Complete dirt bike restoration

[Carder09]

Well, the off season has just started for me and now its time for a complete restore for my ol' bike. Its a 89 Suzuki rmx cross country racing bike. 250 two stroke. This monster is hell on wheels and its been a damn good bike. So I have decided to keep it for good and go ahead and drop 1k into completely getting it to show room quality with racing still in mind. This will be a long process since I have months until riding will start again so I will do my best with updates and pictures. Feel free to comment with any advice or restos of your own

[kilbornf]

Hey i got a neat 4 wheeler 1989 Suzuki 500 quad racer mint shape.I have had it since 1990.They should have kept making these monsters.

[Carder09]

Yeah, Suzuki does not make them like they use too. If I do ever get a new dirt bike, it will have to be KTM. Suzuki has left their heads in the clouds in the dirt bike standings. Guess they are more focused on the sport bikes but oh well.

[Daryl LBZ]

Can't wait to see this. I sold my fourwheeler back in May, and have thought about buying a dirt bike.

[Carder09]

*update* I have the bike completely broke down. Waiting to send in the fork and spring to get rebuilt/replaced. Will have pics up later this evening.

[Prokopchuk_9]

Can't wait to see that!!

[J-man67]

Any updates?

[robertdegoey]

Well, the off season has just started for me and now its time for a complete restore for my ol' bike. Its a 89 Suzuki rmx cross country racing bike. 250 two stroke. This monster is hell on wheels and its been a damn good bike. So I have decided to keep it for good and go ahead and drop 1k into completely getting it to show room quality with racing still in mind. This will be a long process since I have months until riding will start again so I will do my best with updates and pictures. Feel free to comment with any advice or restos of your own

 

I Definitely want to see this when you're done. Nothing like a 2 stroke for ease of maintenance, and they are fun to ride. I remember the first time i did a top end on my YZ450F, definitely made me miss my old YZ250. Granted you have to put a new top end in 2 strokes more often, but it was okay because it was so easy.

It's too bad the 2 stroke is going by the way of the dinosaur, but the 4 strokes aren't too bad either, they've grown on me. I really like the newer bikes with fuel injected throttle bodies opposed to carbs. Technology is finally starting to catch up.

[KMGZ400]

definatley throw some pics of of the build

[Carder09]

Sorry, I've been slacking and have put the bike project on hold but I'll get the tear down pics on today.

[NitroCherokee]

Are you painting or powder coating the frame? I have the engine out of my quad right now just to freshen it up. I am seriously thinking about taking the frame the rest of the way down and having it coated

[Carder09]

I'm thinking powder coated. Hopefully it will.be as durable as the original paint was

[NitroCherokee]

From what I can find powder coat is the only way to go on these frames, now to find someplace good

[wilsonz71]

Any updates? Would love to see pictures. Im doing the same thing to 02 RM125. I'm just waiting on the new clutch to come in an it'll be done mechanically speaking. Still have lots of accessories to think about.

[Carder09]

Been way to long but I finally started the resto, after further inspection of the frame, I have found some structural faults i.e. cracks and almost broken welds, I went ahead and applied aircraft paint remover and after two coats, still couldn't get all the paint off. I found some pitting on the top of the frame but went ahead and sanded and wire brushed most of the rust I could find, I just finished the second coat of primer on the frame, I am using a white primer and a matte black paint on top of that, probably will do two or more primer coats then three top coats followed by some clear coat possibly. I will not be fully restoring this bike as I planned since most original parts I need are either discontinued or way too expensive to justify a complete resto. Will be uploading pics later tonight finally. Will include some of the tear downs and the second primer coat I have on it now.

 

Oh I forgot to mention, I am having a the weld joints fixed and the crack in the frame, I just want to get this bike in good running condition hopefully by the end of summer.