1989 Suzuki Rm250 Dirt Bike Find. Will It Run?

[@smlogisticspotgieter8552]

You know when your young..still in school..don't have too much money..but you want a dirtbike so badly..so you gather your friends and put money together and buy the cheapiest bike you can get..get it to run..the best memories..now..grown up diesel tech..still buying dirtbikes fixing them..love it to bits...thnx for your vids

[@LOOKOUT2012]

Pouring oil into the cylinder then doing a compression test will always achieve a false / high reading... Love the bike.... Was my first ever Dirt bike when I was 15 lol it was way too big and powerful but loved it!!

[@polishoskar2039]

That's definitely a full restoration candidate 🤩

[@keithonmason4199]

The way the bike opened up made me smile

[@trose7620]

That's cherry! Loved those 80s RMs. The 83 Rm 500 out back is as bad ass as it gets!! Done a full build of an 89 250 last May, guy brought to me in parts in boxes. Built it in about 3 days, ran like a beast. Guy still has it and rides it about every day. Still clean as a whistle.

[@marte1a256]

I’m totally blind and follow your videos along very well. Pat yourself on the back for that because not a lot of people have that ability to create content and such a way. With this video I even made my own little checklist for whenever we go check out a new machine to buy. You are awesome keep it up

[@2vintage]

Thanks! Glad you like the videos and can follow them easily!

[@cass8144]

Forgive me for my curiosity getting to me but may I ask how you typed the comment? I think it's really cool that you can follow along with the video even with impaired vision

[@marte1a256]

@@cass8144 impaired vision is not the word. No vision is more like it. Iphones come with a feature called voiceover that makes the screen accessible to the blind by speaking text and allowing the use of finger gestures to navigate.

[@cass8144]

@@marte1a256 thanks for the info 👍

[@Jimsalos]

A good friend of mine is completely blind, I am constantly amazed at how many things she can do! Technology such as voiceover definitely helps a lot, but so does determination not giving up

[@paullussier9349]

I had an 89.Bought it brand new.Would beat all 250s in low to mid, just lacked a lil bit at top on long drags.& will look as good as new bikes.Stands tall & beefy too for big guys.

[@letterboxscars]

Looks like the previous owner put stop leak in the coolant. Hopefully not! Great find either way!

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

I doubt it's the power valve Joe. If the power valve was either closed or open, it wouldn't splutter like that. You have a fuel issue.

[@jbsleddin]

If I were a gambling man, I would bet on the float level.

[@Doc842]

@@jbsleddin needle clip in carb

[@jbsleddin]

@@Doc842 Yes Doc, you may very well be correct. You can play with jetting all day long but if the float height is incorrect you're as effective as a fool in the rain.

[@11GalleryATV]

Props to you sir! I have never been able to successfully get a bolt out with an easy out! Tried many times and always end up snapping it off!

[@smokesandalloy9487]

The square ones seem to work the best, but could be luck of the draw as well

[@peterwait641]

Best to drill out bit closer to bolt diameter if really tight, always risk of snapping the easy out . cheap easy out are not very strong !

[@scottbehl216]

It's always nice to get an easy fix every once in a while lol. I got my kids an RM 80 when they were young. Very quick.

[@ki11m3please325]

The amount of content you push out is amazing. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Hudson Wisconsin!

[@grantcoles8830]

The reason he puts out so much content is because he never finishes any of them This rm is still running like shit

[@ki11m3please325]

@@grantcoles8830 firstly. that’s not true. He just finished the one today and he’s literally said in the past. If it costs to much he more than likely just parts then out or sells them as is. He’s finished plenty of projects even down to that one that clearly sat outside for years. Just because he doesn’t finish them all has nothing to do with how much he uploads .. cause one it could be a new project or two it’ll be another one he’s still working on. Doesn’t matter it’s still new content. It’s still a new upload. Secondly. If you don’t like it just keep it to yourself and instead of bashing someone go somewhere where negative opinions matter have a wonderful day 🙂

[@Rod-db8tt]

Great video, like others said lose the plug and check power valve. I'd go a step further and pull top end for inspection.

[@Rod-db8tt]

@@ki11m3please325 everyone has an opinion ... I've been watching his channel for a long time and it's awesome. I've watched him grow into a competent mechanic. I understand it's a business, but I also cringe at some of the shenanigans he does putting these bikes back together.

[@exlonghauler]

Reminds me of when I was young fooling around with my bikes and keeping them running !! Always enjoy your videos !! Keep up the good work !!

