Can't wait to get my 2002 yz250f !
Thanks in advance,
Jordan
(PS)Is there a larger tank for the yz250f?

insane jd,

some tips--
1) change the oil frequently
2) see #1

seriously, dump the factory oil after running it for 5 minutes. run another half hour. dump it again. run another hour, dump it again. then change it every ride for a while, then change it depending how often and how hard you ride (say 25-100 miles?). you'll be surprised at what comes with the filter those first couple of changes. the stock brass mesh oil filter can be recycled a couple of times, clean it with contact/brake cleaner. then toss it and use a new one.

when you get the bike you will at least want to pull the steering column apart and put some more grease in there. use a good quality higher temp grease, as the frame gets heated by the engine oil within it. crc's sta-lube premium red grease is available at your local pep-boys, or you can go with bel-ray waterproof grease. ditto for the rear linkage assembly.

also, get yourself a set of frame guards (plastic or aluminum) *before* you get the bike. then put them on before you ride the first time. yamaha uses non-toxic "crayola"-brand children's watercolor paint on the frame, and the dirt on your boots will abrade the paint off the frame before you get from your truck to the first berm.

oh, and the stock chain is junk-- get a 112 link DID 520VM X-ring (www.rockymountainmc.com has the best prices on DID chains) and live happily ever after.

for the larger 3.2gal fuel tanks, see www.acerbis.com (same unit as yama's GYT-R) www.imsracing.com

or if you want i'll trade you my wrf tank :*)

the wrooster

follow everything wrooster said plus:

1) check the spokes
2) unless you ride on cement, ditch the front tire
3) oil the stock air filter
4) be prepared to replace the bars with something stronger than wax when you dump it the first time.
5) grease the fork dust wipes (several pics on my web site that show this)
6) grease, grease and more grease all the bearings. i spent close to 6 hours of work on my bike before i ever started it.

My $0.02 - [Not maintenance but...] Unless you happen to be 160-180lbs - get the proper springs for your weight. While doing this, the headset grease and the linkage grease are relatively easy jobs.

Maintenance is really no different than any other bike.

- Sean

Anyone got any cool ways to drain the oil reservoir in the frame? First time I tried, when I removed the bolt oil shot 2 feet forward all over the ground. Now I position a mason jar up there and as I remove the drain bolt, angle the jar to catch the oil. Have to stop and drain the jar 2 times, however, before the thing is empty...then I let it drip in my tub while I drain the engine and filter cavity.

lol, on my XR250R that happened to me too. What a mess!!! I just get two oil pans and place one under the bikes left crankcase drain there, remove the bolt for the frame and let it go into the second pan, by the way, have plenty of cardboard down on the floor around the bike, don't forget paper towels and degreaser as well.

I have been pretty lucky about spills on this one - had a mess with the DRZ that I will not forget.

When I change the oil I only warm it up for a minute. I then turn the front wheel, loosten the frame bolt and angle the pan in front of it. The dipstick is still in until I fill it again. I remove the bolt by hand as that makes for one less thing to hold onto when the oil pours out.

When it is only dripping slowly I reinsert and tighten the bolt again.

I then position the pan under the engine drain and follow the same proceedure for draining the oil. When the oil is just dripping I place the pan on the floor.

I then open the drain bolt on the oil filter cover (it is the allen bolt.) After about 15 seconds a new stream of oil will come out of the engine drain - the oil that was trapped in the oil filter.

After the dripping stops - I replace and tighten the engine drain bolt. The remaining oil in the oil filter cavity I get with a shop rag - it usually has metal flecks in it so it is a good idea to clean this out too.

Replace the filter and cover, add 1.6 quarts of non-EC oil and call it an oil change.

I now do this in my basement (where I keep the WR) as I have not hade any spills in the last 8 changes.

- Sean

Thanks guys for all your help .
Happy trails,
Jordan

(PS)Wrooster, as for trading tanks, I'll think about it.

i use an 8" funnel to catch the frame oil.
it points straight down to the oil pan below that is catching the final drips from the engine drain. plus, you've got to have a way to get the final drips from the frame hole.

however, IF you leave your bike in one spot for a week or so, you won't have ANY oil in the frame at all. it will have settled down to the bottom of the engine and all of it can be drained from that one location.

i will trade you my ims tank that gives a much better riding position over the WR tank for the yz tank. i dont really need the extra fuel i just bought it because the WR tank doesnt let me get far enough forward and i like the looks of the yz tank better so if you would like to trade i will trade with you. it is white and holds 3.2 gal i think. its not the ty davis

Has anyone stuck their finger in the frame strainer hole on the bottom of the frame oil resevoir. My bike collects crud there. I don't mess with that worthless strainer much, but every time I do, I clean out the bottom of the resevoir with my finger. Yamaha needs to taper the bottom so it's not a collecting point for crap.

Jpwr250f, I might be getting a 98 yz400f instead, the tank on it is stock and in like new shape, If you think they'll fit I'll trade.
Happy trails,
Jordan

insaneJD,
im not sure if it will, im guessing it would since my ims tank is made for the yz400 but does anyone know for sure if it will??

I just put a '00 yz426 tank on my wr250f, it fits great and graphics even match up really well. I am pretty sure the 98 yz400 tank will fit as well, I think I read in another post that someone had tried this.
-Brett

I just found out that the yz400 I'm buying already has a big desert tank.
Sorry it didn't work out,
Jordan

Great post!! These topics are priceless!!

Thanks!
Happy trails,
Jordan