Cheap Honda XR250 Dirt Bike. Is It worth Saving?

I buy a cheap Honda XR250 dirt bike and attempt to get it running again. #Honda, #XR250, #Vintage,
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The following video features activities performed in controlled environments by knowledgeable persons. DO NOT attempt to duplicate, re-create, or perform the same or similar activities at home, as personal injury or property damage may result. 2vintage( Joe Weber, the persons shown in this video and ANY CONTRIBUTOR, ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY such injury or damage. ALL 2vintage( Joe Weber) CONTENT IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
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[@2vintage]

First ride on the Quadzilla Banshee video coming Sunday! Please SUBSCRIBE and LIKE the video if you enjoyed. It really helps me out a lot! Check out my Instagram: 2_vintage_ Thank you for all the support!

[@broo_shs]

Its worth of Saving 100%

[@buildandbreak1080]

Yes it’s work that saving I love watching u revive old messed up dirtbikes

[@allenhess9971]

Can you help me out I have a 91 xr250r it has compression just not enough to start

[@MDHenry4]

In these days of BS from Google and KZbin screwing over "content creators* ( having to learn Google language they have been screwing honest people who have a soal years and sending in legal first and giving viewers repetitive adds that I try not to bypass) What is the best way to help you get more money from them?

[@bradledger3347]

That's F@*ked up they knew damn well that the motor was toast. Don't part it out that's why we watch your channel re-build it fix all the junk then flip it

[@pb12echo]

Don’t you dare part it out! The whole reason we are here is to see guys like you bring these back from the dead!

[@ebib5014]

He shouldn’t just lose money on a bike just because he wants to see a couple people fix it.

[@LandonMartien]

It’s not worth it the body is really rough

[@pb12echo]

@@LandonMartien You gotta do it for the clicks man!! KZbin will help pay for it. Maybe ask for help from your community to defray some of the cost. I'll throw in $10! :D

[@jonmccormick8683]

@@pb12echo This may just sit until he can find another XR250 engine etc. The welded on front sprocket was a big tell.

[@ryooperdude3144]

People need old bikes parted out. Iv restored a few older dirt bikes and without eBay used parts many projects would fail do to lack of OEM availability

[@leewaken5059]

Who "WELDS" the sprocket to the countershaft? Un-f*cking believable!

[@nickkluger97]

if the splines are stripped and you don't want to split the cases...

[@Ok-vk9wx]

^^ This idiot above me lol

[@jameshisself9324]

Sadly a common hack solution. This is a get-it-running channel, but I would just pull the motor and split the cases. Change the output shaft, go over the gearbox and anything else that might need attention. Fresh bore/piston/rings/valve job whatever it needs and it will rip.

[@owensbama1923]

Whoever did it needs an ass whippin

[@RYANINBODEN1547]

its pretty believable i've seen quite a few welded on. at least this one was welded decently looked like it held up good

[@Builditathome-Restoration]

Xr s are so good. Iam doing rebuild series on a 600$ xr400 and those machines are so well build just like the older xr 250 or xr 600. Good luck joe good videos.

[@landonlafferty7909]

My dad has a 86 done nothing to it besides the normal matinee. Th8ng are bullet proof

[@dirtbikevlogs552]

Can’t forget about the 1983 xr200

[@xrscreaminlada7002]

My dad back in the day had a 84 xr500r it was a beast i road it 4 times as a kid all when the motor was toast that thing was scary he still has it but it's not top of the list.

[@Buff_Dave_Oprtr]

They're the best.

[@hairlessharescrambler56]

I've had several xr200's and 250's and xr's no doubt can take alot of abuse and still be good reliable bikes and alot of fun to ride

[@AliasTekTV]

These are pretty cool bikes. My vote is rebuild if it's not too far gone. If all the bearings clean up and are smooth still, output shaft, bore the cylinder, oversize piston and replace that bent valve and find another CDI trigger and it should be golden. It clearly was not put together correctly, and not timed or jumped time because the tensioner bolt was never installed.

[@chisel_head2001]

I had a '87 XR 350R, monster torque!! Kept that bike for like 15 years and loved every minute of it. Sold it when I got married, I should have kept the damned bike!! Lol

[@jameshisself9324]

The answer is YES! These are always worth saving. Always measure in fun not dollars.

[@johnnovak9982]

I agree💯

[@bigcaputo09]

Can't trust people anymore!! I hope you fix it for cheap and the people that sold it to you see you riding it and enjoying it!!

