mboule

I took it apart. Piston shattered. Bottom of the cylinder sleeve broke. Broken pieces fell into the crankcase. When the crank came around it pushed one of the pieces through the right case. All in all, pretty ugly. I figured it would need a new top end, crank and possible right crank case unless that could be welded plus splitting the cases to clean all the broken pieces out. So I took it to a shop and the initial estimate is close to $1600.00 which seems high. I got the bike for $2000.00 so I don't really want to put that much more into it. They quoted both left & right cases, cylinder, head, piston, rings & crank assembly. They are calling me back Monday for the true estimate. I am hoping it is lower. Does $1600.00 sound right for that?

Thanks for all the replies. I pulled the pipe off today and noticed a dime sized puncture in the right side case near where the 2 sides of the case meet. Looks like something ugly happened in the bottom end. I'm bringing it up to the local shop to check it out.

My kid was riding the local track this week when the bike died. The kickstart won't budge. The bike was running strong up until this happened. I just changed the engine oil and cleaned/oiled the air filter 2 rides ago. I do the basic maintenance but I haven't delved into engines. I am hoping for the best (top end or something relatively easy) but fearing the worst. Anyone have any ideas? Thank in advance

I screww in that screw a few turns and it idles like a champ. Thanks again, skipn8r. Thumpertalk rocks!

Thanks for the info, skipn8r. I'll check it out. BTW, the manaul has been ordered.

Just got a 2001 CR250 and didn't get a manual with it. It starts easy and runs but won't idle, even after it's warmed up. The only adjustment screw I see on the carb is a small screw with a locknut. I tried backing out this screw but it didnt' seem to change anything. Any ideas?

The oil drain bolt is the one on the right side of the bottom of the crankcase

Just for the record James, the XR70 was for my 11 year old son. He now rides a CRF150. My older son (13) rides a XR200 and I ride a XR250. I wouldn't trash the little XR70 as it used to haul my 200 pound ass up hills and over jumps. Why the bitterness? 🙂 Chill out. Life is too short for that

I can't scan the page but the correct order is: 1. Cam Chain Tensioner first (insert black plastic tip end first) 2. Then the spring (insert the small end of the spring that fits into the botton of the cam chain tensioner first) 3. Then the bolt. Just be careful not to overtorque the bolt. I did this and cracked pieces off of the crankcase were the bolt screws into the crankcase. The torque on this bolt is 17lbf-ft. I was using a torque wrench that starts at 20 lbf-ft and had it dialed down. Still overtorqued it. 🙂

Thanks Ram! I got the manual and figured out that it was the cam chain tensioner. The spring was missing so I ordered it and just got it yesterday.

I acquired a 1999 Honda XR70 and was changing the oil for the first time. I don't have a manual yet and I took off the wrong bolt on the bottom of the crankcase. When I removed the bolt, a metal tube with several holes in it came out. I replaced it (making sure that I put it back the way it came out) and then removed the correct bolt to drain the oil. I replaced the oil, but now when I start it, it makes a funny pinging sound from the crankcase. Any ideas? Thanks in advance! P.S. Yes, I am ordering a manual!!