Okay, so I finally got my hands on a Yamaha TTR250. I’d been looking for a decent trail bike for a while, and this one popped up at a price I couldn’t resist. It was a bit rough around the edges, but I figured, hey, that’s half the fun, right?
Getting Started
First thing I did was give it a good once-over. Checked the oil, which looked surprisingly clean. Tires were worn, but held air. The chain was rusty, but nothing a little cleaning and lubing couldn’t fix. The biggest issue was the battery was completely dead.
The Deep Clean
I started to really take this TTR250 apart.
- Took off the plastics: They were faded and scratched, so I decided to give them a good scrub and see if I could bring them back to life.
- Cleaned the carb: This was a must. I pulled it apart and soaked all the jets and passages in carb cleaner. Found some gunk in there, so I’m glad I did this.
- Air filter: It was filthy! I ordered new air filter.
I took apart and clean lots of other parts, make sure it is clean.
Bringing it Back to Life
With everything cleaned and reassembled, it was time for the moment of truth. I hooked up a jump starter (since the battery was toast), turned the key, hit the starter… and she fired right up! It idled a little rough at first, but after warming up and adjusting the idle screw, it purred like a kitten. Well, maybe a slightly grumpy kitten, but still!
Test Ride!
I couldn’t resist taking it for a spin around the yard. Even with the worn tires, it felt great! The suspension was surprisingly plush, and the engine had plenty of pep. I even managed to pop a little wheelie (don’t tell my wife!).
Next Steps
I’ve got a few more things on my to-do list:
- New tires: Definitely a priority.
- New battery: Got one on order.
- Maybe some new plastics: If I can’t salvage the old ones.
- Check valve : I want to make sure every thing is perfect.
Overall, I’m super stoked about this TTR250. It’s going to be a blast to hit the trails with. I’ll keep you guys updated on the progress!
