WRF4?? on the MX track ?

[RADRick]

ya, most people cant be bothered to do simple mod like that.

also the 2004 does have a different crank with a different taper for the crank to fly flywheel.

2003s can be fine. but not all of them are, or will be.

It's not that they can't be bothered, it's that they may have no idea about the problem. Buying used, I doubt many sellers will bring it up unless it already failed and was fixed. It would suck to have bought one of these models and find out after, whether by research or failure, that the bike needs this fix immediately. Knowing if the bike has/has not been updated prior to purchase can give you some leverage in your dickering. Most used bike buyers are looking for a bargain. I'd hate to think I got a good deal and find out I needed to spend another $300 before I could ride the bike safely. Or worse, have the woodruff key fail and cost even more $$$ to fix it.

[DIGITAL_SOLDIER]

Yes STAY AWAY FROM THE '03 WR's! That massive $150 mod to fix the starter (which you probably pay more for in tires ) makes that bike the Edsel of Yamaha trail bikes! (you may have to get a paper route!) To be avoided at all costs! There are many of other things wrong with the '03 too. (I'll let you know what they are as soon as I get creative and dream up some more catastrophic problems and I want to sound smart on this forum.) ??

2003 WR's should be sold for $200 tops. Please PM me if you would like to sell me yours. I'm looking to build a stable of WR's and I want to buy perfectly good bikes for peanuts. ???

[RADRick]

Yo, Digital Soldier, are you always a jerk or do you just play one on the internet?

[mjskier]

I YZ'ed mine with the number plate and rear fender and took all the extra stuff off. I did not do the tank and seat but I think it would help a lot with the fast cornering on th track.

What year YZ fender and plate did you use ?

Can one assume that plastics from a particular year are interchangeable between the YZ and WR or is the WR a step behind (like seems to be the case with the aluminum frame in 06)

thanks,

bruno.

[AkRider]

I used a 03 YZ fender and 03 number plate. The rear fender was from UFO and it had cut outs for the coolent overflow. Which I removed. The number plate required a little modification to get it to fit, but it was easy. I used a couple of zip-ties.

[DIGITAL_SOLDIER]

Yo, Digital Soldier, are you always a jerk or do you just play one on the internet?

I went pro many moons ago. I hope you are sharp enough to pick up the sarcasm. I've had to lay it on pretty thick due to my increased irritation from internet know-it-alls saying "stay away from the '03 450" because it had a $150 starter problem. It's not like the things run poorly or grenade themselves, let it go people. That was my point.

Sorry if my post got your panties in a bunch. ??

[mjskier]

So there is this '03 at a local store and they can't (or won't :-) tell me

if it had the starter mode done. It's not a yamaha store and they are pretty friendly so I'm not holding it against them.

I assume the replacement cover for the torque limiter is thicker than the original one ? Can one of you who has done the mod be kind enoughto measure and tell me how much wider it is ?

I figure that if I need to do that mod that ought to come in during price negociation.

thanks,

bruno.

[Stinson]

There is almost no difference in the cover. Its the torque limiter that has a difference. The only reason why you replace the cover is because it has a different size bushing to accept the new torque limiter.

READ THIS EVERYONE!!!!

And for all the people that say the 03 SUCKED!!!!!!! You all need to get your information right. For about 150 bucks the problem is fixed. Yes it can be a major problem if you dont do the upgrade. For example. One person on this board that seems to have a major wealth of knowlege about these bikes, someone that Im sure every single person on here as learned something from. Someone that has when last I heard 15,000 miles on his WR. GUESS WHAT ITS A FREAKIN 03!!!!!!! Just ask INDY_450. In my opinion the 03 is the best year. Everyone as allways said the 02 426 hits so hard and the 04 450 is more mellow, smoother power. Well from what Ive gathered and my experience on this bike the 03 is the best of both worlds.

Every year WR is a great bike, im just tired of everyone saying the 03 is "bad stay away" people that say that just havent done all the research. I bought my 03 and did the upgrade and it is a sweet reliable machine.

So for people looking to buy an 03 do the research figure out if you can do the upgrade and determine if this is the right bike for you simple as that. Cya Stinson

[99wr400]

Just get a WR, put on YZF plastics, (throw away the WR plastics, because you will likely never use them again). Do all the basic engine modifications, including YZF timing. Finally, get the suspension revalved for a mix of MX and trails.

[99wr400]

I reccomend the 426, because you can put in the 400 steel valvetrain, and it will likely outlast the rest of the bike. You can also have the 426 turned into a 450. and it is possible to moint the YZF450 plastics onto the YZF426, if you change subframes and move around the mounting brackets.

[mjskier]

There is almost no difference in the cover.

That's odd. I was looking at OEM part lists at bikebandits.com and that torque limiter looks much thicker in cross section than the part it replaces. Almost twice as thick. That's why I assumed the cover would be deeper.

http://bikebandit.com/partsbandit/showschematic~dept_id~852737.asp

http://bikebandit.com/partsbandit/showschematic~dept_id~1125672.asp

But I suppose one could just pop that cover off and look. The parts look pretty different. (Would you have to tilt the bike over to prevent oil from coming out or is it not a problem ?)

BTW, the instructions at wr450.com talks about putting the 2 washers to the outside. On the 2004 exploded view, there is one on each side, which on paper make more sense to me.

bruno.

[DIGITAL_SOLDIER]

There is almost no difference in the cover. Its the torque limiter that has a difference. The only reason why you replace the cover is because it has a different size bushing to accept the new torque limiter.

