1982 Suzuki RM250Z - AHRMA vintage motocross 82 RM 250

[jaimef101]

how you doing boss i got some more question for some reason my bike is running kind of ruff i clean the carb and im running 20;1 like you told me the air screw i ihave that turn on one half turn what could be the problem also it has a brand new clutch. thanks again for ur help

[jaimef101]

yea i clean the carb but i going to check the electric cdi and coil thanks alot for your help

[jaimef101]

yes monbait when its warm it start right up but on the jets there the one that came with the carb thanks

[monkbait]

@jaimef101 - Yeah, check the electronics. Do you have an Ohmmeter? Did you clean the carb?

[turnbs]

@jaimef101 Dont concern yourself overly that it wont start first go. My last and current 2 strokes are the same, sometimes taking 6 or more kicks from cold, more if they havent run for sometime. My own theory is that the crankcase seals dry out a bit and allow air into the mix, leaning it off, making it hard to start and idling very fast when it does eventually start, another indicator of a lean mixture.

[jaimef101]

monkbait sorry to bug you i mix the gas like you told me the bike runs good now but i still cant start it with the first kick i got to spray starting fluid to start it. what is it that iam doing wrong i got new plug new reed valves also new intake.thanks again 

[jaimef101]

monkbait sorry to bug you but i put the gas mixure like you told me it run way better but still cant get the bike to start up on the first kick i got to spray starting fluid to start it up. could you please tell me what iam doing wrong i got new reeds valves new intake new spark plug what could it be thanks again for you help

[monkbait]

@jaimef101 - What's your compression like? Is your timing set right? Hook up an ohm meter to the coil and see if you're getting spec'd voltage. Does it start easy once it's warm? What jets are you running in the carb?

[jaimef101]

thanks alot for answering me back

[jaimef101]

monkbait. so iam going to run it 20.1 if i run it like that it should just idle it self. also i change the reed valves and bought everything new to the bike new spark plug carbintake rebuild the carb and the bike still wont start on the first kick is it also because i runing it to rich. thanks alot for helping me

[monkbait]

@jaimef101 - No, it won't ever idle, even when it's all setup perfect. Back then they didn't figure guys would need to idle a race bike motor. You keep the motor running by blipping it repeatedly until you take off at full throttle and win the race. Mikuni makes a modern version of the same carb with an idle circuit, I'm running one on my bike and appreciate the idle for sure. I don't ride it full blast on the track though either.

[jaimef101]

hey man i got a 82 rm 250 and i cant get it to idle i put the 4oz 32.1 per gallon could you please help me out also i cant get the bike to start with out spraying the car i put new reed valves also if you could help me that would be great thanks

[monkbait]

@jaimef101 - The first Mikuni flat side carbs do not have an idle circuit. Do not try to make it idle by tightening the throttle cable. If you remove the cable play, the bike could rev when the handlebars are turned all the way, dangerous. These bikes are supposed to run 20:1. If you run 32:1 you may need to re-jet a bit to compensate for the increased fuel vs oil. You'll be running richer on the main and pilot. These bikes should start first kick if you've got it all setup right.

[SuperJason00]

When a bike wont rev higher than 1/4 throttle you must first check the main jet for debris. If it is clogged it will cut out or bog. The pilot regulates idle to 1/4 throttle then the main jet picks up where thew pilot lets off to call for more fuel & when it is obstructed you end up with bog ,cut out ,or weak rev. So Fix by taking out mainjet & clean any debris.Just trying to help! Good luck!

[monkbait]

@SuperJason00 Hey thanks for the tips, all good ones. The problem ended up being poorly rebuilt crank that was done by the previous owner. I had the crank built again with new parts instead of used. Who uses used parts for a bottom end rebuild??? So, now it's all good and revs like it should.

[monarkman1957]

I remember when these first came out, they were the hottest 250 going. I was a water boy at a local MX track and all you seen was Suzukis in the winners circle for the 250cc races. I got to ride one of the winners bikes once, OH MY Gosh, that bike was scary, especially when you get aggressive and really pound on it and open it up to what it can do.

