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XS250 Special 1983

Discussion in 'Yamaha 250cc Twins' started by tristan, Apr 29, 2016.

  1. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    Howdy, I have decided to restore the XS250 but are struggling to find many parts, I may have to slightly modify the bike and have found rather quickly that there are not many around... As it was the last of the XS250S models made in 1983 it was only sold in Australia for a year at most. I know the frame is same as the XS400 and I have had fun already getting the bike running and soon ready for registration.

    What would be cool is if I could get hold of some replacement side panels & a copy of the correct manual then I could restore it to original specs.

    If anyone wants to compare notes on this bike I am happy to share what I have learnt.

    Cheers

    Tristan
     
  2. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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  3. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    is yours the square headlight model ?
     
  4. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    :welcome:
    They were a pretty good old slugger in their day.
     
  5. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    Thanks for the info GreyImport I have sent a price request to JP for some parts...but the 78 is a different setup, the only accurate site I can find is this http://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-dlya-motocyklov/yamaha/xs250-3479/xs250-9752
    The closest to mine is second last but it is not listed as a special... 1982 Colour New Yamaha Black (NYB; 006G) Model code 17A Sales region Japan Engine Capacity250.

    No Kiffsta its not 80's square just a simple round headlight, speedo not working and tacho needle broken but I am sure I can resurrect with more attention.

    I just got back from AftershockWA racing it offroad and it did go fast when you had it at full revs taking on some 650s well, so I was very happy with the speed and performance for a little 250.

    The big problem I have is unreliability which is a spark problem I believe and I need to try a new ignitor and possibly give it a rewire later, but as you can see from this link a new harness and ignitor are not available. Ignitor model TID12-10 17A-10.

    I am also missing some side covers but I am unsure if I need to restore to its former glory, might simplify it and I have already removed the air box.

    cheers
     
  6. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    Here is a pic from Aftershock... the trike blew up,,,
    TP XS.png Chop.png
     
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  7. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Hey Tristan,

    That Megazip stuff looks right. I had a 1982 XS400R (and manual) and got a few spare parts from findapart ...

    http://www.findapart.com.au/request_parts

    I gave the manual to the guy that bought the bike. From memory, I found the manual on dumbtree. I found some parts were still available, so maybe ring Yamaha before spending big OS.

    Cheers

    Frank

    XS400RK LHS.jpg XS400R.jpg
     
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  8. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    Thanks Frankster I have sent off a request to Findapart, your 400 looked in good condition. Yes there is a lot available for the 400 models and I think the 250s just got forgotten about which makes it hard to invest in them.

    JP Parts came back with unable to source a Ignitor, but I managed to jag a used Ignitor and rectifier from ebay yesterday for $60... I have been looking for ages and it just came up... I hope it works.

    Ill report back once the parts arrive.

    cheers

    Trist
     
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  9. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Thanks Tristan. That was a complete rebuild from bare frame. Grey import sourced from NSW based importer and in pretty ordinary condition due to prolonged storage outside. Carbs were a bugger to get right as they have different sized main jets from the factory and the engine runs that YICS system. It was a great bike to ride and had plenty of power, a huge tank and super comfy seat and riding position. The biggest problem with turning over bikes is occasionally you realise maybe you should have kept that one longer...the XS400R was one of those! I do miss that parallel twin sound with the shorty pipes.
     
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  10. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    The $68 eBay used XS250R Ignitor and Rectify WORKED!!! Spark is strong and she starts well every time so far.
    Frankster cheers for the YICS tip... one of the cylinders was running lean and the other rich so I just swapped over the main jets and now they seem to be the same (based on spark plug analysis)... so this XS must have had different sized jets from the factory also. Again your tip from Findapart was gold as there is a wrecker here in Osborne Park WA who believes he has wrecked this bike and has all the covers for $30 per piece... I will check him out later.

    Now its decision time, the bike has 86,000 km on the clock, is in fair condition, runs and starts well so its probably worth getting registration - as a minimum I need replacement RHS Exhaust, 2 x Tyres & Ignition/Tank Lock and Keys; also needs seat recovered and tank bogged to remove dents.

