Racer X Films: 2001 Yamaha YZ250 2-Stroke Garage Build Project Bike

Text: Kris Keefer
Build: Jay Clark jayclarkent.com // @dirtbiketv1
Video: Spencer Owens/Simon Cudby
Photos: Spencer Owens
For this special build, Jay Clark worked with one of his buddies, Donnie Bales, on a bit of goodwill/feelgood bike love. Usually, I’ll go ride the bike a little after the initial photo shoot, but since this was such a special build, I decided to forego the riding and just let the owner, Johnny Posca, break it in first.
You see, Johnny’s dad, Jorge, had raced and ridden locally in Southern California since the 1970s. He purchased this 2001 Yamaha YZ250 brand-new and raced at some CMC, CRC, AMA, and District 37 races around Southern California. He loved it from the start and always said it was his favorite moto bike of all time. Jorge tragically lost his life in a 2009 auto accident, and his Yamaha sat in a storage shed until Johnny-a SoCal pro during the early 1990s-decided to resurrect it in his father’s honor.
PARTS LIST:
WISECO PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
Garage Buddy Engine Rebuild Kit
wiseco.com
PRO X RACING PARTS
Rear Sprocket, Front Sprocket, Gold X-Ring Race Chain, Steering Bearing Kit, Linkage Bearing Kit, Swingarm Bearing Kit, Carburetor Rebuild Kit, Chain, Rollers Upper & Lower, Throttle Cable, Clutch Cable, Front & Rear Brake Caliper Rebuild Kits, Front & Rear Brake Master Cylinder Rebuild Kits, Water Pump Rebuild Kit, Front & Rear Wheel Bearing Kit, Front & Rear Wheel Spacer Kit, Upper and Lower Shock Bearing Kits, Front & Rear Wheel Spacer Kits, Fork Seal Kit, Fork Bushing Kit
pro-x.com
SANO METAL FINISHING
Vapor Honing & Cerakoting
sanometalfinishing.com
FMF RACING
Fatty Pipe, Shorty Silencer
fmfracing.com
KLOTZ SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS
R-50 Two-Stroke Pre-Mix & Chemicals
klotzlube.com
ODI
MX V2 Lock On Grips, Champ Bend Handle Bars, Custom Bar Pad
odigrips.com
DUNLOP
MX3S Front
MX33 Rear
dunlopmotorcycletires.com
UNI FILTER
Two-Stage Air Filter
unifilter.com
UFO PLASTIC
Full Plastic Kit, Mud Flap
ufoplasticusa.com
WORKS CONNECTION
Hour Meter and Mount, Stand, Clutch Perch Assembly, Brake Lever, Brake Caps, Stem Nut
worksconnection.com
DECAL WORKS
Semi-Custom Graphics Kit, Preprinted Number Plate Backgrounds, Frame Tape
decalmx.com
RACE TECH
Suspension Re-Valve and Setup
racetech.com
GALFER USA
Oversized Rotor/Adaptor, Rotor Rear, Brake Line Rear, Brake Line Front, Brake Pads
galferusa.com
FASTER USA
Complete Wheel Build
fasterusa.com
MOTOTASSINARI
V-Force Reed Cage
mototassinari.com
ICW
Radiator Straightening and Bracing
icwbikestands.com
SAN DIEGO POWDER COATING
Sandblasting, Powder with Super Durable Clear, and Race Prep Masking
sandiegopowdercoating.com
MOTOSEAT
Custom Cool Seat Cover
motoseat.com
FASST COMPANY
Rear Brake Return Spring, Rear Clevis
fasstco.com
SPECBOLT FASTENERS
Engine and Plastic Complete Bolt Kit
specbolt.com
VP RACING FUELS
C12 Fuel
vpracingfuels.com
COMETIC GASKET
Engine Gaskets
cometic.com
HINSON CLUTCH COMPONENTS
Clutch Plate Kit, Basket, Inner Hub, Pressure Plate, Cover
hinsonracing.com
CLARKE MANUFACTURING
OEM Style/Sized Fuel Tank
clarkemfg.com
SCAR
Titanium Footpegs
scar-racingusa.com
RIDE ENGINEERING
Front Brake Line Clamp
ride-engineering.com
JAY CLARK
Bike Build
Instagram: dirtbiketv1
Facebook: dirtbiketv1
KZbin: dirtbiketv
jayclarkent.com
ABOUT DECAL WORKS
Founded in 1989 by Ron and Janeen Joynt, DeCal Works has been the industry leader in pre-printed decals and custom graphics for 30 years. With a passion for racing and innovation, DeCal Works has, since its early days, focused its attention on high-quality products with great customer service.
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[@joshuaross4644]

The 01 250’s had magic dust sprinkled on them before they left the factory There’s certainly something special about that year

[@coreysteady]

that's how i feel about my 03 ! i had bought a 2017 to replace it, just sold my 2017 and picked up some bigger foot pegs and SSS suspension for the 03

[@MX109MX]

I love the story behind this. I’m currently doing a full rebuild on a 1998 Honda CR125 that I bought brand new and raced. Many years ago I sold it to my brother who sold it to my father after that. Recently I bought it back for a much needed build. Had the motor gone through and over bored to 144cc by Millennium Technologies. Electron carb… My sons are close to the age I was when I originally bought it so I can’t wait to see them on it. Hope it stays in the family long after I’m gone.