[@chrisjones7869]

I love RM s. I have a 98 and this one looks every bit as clean as it did when I bought it. Good buy. Keep the yellow ones ripping!!👍🤘🇺🇸. God bless

[@fromex2lsturbo]

The oil was contaminated just like the antifreeze.. Im having issues with the water pump on my LT250R.. just snapped the shaft.. seems like the design is a bit flawed 🤷‍♂️ hopefully you find the issue before you grenade bottom end

[@TroyRosenbaugh]

Had an 88 16:06 come in, guy had a surface gap marine plug in it. Said he liked them in his outboard so he was running them in his dirt bikes. They do work quite well for max fuel burn. Those there seem a bit overkill. Good old water in card, can't burn it.

[@leandereckholdt3203]

Just want to say that I love your videos, and that I learn something new from every video you make. Keep making this content :)

[@l.s.tukbigbud7715]

I agree with you on this 1 bro..

[@Gameplay-zs5xv]

Same :D

[@DJswope73]

Stoked for this one. I have a 1992 rm250 full pro circuit pipe and the fmf ram valve that's impossible to find.

[@raybaker8726]

my son and I just got a 2002 ktm 125 going. Rebuilt top end, Cleaned all parts in power valve and got into the carb. Clogged, jets all wrong. Gave it a good cleaning and a rebuild. Took it riding last weekend. Its a screamer.

[@toddmorris2205]

Nice bike change the PLUG NGK 8es and 38mm pwk carb and it will rip I'm 62yrs old still ride have a 96 cr250r love it been workin on dirt bikes seance 1965 I've been watchin your vids for a long time keep up the good

[@charlesgraham9954]

now u know what he was talking about having no leg left to kick the bike over.. lol.. nice video as always. u are helping a lot of people work on their owe bikes, thank u for ur time making these videos.

[@JohnnieBravo1]

Man, I love these old trail bikes. Reminds me of an old Suzuki TS-90 I had in my late teens. That thing was like riding a little girl's bicycle with a jet engine in it. Low geared, top speed probably wasn't over 50 mph, but that thing would climb a tree and pull a stump out of the ground. Undoubtedly the most fun bike I ever owned. Also, it's like my daughter's Suzuki LT-80 mini-quad. Tiny little thing, but just stupid fast. She still has it (she's 25 now), still loves and rides it, and it runs like a scalded dog.

[@ComputerCapone]

not a trail bike, nothing remotely close to a ts90.

[@cooperdonner4520]

@@ComputerCapone no need to be a smartass about it.

[@JohnnieBravo1]

@@ComputerCapone Thanks for your reply. Please re-read my thoughts.... I said it reminded me of an old bike I had. I never said it was like it.

[@slurpnterps698]

@@JohnnieBravo1 your first sentence “ man I love these old trailbikes “. 🤔 definitely not a trail bike

[@tpghl5225]

Keep an eye on those crank bearings. That overly rich condition oils be the right crank seal. Especially if the bearings rusted from water droplets being in there. Definitely something to look into. 140 is low, should be like 170+ at least for a 250.

[@michaelweems679]

It should easily run with 140psi. Are these unusually high compression engines. 140psi is good enough for most cars to run on, with a few exceptions. And they will run well.

[@tpghl5225]

@@michaelweems679 It’ll run but it’s not optimal, a top end on that thing would probably do wonders to compression if the cylinder isn’t too worn. My 04 rm250 hovers around 185 psi, and is getting on the low side when under 170. But yeah it will run, I’m just anal about things. I’m sure it’s lower than 140 though as he put oil on the cylinder and then did a compression check if I recall correctly and someone else mentioned it in the comments too

[@mxfam6700]

Adjust exhaust valves and take the lawn mower spark plug out replace with an ngk

[@Bandito071]

Good luck adjusting the exhaust valves.

[@tstjmiller]

What exhaust valves?

[@barryterry8078]

It’s a 2 stroke , there is no exhaust valves or a cam for that matter

[@mxfam6700]

Hahaha yeah it's a 2 stroke it has power valve other wise known from the factory as exhaust valves what do you need to know next?

[@kennethwood713]

leave the valves alone , never be able to get to them. But get rid of the extra 10hp spark plug, first thing I noticed

[@css0076]

You need a new set of reeds, a real spark plug (NGK) and run your premix at 40:1. Probably looking at a right side crank seal if either gearbox oil or coolant is contaminated again. I love the '89-90 RMs thou....my first 125 was a 89. The stock shroud graphics still look badass.....timeless.

