I Spent $2500 On a 20 Year Old Dirt Bike. Was It Worth It?

[@Helibeaver]

These early 2000s bikes are the best looking. Just my opinion

[@robertkwit8506]

The frames are awesome, just the right amount of flex.

[@emth12389]

2003 cr 250

[@bigcaputo09]

It's amazing that the power valve linkage has the exact same geometry and length rod. Especially with different power valves in the cylinders!! That's pretty cool of Yamaha!!

[@bryonshuttt436]

Nothing sounds better than a 2 stroke on the pipe!!!!

[@martymcmannis6581]

Yeah like someone ramed a stick in a bee hive

[@harrisoncoulter1]

@@martymcmannis6581that’s frickin hilarious

[@TenRing69]

To be honest, I like the sound of that 1977 RM 125 you picked up over that yamaha.

[@TheStevo420]

I’m watching this with my daughter and she’s like “I wanna help him” 😂

[@2vintage]

Haha awesome!

[@corporalclegg914]

she already is. views are revenue.

[@scottmichelz6528]

Do you have a trx 250r for sale or trade ?

[@kadenNY]

@@scottmichelz6528I do.

[@conservativerealist]

Someone needs to help him.new top end,no break in procedure,using pliers instead of a plug wrench 😅

[@davewarrender2056]

I don't ride bikes, but I appreciate engineering. I'm always blown away how all those bikes and atv you repair , always manage to find ways to maximum power and performance, by using clever engineering solutions. Much more impressive than cars I think, keep them coming 😮

[@rposton919]

Lol...

[@michaelgalli8269]

My buddy back in the day had the same year dirt bike and it was the fastest 125 around it use to beat everything

[@rcclassiccrawlers4368]

I’m not a huge fan of Yamaha but that thing sounds like it’s running crisp and clean. Nothing compares to a 2-stroke ripper in my opinion. Nice job dialing it in. 👍

[@GNX157]

Just keep in mind the jetting calls are typically made for warmer temps in the 80F range so it’s quite a bit colder and dryer there now so you may need to jet again in late spring.

[@Zookies_710]

Good to see her running 😊

[@jasonjavelin]

Power valves are such a sneaky expense!!! Something I don’t really hear you mention is deals falling through (which I totally get). I’ve been buying or trying to buy stuff on marketplace for a while and the amount of people that just have trash communication skills or will ghost you is insane. You gotta have insane patience to deal with that all the time! I am very glad you call out people pretty much lying for more money though it’s a very nice change of pace.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Sounds like me, every $500 repair is $200 in wrong parts

[@staygold902]

Last bike I sold on marketplace was the last straw never doing it again. Everyone wants something for nothing. Low ball city. Then probably 6-8 no shows.

[@wickiuprat]

I agree, but so many people want way too much money for their machines on marketplace. I recently was looking for a four-wheel-drive quad. I got so fed up with people asking too much money for their 15-20-year-old machines. I just went out and bought a new Suzuki king quad 400 and only spent about $1500 more than most people ask for their old quad .

[@Skidderoperator]

Used prices are nuts these day.

[@thebigdustin]

@@wickiupratI got a 06 Kawasaki Prairie 700 for $800. Guy wanted $3,000. It had no spark. No power of any kind. Pull start was locked up. I offered, guy refused. I walked away. He relented. Called me back. Dirty connections on the electrics was the no spark issue and it needed a new flywheel key. Solid machine for $800.

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

I like that bike.. that one takes me right back to my older youth, I was like 20 or so when my buddy had one of these. This thing was a RIPPER back then, used to smoke me on my 125 but with everything you've got into it Joe I think you're still ahead, especially preserving good old bikes like this. Nice job!!

[@jamesalbrandt]

You have become my most watched channel. Phenomenal work you’re doing sir. I appreciate your time and your knowledge.

[@richardburke7339]

Joe, when you were torqueing down the head at 15:00 minutes in I thought the intake looked loose, but didn't know I was right until later when you found out they were in fact loose, love the videos, Rich in Sacramento

[@CharlieRice-eq5hb]

Yeah, I thought I saw a little gap.