[xk5blazerx]

thats aweome!i have a 1982 suzuki rm125,its perfect to restore..lots of power for its age

[Xy2kBloodX]

hey man, i just bought a 1986 suzuki rm250 basket case, looking to do a restoration, know anywhere that sells new plastics or anything else i would possibly need for it? thanks.

[mr47uk08]

open the power band man thats wot u brought a crosser for"!"!"!

[monkbait]

Read the video description, you'll see I was having trouble. The motor wasn't rebuilt correctly the first time. So it would only rev as high as it was going in this vid. Believe me, it was driving me crazy not being able to rev it up. I had the motor rebuilt again and it's all good now. Take a look at my other videos and you'll see proper-running bikes reving up nicely.

[hexadecimal4u]

hey im 17 and i had a cheap 125 from pepboys cuz my dad sucks... but now i wana get something good. im wanting to get into jumps and stuff. ive done some jumping with the cheap bike. then it broke.. i know how to change gears and stuff.

im around 6'4 skiny lanky guy. i was looking at the RM250 by sizuki. what do u think ?? i deffently want a 2 stroke. the last bike i had was 4 . got any advice???

[linx2256]

@hexadecimal4u i wouldnt go for a suzuki rm 250 for a first 2 strock. i would say a rm 125. im 14 and 6'1 and my rm 125 is a great begginers bike. its my firts 2 strock. my'n is a 1993 model and i payd around £600 for it. good luck

[22lambo]

What do you mean it needs to be rebuilt correctly? I have a 1971 CT 175 with similar problems. It wont rev up any higher than about 1/5 throttle. I can give more gas but it doesn't rev higher. Thanks

[monkbait]

Ended up the previous owner had the crank rebuilt with bad rod and bearings? More likely he lied to me about the motor being rebuilt. I think they slapped a new piston in and called it good. The rod had so much play that was causing vibration once it attempted to rev athigher RPMs. I got a new rod assembly and had the crank rebuilt and no more problems. A few other things can cause this issue too, like a bad exhaust leak or too small a carb or jets, bad electrical component, etc.

[22lambo]

Thanks! Also, I just noticed that I had 2 lines going to the carb that were the 2 stroke oil lines but since the cover of the oil pump is gone, the lines are disconnected and I use premix gas. Were the oil lines went to the carb, it is leaking gas. I don't know if that could be a problem to but ya. Thanks again.

[monkbait]

Yeah sounds like those are the oil injector lines. Those should be plugged up somehow and cut the hose as short as possible. Best solution is to find an early TM or RM carb the same size.

[BeboAltizer]

i had an '82 rm250 that i bought in '83, it was a nice bike

[YesIAmThatBig]

I love the sound of those old engines :D. Nice job on the restore dude.

[Fogal181315]

what is the mixture you are running in that i got a 1983 rm250 that came witha full tank and the previous owner never told me the ratio

[monkbait]

20:1 93 octane super unleaded, better if you can find it with no ethanol too, "pure gas" it's called now.

[Dirtriderxr250]

their aisnt anything wrong with old air cooled air hammers i have 2 600 and a 1981 wr 430 bike rips and is mint i would like to take it to the AHRMA vintage raceing do you know if their are any in mas

[ltdm100]

What is your method of restoring those old sunfaded tanks? I could never get it right.

[tobyeo]

1982 RM250Z? I know the newer 4 jokes are RM-Z250 and I have heard of RM250M and RM250A but not RM250Z, is that what's on the title?

[monkbait]

The letter at the end is part of the year identification. Each year that letter changes to signify another model year. 1981 was "X", 1982 was a "Z" year, 1983 was a "D" year. Letters get skipped for some reason, but they always go forward through the alphebet and then starts over once it gets to Z again.

[corizone123]

I've been riding dirt bikes all my life and I still believe to this day that the vintage 2 strokes are the best sounding machines. I ride a 2000 CR250 now (Best bike I've owned) and sounds amazing with stock arrester but the best sounding bike was my little YZ80 in 1982. Ring a ding ding ding!

[Barsopen1970]

ohh those 82' models of ,well anything make were brilliant.

