@Calum said in Forum Outage:

Forum upgraded to the latest version and servers patched

Not all hero’s wear capes.

Big Clive? Naaaaahhh mate.. it’s all about big lez ya fucken druggo

Bonjour forum! I’m stevie, I’m 20 years old and I have Asperger’s Syndrome (ASD). I have never been part of a forum before, I’d always thought they where for nerds Now here I am eating my words after lurking and winding up here so many times from numerous google searches, as if it wasn’t for this forum I wouldn’t know or have anywhere near any of the information I know now or needed to know! (a special mention to darty and ninja).
Are there any rules I need to know or guidelines to using the forum/site?

I remember the first time I saw a DT, it was early 2017. I was at the skatepark and my mate got a go on the back and got off white
Weren’t long after I got my licence, I had a crappy stock lexmoto and just remember just watching him fly off into the distance.
It was a beautiful bike too, clean, a lot of attention to detail and tasteful redbull/Yamaha Mx graphics kit.
The look, the smell, the power... instant love at first site. My first ever DT memory. Oddly enough it was a bloody ‘DT125RE too, not even my favourite.

In a strange twist of fate the bike got sold and a year later I found it up for sale on gumtree in Norwich looking a bit sorry for itself. £2.5k bike now looking rough up for £1.75. Mad.

Fast forward 2 years later I’m scrolling through my Faceache news feed and see a post pop up on Facebook of a guy who’s just bought a bike that’s in pieces, for some help.
You guessed it, it’s that bike.
What’s the chances eh?

I pop up to him to say its a nice bike blah blah blah, I might be able to help him etc.
He says he just picked it up for £250
DT125RE, painted frame, same livery the lot.
I saw it and had flashbacks of the first DT I ever saw

I chat to him a little bit just so I don’t come across a creep and let out that I think my mate used to own it and that I could tell him a little bit about it / connect him to the guy that originally owned and I asked him for the reg.

The day after I did some social networking to trace the guy who originally built and owned the bike and he asks me for some pictures, so I’m like yeah sweet mate I’ll go grab them from the chat I was having with this other geeza...

Went back on to Facebook messenger to find every single message removed, one by one, original post on Facebook gone the lot.
Didn’t quite know what to say or do.

In other news though my area especially specifically where I live has had a history with bikers since the 60’s due to the pier and Mods Vs Rockers culture, the biker cafes / beach and Gt Bentley bike night. One of the largest regular bike meets in the U.K.

Essex is funny ole place though. With its dodgy history/legacy over the years there’s all sorts of things tucked away in barns and things.
It’s full of really interesting people that have hidden gems, for example I befriended a local elderly man through our love of two strokes.
He’d told me about he’s speedway racing days and even better about 350 and 500 tucked away in his garage he’s too old to ride now (the best part is he lives no further then five minutes from me in a place I’ve lived more then 10 years. What’s the chances haha?).

I must say though there aren’t many DT’s in Essex. A few KMX’s but no DT’s. I remember when I was looking for a bike to buy finding one in my area was next to impossible.
Funny story about that though... bit of irony too.
Despite only ever seeing a DT that once in the time up till then that I’d been riding, it didn’t stop by some mystical divine chance one going up sale in my village within the first week of me looking.
You go from never seeing one in your life to looking for one and then “hocus-pokus-dtr-smokus” DTR’s magically be appearing.

Another time me and my mate was pulling apart my RM in the sun out the front of the house, proper old school style. I run up the road to return to a DT250MX parked outside. Had to run my eyes.
Walking back I spotted a guy in bike gear at a house about 5 doors down, spoke to him and he says it’s his.
20 minutes later he walks over to see me working on the RM with my friend, we have a chat and he’s a Yamaha collector with a love for DT’s.
Turns out the 250mx was one from his collection and he was visiting his daughter for a BBQ. Once again, only 5 doors down.

Absolutely bloody bonkers.
I got a video of it too but for internet safety purposes I can’t upload it here.