[@kalaharimine]

You can probably repair & straighten the perforated silencer tube by welding short collars were you're re-joining the breaks.

[@wags9777]

The camera view on the bike while you're riding is much better than watching you ride from a tripod across the field

[@laranjiinha77]

Actually I like to see it on tripod, because it gives me a bit of better sense of torque, speed and behaviour. :)

[@williammoyer9063]

Man, watching you dial that motor in was super informative. You're the magic man. I learn something every episode. Thank you.

[@ni_wink84]

I had a 2000 yz125 and the pro circuit R304 shorty was the absolute best silencer ever, the bottom end it gave the bike was incredible on a 125

[@TroyRosenbaugh]

Those, we run straight 50w usually. That's good oil too. Keep up the good work. Richen her up a bit.

[@jefferyholland]

The gift that keeps on giving. Certainly, has been a testing project but in the end, I think it was worth it. Nice bike.

[@WaRn00b85]

Man.... it just doesn't get better than that 2 stroke sound at full tilt! Awesome job bro!

[@markjones6181]

Nothing like everything being snug, level, and tight.....nice job on the rebuild.....Stay Up, Hard, and Free brother.......🔥❤️💯

[@rickwardenaar2639]

Dont forget to fasten the exhaust onto the frame

[@kochykoo]

Good job Joe. It's a love hate relationship buying and flipping bikes. You never know what you'll get and what they actually have done. But like everything is you put the time in and got the money anything can be brought back... Working on customer bikes they get to decide to see if the money's worth it for them and it doesn't come out of your pocket 🍻🍻🍻

[@mattskinner5432]

That click of the torque wrench, so satisfying 😁

[@bobrose7900]

You realize that the rebuilt pipe is all part of the tune! Seems to pull like a steam train at the top end, the pickup from the bottom end would be nice to dial in. One of my biggest icks is jetting from just off tickover - I'm trials and enduro based if you have haven't guessed. Your patience is in a league of one though, most people would have given up on this.

[@lloydbethel252]

Great job getting it dialed in

[@MR-puffnstuff]

Got it on the 18th attempt well done sir. This as always is nice build and got nice plastics on it and all i do not see u having a hard time selling it for $3,500 or more wrll done very clean bike.

[@jamesobrien6855]

$3500 or more 😂

[@jamesobrien6855]

He'll have a hard time getting $2500 his money back on this one

[@TruckingCarsL48]

@@jamesobrien6855 To prove a point I will offer $3,501 👍

[@mattsloop2736]

​@@jamesobrien6855 has he ever sold a bike he's fixed?

[@runtissmodlab1492]

One time I lost big on a kx100. Ended up 3k in the hole.

[@2vintage]

Yeah it happens!

[@timewa851]

are there even $3k in parts on a kx 100? lol.

[@waynehamblin1128]

My friend dint feel bad I've spent 1800 on the ignition for my kdx 175 before it. Finally quit mysteriously breaking the stator coils overnight.

[@johneven2896]

34:34 That thing is right in and on that powerband, I Love It!.

[@snowyowl7042]

Bravo, your patience and knowledge reassembled the puzzle.

[@faroutgenetics59]

1998 and 1999 YZs were the best two strokes made at the time IMO, we had both years

[@davidouellette6833]

Totally Worth it nice bike nice looking

[@jayjudd6518]

😊 Perfect explanation. This was a great watch. Hard to believe that little motor can hold up. 😊😊😅

[@wrathchild3581]

Wow! That bike sounds amazing!

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Glad to see you got in a good rip with this latest build!

[@markhensley9378]

You've spent a lot of time and money on this project. This is exactly why I watch your channel. You did what was necessary to get it running right. I appreciate you taking the time to make this video content. By the way, have you been able to find another starter for the hovercraft? I bet you could take it to a professional electric motor rewinding place and get it done.

