Yamaha WR250R Mega Thread

[viper770]

well i have more bad news for you kansasbob we are suposed to get another 8 inches of snow tomorow but i got my klr650 back with the new progressive shock the bike does so much better now so im playing in the snow alittle bit with the klr but i think its going to be a few days befor i get my wr250r back out :(

[HardWorkingDog]

Originally Posted by pfy50

...who sells a good set of bearings for the rear linkage, shock bearing and swingarm bearings that may be better than Yam. OEM?

The simplest way to get the best quality bearings is to order Yamaha OEM stuff. It is possible to find a good bearing house that can help you figure out equivalents--takes a lot of time though can save you $, but going 3rd party packaged route is gonna get you generally chinese stuff of unknown quality.

[SkidMarx]

Originally Posted by DaymienRules

All of that plastic stuff in the linkage bearings came out on day 1. I just assumed it was a showroom/assembly product only, as I could see no way to either fully clean the bearings or fully pack them with out those little sticks coming out.

You're likely right about the Assembly part, and they are much harder to clean without damaging the stuff.

All you have to do is look at your steering stem bearings to know that everyone at Yamaha must be deathly allergic to grease.
Using the plastic stuff(there's a name for it but I can't remember what it is) likely saves many lives at Yamaha.

It also takes a step and possible failure mode out of the manufacturing process which saves then some money. Not that they care about that.

Good news is, They will never forget to grease those bearings, and everything I've read about the stuff is that it works really well.

FWIW, I left the stuff in and still crammed as much grease as possible in there.

[duanew1]

Originally Posted by DaymienRules

All of that plastic stuff in the linkage bearings came out on day 1. I just assumed it was a showroom/assembly product only, as I could see no way to either fully clean the bearings or fully pack them with out those little sticks coming out.

+1 except I waited until the first swingarm service

One of the things the link above states that this is for reduced maintenance. I believe that this was a measure of insurance against the owners that will never do swingarm maintenance on the bike. I could not see a way to get any measurable amount of grease in there with the removal of the plastic stuff. I picked that stuff out with the bearings and cleaned everything up. Next I put a big glob of grease in the race and pushed the needles into it until they were all in place like you would a normal bearing. This should be much easier to clean out later.

[KansasBob]

Quote: What's recommended to clean the old bearings prior to regreasing if they are not replaced?
I later found this link that explains quit a bit about that "plastic stuff" http://www.thumperfaq.com/swingarm.htm

WOW! That is exactly the information I wanted.
Permanent Lubricant..... OK If you say so.
I'm comfortable with my decision to go old school, and pack her tight with water proof grease.

I'm back together, and torqued now. 47 rear, new seal guard, (third one from new) and a new chain is on. New Gel battery, a little fuel, and actually started

[KansasBob]

Originally Posted by viper770

well i have more bad news for you kansasbob we are suposed to get another 8 inches of snow tomorow but i got my klr650 back with the new progressive shock the bike does so much better now so im playing in the snow alittle bit with the klr but i think its going to be a few days befor i get my wr250r back out :(

I'm supposed to drive an over loaded E150 Ford van to Western Kansas on Monday morning, but is sounds like I'll be getting another day off.

[TwilightZone]

Hmmm... so are they any good?

Dammit. I've dented my DID rim from running too low a pressure in the front tire.
Looks like I'm either going to get an Excel rim and re-spoke or maybe a new Warp 9.

Thoughts on the above ?

[swimmer]

For any of you So Cal guys I noticed there was an IMS 4.7 on the SD CL for $300. Apparently new. Wish it was closer to me.

[EEKAMOUSE]

Originally Posted by TwilightZone

Hmmm... so are they any good?

Dammit. I've dented my DID rim from running too low a pressure in the front tire.
Looks like I'm either going to get an Excel rim and re-spoke or maybe a new Warp 9.

Thoughts on the above ?

Run it dented if it isn't too bad dents are gonna happen I would only replace after the rim is thoroughly shot.

[TwilightZone]

<"Run it dented if it isn't too bad dents are gonna happen..."

Yeah, I am monitoring spoke tension in the dented areas.
Trying to put the bike in good shape for some long runs this summer.

[Rapid Dog]

[avgas]

Hey rapid dog, what kind of nav tower do you have? Or if you built it yourself, could we see some more pictures?

[ecarnell]

Originally Posted by avgas

Hey rapid dog, what kind of nav tower do you have? Or if you built it yourself, could we see some more pictures?

X2. Interested to see pics also...

[UtahFox]

What can be done to clean up the area under the seat in order to make more space? There seems to be so little room for new electrics. Anyone have any pics?

[skierd]

Short of cutting off the top of the airbox and making a new floor/top, or wholesale rewiring the bike, not much. What are you trying to fit?