[@cokebetterthanu50]

been waiting for you to make one of these. I have a 93 xr250L. looking forward to this series!

[@markhensley9378]

I did enjoy the teardown. It's really your choice about what to do with it but I do enjoy all of the video content on your channel. Especially when you get one as bad as this one and then either repair it or swap engines to make a good bike. Whatever happens, I'll be watching. Thanks again for your time and effort. Enjoy your weekend.

[@raymondsmith6504]

I vote for a rebuild. Get a manual, take everything apart, compare each part to the specs and replace if necessary.

[@precise1329]

For sure not worth the hassle. I love an old bike as much as the next guy, but this bike is toast. 1k minimum to repair it just to operational. Not pretty. Not tight. Just able to move through the gears proper and stop. 1k minimum. Not to mention time invested.

[@hunterrogers9537]

Enjoyed the vid even if u knew what it was going to look like half way through. Always enjoy teardowns to see how on each engine. I'd say this is prime example of a part out bike

[@mikejencks4276]

Cool another old school bike ready to be saved by the master of reserection.love the channel thank you for the tips and bring back memories of the bikes from back in the day .

[@Lanman9990]

Excellent engines! I have rebuilt five , RFVC engines , this year. Every one of them had sat for YEARS, and actually started after carburetor work.

[@JBH_207]

I had a 87 xr 250 that was mint really wish I still had the bike they are great bikes! Great video keep up the good work

[@TwistedTriggerEnduro]

Cool to see a bike motor striped right down like that. Much respect to your mechanic knowledge and ability. 💪

[@Darrencurt]

I have two of these there great trail bikes will never let you down love the videos from Australia 👍

[@helmutschmacher2100]

Having just uploaded the start of my XR resto you tube has shown me yours....happy dayz

[@selfmotivatedmotorcycles]

I love your video's, keep them coming.

[@mob1283]

xr s are so good!!! I have two, from the years 1994 and 1986, really good machines! good videos bro.

[@denislefrancois9019]

Oh Wow I have never seen so many pieces of metal in an engine box ouff there will be a lot of work to put it back in top shape, but you always get your projects done not let go of your good work man. I can't wait to see the rest and see you the rider 🤩💯👌

[@christopherhurtle7167]

I love your videos I'm working on restoring a 08 kx250f going to bring it back to full glory way too much invested but will be better than new when done

[@megamindtvsydney3967]

Big work enjoying the process, Awesome!

[@dirtbikedoctors33]

Awesome man!! 👍👍 great work!

[@sixteenstone007]

You don't need a new cylinder just take it to a local machine shop and have the cylinder bored oversized. Just make sure it's not cracked from where the piston skirt kicked to one side when it made contact with the valve. If the cylinder wall has deep grooves just go with like a .75 so the grooves clean up when the cylinder is bored and honed. Or you could have the machine shop check the cylinder with a dial bore gauge and have them tell you what size you need. That's the way we usually do it cause it's way cheaper than buying a whole new cylinder but some machine shops don't have a boring bar small enough for small engine stuff.

[@ericprovenzano4919]

Why replace the cylinder, just have it bored out, and then just need to get the correct sized piston to match the bore size

[@enginesandoutdoors3238]

It could be cheaper in this case to get a new/used cylinder instead of paying for someone to machine it and do it right. Not saying that it is but it could be a reason.

[@GPgundude]

Exactly!! But I think he’s more about fixing the bike cheap and turning it for a good profit.

[@cokebetterthanu50]

@@enginesandoutdoors3238 I got my xr250 cylinder bored and honed for 50 bucks lmao.

[@williamevans6468]

Could also have it resleaved if the damage is too much for a bore job.

[@lastofthebest5102]

@@enginesandoutdoors3238 So you are advocating to do things cheaper and not do them "right"? If you are uncertain of your comment then why post it? Typical Apologist.

[@Bjornar_Gjostol]

Another great video, love the faultfinding, thank you👍

[@MrStatic101]

I traded a friend a 55 gallon drum of old breakers for a 96 xr600 that was laying in his yard for a few years. I can’t wait to get started on that project but I gotta get the ds80 that I just picked up for my daughter first. I’m loving learning all the two stroke stuff but this was great to see a xr being tore down.

