@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

with the Forks well and truly firmly planted on the bike everything else can get done.

Slowly but surely everything’s coming together.
Been spending every bit of free time inbetween university and trying to make a buck going down the workshop with my uncle to get shit done.

Decided to ditch the HPires fender and go OEM but with a tail tidy, much to my uncles and Ryan’s distaste who both said it looked tacky... which to be fair I do agree with considering I’ve got the OEM tail piece that suits the bike really well. I’d rather clean that back end up though and out the original one in the loft to preserve it for the future.

As I’m doing a tail tidy I’m going to weld a bar / tray to rear of the frame so I can have my tail tidy without three ugly protruding bolts in the fender and to also give a bit of protection against mud + make cleaning easier.

I’ve got to say it’s been a blast too! It’s been proper ideal whilst I’ve been studying at home to give myself something else to focus on and not have to think about being trapped in doors so much.

I had a weird stroke of luck too and the ‘05 axle worked perfect with the ‘03 450 forks leaving me with a spare front axle and odometer.... could be useful for the future so I’ll keep it.

Ryan’s cleaning 22 years worth of gunk and corrosion out my ignition barrel. It looked like an ancient battery inside there. My uncle in the meantime is welding brackets for the 3ET headlight. Also when I say welding I mean we chopped the original headlight mount and modified it to work with the YZ 125 yolks and 3ET headlight.
(I’ll grab photos when I’m next down the workshop to show)

One of the issues with mounting everything is the YZ 125 yolks only have tabs for a number board so they’re not the most structurally secure thing to go mount clocks and a headlight too especially on an off-road bike.
My uncle had the brilliant idea of creating a central bar for the clocks and then two support columns made of steel to weld the pre-existing yet now modified DTR light bracket

Trying to get the fitment perfect was a little bit tricky as the clocks on the DT protrude like a fat blokes belly after a carvery. However as chance would have it I spoke to a dude with an original 3ET who gave me a pretty good idea of the fitment for it on a standard bike

As luck would have it we wasn’t far off

@spookdog I’ve probably mentioned I’m no carb expert and it’d surprise me if you haven’t tried it but have you tried putting the choke on partially or all the way at the boggy spot to see if it livens up a bit or just kills the bike due to over fuelling? It’s just a little trick I was taught.

Also I was always taught to leave the air screw alone and then get everything else working. If your getting what you describe then it sounds like not enough fuel in the lower part of the circuit

@garth

link text

As for cleaning it, I admit I usually leave my carb alone as much as possible and leave it for those more experienced then I however cleaning it isn’t too hard.
If you can take the carb off yourself then locate someone with an ultrasonic cleaner and Chuck them a tenner, failing that go to your local bike shop.

However there are plenty of extremely detailed and fool proof tutorials on YouTube for the DT125R look this, courtesy of my favourite grumpy old git of a DT enthusiast, Frankie.
link text

One of my favourite people on YouTube, RyanF9 does a pretty good job explaining the difference + their benefits in this video. He also does a really good job explaining to you why depending on the type of chain you have it’s quite important to use a certain lube.

link text

@calum you’ve missed the point though, every person on a four banger wants a two stroke it’s just that it’s not the go to for your average learner because like I said before the age of the two stroke is long gone.
Every single one of my mates on their YZF’s, WR’s, Dukes all absolute fancy the pants off the DT and every single time will profess they wished they’d had one but....

Enough time has passed that if you’re a 20 something in this day and age everything about a four banger is just better and more viable option. It’s just what’s pushed on to learner market these days, it’s nothing about interest at all it’s just about what’s easier and more readily available to your average learner.

That’s what I meant about a two stroke generation gap, turn back the clocks some 10-15 years and it’d be a different story. At least so I imagine, I’ll let you boys share your stories of being a yoof.

Speaking as someone who started on a four banger and fits into that category they’re just so much easier to swing a leg over. More affordable, easier to find someone who’d service them (because chances are the average learner don’t have any bike maintenance or mechanical skills), service intervals are simpler.

So like I say, learner riders aren’t getting on to four strokes through lack of interest just simply the lack of accessibility.
Proof of this is the 50cc’s, you’ll be hard pressed to find a geared 50 that hasn’t been tuned to 70/76cc.

I get what you’re saying though you can buy a decent two stroke for 1,500 compared to 2k for a four banger however like I mentioned then you’ve also got to be able to afford the maintenance which if you can’t do yourself turns a 1,500 smoker into an unusable and expensive form of transport. Then there’s this, when you’re a new rider who knows nothing about two strokes the one thing you can guarantee you have heard is that they blow up / seize in a rather unexpected and dangerous fashion that a four stroke never will. Boom. Now guess who just bought a four banger?
Once again if this was 10-15 years ago and a few of your mates had two strokes someone would quickly explain the reason why that happens and how rare it happens as well but like I said before, it’s just not what’s viable option anymore so you’re left with us two stroke nuts keeping the torch lit

I fully get what your saying man, you got a good argument but for every good 125 two stroke on the market right now theres at least 8 four strokes that where purposely designed for a learner rider.