I especially love the water cool design of the J models and their high centre of gravity radiators ...what on earth made them put it there lol.

It's was both the kx80D2 & yz80J that got me into the obsession of bikes more than i previously was.

prob why all my fav bikes were also from 1982 - 1984

[Swampth1ng]

Hey Mister! That bike sounds like its missing a stroke...??? You know what that problem is? I rebuilt one of my dirtbikes and it ran like that since the first start up. My fatpipe on the exhaust had came close to plugging up with carbon... I removed the pipe and torched'it till it turned red and beat it with a hammer. The next day my arms were hurting trying to hold on to it lol.

Anyway, nice bike

[monkbait]

My problem was a bad crank rebuild. I had it rebuilt again and it runs like a champ now.

[jrhayes19]

i have a 1976 rm 250 2 stroke(plus a 2001 rm250 2 stroke) have to find a jug and exhaust for the '76, got to ride it once, didnt know the right mix, seriously fucked the motor up, do u know the proper mix ratio for suck an old bike, i know for my 01 it's 32:1, tried that on the 76 and fried the rings, scarred the cylinder, needs new jug now, it was still scary fast for such an old bike

[monkbait]

20:1 is what Suzuki used until the mid/late 80's, then it's 32:1 up to modern day. With modern oils you can run somewhere between 24:1-32:1. But you may have to rejet a bit if you decide to run less oil. I run all my old RMs at 20:1 with Klotz synthetic/castor blend.

[ElijahWheeler]

you arnt even gettin it into the power band

[monkbait]

Couldn't, the crank was bad. It's since been rebuilt and rocks it now. Watch my other RM250 video to see one rev up right.

[nosnos23]

no i have one those old bikes are so tuf u should run a 50:1 it will hall ass man

[Swampth1ng]

Warning : Dont listen to this guy! You will harm your ride...

Unlike snowmachines most old dirtbikes are "AIR" cooled which means it's critical to mix it properly. Snowmachines are either fan or liquid cooled(A hell of alot better)

Just follow the operators manual if you still have it. If not mix it 20-25:1

______________________________­_

I mix my 77'Suzuki at 20:1(Because it's old)

[monkbait]

Even the first water coolers are risky to run less oil. The metal the parts are made from improved over the years, which is why newer bikes use less oil and don't need as much warm up time. I let my old RMs warm up at least 2-3 minutes, until the head is warm to the touch. They are subject to cold seizure if you run them cold.

[motorcityrocker]

I built the same bike back in 95. I still have it, although it hasn't been ridden in at least five years. Your resto is really sharp! I can tell it wasn't cleaning out at the time of your vid. Mine vibrates like a maytag, but under a load, it's really fast. Nice vid, man.

[rockinbass01]

not tryin to be a dick but i thought if u ran less oil or a ratio such as 40:1 over 20:1 you were running leaner and more oil such as 20:1 over 40:1 is richer? nice bike btw  dad got an 87 kx500 redoing the top end and getting new crank seals all the old bikes have that great sound

[monkbait]

Lean and rich refer to gas an air when talking about tuning a motor not oil. Does a 4-stroke use mix oil? Nope, but you still say it's rich or lean based on air-fuel ratio. It's always a bad idea to deviate from manufactures suggestions unless your'e a top-notch mechanic that rebuild top ends for fun.

[oldKXdude]

How could anyone confuse the awesome sound of a 2 stroker for the passin gas sound of a funky 4 stroker? Cool bike, I had several RMs way back in the late 70s.

[yorkstem]

are the 250's 2 or 4 strokes?

[monkbait]

2-strokes, all the RMs used to be. Only the DR was 4-stroke back then.

[yorkstem]

thanks.

They almost sound like a 4 stroke though. i am picking up a 1981 RM 250 in like two days

[monkbait]

Sweet!

[yorkstem]

Why are both my comments negative?