[@michaelmays4790]

Love to see you take on a dented up expansion chamber .I bet anything Joe you could get it straightened up. That would make for a good video

[@jesseverwoert9769]

Very nice video. But i think the linkage and swingarm bearings dont have any grease in them, it squeaks and creaks quite a lot, i think time for some new ones. And if you get a non running engine, its always a good idea to drain al fluids and add new, before you start it. Keep up the videos.

[@Hanky_Bannist8r]

I've had two 89 Rm 250s. Best chassis for a tall guy. The Showa front forks and oem clutch basket were garbage. The flat slide Keihin was hard to tune but once you get it dialed that bike would absolutely scream. Still to this day one of my favorite machines.

[@jamessharp9790]

Came with Kyb suspension and a Mikuni Tmx carb . I just tuned one for a friend with a PWK copy carb I call a CCPWK 😜

[@leecameron7132]

They were called slingshots for a reason the oldies were the best and still are

[@kenjohnson5498]

That bike is in decent shape for its year, those old bikes ripped

[@marcdavid5841]

Wow Joe, I just watched the Tecate 4 video. I had the 87, first year they were made. Now scrolling down and see the Suzuki RM250 which I owned new in 88. Loved it. So much power and fun. It truly was a race bike with no idol. You definitely need riding boots or a good strong sole boot to repeatedly kick it over.

[@brumjunglist420]

nice find there dude. i grew up on 2 stroke motercross bikes, a friend had a 1989 rm 80 that was hard to keep the front end down on. great fun. your house is perfect for a dirt biker, im stuck in the city in a car, lol

[@SKIN_DOGG_INC]

“Oh she opened up” I love the videos man

[@diesel8762]

Get rid of The lawn mower plug. Power valve wouldn’t cause gurgling

[@finster7582]

Nice bike! LOVE the oldies! Turn air/idle to 1.5 out..thats always my start point..😃👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍id totally restore it !

[@chapsteronetime2000]

Zip tie love baby!! Had a 87” 125 she was a ripper for sure! Good luck w the rebuilding process my friend

[@richie8214]

Other day I was looking for a video off you on a rm 250 . Now you have one

[@charliepapa5835]

Check the crank seals....had the same problem w my 85 cr250....would hit the band in 1st thru 3rd but 4th and 5th would fly....changed the seal and all good

[@sevendyseven4090]

2 things: Get that poop of a spark plug out, inspect/re pack silencer..Beaut bikes the 88 & 89's. Rare keepers if in more less original cond..this one needs the factory decals pronto imo though.

[@genex8944]

I love the look of these old school two-strokes. Hope to pick one up this year.

[@crazymd15]

Take it on a Top Speed run!!! Just ride it on the roads, Great Classic RM!!! Water pump seals always go bad on those years, anytime I did a Top End i always replaced the water pump impeller and the seal and gaskets!! Real Nice Bike!!Have a Blast with it!!

[@carnivorecave]

I live in East Texas and a dirt bike that has all the parts mainly is rare and if you find them they want an arm and a leg for them. Same with 4 wheelers. It amazes me that every week you have a new bike or atv...

[@jakeresnick2669]

Get rid of that junk plug with a solid one piece bar across the whole plug and run a correct ngk plug and you never checked the powervalve setting adjustment its adjustable you got a manual adjust it to stock setting takes a min only. If not them two things it's your pilot jet a tad to big loading it up go down a size maybe or play with the air screw if you had it turned out to 2 turns go back to 1 and a quarter

[@dennisradle8663]

Yes. original plug for the year it was built.

[@flatbrookwildlifesolutions2033]

My first bike! Also my favorite bike!. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for another for the past 30 years. I would gladly buy that if you decide to sell!

[@dalsonmeyers723]

Definitely try and check the crankshaft seal had same problem and fixed it

[@royhenson3379]

I had a 1995 RM 250. Great bike, I used to hit the doubles & triples not always land them but had Fun.. Great Dirt Bike.

[@flipitgarage9653]

Am I the only one who's going to point out that is an RMX 250? With RM ufo front and rears. The tank is rmx 11L as well as the side plates and rad shrouds are rmx aswell.

[@MotoGuy-ul6lp]

Its got the wrong swingarm to be an rmx, all the ones I've seen plus mine have snail cams not bolts and its also not got the engine guards on the frame. 🙂 maybe it's a mix of both lol

[@MRMechanicRC]

I can’t believe you just uploaded this video, I have the exact same bike I’m trying to restore!

[@jozsef6453]

Nice to see some retro 2 wheeler 🤘

[@nickofcambodia2980]

Nice man ! Love ur vids ! Especially the dirtbike fixing ones

[@quincyspielberger4366]

Should have gone much bigger with the bolt extraction. You could have had a hardened extractor broken off inside what was left of the bolt.