[@selfmotivatedmotorcycles]

That XR250 is fixable!!!!!!! I totally blew up my 2006 Yamaha XT225 and shattered the side piston skirts and tore the cylider up with deep gashes a few years back. I bought an OEM Piston from Yamaha for about 100 bucks. Then I sent the new piston along with the Cylinder off to Millennium Technologies LLC 1404 Pilgrim Road Plymouth WI 53073. They charged me about 350 bucks and Nickosealed my cylinder good as new. They perfectly matched the cylinder to the piston. I am so happy that my XT225 literally was given given a fresh start for around the 400-500 range. I would do it again without hesitation and if that XR250 were mine thats what I would do.

[@noahschloe4962]

I have a first production year yamaha warrior 350, and your videos helped me fix it, so I can race it, thanks. But south dakota winter is setting in so ran it one last time before I park it.

[@lukkewalker6415]

That engine has been stripped after it locked up.... then put back together ish and you got it..... u got blagged fella.. just rebuild it and give them the two finger salute....keep up the hard work. From Sheffield uk

[@user-fi3fx5my2s]

Was wedging itself in the jug. Crazy deal dude. Heard of it but I've never seen one come in like that. Have fun great motor, If you fix that up you got something. Great vid.

[@bobknight33]

Still have and now my son rides my 1991 XR250L. No tank rust and in great shape.

[@lawrencemacdonald9454]

I am a fan of XRs but this is done part this out to get some of the investment back ,love the videos joe.

[@tmljml1]

Great find. I redirected an 86 from the dead. Rebuilt entire engine. These things are really good bikes probably the best engine Honda ever made.

[@donseymour5560]

I have bought them held together with bailing wire before, and that's a rough one there. Thanks 2 Vintage

[@JuryRigged77]

I lol'ed when you was talking about the piston hitting the valve because it might be out of time but is had the rocker off of it and wasnt pushing the alve down anyway...🤣🤣🤣

[@johna6968]

Really interesting to watch the detective work tearing down the motor. If it was mine I would be already deciding the parts of value to be sold on.

[@activelygaming1786]

Love the videos never missed one

[@2vintage]

Thank you for watching! I appreciate it!

[@zacharywatters1843]

I’ve owned a ton of these old XRs, here in NC I’m known as the XR guy haha. I’m parting out a few of these XR250r’s right now (two of which are 1987 models) if there’s some specific parts you might need/cannot find I could look into shipping some things out 👍🏼

[@redblazehorse]

Hey Zachary, Are you in Hickory?

[@zacharywatters1843]

@@redblazehorse Yes sir, I am

[@jacobkendricksbassfishingw7945]

Love watching your channel keep making awesome content

[@2vintage]

Thanks for watching!

[@heathwak3030]

Hey joe, I think a cool project would be an ag bike- in Australia we have them, they are meant for farms and have a lot of features that other bikes don’t, plus I’m guessing they would be extremely rare and valuable where you are, here in Australia tw200s go for big money because they aren’t made here.

[@andrewarsenault4062]

I commend u for even trying to work on this thing. U are a brave man joe!

[@sandmanbub]

I'dd be searching for a blown engine to get parts of. It's always better for the value of the bike to keep the engine serial #s matching. Those air cooled XRs were bulletproof as long as they were maintained properly. Much less maintenance issues than the new water cooled motocross bikes. I've owned and maintained several from the XR75 to the XR600 and they are great trail bikes. I'd restore it as close to stock as possible for any collectors.

[@ricardoguerra9411]

As the video progressed it became more interesting! Ride Red Amigos.

[@gunlocker7562]

Hooked on your videos. Great work

[@trose7620]

Nice, tall XR 250. Love the XR models. Have fun... great bike Had a 1989 XR 250 sitting around and my dads neighbor had us rebuild it and he bought it, gave me 2k cash.

[@200mmonster4]

Well you definitely have a project on your hands now lol. They are fun bikes hopefully you can find the parts you need cheap.

[@cadynwoods3668]

I wish I lived in your area. You get good stuff so cheap. A running XR250 here in western PA is like 2000-2500

[@riccochet704]

I mean, yeah, I'd save it. Can probably get that cylinder bored out 30-60 thou, slap a larger piston in and be good to go.

[@trose7620]

Kind of expected the carnage. Great job.

[@athomerecordschannel]

I would love to have an old Honda XR250. Things last forever when taken care of. Send a shipper with that bike to California and put $2,500 on it and I will send the shipper back to you with a full complete with Pink Slip 1992 Suzuki RM250, a 1984 Suzuki RM250, a 1985 Yamaha YZ250 and a 1987 Honda CR250.