[@dylanlevy2107]

Two strokes are just beautiful looking bikes especially those early 2000s bike

[@mauser8515]

Mine is currently torn down to just the frame. Previous lender slung a rod and tore out all the frame tabs so I’m rig welding in new ones. I can’t wait to ride it.

[@cgracingmx]

I had a 2001 YZ250. Best bike I ever owned. Built like a tank and didn't need to rebuild or maintenance it as much as other bikes. Although, my fastest bike was my 1999 KX250. Holeshot everytime on that thing. It was rocket.

[@coreysteady]

great find with those wheels, they look great on there

[@heyguyoffroad]

Such a beautiful bike. I’ve always rode a yz250 for years. I had a 2000 yz250 but it wasn’t this pretty!

[@That2strokeRider]

Going to do a very similar build on my 02 yz after I messed it up in a wreck, love the steel frames, mine out handles 10k+ factory bikes on track, recovering from a compound tibia fracture from the wreck so now is the time! Long live 2 strokes!! Awesome build guys!!!

[@bigos.motoowens5813]

Beautiful bike. I bought an 02 Cr250 3 years ago. The outer fork tubes were rotting And powdery. Found 01 set of forks. Inner tube was rusted and wouldn’t come apart. Cut it into and rebuilt. Nice set now.

[@barnescycle]

This is why I purchased a 2022 ,price per value just made the most scene

[@ludvignordin6349]

What are u on about u lost 20% of your money walking out the shop💀💀💀🤣

[@barnescycle]

@@ludvignordin6349 by your math my bike would only bring 6500 right now? I may have lost 10 percent if that because the area I am in the dealers can't keep them on the floor. I gave 8100 paid cash out of state so that's the total cost with no sales tax and I would say I could sell it for 7500 no problem . And I started on a bike that 100 percent new and required nothing but set up. In my eyes this truly was the best value vs 6500 for a bike with 65 to 70 hrs. This market may stop being crazy shortly but as for now the dollar per wear ratio I believe is in my favor.

[@ludvignordin6349]

@@barnescycle Hmm yeah forgot we are in different countrys market in Sweden is crazy as well but not as high for new bikes, but older ones bring some big money compared to what they used to ,

[@dr00andrew]

no riding footage? is there another video with that?

[@simpy112]

Brilliant video and great work guys.👏👏 Yz 250s are 👌👌👌

[@jimmyroberts7244]

Bike looks like what "THE WHEELIES BOYZ" ride around the streets in Baltimore.

[@kollinrose]

Damn that's badass and unique 🔥🤘

[@dahatchery]

I have that greatest bike!! I can’t figure why you’d want something newer. This bike will destroy any newer bike in the right hands. I know I do, they ask me hey uncle what year is that bike? Is say an 00! They say Wow!

[@sean.g4516]

Anyone know what other year & model chain adjuster blocks that'll work on those 96-01?? They dont make any aftermarket blocks for that bike. Rocky mountain atv. Bolt. Nobody does

[@shawnhorne9296]

Sorry my man, but the gentleman on vital mxs yz 325 is probably te baddest yz I've ever seen, but that said I understand the importance of your build very nice 👍 and the reason behind it

[@bilaltasoren9265]

Bendede 2001 ya 250 var silindir piston nasıl yemin ederim bunlarda 2 segmanmı var yoksa 1sekmanmı

[@dallasgray7262]

What year front fender and number plate is that?

[@icool247]

Idk about those yellow accents 🥴

[@yamaha4902]

I just rebuilt my 2001 yz250 with a hotrod crank and wiseco piston stock bore, what jetting should i start at and what would you guys recommend for first start/ breakin process

[@sean.g4516]

What chain adjuster blocks are you using? I've been searching the last 4years they don't make any aftermarket blocks for 96-01 yz250s only 03 and up, and the swingarm changed to a different size. OEM discontinued

[@shawnhorne9296]

Sorry my man, but the gentleman on vital mxs yz 325 is probably te baddest yz I've ever seen, but that said I understand the importance of your build very nice 👍 and the reason behind it

[@sharplespaul]

Yamaha. Yellow and black….white n red…..Blue….just needs a little more red bling..👍

[@shawnhorne9296]

Sorry my man, but the gentleman on vital mxs yz 325 is probably te baddest yz I've ever seen, but that said I understand the importance of your build very nice 👍 and the reason behind it