[monkbait]

You do realize that it was other people that marked your comments, not me. They probably didn't like that fact that you don't know that old RMs are 2-stroke. Us old guys are bummed that MX bikes are all 4-strokers now. So someone was just a little bitter I guess :)

[yorkstem]

yea i guess. but i got the bike and holy hell she is fun! Although it is kind of hard getting used to a 2 stroke >.>

[monkbait]

Oh yeah 2-strokes are a lot more technical ride than 4-strokes. Like a turbo on a 4-stroke, a 2-stroke winds up and hits hard at some point up in the power band. You have to learn where that power comes on and use it, but respect it. Most MX 2-strokes are made to hit strong mid to high RPMs. 2-stroke trail bikes are tuned to hit sooner for more torque. Welcome to the wonderful world of 2-strokes! Don't hurt yourself :)

[yorkstem]

Haha! i have been ridin good so far and i even popped a few wheelies today but i havent bailed or put the bike on its side yet so i am doin good :D

[yorkstem]

Also what do you mix your gas at? I tried 40-1 and it fouled up the plug really fast. I am runnin 45-1 right now

[monkbait]

20:1. You are going to roast that top end doing 45:1! You'd have to rejet the carb for whatever mix ratio you use if you change from stock. Less oil = more gas. This means that using a higher ratio, ie. less oil makes the bike run richer, not leaner. Tuning is about air and fuel, not oil. If you are fouling plugs at OEM suggested ratio, you may have a bad crank seal. If motor oil gets into the cylinder you foul plugs.

[yorkstem]

holy shit! are you sure you meant 20:1? my bike barley even ran with 30:1 in it. once i out the 45:1 in it was ruinning great.

[monkbait]

Positive, says it right in the manual, says it on the warning decal on the tank. If it doesn't run right at 20:1, make sure you ahve the right carb setup.

[yorkstem]

Hmm. well couldnt it also depend on the type of oil that you use? i am using some Motomaster high perormance multi purpose in my bike. it seems to be running fine. and like i say. i put in 30:1 and it barley even ran.

[monkbait]

I use Klotz Super TechniPlate, a modern Benol Synthetic blend at 20:1.

[hmzaox]

i just got 93 rm250 pro circuit pipe race piston and couple other goodies and it scares me the powerband on it so strong so far only gear got up 2 was 3rd and powerband just sends me flying back and i love it and nice bike man

[FLAMEBOY2468]

I've I think it's a 1988 suzuki rm 125 and it goes like hell. It keeps up with most of the later model bikes with ease. =]

[IMFLORIDA305]

nice vid i have a 87 suzuki rm250 i need a crankshaft tho 2 get it runnin

[jasonb32]

check salvage yards- dirt cycle salvage has lots of vintage stuff thats where i got mine-1-508-478-5700

also there are a lot more places that can rebuild them now days,cheep too!

[supamoto]

i had 1 of these years ago, good bike, got me into the expert class. painted the frame blue so it looked like a 83 model, lol

[nicker94]

i got a 83 rm250 i will have a video or two on here as soon as it gets fixed

[Darrenjudy5]

loved the 82 RM 250 very fast bike.

[ossamotocross]

I rode a friends 82 RM 250Z back in 82 - it was a rocket! It hit very hard and you had to get up on the front end to keep it from looping out in perfect traction conditions - I think this was Suzukis last year for the 38mm forks and dual air filters. A great bike.

[niguk1]

I remember these back in the 80's and the rm 250z was the best of the jap 4. By the way is it running better now? cos when it is it will sit you on your back. Good luck.

[monkbait]

It's in the shop getting the crank rebuilt. It should be good after that. I've got a 1981 RM125 too, very fast for a 125. I'll post some video of that one soon.

[Kornball426]

Sounds good... But come on, hit the power band over that jump. You're getting this burble sound like it's about to take off like a bat out of hell... Then you seem to wuss out. Nice bike though, always liked the early 80's RM's. How does it compare, power wise, to a mid 90's RM like my 93 RM250?

[monkbait]

Fresh top end, and the carb is not dialed in, 9 months ago it was all parts and pieces. It won't rev any higher than what you're seeing me hit right now. Gotta rejet, probably just a clogged jet causing it, but I've got Boyesen reeds I'd like to run in it too.

[monkbait]

Figured it out, there is a crack in the intake manifold. So, it was pulling in air after the carb making it lean out. Hopefully I'll have another video in a week of it running right!