[@trose7620]

Damn thats a new one on me too. Seen bout everything else with them, but yeah, thats frkn nuts! Thats a keeper!😅

[@deangolden4854]

Hi Joe it's definitely been opened up then put back together again as there is not enough metal to make a whole piston skert.

[@derryjones1029]

I owned a 83 xr 400 loved that bike it was so comfy like wheeling a arm chair good power tough engineering 👍

[@johngray722]

Don’t let it beat you a rebore and piston jolly good clean inside the engine and a new gear shaft or you could always weld a sprocket back on good luck

[@Bigkuntri72]

I always enjoy watching and learning from your videos. Please if any way possible rebuilding that motor would make great content. I for one would extremely grateful if you did rebuild it rather than part it out.

[@geraldscott4302]

I have been a professional auto mechanic for 40 years. I am also an amateur drag racer and have built a few race cars and engines. And, I am also a motorcycle enthusiast, both street and dirt. I have motorcycles to thank for getting me into mechanical things. I got my first dirt bike at age 8. It was a Bultaco Lobito 100. It needed work. As best I remember it was just a top end. I had already been working on bicycles, and knew how to use tools, and had even started a collection. But I knew nothing about engines. Luckily the local farm mechanic, whose son had just gotten married and moved out, took an interest in me and my enthusiasm for mechanical things. He fixed the bike for me, while at the same time showing me what he was doing and how a 2 stroke engine works. Things just went from there. I learned to both ride (I crashed a lot to begin with, no serious injuries) and wrench. It kinda sucks when someone you know sells you something without disclosing what they know about it. They obviously knew there was serious internal damage. With the valve being bent, I suspect the valves and piston had a few collisions. It looked like there were curved gouges in the top of what was left of the piston. What I don't understand is what happened to the piston. I would not have been surprised to see the top of it broken, but how did the skirt get destroyed like that? Not just a chunk missing, but completely destroyed all the way around. I don't know why they put that blue goop on there, it seems like they would have known trying to seal that cover was pointless.

[@michaeljohnson714]

I feel your pain. I had an 87 XL250 and the engine turned out to be a mess. Seemed like everyone and their brother was inside that engine. Everything was stripped out. The valve dropped into the cylinder and the list just went on.

[@user-fw1tk2hf5i]

Great find

[@gtisid]

with the low budget stuff you buy, this was inevitable one day you could buy a scab. thing i want to know is where the guy had invested $500 in it already??? surely that must have been his purchase price as absolutely zero has been done from what i can see since it grenades itself

[@rigguyjt]

I’ll bet the fact that the tensioner bolt was out allowed the tensioner to move letting the chain get loose and jumped time.

[@dominicwilfong]

That is funny. I got an ‘86 xr250 for $700, all parts were on it and all it needed was fresh gas and a carb clean. It is now my only dirt bike.

[@kerrymunson7729]

yup the lower bolt to the tensioner is caught between the clutch basket and the crank gear

[@user-zo4xv6fq2z]

Hello Mate, its your Aussie fan the one who told you off for using shifters, and mutigrips for removing the spark plug. Love your videos and are going through then loving every story. You have reminded me how much I had forgotten about working on bikes. Just a quick question, why are you working on the floor? Surely it would be more comfortable working at bench height? Skippy from down under.

[@Sirskibumsalot]

I picked up a XR 250 a couple years ago for $200 , its all in parts with a blown motor . but I will rebuild it in the future ....Im riding my XR 400 these days which i love riding ....

[@cadehinds4598]

I remember when you had the old BMW and jeep, I lost your channel and recognized the house in the background of the video

[@aaronbrunelle6604]

There's a lot of metal in there.. you should get a parts washer an do it that way you can get into the bearings with the parts washer brush it'll work good for you! I use straight diesel fuel in my washer

[@petebird7171]

Could make a great long term project, get replacement parts when you can, when they are working they are a good bike, good luck,👍👍👍👍👍

[@bruceschlick4009]

Nickname it chunks or chunky after you rebuild it. That's if you do. And it sucks that the guy was a subscriber and most likely knew it was clapped out. Because all the bolt's where all loose. Sorry you got a bad one this time my dude. Can't wait for the next one.

[@sandmanbub]

You've reached the point where you would benefit from a set of quality v blocks and a magnetic dial gauge stand and a dial gauge. You can do many more things with them than check the run out of your con rod big end's bearings.

[@jackanderson1418]

I've never seen a drive sprocket welded to the shaft good luck very interesting project to watch.