It’s worth noting what a bloody beautiful bike the 250mx is too, very very cool vintage styling that’s timeless. I was also surprised at the size of the thing too, they’re surprising big!
(Story time over )

A thrilling read of abbreviations and part codes immortalised forever within the DT125R forum. Complete with a brief compliation of backwards compatible/direct bolt on parts.*

So, my first post (1:52am) this is going to be a personal record and almost blog following me and my journey starts singing don’t stop believin’ with my DTR *this is still only my second post on the forum and I’m using an iPhone so when I work out how to upload photos, I’ll post in chronological order photos from the first time I ever saw the bike online, met it, bought it and everything else in between. It’s worth noting, due to how special this bike is to me I won’t ever part ways with it, so this could be a long one guys! Hopefully we can meet a few people on the way that enjoy, inspire or maybe learn from this journey. I hope for the best.
So to begin with, I have never owned or even properly ridden a two stroke above a chainsaw or 50cc having only ridden four strokes and my own custom built race spec 150cc lexmoto adrenaline.
For that reason owning a DTR is also a massive learning curve in terms of riding, maintenance and even learning the mechanical side of things as well as how two strokes tick.
Secondly, owning this bike is a huge personal achievement for me since I started riding that was the one that I wanted, to a point I had written on my bucket list. Which is why I think this post wether it be for my own use as a timeline might also turn out to be pretty special. See for me, DTR’s are pretty special they’re a name that’s known and synonymous with memories from family members of when they where my age of how they used to steal them, rag them on fields and all the old pub talk deristriction and go faster tricks everyone used to chat about back in the day. Which of course is also follow by said friend/family member saying how “rapid” the DT is whilst simultaneously making this face that’s only ever made when they reminisce what it was like sitting on one for the first time and feeling what a powerband does to a 17 year old teen in the 90’s. DTR’s are a little slice of nostalgia for me of a time when I was a wee wee nipper and all the cars my family had where old transits, nova’s and shit mondeo’s .
Now the reason this bike is so special to me is not only is it something I said to myself I’ll do before I die but also because, I went that extra distance to find a DTR manufactured in ‘98, the year of my birth (it’s actually only 4 months older then me believe it or not). The months and months of continuous searching that led to finally find this bike is something of a journey in itself, especially as I refused to settle for anything less then original and in 5 condition, not asking for much . I would also like to add as I’m only 20, my DTR is singularly the biggest purchase I’ve ever made in my life to date and as anyone that’s ever grown up knows there’s a lot of hard work, determination, perseverance and life’s BS thrown at you on the way to get there. It’s surreal owning it but looking at it is a constant reminder to work hard and that I can achieve whatever I want to. Also given the fact it’s a French import I will be the first named keeper on all its paper work (something that I won’t ever let change). Hopefully you can understand now why this bike is pretty special and significant to me. Current ideas are to build a 90’s MX and 90’s YZ inspired bike and tuning the bike as much as I can whilst keeping its originality and authenticity to the era.
This means using as many OEM parts as possible or parts that would’ve been available back in the day (however a 170 kit, boring out and porting a cylinder or even hunting whatever I need to make it 200cc also seems an option). I’d read here about 32mm TZR dellorto carbs and bits and pieces from wr200’s/DT200’s and DT230 bolt straight on and can give a good boost.
Also because we, England, have such a strong heritage in MX there’s tonns of upgrades available from british manufacturers so I plan to use as many british made parts too, just as a nice little bit patriotism.

Just an idea because I know mine are non existent and I’m pretty sure I saw a post it somewhere, has anyone ever thought of using these or know any other alternatives whilst I’m here? (YZ125 89-92 Roller Set)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223493276708

@oldman said in Klx250:

Finally found a KLX 250 for a good price, also came with super moto wheels. Fitted new tyres, c&s, rebuilt brakes, full service, few mods so far, valve clearance checked, manual cam chain tensioner to fit and counter shaft (sprocket) oil seal to change then it's done (almost)
Still riding the red dt and the dtmx, though they will be put away for winter.

Stunning bikes. I am by no means a Kawasaki guy but credit where it’s due they where years ahead of Yamaha and the industry with the KLX’s.
I’ve seen a couple 95-99 models come up sale recently and they’ve green with envy (pun intended). Once again no Kawasaki guy but the mid 90’s models just look too cool and extremely modern. Oddly enough they seem to come up fairly cheap compared to the likes of XR’s and WR’s too, which seems strange considering it offers more then a lot of its adversaries?
Maybe garish green isn’t for everyone...

