finally found a liquid 250r.

[jrooster]

After about 2 years of searching daily on the craigslist statewide i finally found a 86 R that wasnt 2000 dollars. just about all plastics are shot, cosmetically rough, but bike is complete with the exception of a rear grab bar and tool box. The guy i bought it from said he had it for 8 years and planned on restoring it but just never got around to it. Also said it did run when he parked it. So anyways i get to the guys house, its all there, has spark and compression so i take it. I got it home changed all fluids and put a shot of premix in to see if it would fire. Sure enough it did for the first time in 8 years for about 2 seconds. before i really try to run this thing im wondering what i should i check out before firing it up again after sitting for so long. Any info is appreciated. This will be a full restoration but will take some time as im just finishing up my frame up 200x and i know if i get deep into the 250r right now the 200x will sit because of the animal a 250r is. Pics to come but they arnt anything special at the moment lol.

[6spdls1z28]

Hey congrats i picked up an 86 tecate yesterday pretty much the same boat you're in.

[wpginterceptor]

Change the Spark Plug, drain the old fuel, change the trans oil (bolt under the bike to drain and use side oil screw to check level when filling)
and make sure you use wet clutch safe 10-30 to refill the oil!

[BOB MARLIN]

Take the carb apart and clean it real good. I've bought 250r's that have been sitting for 15 years and all I had to do is clean the carb and jets and away they go !.

[jrooster]

Started it up today for a short ride. seemed to run decent after sitting for all that time. One thing i did notice was that after changing out the coolant and running the bike it never went down and needed to be topped of like other 2 stroke bikes ive had in the past. Another thing i noticed was that the coolant was very foamy/fizzy at the top of the radiator after running. Anyone have any idea why that may be? Another thing, I removed the flywheel cover and checked for play by grabbing the flywheel. I can feel the slightest movement. Small enough that i cant see it move just feel it. Is there a tolerance that allows that or should it be rock solid? Heres some pics of the ugly old girl before i bring it back to life.

[YTZ drew]

That's ugly to you? You should see the crap out here that goes for 2K+! That's a great start for a resto, take your time and enjoy it!

[jrooster]

That's ugly to you? You should see the crap out here that goes for 2K+! That's a great start for a resto, take your time and enjoy it!

well i should be more specific as to why its ugly. Sometime in its 30 years someone rattle caned every piece of plastic and they are all mostly cracked. Hard to tell in the pictures i guess. I will definitely be taking my time on it though, ive waited this long to find one so im going to do it right. Plus the 200x needs some ride time.

[ride red #1]

Congratulations. Nice purchase.

[BOB MARLIN]

Foaming coolant can be caused by a leaking head gasket.