[@Biffo1262]

Surely if you are using choke to run better then the mixture needs to be richer yet you made it leaner by dropping the needle and then you increase the size of the main jet. Wouldn't it have been better to just raise the needle first before re-jetting? Edit I made that comment just before you reset the needle. Lol. Just seemed logical to me to do that first.

[@2vintage]

yeah i was doing what fmf recommended first

[@ctbale1]

Jesus, easy on that kick starter

[@Johdan14]

Can’t even recall how long I’ve had post notes on n I hate push notifications so that’s saying something love this guy

[@scotty2307]

I know nothing about dirt bikes, but from strictly a condition perspective, I would never look at that bike and guess that it was 20 years old. Sounds fantastic as well.

[@Dirt_Serpent]

I got a 2003 yz 125 and it is nearly mint. If someone takes good care of the bike you are right. Nobody could ever know how old it is

[@greathornedowl3644]

Bravo, another great video, a lot of teaching moments, even what not to do. The dirt bike also works as a snow bike. Noted it is February in Wisconsin and the ground is barely covered in snow - normally at least a foot deep, ground not frozen? Keep up the hard work

[@davebrown4119]

First I would like to say I love your videos. They give me the confidence to work on my own bikes. I recently purchased a KX 85 that the seller said had just been rebuilt. He said he didnt have time to put it all back together and just wanted it gone. So after I put the bike back together when I tried to kick it over the motor was slipping and not fully engaging when it was kicked. I took the clutch cover off and the entire kickstart mechanism to check the spring and all the gears. Everything was fine so it leads me to believe its something to do with the transmission. I know you are busy and probably are flooded with questions but I wondered if you had any sort of advice before I pull it apart and mess with the transmission? If you do not have time to reply I understand 100%. Keep making the great content for all of us to enjoy.

[@ctbale1]

I have never seen someone use channel locks on a spark plug! Hahaha. I thought I was being a hack when I used a crescent. Thanks for making me feel better about myself

[@DAVE_WHITE]

On any 2 stroke I ever had new or used once a season I would repack the silencer and clean the holes in that silencer pipe, it makes a lot of difference.. and its under 40$ for the stuff

[@midcoasttractorservice9182]

You should use Threebond Yamabond or a Honda bond sorta gasket sealer.

[@ctbale1]

Yea, that black rtv is a joke

[@wags9777]

You should just hold the throttle wide open on the Initial start. I hear that's the best for break-in

[@stevenrivers5168]

lol. No that’s not good for breaking in. Not a good idea…

[@timrancourt5408]

That bike sounds so good, you have it running perfectly.

[@Yamaha_Guy]

Good for you Joe over 400k subs now ! Also I’m thinking about getting a Yz 125

[@cluckhead1913]

I figure he's bringing in around $10K per month just from his channel.

[@BenMahoney]

Been watching your content for a while now and it’s tip top. That being said I think you should really consider doing a proper break in with these builds, riding the bikes hard like that straight after a rebuild is only going to cause unnecessary damage to a fresh engine. Plus I would start your threads off first before using an impact to drive them down, really surprised you don’t end up re tapping threads more than you do…😬

[@JLMSERVICESRECOVERY]

Just for future reference never fit copper washers to the head they should be steel washers Because once they are talked down if you ever need to remove the head again they will have crashed into the thread and be a nightmare to remove

[@40beretta1]

everyone I have known who's owned a Yama'haw, bragged about how it just ripped....only to not be riding because of mechanical issues. I don't disagree with how quick they were...I've just seen the engines in parts on the bench.

[@peteraitken6494]

Turned out really nice Joe sounds spot on it’s a flyer for sure are you keeping it 😉I would a lot of money spent on it all the best and have a great day 👍👌🏁🏁🔧🔧🔧🦴🐾

[@brianmooney7009]

Good riddens. Time to sell that. Great job btw Joe. You realy are a great mechanic. You know your way around an engine. No need for manuals for you 😊

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Best looking bike you have ever rebuilt.

[@thebrokenbiker869]

Dam bud. It is a ripper for sure. Sounds good too. Good work bud.

