@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

Speaking from experience CMS is very accurate, I’ve used it a lot over the years and never found a fault

Brilliant site that’s saved me loads of time cross reference part numbers and helped me out a lot having photos of individual screws, bolts etc etc

It’s my understanding they use the same database as Fowler’s (a more comprehensive one at that since there’s way for info on foreign bikes there that Fowler’s etc doesn’t have, ideal if you have an import).

If you’re worried, don’t be. Id trust them 100%

@spookdog gaskets are all fine and bikes holding compression and wants to run. Managed to take her out for a local ride yesterday with a fresh plug in to see what the plug looks like. If memory serves me right I haven’t got all the tools I need to get the flywheel and stator off so I was hoping

It’s weird though because I’d have thought that if I had an air leak the bike would run extremely lean and get hot? Because not once did the bike ever get warm

Whilst riding the symptoms where the same as before
-really high idle (it sometimes died down a bit during the ride) I haven’t got a Rev gauge so I’m just guessing but majority of the time idle sat around 5k.
-only start on choke, it’d enter powerband (hits hard enough to still lift the front end too) but will start to splutter and struggle to fully Rev out (typical signs of not enough fuel).
-put the bike in gear and it’ll move without touching the throttle

None the less she still ran good enough for her to drink a tank of fuel and get home safe without a breakdown.

I have to admit @SpookDog I have a very strong sense that it is that crank seal that’s gone, all the evidence is there + It’d be due something like crank seal since I’ve owned her a few years now since coming over from France and not once have I had to touch the engine.

Like I explained to my dad when he was making guesses at what’s wrong with it, “you can’t have a fire without air, so that bike won’t be to Rev any higher without air to allow it to do so since like a fire if you smother it with fuel to fast it won’t burn”. I could be wrong but that’s my logic.

Ps hope you’re doing well bud, how’s everything with life and the bikes and scoots?

@markus-w said in Carb issue / only idling/starting with choke:

@stevie-wonder you recently had carb apart? Sounds like the throttle slide is the wrong way round. Turn it around you will see the angled part that the idle screw should hit.

Isn’t there a slot / groove on the the idle screw side the throttle slide uses when pushing the carb slide back in to the carb body?
I remember when I was putting everything back together trying to put the throttle slide back in and the first few attempts didn’t work at all until tried a different approach / angle so I’m just wondering how easy it would be to have made that mistake.

Also if it was just the throttle slide that was the wrong way around that'd mean everything else in the carb would be running okay, no? If everything’s running okay with the carb then logically if you Chuck the choke on when it’s warm it should kill revs / make the bike bog?

How does float height effect things and how can it change without manual adjustment?

Throttle cable won’t be the issue, I’ve checked it’s not snagged and I’d had that issue before when I’d put the USD’s on, the extra height of the USD combined with the way the cable was routed meant that turning the bars left would increase the revs a bit.

Thanks again Cal, I hope you’re doing well mate

Update:

My bike now just idles really high and won’t go down no matter what.
I’ve sprayed WD40 all around the air boot and intake tract to see if there’s any leaks and couldn’t find anything.

I’ve also left the bike to warm up to operating temperature and tried making adjustments and had no luck.

It just idles high and stays at the high idle no matter what.
(You can even put it in first and ride it without throttle and the revs don’t dip)

I'm 100% sure neither jets are blocked

idle screw is unresponsive.

Choke doesn’t make a difference however when being ridden flicking it on does make a brief stutter happen before carrying back to normal so I’m guessing the choke is still providing extra fuel.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated as I can’t lie I’m not sure what else to do besides a) Chuck a new plug in her, let her run and get warm and see if the plug colour shows it’s running hotter/leaner then usual or b) finding someone with a decent tester and doing a full leak down test / running the bike and spraying the seals to see if my crank seals gone

@spookdog yeah it happened on its own and not after any aggressive riding either.
It occurred around a month ago, I’d only been using my bike to get to work.
I’m not 100% sure but I remember one morning on my way to work my bike nearly cutting out on me and me having the crawl the last 1/4 the journey to work keeping it in high gear and low revs otherwise if you put it under to much load it would cut out.
If memory serves me right after that it was fine. It’d Rev out no problem and go through powerband fine but was
either idling really high and wouldn’t settle to down to normal idle speed or would die from lack of revs whilst under load.

So after cleaning my carb my bike still only starts with choke, proceeds to then idle really high (id guess about 3.5/4k), then stays at the same rpm after choke is taken off, if left for a couple minutes you can flick the choke on again and it’ll go to cut out as you’d expect.
Idle screw is unresponsive, doesn’t matter if it’s all the way in or out

Gonna spray some WD all around the air boot and inlet and see if there’s any leaks and see if I’m not being patient enough waiting for the bike to adjust to the idle setting

@calum said in Where’s Wally / The idle jet:

@stevie-wonder Get yourself one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wurth-Pump-Bottle-Brake-Cleaner/dp/B07D4FSXX8/ref=asc_df_B07D4FSXX8/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310493449173&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11081789735738343749&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006741&hvtargid=pla-697024686122&psc=1

Reminds me of being a kid again, my dad used to use these when he was a window cleaner.

That’s a smart idea Callum, appreciate it.
I’d never Chuck any brake cleaner in it either, quite happy with a can

@declan said in Where’s Wally / The idle jet:

@calum yeah they're definitely wurth the money

Ffs dec

@spookdog said in Where’s Wally / The idle jet:

@stevie-wonder

If you have compressed air it makes them easier to work on. Just make sure the jets are clear and blow through any holes in the carb so they’re clear too...

Unfortunately I don’t have compressor, so no air line’s here.

Believe it or not you can actually buy cans of compressed air, I’ve been meaning to buy a couple cans for that exact purpose. I just feel like a bit of a twat paying money for something I can breathe for free, you know what I mean?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-400ml-Compressed-Air-Duster-Gas-Spray-Cleaner-HQ-MAX-POWER-HFC-Free-Can-/283888471903?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

I also came up short for having the right flathead screwdriver, my precious ones weren’t wide enough and every other one had was to large in diameter to even go down the hole, luckily I bought this cheap little eBay gadget that came up trumps. I’m not sure if you or anyone has one but I highly recommend it, only a fiver too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carburetor-Carb-Jet-Cleaning-Tool-Set-Wire-Brush-Cleaner-Kit-For-Motorcycle-ATV-/383531854604?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

This little gadget really saved the day and allowed to clear out any gunk and shit that was blocking that pilot jet up.
I forgot how tiny the holes are. I also reinstalled a “1KT” carb net filter, I took mine off the bike a couple years ago and lost it. In hindsight what a total idiot. No wonder I’ve had to have my carb cleaned so regularly.