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New Member Nostalgia, learning, spending and giving....

Discussion in 'New Members Say Gday' started by Kuips, Sep 19, 2018.

  1. Kuips

    Kuips Member

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    Hi all.
    New member here obviously.
    Firstly I will have it known that I am no mechanic, I am however someone that likes to tinker.
    Over the past weekend I inherited my father's 1987 Yamaha SR250. This bike holds so many memories for me. Dad purchased the bike brand new early in 1988. This bike was my first mode of transport. I used to ride it around the farm paddocks and maybe took the occasional illegal road trip (until I got caught anyway).....
    From memory I obtained my bike learners permit late in 1990. Dad didn't get to ride it again for a couple of years until I purchased my first car and upgraded from 250cc to a Honda 750 four (K7) upon obtaining my P's. Since the early 90's the bike has sadly gone from one that terrorized my local neighborhood at the time to a farmers bike, one that was ridden around the irrigation paddocks complete with shovel holder and straight through galvinised down pipe exhaust..... Imagine riding this bike with road tyres on it in wet paddocks, needless to say it went down numerous times! I'm told it runs, just needs a battery and something sprayed in the carbi to fire it up.
    I am now 45 years of age and find myself reunited with it. I am considering the idea of modifying it to a Cafe racer style, although a mate of mine tells this may be rather difficult and expensive due to the requirement of engineering certs and so forth. I have no idea, I guess a trip to Vic Roads may give some clarity to whats required. I am open to restoring to original but really do like the look of some of these bikes that have been modified. I guess its a question of knowledge, ability and cost. I figure its going to expensive either way. I plan on removing every nut and bolt, once I find a repair manual....
    That's the Nostalgia, learning and spending bit covered. The giving is the idea of hopefully getting my 16 year old son involved who has never ridden a motorbike, if not in the repair/modifying of it then I will offer it to him to ride in the hope he creates as many great memories on it as i did.
    I welcome and look forward to communicating with anyone that can give any direction or advice on how I could achieve any repairs or modification to my ride. Coz I really have no idea :)

    Cheers


    IMG_5010.jpg IMG_5011.jpg IMG_5012.jpg IMG_5013.jpg
     
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  2. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Welcome to the forum
    You've got a nice project there
     
  3. Murdo

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

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    Welcome.
    The SR250 was a good reliable bike, and many are still running today.
    I would be seriously looking to restore to original (as it will be more valuable than a cut up mongrel) to relive those happy memories.
    As re the farm bike; my Dad always said 'a bad ride was better than a good walk'.
     
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  4. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    :welcome: I am with @Murdo regarding the rebuild.. It will be far more reliable and comfortable restored than it will be as a "Cafe Racer... and you can still modernise it along the way. There are better shocks around now as well as tyres. Plenty of spares for the SR too but in the end.. it is your bike and how you want it should capture your style.. not what others think.
    It will be good to watch the process though :)
     
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  5. 2valve

    2valve Well-Known Member

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    :welcome: Kuips. I'm with the crowd above , please don't cafe it.The bike is near original and a one owner bike , well family wise. You have the opportunity to restore your father's bike which was bought new. I'm pretty sure that not one of us here has there father's bike which was bought new , you have.There are a lot of really smart guy's on this forum which will be more than happy to help you out. But this is only my thought's , your bike though !.
     
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  6. Kuips

    Kuips Member

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    Hi Murdo, it sure was reliable, I flogged the hell out of it and it kept on going. I’m unsure on which path I’ll take re the restore/build atm. I need to look into things a bit more and then make an informed decision.... love your Dad’s line.
    Cheers
     
  7. Kuips

    Kuips Member

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    Hi Andych. Doing a “modernizing” restore sounds intriguing.... I remember as a young bloke I just wanted it to go faster! These “plenty of spares” you speak of, can you recommend where I start looking?
    I will create a restore/build thread when the project begins.
    Thanks
     
  8. Kuips

    Kuips Member

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    G’day 2valve. What you say is not something I’d given consideration to, the provenance I have to go along with the bike... Although that would stay the same no matter which way I went in regards to restore/build. I guess why I was thinking of the Cafe racer thing was when I was a young bloke riding it I always wanted something different, (faster, louder, cooler, blah blah blah). I’m not sure Dad would get it if I did ‘chop it up’.
    Thanks for your thoughts.
     
  9. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    As far as a modernizing rebuild / restore there is a lot you can do.
    Exhaust is an easy one. There are some really neat megaphone exhausts that would have been “Period correct” giving it a sportier look and sound. Paint can be smartened up or changed with modern Candy etc.
    As there are plenty of SR250’s around (they are popular and expensive) you shouldn’t have too many issues with parts.
    I guess the trick is to have a plan and stick to it.
    I started out wanting to do the same as you with my SRX250 but then found my way with changing it from a 1987 model to basically a 1991 version that is kind of a Factory Cafe Racer look.
    Good luck with it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     
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  10. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    Just go to Bunnings for a replacement exhaust :D
     
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  11. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    Maybe not quite that common for spares :)
    Though the patina on what looks like copper downpipe is a really nice touch :)
     
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  12. Frankster

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

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    Welcome, and I'm with the crowd...don't cut it up...restore it and enjoy it.
     
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  13. risky

    risky risky

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    welcome
     
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  14. ShaneP

    ShaneP Well-Known Member

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    If you're really keen in a cut cafe racer, maybe get a cheap bike and trial the build on that. I know I'd be the type to come up with a vague concept in my head, charge into to it and then realise I've just made an abomination. $150 for a scruffy TS or something might be a cheap safety net. But I don't like doing things that can't be reversed. If you're build is simple remove airbox and use a pod filter, change seat, change handlebars and rear guard, then go for it, it easy enough to restore. But if you want cut and weld, might I suggest Gumtree or Facebook marketplace? Maybe negotiate a cheap price on this one:
    Screenshot_20180923-074032.png
    Then you'll have a father and son bike and go riding together!
     
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  15. Kuips

    Kuips Member

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    Decision made, I wasn’t going the cut up style Cafe as my first go, was just thinking about the seat,bars,air box, and guard route. Reading the thoughts here I have decided to restore to original with maybe some part upgrades to make her a little more modern, not much just the likes of shocks, exhaust, maybe paint (same colour just something to make it pop), grips and mirrors. Thanks for everyone’s thoughts, rather unanimous. May have to keep my eyes open for another SR to Cafe....
     
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