Project VT250 my first build

Made a bit of a start today. The VT had been frame chopped when I got it but was lucky enough to pick up another frame/wheels/tank/seat/forks for $30, so measured cut and welded back on what was missing. The powers that be won't allow anything modified unless it expensively certified first. When I'm done nobody will know it's ever been cut hopefully.
The pics in my intro are only mocked up to see if I like the naked look (I do) but not the intended result. Anyway, time will tell.

 

Yeah our transport legislation simply belies belief more often than not. The link you posted sums up the ABS stuff as ridiculous as it is. I dont like ABS or linked brakes on two wheels but I am a minority amongst those I've spoken to.
At least this bike will be unaffected but won't be long before they dream up some more crap to keep our kind off the roads.

 

My bike is the vt250fg. It has the mc15 engine and seems like theres not much online covering this model.
I have just tried turning engine by jump starting directly to starter (does turn over by hand) but the jumper tried to arc weld itself to the terminal. I'm guessing my starter motor is fried internally? Looks like this project may have stalled for a while.

 

Yep that's the one I have and BTW I have no idea what I'm doing but thanks for the vote of confidence!

 

Thanks Frankster, New Zealand always seems to get oddball models. I found a Japanese website detailing all the different years/models which was interesting, just need to google translate.

https://www.mr-bike.jp/feature/vtr/06_taizen/03.html

Next step for me is pull the starter to see what is wrong and hopefully I have one that fits somewhere. If I bodge all the spare vt bits together to resemble a bike I may get a few dollars to go towards buying the necessary bits.

 

Wow I can't imagine racing one of those myself, the other competitors would have to carry a load of bricks to even the odds.
I'll have a look through his content, cheers.

 

I mocked up the parts I don't need or want and advertised for sale (on facebook marketplace) for $300. If I achieve that then the project vt will only owe me $130. My goal is to keep the whole finished product under $1000 including warrant of fitness and registration.

 

Made progress today. Turns out my missing solenoid is exactly the same look and connections as my Honda CTX200.
I am turning that into a "classic trials" bike so have done an electric start delete, thus the surplus part. It worked, VT now runs and sounded fine until the engine start fumes were depleted from the air cleaner. Would connect fuel tank up but have no key for the cap. Some of the spare gas keys I have fit but will not turn. What's the best way to resolve this? Is there a key code anywhere or will I have to take whole tank to locksmith? Is there an easier way?

 

I'm hoping my ignition key (that I don't have) is the same as tank so I can just take ignition switch in to locksmith.
Was pulling another one apart (with a key) but the two halves wouldn't quite marry up so thought best not to butcher what I have. Did connect tank up today with the little petrol that is locked in there and got bike to start and run easily for about a minute. Seems a bit lacking in responsiveness but no rattles, knocks or suchlike.
I think at this stage I will put things back on to road test, getting running well then take to get inspected for warrant of fitness.
Then I can start changing things to my liking. It may end up being a cheap commuter while I slowly tinker with it.

 

Turns out getting a key made to fit lock was going to cost up to $90 so that is a no go. Drilled out lock barrel to remove petrol cap. Tank may get a remodel later on so will just go for a generic cap on that.
Today I got the dreaded angle grinder out and cut off any superfluous tabs/brackets. Mocked up a set of mx fatbars to check clearances. Nice and wide to spread my arms (not my legs, Chris Hipkins) to make for a more comfortable ride.
Next job was unwrapping the wiring to see what I could do with the bulky and ugly stuff. Looks like I can drag a good part of it back to under the seat (will be made later) and do a few tweaks/relocation of ignition switch.
Does anybody know what other model top triple clamp might fit this bike, something for a conventional handle bar rather than the funny little "bang your elbows" clip ons? I'm hoping I won't have to make one as that would be a big piece of billet, and pricey.

 

I did consider doing it that way but there is very little meat in the clamp casting which wouldn't inspire much confidence when it comes to some hard "breaking". See what I did there? The same reason I wouldn't get a lump cast then machine. I just wouldn't trust it to be good/not porous etc.