Let me know your thoughts on it and how you get on with it it’s been on my list of bikes to potentially buy when I do my A2 licence.
Only thing that puts me off is it only being a 250 and roughly 30hp and feel I’d want more to play with

@calum don’t worry bud I got you on this, remember how much I struggled / long it took me before I finally got it?

@westy7070 shoot me a message bro and I’ll explain what to do because it’s a pain in the ass if you use the forum on your phone

Good to have you, if you stick around there’s a lot to be learned and a great bunch of guys here that’ll look after you and even help you build a bike because like me you began life as an absolute amateur.

Also good on you, I've also done the same and was surprised at how nice it was to commute on. Is yours stock?

A couple of things that might be helpful if you plan to daily it with everything stock you get pretty good range (for a two stroke) if you ride sensibly and keep things stock and check your tank, its so easy to get carried away and run out without a gauge

Watch out for certain cleaning products when cleaning your seat too, there’s a few that’ll make your seat look really food but also really slippy which because of the shape is an instant nut buster! Gets real uncomfortable on longer rides

Another thing is that if you have the pastel blue model you’re lucky they’re the best ones

@NINJA that goes without saying, also hello it’s lovely to speak to you after reading so many years worth of posts no doubt I’ll be picking your brain and getting to know you, ps I absolutely love your builds, pretty sure before I even bought a DT I’d saved a photo from one of your bikes dude. Considering how DTR’s are becoming scarce and almost vintage it’s really surprising to see such a strong community and so many owners all doing different things

@spookdog some core alignments / “VIP” (Very Important Parts to you and I) you’ll find are discontinued because even during a bikes production time it was such a highly unlikely part the fail / need replacing. God willing though second hand is your friend

@spookdog said in Stevie’s French '98, Mid-90's WR/YZ/DT (An idiotproof guide to building your own DTR):

It’s nice when you finally get it running proper after chasing gremlins
You got access to a borescope or the like? There has to be some hard deposit of carbon in there somewhere. How long the dep been running on there, also did it always chop?...

That mot, legal feeling is a good high!

No bore scope just fingers for feelers and eyes for seeing. No fancy stuff around here (at least until I invest in one which no doubt I will all in good time, big believer in that investing in tools is investing in yourself/they pay for themselves).

I’m still going to be scratching my head for a while as to why the dep didn’t work well for my bike. The only thing that I really can imagine is that the CDI map and powervalve openings is way of for the power curve of the dep pipe. However even then that wouldn’t cause the throttle chop I experienced. If you was full throttle in a long gear you’d often hear a rather nasty metallic ping as the throttle suddenly slammed off then on. Gross.

Also yes legal is so good!
I owe all of you a thank you in your hands in making it possible. It’s very surreal to see what I imagined come to life. It’s even better riding it and feeling just how much nicer the bike is for it.
However to be completely honest after leaving her in such a sorry state for 9 months I’m just genuinely happy to know she’s running and that I won’t ever have to do that again.

@calum said in Stevie’s French '98, Mid-90's WR/YZ/DT (An idiotproof guide to building your own DTR):

@stevie-wonder The other nice thing about the DEP is the weight difference.

My personal favourite feature is itself lightening feature. 3,000 good U.K. miles and the metal will be half the thickness

Honestly though I always said the same thing but the standard pipe has a much wider power spread and even better puts that power where the DT needs it most.

With that being said I ride some pretty private locations and the lesser amount of noise only allows me to ride for longer / not piss others off. Bit of bonus.
Much better thermal properties to flow gasses too due to the extra thickness + the durability of the standard people would outweigh 10 dep pipes.

I literally dropped the dep taking it off once and dented it. Pretty shambolic if you ask me. Shame. I always thought I’d massively support dep being a historic and British company.

Fun fact every time I’ve took this bike for an mot it’s lost it’s plate. This year I used metal anodised fairing bolts and still it went missing. Ghosts mate.

Chanced the mot on the basis of being able to ride it home legally afterwards and that there’s a 10 day free retest period - I can’t believe I never knew this!

^failed on front wheel bearing failure, front and rear pads being too far gone (i later f found the rear with probably less then 0.5mm of pad left ) and chain was too tight.

Here’s it the second time around. I never got a picture of it the second time, she just passed with flying colours and on my way I went. On the road at last.