[@kieranmurphy7659]

It makes me laugh all the so called bike experts on here trying to say u doing this and that wrong but I fully respect how u repair these bikes u get them all started so u can't be doing that much of a bad job hey 🤷‍♂️🤣 keep up the good videos really enjoy learning from them 😉👍

[@dwaynertr8209]

Love your vids. I have learned alot from your content. I have a KX 100 that rips. The choke doesn't work, it makes it very cold natured. It starts 1st or 2nd keep ck every time. Someone said the choke port may be clogged. Wish you would do a vid on how to remove choke an unclog. Thanks.

[@donseymour5560]

Looking forward to a deeper dig, still have my 89 Rm, so i will be taking notes... haha Thanks 2 vintage

[@ivoman7]

not waterbubbles, waterdroplets :) quick comment

[@just4kicks950]

Bought one brand new! Killer find clean bike . When all is right they run like a bat out of hell 🔥🔥🤘

[@Drum3rboy14]

recomend using hand tools with the easy outs..... when they break off they are near impossible to get out. there us a 1/4 in rachet adapter thgat fits those easy outs/ taps

[@drock5298]

Wish we had great home mechanics around here in washington were I live. Love ur vids.

[@jakedetrick1070]

Do you ever completely finish a project? I see you say it needs this and that but seems we rarely see them completely finished.

[@MattiasE]

Very nice old RM there 👍 So nice you find old bikes and bring them back to life 🥰

[@briancrull8678]

My favorite old bike Had one 20 years ago Shoulda kept it Iconic

[@cohenbell6595]

been waiting on a 89-92 rm!!

[@chris001979]

Looks like they put Bar's Leaks Liquid Aluminum Radiator sealant in the coolant

[@edjacobson4827]

I bought one of those for $250.00 with a toasted engine, missing pipe, and a few other parts. Luckily, I found a whole engine on CL for $450.00. Wound up paying a mechanic $1,000.00. Now it runs - I hope.

[@DeathDealer1825]

Lol if you sent it to joe he would have done it for half i bet

[@markfreckmann2366]

I sure enjoyed the video. I had a 88 RM125 I loved that bike. I think about it often. Your 250 looked like my bike.

[@thatcrazyguyjay]

Nice 👍. I’ve still got to rebuild my yz250 1992 after a reed screw went up the barrel last time I used it and that was a few years ago but I’m rebuilding it for this summer and I’m sending the barrel of to be redone 😊. I can’t wait to get it done then I’ll have all 9 of my mx bikes running

[@dominickserignese8837]

text book bolt extraction! good job brother!😎👍

[@2vintage]

Yeah I was surprised that it came out as easy as it did!

[@abitofeverythingllc.4560]

You didn’t use heat or break the easy out off inside the bolt!! Gotta be the luckiest man alive

[@ghostyboy9469]

Love how when you draining the coolant you were hopeful it was gonna be water since you didn’t see coolant but it ended up being oily super light gear oil and it starts laughing at you 😂

[@bhoss7133]

When cold starting, stop twisting the throttle when you kick it!

[@hyweljones6277]

Numpty never listens 🙄

[@halogod0298]

@@hyweljones6277 why? Is that bad?

[@bhoss7133]

@@halogod0298 it's not "bad". But if the carb is tuned/ correctly, it makes it more difficult to start. When he pours gas directly into the cylinder with the squirt bottle, that's essentially the same as what using the choke does when starting a cold engine. You're sucking more raw fuel into the cylinder, changing the air-to-fuel ratio. When he twists the throttle, he's allowing more air in, negating the point of more Fuel.

[@MAGGOT_VOMIT]

@@bhoss7133 The only way I could break my younger brother from doing that on his KX80 was telling him that twisting it forward (clockwise) made ya kick harder. 🤣

[@MAGGOT_VOMIT]

@@bhoss7133 I think he's got a bad primary coil. That is the reason for the weak spark at the beginning of the vid and it loading up in the lower rpm. His secondary coil is kicking in just fine at higher rpms like it should and that's why he thinks it's fixing itself. He should change out both coils. Just a lil FYI, The secondary coil kicking in at high rpm's is what the ignorant folk have always called "The Power Band". 🤣

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

Power band works!!! Yee haw, good timed

[@scottbehl216]

Joe, my son's band LAKE EFFECT will be playing at The Nuthouse Bar just west of Fondy June 4th for some good Rock and roll. Rain or shine, I'll buy you a drink lol

[@TroyRosenbaugh]

I think the Suzuki 2 strokes have the best grumble I. Their 2 strokes. Nice bike Joe, she's got a lot of life left.