READ THIS EVERYONE!!!!

And for all the people that say the 03 SUCKED!!!!!!! You all need to get your information right. For about 150 bucks the problem is fixed. Yes it can be a major problem if you dont do the upgrade. For example. One person on this board that seems to have a major wealth of knowlege about these bikes, someone that Im sure every single person on here as learned something from. Someone that has when last I heard 15,000 miles on his WR. GUESS WHAT ITS A FREAKIN 03!!!!!!! Just ask INDY_450. In my opinion the 03 is the best year. Everyone as allways said the 02 426 hits so hard and the 04 450 is more mellow, smoother power. Well from what Ive gathered and my experience on this bike the 03 is the best of both worlds.

Every year WR is a great bike, im just tired of everyone saying the 03 is "bad stay away" people that say that just havent done all the research. I bought my 03 and did the upgrade and it is a sweet reliable machine.

So for people looking to buy an 03 do the research figure out if you can do the upgrade and determine if this is the right bike for you simple as that. Cya Stinson

?

Thank you!

What is your Paypal account #, I'd like to send you $50 for calling it correct on the '03. You're right about Indy too, that bikes been to hell and back twice. Pretty solid machine to hit 15,000 miles. (quite a lemon Indy ? )

I just get bitchy when people perpetuate and exaggerate bike issues for the sake of sounding smart.

[Elmo777]

I ride an 02 Wr426, I Put on an aftermarket pipe, ( whit bros e series) I clipped the Grey wire, timed it to yzf timing, replaced the throttle stop in the carb and stayed on top of the valve adjustments. I use it for both moto as well as trails. It's a nice bike and so versatile. If you get the 02 426 a good upgrade is the 450 cam. Also for what ever reason the 02 426 starts so much easier then the 01, don't know why.

Good luck on your choice.

[Stinson]

Hey thanks Digital Soldier.....

MJskier, The covers are the same thickness. The difference is in the bushing size. As far as oil goes, im not to sure, If the bike has not been run most of the oil will be in the bottem end so if the bike is on a stand I doubt much if any would leak out. You should be able to tell the difference. I can try and take a pic of the one from my 03 and post it up, might take a while, im in the process of moving right now. Cya Stinson

[RADRick]

I've had to lay it on pretty thick due to my increased irritation from internet know-it-alls saying "stay away from the '03 450" because it had a $150 starter problem.

Go back and reread my posts. I NEVER said to stay away from the '03 WR. I said there are issues a used buyer needs to know about before dropping their cash on one. Over the years there have been many models of all brands and sizes that have had a 1 or 2 year problem that riders in-the-know will warn prospective buyers about. The '03 WR is one. So long as you know going in, it isn't a major problem, but it has the potential to be for someone who doesn't do their homework.

It's not like the things run poorly or grenade themselves, let it go people. That was my point.

Actually, there have been a number of catastrophic failures related to the woodruff key issue. That was MY point.

Sorry if my post got your panties in a bunch. ??

Just because I do what I do for a living doesn't make me any better than anyone else. But it also is no reason to try and make yourself look superior at my expense. Should I take whatever knowledge I have and just keep it to myself? Then you would be the only one to benefit. I'd rather share my expertise when I can. Isn't that the whole point of this forum? If my posts make a potential buyer go out and get more info before buying, that's a good thing. Burying your head in the sand and pretending there's not really an issue does no one any good. Well, except maybe the seller of an '03 WR.

[Stinson]

before this gets out of hand I think the most important point to be noted about the 03 subject is that, alot of people that dont have the facts post and say "stay away from the 03" When really the fact is that if the proper upgrade is done the 03 is a fine year to own. Hey everyone is here to gain as much knowlege as they can about these bikes so ultimatly we can ride more and have fewer problems. So lets not fight just have fun and ride. Cya Stinson

[mjskier]

before this gets out of hand I think the most important point to be noted about the 03 subject is that, alot of people that dont have the facts post and say "stay away from the 03" When really the fact is that if the proper upgrade is done the 03 is a fine year to own.

And I for one is very grateful that you guys have the issue up in the open so that people can make an informed decision. I would buy an 03 if the price was right. I'd just keep in mind the potential $300 I might have to spend if that starter mod hasn't been done.

See you on the trails (or on the track :-)

bruno.

[donutman126]

I ride an 02 Wr426, I Put on an aftermarket pipe, ( whit bros e series) I clipped the Grey wire, timed it to yzf timing, replaced the throttle stop in the carb and stayed on top of the valve adjustments. I use it for both moto as well as trails. It's a nice bike and so versatile. If you get the 02 426 a good upgrade is the 450 cam. Also for what ever reason the 02 426 starts so much easier then the 01, don't know why.

Good luck on your choice.

My 01 starts with the first kick over 90% of the time. It would be hard to get much better than that. How many bikes have you sampled? If a bike (any bike) is not in tune it will be hard to start.

[wrkaholic]

I second what donutman said, we have both a WR426 and a YZ250F and once they are in tune, they start first or second kick every time, cold, warm, or hot. However, they both were not jetted right when I bought them used, and they were hard starters. After tuning, they both are a breeze to start. PS. they happen to both be '02s, but, I believe that is irrelevant.

[RADRick]

And I for one is very grateful that you guys have the issue up in the open so that people can make an informed decision. I would buy an 03 if the price was right. I'd just keep in mind the potential $300 I might have to spend if that starter mod hasn't been done.

Exactly my point. Knowledge is power.