles and set light to them and de-coke with a wire brush. Makes a difference.

Great bikes...

[wilkinsons]

<!--

Not serious, just envy rage ;P


-->Are you the mongrel who you bought that beautiful black/white RD250LC off TradeMe for only $999!?

If so, I hate you!

Yup i am that mongrel, i went and checked it out and offered to guy what i could afford, just a note i didn't actually get it that cheap, i got him to set up a buy now and told him to enter a cheaper price so he wouldn't have to pay so much to trademe... she needs a bit of work though

[FilthyLuka]

I recently brought a 81 RD250LC. Could anyone give me some advice on what things would need to be check or replaced and any other important info you could give me. I'm just getting into bikes and i thought this one had some good history.

Whip of the Top End, check the piston and rings for gouges, cracks and what not. If its old it might pay to replace the piston rings and/or pistons depending on the age of the thing.

Take a look at the bore, check that its all smooth, no gouges ect. If there is, you may need to get it honed or bored.

Dump the tranny oil, who knows what kinda foolery is in there. Put decent oil in.

Check over all the electrics, look for frayed cables, tap em up with insulation tape.

Take a look at the disk brakes, they good? Check the pads (should be a little cover on the caliper you can pop off to take a look, if not just look down the disk), check the brake lines for bulging.

Make sure the fork seals aren't leaking oil.

[Kickaha]

every 2 weeks I would remove the baffles and set light to them and de-coke with a wire brush. Makes a difference.

Shouldn't need to do that if you're running a decent quality oil

Change the coolant as well and put a antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor in it

[Romeo]

Here's the KB event link for the St. Johns ride - add your name to the list of attendees.

Bikes, Scooters and cars welcome. Sounds like fun ;D

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=1618&day=2008-4-25&c=1

[Henk]

I might still have a grease stained Haynes manual for one of these lurking in a long forgoten corner of the garage. PM me if you want, but be aware that it could take up to a month for me to even have a look for it.

[geoffm]

The parts fiche is availble online free from yamaha RD.com - it is oen of the sticky links.
Great wee bikes. Tony (Motoequipe) on KB has piston kits for them. If you use RZ/YPVS pistons you have to file the tab off the piston.
Fork springs are soft as - get some Renntech springs from the UK or see Robert Taylor. It will make a huge difference. Brakes are period classics - braided lines help. Rear shock is probalby shot, but they can be rebuilt. RD125 shocks raise the rear by 25mm for faster turns. See Norbo's RD shop in the UK.
Geoff

[Grahameeboy]

Shouldn't need to do that if you're running a decent quality oil

Change the coolant as well and put a antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor in it

The baffles were not coked up, just made a difference

[dangerous]

I recently brought a 81 RD250LC. Could anyone give me some advice on what things would need to be check or replaced and any other important info you could give me. I'm just getting into bikes and i thought this one had some good history.

Check rod to crank slack
check reed valve condition
check for water in the gear box
check pistons and bore for siezer marks
check for piston movment
check for fuel mix (air screw)
use a quailty oil only ie: synthetic
list goes on all basic stuff I race a 350LC and have a 250LC in the garage aswell, so any info then ask.
If you need rings or piston kits etc go here www.motoequip.co.nz

[wilkinsons]

I might still have a grease stained Haynes manual for one of these lurking in a long forgoten corner of the garage. PM me if you want, but be aware that it could take up to a month for me to even have a look for it.

Thanks for the offer but i got given one with the bike. Those manuals make it so much easier to work on any vehicle. Mines not so greasy but i think it will get that way in the next few months