    Questions:
    1) Would you guys a) Buy all the covers and clean them up, refurbish everything & restore to original, or b) Would you strip it down a bit and roll with a more simpler look? (here is a pic of a possible basic strip to get an idea... also a pic of an almost complete restore). I am mindful of overinvesting in a 250cc.

    2) Does anyone have an opinion about whether it is better to get the bike registered then modify it... or modify then registration?

    3) I assume it wise to leave the rectifier and Igniter exposed on the side of the bike and not hide it away because they need the airflow as cooling... Is this right?

    cheers

    Trist
     

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  11. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Hi Tristan
    Pleased to hear the 2nd hand regulator/rectifier worked out for you.....and bike is running again :thumb_ups:
    @Frankster has given all the good info, keep findapart handy as they have got me out of trouble many times over the years.
    As for your questions......let me jump to no.2 first
    I would register it 1st then do the mods, this way the bike is on the road. If you do mods then try and register it.....transport dept can be a little picky at times....they could knock it back, give that some thought.
    Yes I would leave the reg/rect exposed as the air flow will keep it cooler (they can and do get HOT)

    Question 1
    That question can only be answered by you. Everyone will have a different opinion on this subject???
    Sit down and do some costings on what you want to do..........you'll soon get an idea
    If it were mine, think I would restore to original.....that's just me
    Whatever you decide and undertake...............we'll be watching. Good luck mate :D
     
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  12. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    For my money I would restore to original as it would be worth more if you decide to sell, but it is your bike and up to you.
    If you modify it (chopping guards, bits off frame, etc) then you may have to get an engineers certificate before it will be accepted for rego.
     
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  13. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Hey Trist,

    Good to hear the little XS is coming along nicely. Like @Phil I think get the bike to a stage where it will pass whatever roadworthy requirements are in place in WA and then decide what you want to do. As @Murdo said, restoring to original condition nearly always makes the bike worth more than if you customise it.The perfect solution is to have a second set of "bits" so you can run it as a stocker and also as a custom. Not sure about the RR cover. I always ran mine with the covers on and it never failed or played up.

    Cheers

    Frank
     
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  14. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    Thanks again for the feedback and I have to agree that restoring to original would be the best option for now. So I am pulling the bike apart and cleaning everything up, repainting and repairing connectors so I can get her in good shape for registration. Everything seems in good shape so it should not take long.

    I have continued my exhaustive search for side panels and other spare parts and there are simply none of these around anymore so I have begun looking overseas but have not found any spare parts dealers yet... just bike importers... this site was interesting
    http://motorcycle.goobike.com/web/motorcycle/summary.php

    To get her registered the major expenses are new tyres, exhaust and seat recover... does anyone have any tips on seat recover?

    cheers

    Tristan
     
  15. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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  16. risky

    risky risky

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    last cover i had made cost 100$.a tip for you- add a 6 mm foam to seat and the derriere will enjoy it.
     
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  17. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    Cheers Murdo I'll contact the NZ Fellow to see what he might have.
    Good tip Risky I think I will blindly follow that one.

    Update , I'm still refurbing the front end, getting locks, cables, joiners etc organised... Everything is surprisingly in good nick, just wants a clean and polish.

    Any tips on badly corroded chrome? I have been using Alfoil on mild areas and it works a treat but some spots are gone so I will need to patch with something for now, so far I have tried Silver Galv.
     
  18. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    XS250 motor and carbies done[​IMG]
     
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  19. tristan

    tristan XS250 Nomad

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    Howdy, I am no longer a green 80's Yami restorer and are now somewhat green? It was fun though...
    So I have finished the bike and found the parts, took ages but persistence pays and eventually things appear.
    I brought some aftermarket small indicators because they look better than the bulky originals (I still have them)
    Here are some pics...
    Now I have to work out why the right cylinder is running hot, one more thing to do.


    IMG_6772 2.jpg IMG_6777 2.jpg

    IMG_6779 2.jpg
     
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  20. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    Looking tidy. :thumb_ups:
    Does the right cylinder run lean? That or retarded timing may be causing it to get hot.
     

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