Only notice something? I switched pipes and wow. Fuck me sideways - the heavens have opened.

Whilst my bike was off the road I’d done a lot of thinking.
I couldn’t quite figure out why even though I didn’t rejet the plugs always came out perfect whilst using the dep yet I always used to get the worst throttle chop at high rpm’s or under sudden load sometimes. You’d be full throttle screaming and then it’s like the throttle would cut out mid way then come on after and then only get worse.
After solving all other potential causes I thought it might even be my rings are giving up.

What do I think? I think it made me think a lot of other things where wrong with my bike which weren’t and that I’m probably going to avoid that dep pipe.

The DEP is nice but honestly the difference is amazing. No more throttle chop just strong power on tap everywhere.
My bike felt so good I ended up go for a test ride and ended up in the neighbouring town even though it was raining snd I had no goggles or nothing just a coat .

Happy days. All nice and ready for fun times ahead.

Hahahaha for fucks sake. True story though.
Function over form 100%.

Realistically there’s not a nice way of getting that headlight to work with those clocks. Every way way we tried left the headlight either too high and looking like something from Easy Rider or to low and in the correct space but completely exposing the clocks or having them awkward above. Flattening the clocks rather then angling them towards you just pushes the 200r light so far away that it no longer matches the flat silhouette and looks weird.

The space isn’t bad but honestly it’s just the best of both worlds and the best bit is it’s functional (aside from most of the cables barely reaching / not at all)

@spookdog what you looking for geezer?
There’s some nice ones on Aliexpress/eBay if you don’t mind the generic looking CNC uprated lever you see on every bike.

You could also use standard levers and just move your brake and clutch perch inwards towards one another thus creating more leverage because you grab the outermost part of your lever.
I always thought this was common knowledge but a couple convo’s lead me to realise not many people do this.

There’s the expensive option of ASV levers or using DT125re levers as they’re a bit shorter and more modern looking.

@spookdog said in What brake disks fit the DTR front wheel hub?:

Dtx has a bigger disc, different mount pattern/size and a different twin pot calliper I think. I looked into getting a dtx calliper IIRC but they are rare as fuck...
Might as well get. (Impossible to find) Dtx front end...

If you want more stopping power concentrate on the calliper not the disc size. As well as modern pad material. There’s some good space age sintered shtuff out there. Someone more up on it can tell you what exactly...

Don’t quote me but I thought yzfr125 brembo discs where the same

@declan DTX has a different hub. Truthfully I don’t think there’s any quick or easy way of finding out what other discs would go onto your hub as it’s not so much the disc that matters bolt the bolt pattern and spacing to make the disc mount to the hub

@spookdog if they’re cold then yes, common trait for most oil injected bikes. But DTR’s in particular more then most love a good thrash or clutch of throttle to clear them out.

I tend to give mine a good clutch of beans on starting then let her idle and that sorts it or wait 10 minutes of it idling to warm up then go for a gentle ride then enjoy that slight splutter at 1/8-1/4 throttle before zipping off into powerband

First start in 9 months.
I had to give her a bit of a tickle to work but straight after she jumped to life and run like a champ

Headlight brackets/ignition

The 200R’s headlight design has left a bit of dead space. I wonder what I could put there.

The columns/frame for the front headlight and everything

Big issue is the Rev cable now doesn’t reach.

Tail tidy

Welded tabs across the rear part of the frame to attach it too so you don’t have no disgusting tabs through your fender.

Nice new Doppler master cylinder cover.

I still have an old one from Devol I could use but I wasn’t 100% sure if I was keen on it personally. I’ll try grab a photo of it at some point.

Fast forward two days and we’re back in the workshop

*This is where we’re at currently *

I love the way she sits, bloody lofty though mind you
This is it against a XJ600 and against a bloke that’s 5’ 11

(Quite a nice bum too don’t ya think )

She runs like a trooper. Just gotta run a compression test and see how that top ends doing / how much life she’s got left in her. Maybe she’ll be good and last through the summer? We’ll see.
Just gotta Chuck the front brake caliper on her (when it arrives), do the speedo + Rev cables as ones to short and the other I just don’t know wether it’ll work and might have to be made. Then it’s MOT + Riding time!

I’ve still got the 200wr swinger and some plans for a rear shock but their going to have to go on the back burner just for a little while