[@TroyRosenbaugh]

Sounds great. Another quality repair. Great job!!!!

[@notimegarage8632]

Crazy they changed the algorithm to "length of video watched by viewers" watched his subs go up 200k in 3 months

[@L46C3]

I'm an old guy. Can you explain what you mean? Slowly... HaHa

[@notimegarage8632]

@@L46C3 puddinsfabshop2 (all the extras) explains it well enough

[@michaelgalli8269]

You don't need the clutch when you are going straight only need the clutch for 1st and trails

[@LG3Demons]

You need the clutch when shifting up in gears bud it’s there for a reason if you look it up it says that you should when down shifting you don’t haft to

[@mattsloop2736]

​@LG3Demons yep on my 125 I would hold it wide open and pull the clutch in just far enough to change gears without letting off the throttle. Thing would fly.

[@michaelgalli8269]

@@mattsloop2736 so watch people race hit jumps and so on I'm 40 years old and have been riding I was 5 and I don't use the clutch but too come out of 1st gear or when I'm trail riding so if we were to race I'd beat you every time because your using the clutch do some research.

[@mattsloop2736]

@@michaelgalli8269 you do you big guy. I'm sure you'll beat everyone. Fanning the clutch to shift gears while never letting off the throttle is how I've always done it on my kx250 and my kx125 and all my 2 stroke 4 wheelers. But you ride how you want to ok.

[@michaelgalli8269]

@@mattsloop2736 I have yz250 I'm only saying this because I always here him miss 2 or 3 geàr and it's because he is not in sync with the clutch and shifting so he should just not use it not on here to argue with anyone I know what they can take thanks for the conversation

[@michaelgarland579]

This bike sounds like mine yz125 2003 fmf pipe v vorce 3 reeds awesome bike with alot of power so much fun

[@jakevans8352]

💥GREAT CHANNEL 💥 all the BEST from WALES UK 👍

[@josephmarshall7943]

Learning a lot thank you!

[@Tron1731]

I would collect the old bikes prices keep going up same as the yamaha banshee vintage enduro street legal bikes are my favorite because you can take the on the road and listen to the sweet 2 stroke sound .

[@AllenWilliams-n7q]

I love your video and your dirt bike so clean

[@luuk-out-below9804]

It came out good runs great! Don't know how you will come out money wise if you sell though but that's a different deal.

[@jarrodvhcommodore89]

Wish I followed as I love Yamaha . 99-24 same top end different bottom end.

[@zaczito6698]

Joe, I have an Oem 01 yz125 silencer, $80

[@PSBEadventures]

Even after 30+ years of jetting carbs, it's not for the impatient.... It just isn't. Not sure why, but for me the FCR on the DRZ400e are the worst.

[@paulcharest573]

You are very good at fixing motorcycles I really really wish you would clean them up before you put them back together because they really don’t look that we maintain after you’re done

[@Claude-om9og]

I was thinking the same thing when he put those cruddy carboned up power valves back in but he never cleans any of his work. Totally unprofessional but he ignores all the comments about cleaning.

[@kernelbadness]

He either doesn't have the tools, patience or knowhow or all the above. Bottom line is he and his audience generally are in the same boat. Just get it done and let er rip.

[@thebigguy8306]

Great job, sounds like it is humming along. Enjoy the vids, always teaching/learning moments Keep up the hard work

[@OutofluckpikerMJK]

I actually have just a exact same bike waiting for me to restore it. With a trim pipe and silencer.

[@shawnfrain6416]

Love your videos Joe! Been binge watching since I found your channel about a month ago. Really enjoyed the detail you went into on this one. I would love to see a detailed start to finish restoration series on one of your collector bikes. Like a once a month video sprinkled in with your regular videos maybe? :) You've inspired me to get back wrenching on my own bikes too. Great content, keep up the good work!

[@davidfrancisco5311]

Was a little confused at your strategy but glad you got it. You moved the needle and leaned it out then immediately after that went to a bigger main then went back and had to make it even richer with the needle , what do you think it would have done if you had made it richer to begin with with the main that was in it

[@robertanderson-yx8mo]

What a great job you did on that bike, well worth the money.

