Picked up a 2001 YZ426 today for $1300.

[jcm3]

The pictures looked great, and I was fortunate to talk to both the second and third owners. The first owner only put about four hours on the bike, the second, about 20 rides. The third rode it a few times, but no one raced it, and it seems to have been pretty much trail ridden.

All I plan to do is to do some trail riding, and probably an occasional vet beginner race. (I'm 42) I haven't raced regularly since my early 30's, so it's been awhile.

It looks great, and I'm trying to decide what to do to it. I think it needs all of the usual stuff, like tires, a spark plug, probably a new chain, all of the fluids replaced, new graphics, etc. I think the carb also needs to be cleaned out, as it has sat for close to a year. It did start and I rode it around a little bit, but when I floored it, it bogged down and almost stalled out.

It does have some suspension work done, and fortunately the guy who did it weighed about what I do. The fork seals look like they might be leaking, and it looks like it may have aftermarket exhaust.

I had planned (before I talked to the second owner and found out more about the bike) to pull the top end apart and replace the piston and rings, cam chain, etc. But, after speaking to the second owner, I'm thinking it probably doesn't need that. I'll likely check the valves and possibly do an exhaust cam swap for easier starting.

This will be my first four stroke, after having about nine other bikes in the past. (kd100, 2 yz125's, 3 yz250's, a cr250, a cr500, and an rm465) So, I have alot to learn about the maintenance and regular tasks needed. This bike makes an even 10!

Any other ideas on what I should do to the bike?

[TimFurryBalls]

You could have saved up another grand and got a used '03 or newer. The 426 is like buying a vintage bike nowadays.

[FinchFan194]

Heck my 04 is on craigslist for $1600 with plenty of extras and I have only had two calls the used bike market it tough.

[l_campionero]

Just ride it. I had a 2000 model, and it was twice as good a trail bike as my 98 YZ400F; I think my 82 650 Seca streetbike was a better trailbike, actually!

Use Moose or MSR seals....they last longer.

[jcm3]

You could have saved up another grand and got a used '03 or newer. The 426 is like buying a vintage bike nowadays.

In the Communist Republik of Kalifornia we don't have alot of options if we want a bike where we can ride year round. I have three little kids and a wife that I'd like to get a bike for, and I don't want to have to worry about not being able to ride for seven or eight months out of the year, especially when you can't ride when the kids are out of school for the summer.

I raced alot in my younger years, and it's just pathetic that an organization like the California Air Resources Board can put down a rule like the green sticker/red sticker one and it sticks. I think if they took a 2009 YZ450 and tested it against a 2001 CR500, I think we all know that the YZ450 is likely to be cleaner by a long shot. But, as is usually the case with this kind of political bullsh*t, it's not about doing the right thing, it's about picking on small groups that don't have the kind of political clout to be able to fight back effectively.

Another grand for a 2003 would have a royal pain in the butt for me and reduced my potential riding time by about 65%.

[GENE426]

A 01 426 is a good bike and ran very goood I had a 02 and loved it, still competitive esp in a beginner class

[Ga426owner]

"Communist Republik of Kalifornia"

ain't that the truth.......

and now they will be dictating what kind of flatscreen TVs you can buy.....

ironic that all it would take to straighten the huge financial problem is Cali is taxing all the weed that you folks have growing all over:smirk:

sorry to highjack this

congrats on your new purchase.....

[jcm3]

"Communist Republik of Kalifornia"

ain't that the truth.......

and now they will be dictating what kind of flatscreen TVs you can buy.....

ironic that all it would take to straighten the huge financial problem is Cali is taxing all the weed that you folks have growing all over:smirk:

sorry to highjack this

congrats on your new purchase.....

Don't get me started. lol

I tried to talk her into moving out of the state a few times, but to no avail.

It could be a great state, if it was run better. Hopefully a governor change (loking at Meg Whitman) will help, but we'll see.

[MuDPoUNdeR]

If we didn't have so many sissies in Cali i think it would be better(sorry to be so blunt). I'm tired of all this "That's raciest!" or "That offends me.", "I'm going to sue you!". SUCK IT UP!!! Its like you have to walk on glass in everything you do in Cali in fear of "offending" someone.

And great choice on a bike. I'm not a big fan of a four speed tranny(03 450). 426's are a pretty bulletproof bike! Have fun and ride hard!

[grayracer513]

Hopefully a governor change

The legislature is the problem, not the executive branch (although Arnold Shribernater hasn't turned out that well). The legislature is the best one the 3 major unions in the state could buy.

But politics belong over in Town Square.

[cwcarter]

I just picked up an 02 as well. Quite nice bikes to ride. Be giving it a make over in the next couple of weeks.

[Mbiker_101]

I have been riding my 02 426 for about four years now and it's been/is a great bike. I've thrown on a few aftermarket goodies and I'm sure others have posted.

1. put the hotcam cam or factory 450 cam in to allow super easy kickstarting.

2. put a kickstand, optional but I love mine.

3. ride the wheels off that Biotch.

It may be a little heavy but I ride with with many newer bike CRs YZ etc and they always seem to have some issues or break. Mine keeps on chugging.

Living in Cali its nice to have a green sticker bike, my friend has a CR450 and two 02 YZ426s he won't get rid off because they are bullet proof and can be ridin year round.

[jcm3]

I have been riding my 02 426 for about four years now and it's been/is a great bike. I've thrown on a few aftermarket goodies and I'm sure others have posted.

1. put the hotcam cam or factory 450 cam in to allow super easy kickstarting.

2. put a kickstand, optional but I love mine.

3. ride the wheels off that Biotch.

It may be a little heavy but I ride with with many newer bike CRs YZ etc and they always seem to have some issues or break. Mine keeps on chugging.

Living in Cali its nice to have a green sticker bike, my friend has a CR450 and two 02 YZ426s he won't get rid off because they are bullet proof and can be ridin year round.

Yep, that's exactly what I plan on doing. I'm getting ready to have the valves redone, and will likely do the top end as well just because the bike is eight years old and I'm not sure of the history. I'm considering both cams (Hot Cams), for the hp bump as well as the easier starting since I'll have it all apart anyway.

It does have a kickstand on it, so that, along with the cam for easier starting, should make life alot better considering I will be getting my four year old son a PW50 or something equivalent that I can teach him to ride on. All of the starting and stopping would be hell without the cam and having to lay the bike down every time he falls or I have to help him get started again.

I figure if I ever get more into racing I'll just keep this one as a year round rider or extra bike. I've read they are pretty reliable

Edited November 30, 2009 by jcm3