[@idan1358]

Omg that oil coolant🤣& speckled gear oil🤦‍♂️ that bike is lucky it’s in your hands - love your videos mate, I do the same stuff just haven’t coordinated the filming side just yet😜🤙

[@nickchurch4207]

Like your build brother I have a 92 Suzuki RM 250 I just built my self and I just picked up a 89 Yamaha yz 250 wr 3 days ago 🤘

[@TheGamer-ei5xk]

You expire me to start buying and fixing bikes

[@williamkinnane1606]

Great vid Joe!!!

[@robertdavis4184]

gotta love 2 strokes . for future videos I would like to see a Yamaha DT series of bikes 125 175 250's. that's what I grew up riding. keep up the videos

[@heli-man-]

I used to love the RM250 very distinctive sound when going across the field they were very popular around the same time there was KTM 185 also a unique sound and of course the 1979 Honda CR 250 Red Rocket.

[@2WheeledPatinaThomasC]

Nice to see two wheels again partner 👍🍺

[@jaypearce6199]

These where faster than all the rivals of that era, I had a 91 rm 250, absolutely insane for the age

[@badickbrad]

I used to have 3 89 RM250 I drag raced them the one was a big bore 327cc ported and Polished with a 40 mm electron carburetor PVL ignition FMF pipe silencer boyesen reeds air shifter crazy compression. head cut 17 degrees

[@chadhanebrink8009]

That Suzuki powerband though….it’s just on a different level

[@ronhanish]

drill tip, go low on speed and higher on push, keep drill sharp

[@MattySlimz]

Nice find, those year RM's were rippers, ALL classes, Suzuki implemented their power valve system that year I believe. As far as the plastics go, I want to believe their originals but the chances of that being so on an 30+ y/o bike meh. The addition of some UFO decals adds to the fact. Awesome nonetheless! Is that an old Hopper or QT I SEE in the background!? I'm gonna have to go back and see some old episodes, those little things are so dope!!

[@thomps222]

I had an ‘86 that had a power valve. It was a ripper!

[@jonmccormick8683]

@@thomps222 1986 was the first year for the powervalve RM

[@RNgabe]

my dad has a 91 250 whenever I see him on it he shreds it he just fixed it 2 months ago after sitting in the garage since 2008

[@scottw2157]

I had a 1993 rmx 250 (basically the same bike) if you can find one a boysen radvalve woke these bikes up big time.

[@sismundomurillo2478]

I swear you get all the good stuff for the best price

[@edkoehn7451]

I have a 1989 RMX 250. Love that bike.

[@Tdaz250]

33:59 could have fooled me I thought I heard a Sanchez from vice city 😅

[@overcome8628]

So, from watching u, Check to see if the air filter is dirty and clogged, check to see if its getting spark, check to see if its getting gas to the carb, if so clean the carb. Check the coolant, check the oil, check the brakes, Than if that's not it things get complicated.

[@jamesbarber8308]

I got a non running 91 Rmx 250 had to do a full rebuild but she runs strong now fastest two smoker I’ve had

[@oddub3744]

Dude I’ve beeen waiting for u to do ones of these I got the same yearrr

[@2vintage]

Awesome!

[@capeRCouple]

im guessing the oil in the coolant is caused from the seal in the water pump leaking,easy and chaep fix,just pop the cover off the water pump,maybe 5 or 10 minutes to replace it then no more oil in there,see if there is coolant going in the bottom end oil,that will tell you if thats the cause

[@peteraitken6494]

Awesome bikes joe love the r ms great bikes that is a bargain you got right there banging these vids out big time mate awesome channel take care buddy 🔧🔧🔧👍👌🏍🏍

[@2WheelDylan]

Another beast... saved from the dead

[@free-birdrocker8809]

Haha! Sounds like a clapped out Pe-250. Good looking bike for that year of suzie. Good luck!

[@charlesyates6687]

That was the top dog in 89 nothing could touch the Suzuki rm back then .

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

Had a 86.RM 500 and my buddy's 89 250, could hang all day. Sound amazing. I use RM staor for my electrical parts in my shop. Never done me wrong. Have fun!

[@johncoleman2495]

There was never an 86 RM500! 83-84 only.

[@michaelgarrone7199]

Probably fuel and water in the crankcase, needs the proper plug too, looks like a pretty clean bike!

[@dirtmcgirt3445]

Maybe some weird off-brand stop leak? I changed my radiator, water pump, and hoses in my s10 years ago and the reservoir and heater core still dye the coolant from the stop leak that was in it when I bought it. I've flushed it countless times lol.

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

Was a good year! Enjoy!!