2003 YZ 250

[KDXrider1989]

Ended up selling my '92 YZ 250 for $900, and saw this really nice '03 for $1100. Went to go see it in person and it was such a good deal that I had to get it. I am the second owner, the first owner was an older guy and rode it about once a month for about a year and a half when he first got it, then sat in his garage the rest of the time and was taken out about twice a year. It makes a lot of spooge and smokes, and has a leak that seems to be coming from the countershaft seal. Does not want to rev up at idle, but once I start riding the bike it gets into powerband nicely and has nice overrev like my CR 125. The idle screw is turned all the way in, yet the idle speed is still slow. I'm assuming there's something with the pilot jet that is causing this and all the smoke/spooge? The bike does not hesitate at all when giving it some throttle. The previous owner said he has never taken the carb off and has never opened up the top end, but the bike seems to still have really good compression and starts on first kick. He said that he runs 40:1 with Bel Ray 2T oil, the smoke smells like typical 2-stroke and nothing funny or different. Havn't had the chance to drain the tranny oil, but from the leaking seal I can see that the oil isn't a weird color, and the antifreeze level hasn't dropped. I will stay posted with maintenance whenever I have more time to work on it. I would've taken pictures if I could find my camera, I'll upload some as soon as I find it

[zz3gmc]

Great bikes! I had a 01 and 02 that I raced enduros on. Keep an eye on the center powervalve, they have a yendency to break the stop tabs off and allows the powervalve to hit the piston. It seems to be a common problem with the 99 on up engines. It happened to both of mine and several of my friends bikes. Most of the time we caught it before it caused any damage.

[KDXrider1989]

oh crap, thanks for the heads-up! ill check that once I get some time to work on it, would you know what part number those are on the schematic?

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorc ... #sch254264

[zz3gmc]

Its #8 in the pic. The tabs, not the pin looking pieces, are the parts that break.

[KDXrider1989]

so if those tabs break off, I need to replace that whole valve? that kinda sucks, but thanks for the heads-up!

[KDXrider1989]

Here are some pics! :











has an interesting rear sprocket, its a skinny, serrated, 51-tooth steel sprocket. Doesn't have a brand on it, and I know its not OEM. I already have a blue Renthal 50-tooth on the way, and plan on getting some Cycra Pro-bend hand guards

not bad at all for $1100!

[kdxtreme]

Looks like a good buy nice bike.

[factoryX]

Nice, I paid a $1000 for my 03 and I wish it came looking like that.

[KDXrider1989]

thanks :) I'm thinking on getting some new number plate decals, but can't decide on a yellow or white background, what do y'all think?

[mercenary223]

Did you ever figure out why the bike wasnt running properly. Was the carb gummed up or was it something else like a air leak or main bearings. Thanks

[KDXrider1989]

Did you ever figure out why the bike wasnt running properly. Was the carb gummed up or was it something else like a air leak or main bearings. Thanks

the bike was running rich; I dropped the needle/raised the clip one position and it's all good now. This bike is fast as hell, I think I'll throw on a FWW so I can get used to it a little better, if that even made sense

[mercenary223]

Yeah i have a rekluse on my 03 and that mellows it out at lower speed. Also im glad to hear it was a pretty easy fix. How do you like the 2nd gear power band hit when the front wheel comes right up without warning lol i almost goosed mine when i test drove it.

[fuzzy]

I believe that was touted as a smoother motor than prior. Can smooth the band out with the needle too. My 94 hit like a bitch stock, and it's a WR...LOL.

[KDXrider1989]

I found out the hard way that my right hand likes to whiskey throttle, last time I took the YZ out I whiskey throttled twice: first time I went over a jump and straight into some bushes, 2nd time I landed crooked and blipped the throttle a little and got thrown off my bike from the second oncoming jump, went about 10 feet in the air and landed right on my left side, I wasnt wearing any safety gear besides helmet gloves and boots. I would get away with it on a 125 and not even notice, but 250's are very snappy!