@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

Hey everyone hope you’re all in good health.
It’s been a while since I’ve been about so it’s nice to hear from you all.

Have you ever seen a DTR less out of place?

Life’s been keeping me busy and on top of that I’ve now got the luxury of using the ole DT as a weekend treat.
Luckily summer has granted me quite a few days to get the bike out.

And with miles of years old unexplored public footpaths and by ways accessible to a little two stroke trial bike it’d be a crime not to break a few laws and go on many a excursion with your bike in to the countryside for a little explore. Pro tip: farmers fields usually have ditches at the boundaries so prepare to get your enduro on.

Despite now using the DT as mainly a weekend toy I still don’t shy away from using it as my weapon of choice for a nice little long distance adventure. This is “A house for Essex by Grayson Perry” ft. My dad on his now long gone trusty varadero. The site is actually a beautiful quaint village with plenty of backroads and seafront nearby 10/10 recommend for all of you guys.

Also something a little different… Keeping things true and blue I couldn’t help myself, this is Maureen (in memoir of my nan) my ‘98 FZS600 streetfighter. My first “big bike” and let’s just say she’s an absolute dream to ride. Fairly nippy too.

However I must as fast as the Fazer is the DT still puts a smile on my face every time I ride it so despite what anyone has said, it ain’t going anywhere.

And for anyone that’s read this and is genuinely curious she’s running like a champ on the same piston/rings etc she had when she was imported from France 2 years ago.
When she blows up it’ll be Wr200 or Lanza 230 engine time. Got a nice little piggy bank ready and waiting for it.

@calum hahaha fucking hell, i swear everything rotten from the 80’s/90’s era has been worth more then the scrap value of gold recently (looks to everything old school Ford/Vauxhall). Hell these days you could piss on a tire leave your machine outside for a month Chuck it back in the garage for a couple weeks with a tarpaulin over her then charge £5000 extra because it’s now a “barn find”

@challenger I know this doesn’t relate to you but just for arguments sake I wonder what it’d cost to turn your bog standard engine DT125R engine to the same spec as that full wr200 setup if you didn’t have the tools or experience to do that

@calum if you can find one for a good price. I just sold my fresh rebuilt and 75% fully restored rm 80 for 1100. I check Facebook a week later and there pushing nearly 1300/1400. Seems like gone are the day you’d get a good two stroke mx bike for 1200/1500 the markets just fucking crazy at the moment man

@calum I actually love the guy man. I find his videos like a mechanic equivalent to watching Bob Ross
I’d be curious to meet the chap in person he just seems so down to Earth and simple yet intelligent

@rking7888 you can run a yz 125 shifter on your DTR, it’s quite handy if you wear boots, bulky shoes or just have huge feet as the peg for your shifter sits about an inch further forward and sits slighter further out

Still on the same piston she came from France with.
All I’ve done is keep her tidy, use decent oil and do regular checks on the plugs, Powervalve and replace a bunch of inline fuel filters. It gets a carb clean once a year but other then that she’s a diamond.

I recently bought a fzs 600. Within three days I’d done a ton on it and I thought to myself I wonder if I’ll wanna sell the DT now

https://i.imgur.com/dtWKfQ1.jpg

Then I get her out for a blast, get down to bike night and remember how much I fucking love this thing.

@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.