The Yamaha SR250 Scrambler on a Budget Lives! EP 5

The low budget Yamaha SR250 scrambler lives! The new gas tank, headlight guard, handlebars, grips, and more are turning it into a sweet little bike and it's looking serious now, nothing like the clunky vintage Yamaha cruiser that we started with. All told, there's about $700 invested in the bike so far. Use this playlist to watch the entire build series: bit.ly/344S2uR
If you're interested, here are some links to parts used on the build. As an Ebay and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:
Gas Tank: ebay.to/2MhGRaV
Headlight Grill: amzn.to/2OM4w6n
Fork Boots: amzn.to/2MhkV0V
Handlebars: amzn.to/2MFfJmn
Grips: amzn.to/2OWZFiX
Rear Tire: ebay.to/2LRYqzC
Front Tire: ebay.to/2OmWIYm
If you enjoy this video I hope you’ll give it a “like” and will consider hitting the subscribe button. Have a comment or thought? Please leave it below…comments are always encouraged and appreciated! For more content you can also follow me on Instagram at / jimmytmoto and at my website, jimmytmoto.com .
This channel is for motorcycle riders, mechanics, and enthusiasts who enjoy the simple joys of motorcycling, from dual sport riding to fixing up old bikes on a budget. My videos also consider the perspective of short motorcycle riders (when it’s helpful and relevant) in choosing and modifying bikes and equipment.
I’ve been hooked on motorcycles since 1975 when, at the age of 11, my dad brought home a shiny new Suzuki TM75 for me and a Suzuki TC185 for himself so that we could trail ride together in the hills of West Virginia. Since then I’ve worked as a mechanic, owned countless bikes, and even worked in the motorcycle industry for a number of years as a photographer and journalist. Now I do mainly video production and enjoy nothing more than making and sharing these motorcycle videos on KZbin.
Thanks again for watching. Ride safe!
- jimmytmoto

[@joecarretero9404]

Hi Jimmy, you've done a great job restoring or upkeeping the much needed maintenance, your skill and experience show great enthusiasm towards the project and good camera work too, enjoy the ride.

[@dreamquestawn2392]

Learning a ton watching your videos of this build, thanks for posting

[@saltyshellback]

Cool! I had a Yamaha Exciter 250 in high school. That thing was cheap and fun to ride 😁

[@SlammingEDdog]

Just saying I love your style and your choice of music I’m very happy thank you keep up the good work🥰

[@andrewnitch]

Hey man, I really appreciate that you put some links to the stuff that you are putting on the bike. As you probably understand, with a budget build, its a bit nerve-racking to order generic aftermarket stuff having no idea how well its going to work.

[@jasonphillips8552]

Wow, I had no idea the forks could come apart like that. I have got to keep watching!

[@jimmytmoto]

Yeah, the forks come apart for basic maintenance, to swap out leaking fork seals or refreshing the oil, but it also allows for some ride tuning by messing with the springs or using different viscosity fork oils. It’s a lot of tinkering fun. The rear shocks, on the other hand, are sealed units and just kind of are what they are…nearly 40-year-old clapped out shocks. Ha! They might get swapped out here in the future. Just depends on budget.

[@mr_demeanor6008]

Your videos are super well edited and quite helpful. Question. I'm rebuilding the same bike and I ordered the same tank but I'm wondering about the hose that is attached to the rubber part that holds the carb to the engine. What is it and do I need to reattach it to the petcock or gas tank?

[@rc2634]

Awesome!!!

[@binnydinney9739]

I hate those type of fork plugs. I sprayed aero-kroil on one once and it came out and shot parts across the shop. All because some idiot didn’t put in the retainer clip.

[@jimmytmoto]

Yeah, it's a strange choice. The ones I've dealt with have all been stuck from age, so you pound on them and then they fly loose. It's the same setup on my XT225.

[@cstory50]

I am working on reassembling mine before Christmas. I am momentarily stuck on the shocks... A significant amount of rust had formed in the top (spring seat). I was able to get the clips out, but those suckers are quite stuck. I am hoping that a little blaster and time, and maybe a little warming (not too much) will help loosen those plugs. Otherwise it's a challenge to change the fork oil. Any suggestions are welcome, At around 1:32 yours popped out reasonably easily. I am not sure if I should whack them or if they do "bottom out" after a few mm below the clip. Thanks.

[@TheGreatoweme]

Hi do you have any measurements for the bracket for the front tank mounting?looks great by the way.

[@alexcbradiowiz20]

How did you delete the vacuum line that went to the old tank?

[@mrJYjelly]

Wondering the same thing

[@andrewburley7651]

@jimmytmoto Love this build. What size were the screws you used where the reflectors were? Looking to do something very similar on my '80 SR250. Love how yours turned out

[@smallwheelsbigfeels]

What size fork boots did you use? I’ve had a hard time finding the right ones, yours look great.

[@jimmytmoto]

Thanks, I'm really happy with how they fit - perfect length and diameter. Online the size is listed as "215 * 46 * 30mm." Here's an Amazon affiliate link (I earn from qualifying purchases) to the boots I used: amzn.to/2MhkV0V . An additional tip: I found out that putting a couple of very small holes in the boots helped them "breathe" on compression and extension. I just used a small heated rod and burned the holes simply and quickly...you wouldn't even know they're there!

[@atticbird104]

Is that an inner tube under the gas tank?

[@jimmytmoto]

Yep, it’s a section of old motorcycle innertube folded over a couple times. It creates a nice snug fit between the gas tank and frame but still allows for some dampening from engine and road vibrations.

[@thewarriorpoet1871]

What year is this sr?

[@jimmytmoto]

It's the 1981 SR250G, U.S. model...I think they only brought it to the US from 1980 to 1983.