[@1991enduro]

Broski I have 96 model I love it they r bombproof mate honestly

[@Larry-325]

Joe. Nice guy to be up front with you. 😡. He knew what he was doing. What goes around comes around buddy. Do what’s best Joe. We will still watch! 👍👍 Kind of a dirt ball!

[@m8fusion712]

Great video

[@darrinwoodward14]

Al bakers xr's only.you can get any oem part you need for an xr.i also have a brand new head light assembly for a xr 650,I replaced mine with a jns led unit.im sure it will fit your 250.

[@PaulHarkey44]

Sweet!! I’ve got the xr500 flavor. Great machines!

[@2vintage]

nice! I would like to own a 500 someday!

[@PaulHarkey44]

Don’t dwell on the individual that sold this to you. There are plenty of those type of people in the world. At the end of the day, you’ve got a lot to be thankful for…a roof over your head, coin in your pocket, a family that loves you, and some pretty loyal fans here. 👊🏻 Not to mention all the great toys you’ve got in that shop!

[@2vintage]

@@PaulHarkey44 yep I'm very thankful!

[@loicdesimpelaere9499]

I also have an xr250 and they are very nice bikes!

[@valienterf]

Thaaaammmm. It will lots of part but a joy to rebuild

[@lukecombs5242]

The most reliable bikes ever built the Honda xr line was hands down the best bikes it this poor bike has seen better days that’s for sure but definitely worth fixing the xr250r was a mean bike.

[@Jbear-gy4gq]

Just a rebore and piston kit, gaskets, valve and should be ok 👌

[@raedwulfone]

looks pretty good, Did you happen to find metal chunks inside? lol

[@Abyss955]

Those xr’s have some real go juice!

[@Abyss955]

Imagine deleting @Best of the last 🤡

[@Matt-kt9nm]

That sprocket welded to the shaft is the ultimate red flag. If the welder wasn't grounded right where the weld was made it would arc through the engine. It also shows the mindset of the previous owner.

[@hairlessharescrambler56]

My dad had an 86 xr250 that someone had put the oil filter in wrong and it lost oil to the top end and looked similar to that,he put a brand new top end on it and rode it for 20 years then sold it to my friend and he's still riding it alot

[@johnnovak9982]

Gotta love the Hondas👍🏻💯

[@Jonny2Fingers]

Man saying that poor bike was abused is an understatement. Hopefully it doesn’t become a money pit.

[@keeganfoster1792]

That was a crazy teardown

[@johnlangston466]

I've owned several xrs they are great bikes and dammed near impossible to kill

[@ZmanAdventurez88]

The good thing about air cooled Hondas. They don't take much to get going again

[@untruehunter1828]

10:05 lol he sounded just like those villagers in Minecraft

[@Mr10usdad]

Take out all the parts in the case and check the case for damage. If it is ok and the gears are ok, I would either replace the cylinder or send it to some place like Powerseal.

[@pauloneill8912]

god he saw you coming, shafted to the extreme mate😨

[@phillipwagner7347]

Wow! What a bad deal you got on that one!! Total Explosion!😆

[@kevinpelanne9417]

Those bikes are great fun, reliable thumpers I have a 2002 and a old 200r also ,dint part er out fix and ride forwver!!

[@adrianr4971]

you know you wanna fix it dude XD !!!!!! one of my fav bikes too , twin baja headlamps are the beez,,,,,

[@kerrymunson7729]

always save all the vintage bikes you can if they are mostly all there fixable runnable those are known for the second gear losing a tooth or two and stopping the motor dead in its tracks also could be a shift fork or the shift shaft wasnt put back in right

[@ianminacori377]

Great video bro, I am looking over to buying a Honda xr250 but a little more new, a 92, or a Suzuki dr250 92, I'm thinking of the xr but the price is a little higher, so I am not really convinced, but again, in terms of quality and force of the bike I'm Tilting over the xr. If anyone has an opinion I am open to listen. Also the Dr is not the one appearing on Google or safari. It's anduro one, like a 350 but 250. That's another problem, I didn't find any other bike like that, So in the terms of spare parts I lean to the other side.

[@lukecombs5242]

Just have that cylinder bored 20-40 over and slap a wiseco 10:25.1 piston in it and it will run good and still be super reliable.

[@kerrymunson7729]

its been set on its side hard running and it probably given the throttle being fucked off threw a valve or a chain tensioner at high rpms for a few until dude was able to get up and turn it off