[@tonycassidy4112]

congratulations Joe that one was mammoth, fabulous outcome 👍

[@jayaustin3096]

I missed vinny on that one. Hes a good boy. Dont buy a fms silincer there junk. I went through 2 that fell apart. Pro circuit all the way.

[@swamprattRich]

Nice it snowed out on the land sweet next video make it the Yamaha Apex sled for a test rip it’s the nicest ride of your collection 👍🏻

[@FernandoBoechat]

i notice the pedal starter is one click ahead, hiting the pipe.... could be a issue in future ;)

[@wags9777]

I don't know how you get away not cleaning your parts very well when you're putting your engines together. I wouldn't get away with it

[@aaronlangdon9064]

He repairs so many machines , it would slow his process down a ton if he cleaned every bike he fixed

[@kevinalbers1084]

I agree. Those spacers on the power valve shaft looked all crusty and rusty. Even the cover on the power valves could have been cleaned up. But that's just me.

[@leedimatteo5078]

wow the 1977 rm seems way faster on the land!!

[@rockman49er]

Hey joe im wanting to change the engine bolts on my 98 kx250 and was planning on changing them out one at a time and re tourqe them so i dont have to get new gaskets will this plan of mine work or will i mess something up thanks in advance 👍not the cylinder and head just clutch cover ignition cover and power valve and water pump 😀

[@upperroomtoo]

You might not make as much money on this as some, but you definitely won't loose on one that nice.

[@TruckingCarsL48]

🤔In the future consider a short track on your land with a few jumps, a few berms from a few camera angles to test ride after project completion.

[@jasoncompton3735]

Great bike bud, you earned it!

[@xenon__8555]

My mate had one of these and used the prox pistons, it would last about 1hr before it would blow again, the exhaust bridge on these need relief. if not it will just expand and bind the piston up my mate wouldn’t listen 😅

[@BrandonLund]

Joe, I like your bike ramp. Do you happen to have a link? Thanks 👍

[@jaygtgarage6489]

Sounds lean budd..put bigger main jet in..don't want to melt piston.but she sounds good..oh a rais or drop the needle😊

[@michaelgalli8269]

Definitely sounds great

[@scottsautomotivecenter5612]

Why do you use black rtv when assembling your engines? Three bond is the ticket much better seal

[@kyleglenn4893]

man if you had bought this bike like a year ago I had a bunch of parts for this thing I would have probably gave to you had a good cylinder and bottom end for 99 to 01

[@petermoygannon698]

The resale of motocross bikes to make money can be painfull . A blown engine unless you can do all the work yourself can end up the price of the bike . Better to part it out if you cant do the job A main crank bearing is bad news .

[@tyronestucker8980]

It’s a ripper. Good job.

[@wurthmannd024]

That thing sounds crispy!

[@DIRTVLOG]

Nice work yet again joe!

[@RDAmidwest]

Looks like a parka, or at least a wind breaker, might have been appropriate for the runs at the Land. Brrr 😅 Feeling nostalgic remembering my old '73 360 Enduro... except for that one big tree 🌳!

[@ktmkaos]

as long as its a straight line ,it awesome ...what a plonka

[@firehades2007]

Interesting and informative video. Cool to see the project coming together. Enjoyed the video!

[@archiermx250]

I missed the drilled holes in the piston lining up with the bridge on the new cylinder.

[@Sleeper_Rado]

List that bike in Florida and you could most likely make your money back used 2 stroke prices 125cc and 250cc are insane

[@usocrazy6133]

I'm not a motorcycle guy, but that looked like fun. Awesome video series!

[@vanfairbanks7389]

Since I don't know anything about repairing motorcycles, maybe some of you can explain something for me. Cylinder has a crack and Joe sends it out to be repaired. Why not wait for it to come back. Instead, he buys another cylinder, which means buying another pipe and power valves. Isn't it money he didn't have to spend if he'd just waited?