You are right though compared to a car everything’s expensive. I always laughed at the boy racers and just sat there thinking you could have a 600 which would dust off any learner car It’s for that reason I did my driving lessons but haven’t bothered buying a car... what’s the point? Stupidly overpriced.

Also dukes... funny you mention them. My friend Molly JD hers stolen a week after she sold it. They’re commonly stolen I think it’s because you can break there steering locks easy and also get a flash reader like you would for cars that just plugs in and makes it work like normal.
That and they’re easy to Hotwire unfortunately. Dukes are just a real easy target to nick, I’ve seen a few go missing my way as well

@calum

Don’t be ageist
Loads of people my age love two strokes, it’s just no longer a viable option for someone young to own one anymore. It’s why when I pull up on the DT all boys on their euro 4 bangers wanna come have a look and talk to me but they’ll always say whilst they’ve always wanted one they could never own one. It’s like theres a two stroke generation gap or something

1. they’re expensive to buy, maintain and run. 2) highly sought after (by thieves and riders alike) 3) there’s less and less people the same age with the knowledge to maintain them. 4) you usually pay a premium on insurance for owning one as a young person depending where you live.
2. with it now looking like you’ll no longer be able to import from France it means what bikes are left are gonna be SORN and left in a garage and forgotten about for 10 years. So good luck finding one that seems viable to use as a daily.

It honestly feels like these days owning a smoker of any sort is more an act of love then it is a mode of transport

Not sure if the dogs that interested

Sorted out a brake Caliper. £50 for one like new only drawback is the 2 week wait for it to come from America however at this point I’ve just accepted that a 2 week wait isn’t even that bad. It gives me time to do everything else.

WRF wheel, axle and odometer ordered as well, going to be looking into making a mod for it to work with DTR clocks. I’m praying I get lucky and they just work with each other without any modifications but that’s just being a bit too optimistic.

I’ve now got to get
1 02-04 WR wheel
1 03-04 Brake Caliper
1 Brake hose.

For the wheel scenario ideally I’d like to find a decent condition ‘02 426 wheel and have matching excels like I do with the YZ rim. Only issue 2002 was the first and only year the four stokes would receive them, from then on only the 125’s got them.
Although that’s the last of my issues as I’m struggling to find a decent wheel of any type in the first place. They’re all 05 onwards or in America.
My solution? Buy an ‘05 and put an ‘04 axle in it.
See the hub is the same from 02-19. Axle 98-04. Bearings 03-16 and just about everything else matches up so fingers crossed this fixes that.

The brake caliper is just annoying. It’s hard finding one that be in good condition for sensible money / not in the states. It’s gotta be done though.

Brake hose is a broke hose. I’m just gonna buy one second hand for now depending on how much money I’ve got snd my urge to get my bike closer to having an MOT.

I did notice though that the YZ’s and WR’s brake hoses have different part numbers and I just wondered why? They use the same lower legs and the hose routes under snd over the fork leg the same?

3 steps forwards and 5 steps back

Spent some early mornings and afternoons down the workshop with my uncle down the workshop and got the ‘03 WR450 forks and the yolks. A quick bit of masking tape over the vin plate to spray the bearing cup and Voila, she’s a honey. All I needed was to chuck all the right spacers and crown nut and then she was set. Apico stem nut is a nice little touch too

She’s now resting on her weight for the first time in 7/8 months now. Crazy.

Although getting to see this makes it worth it.
I rarely say this about my bike but woah.
It likes 100x better then I imagined + the suspensions noticeable so much nicer. Super super stoked.

Except as ever there’s an issue..
I fucked up during one of my many late CMSNL part compatibility binges that I guess you could also call research. I was trying to see what the latest year forks I could run with my ‘02 YZ yolks.
At the same time I was also trying to make sure the set of forks on eBay I wanted where as describe and the correct year. I ended up getting the bits for the 03 forks I was comparing and 02 muddled up. What a twonk.

I planned to ditch the YZ wheel for a WR one at some point anyway. Remember before I said about trying to use the WR’s odometer and modding it to hopefully work with the DTR’s clocks.
I still need a new bracket caliper though as 03 forks can only run 03-04 callipers.
In a strange twist of fate it also turned out that the caliper that came with my forks wasn’t even right anyway, when it came to fitting it the bolt holes where about 5-10mm out. I believe it to be an 05.

@nottsbiker

I wonder what gave it away

The quality is beyond anything I expected, they’re simply beautiful.