This $1500 Dirt Bike Is a Disaster. How Does This Even Happen?

[@moto3463]

Videos like these are like therapy sessions for us guys I swear. Keep up the great content love from Australia!

[@cadevaughn7596]

Lol...hopefully the kid learned something. Video tape your amateur work so you can put it back together again.

[@scatter1390]

Onya mate.

[@douglastalbot8031]

The red flag on this was when the seller said it needed shimming and he did not know how to do it, you know he has been messing with them and may have messed something up. This would have me walking away as you found out he screwed up other things as well. Great job diagnosing this one, you really know your stuff.

[@reggiexp69]

i mean if you rebuild a engine atleast know wtf u doing... or just dont touch...

[@herschelmiller]

​@Quad Video By Reggiexp gotta learn somewhere. Best way is trial and error sometimes

[@matjj676]

I'd have checked the air filter before buying. If it's missing. I'd walk away. No telling if it had been ran like that.

[@clutchitsystems100]

​@@reggiexp69yes, if you know how use the math ...

[@mr.channel6467]

He didn’t say it needed shimming he said that it wouldn’t start after his rebuild.

[@stckyboots]

Been watching you for the past couple months, you have no idea how much I’ve learned from just watching you fix these things up and I’ve never even touched a dirt bike before! I actually live only about an hour from you, one of these days, I’m going to buy something from you cause I know everything you fix will be in mint condition and ofc it would be cool to meet you! Keep up the great work and content!

[@fire_node2416]

same with me, ive rebuilt my friends 450 and 110 just from watching these videos

[@daffyduck9901]

🤣

[@fullmetaljacket7]

This guy twists the throttle on cold starts so don't take him too seriously.

[@lindapodkowa3354]

@FULLMETALJACKET7 ohh no he rev a dirt bike after starting it lol shut up😂

[@fullmetaljacket7]

@@lindapodkowa3354 Apparently, just like him, you have no idea how the choke circuit works on a dirt bike carb. It has nothing to do with revving the engine.

[@davewickstrom2855]

Joe, You do a wonderful job fixing up these broken machines while keeping it easy to understand. Probably my #1 youtuber and I am thankful you do it with such grace.

[@rhinovirus2225]

You should check out the channel called mustie1 he fixes up all kinds of stuff and it's easy to follow

[@WildBill1006]

I gotta say once the guy said “I rebuilt the top end but never done a valve job” that right there would have scared me off. I don’t know how you didn’t tear the whole top end apart to double check the guys work after finding what you did. Excellent vid once again.

[@petejay75]

Like the guy can replace a piston but can't shim valves?? WTF!!! I would have left then and there, no matter how much I wanted the bike.

[@bryanpersig3055]

My first bike was a 1984 RM 80. I was 13 at the time. It was and still is one of my favorite bike's and I've had a lot of bike's in my life

[@robhayter484]

No one cares

[@bryanpersig3055]

@@robhayter484 someone jealous LMFAO... What a cry baby you are

[@cass8144]

@@robhayter484 unnecessary dude

[@Coach4.5.0]

I love my 91 rm80 and I'm 6 foot 2 great little bike

[@Impossworld]

@@robhayter484 got the whole squad laughing 😐😐

[@jayjudd6518]

How you named this video got my interest immediately. Enjoyed it immensely. Did notice that most reply’s are that scammer again.

[@edpoints1127]

Great video as always! I get why you don't.... But I wish you would expose some of these people that know the bike is trashed and needs more than valve shims. That's just CROOKED, just as bad as trying to sell me an extended warranty for my truck! Glad you got it going.

[@edwards0matic]

The throttle response is outstanding. Glad you've got this gem out of that guys hands lol.

[@ruvimnemets6303]

I'm sure u figured it out by now but that resistance your feeling when kicking it without the spark plug in was your cam lobes depression your valves. Great vid man!

[@caino2k101]

Is this normal? Mine feels the same

[@jeffreyness9741]

Great videos and I admire your tenacity. What interests me is your random throttle movement while kick-starting the bike. Chokes and tickling and pumps won't work if the throttle slides open.......

[@allenwade8706]

Yes leave that throttle alone!

[@dubiousf00d]

Always thought the same.

[@PongbyAtari]

I think that's half the hard starting issues are throttle related.

[@spencerfunk2wheels]

If you plan to keep it, make sure to change the oil after every ride. These bikes use a dry-sump design and carry very little oil. The sight glass is notoriously inaccurate! Love the videos, keep em coming!

[@djantix1200]

Nice work getting this one sorted. Can't believe the valves were not bent after that shotty rebuild! You got lucky!

[@martycloer4176]

I think these Suzukis were part of the early 250f joint venture with Kawasaki. This one is pretty nice once you found all of the major issues. No smoke and sounds pretty tight.

[@kobybear08]

Like your tear down videos & rebuilds, makes me wish I was back in diesel mech and VoAg class in high school, You'd make an Excellent Shop Teacher Joe.

[@eyeperture]

I’ve been watching dozens of vid, got so hooked up with the enormous amount of details on carb and engines, got so focused moving from one vid to another, and forgot to like the channel until now. Thanks for sharing.

[@honestjay8120]

You are one hell of a good mechanic man I will give you that you definitely know what you’re doing👍👍🇺🇸 awesome job

[@daffyduck9901]

🤣

[@zackk695]

I love smart people! Much better than I could do and I rebuild diesel engines. So for $1500 and a days work you have a very solid bike now.Your way ahead of the game brother. I think it will also run better with the air filter to restrict flow a little to match the engine. I also think riding it a few hours will help everything break in and run smoothly. Really good job

[@co.dconfidential5395]

You’ve motivated me to do this kind of thing. I’m currently in the market for a banshee that I want to completely rebuild. So thanks man, really enjoy your videos.

[@samlwackson8696]

Hell yeah man! I just redid my 87 Warrior, looking at a 87 LT230S tomorrow for another project 😂

[@2011Pwnd]

I’ve learned so much about bike repairs from your videos I’ve only been working with bikes for 3 months now and so confident and doing top ends from your videos keep it up

[@thomas-hy4bt]

this guy sure knows his dirt bike engines, makes me envious watching, would love to be that good with mechanics, hats off to the guy

[@jlt7518]

Great presentation and technical ability, love to see Vinny too! Very easy to follow your thorough repairs/builds! I

[@donovanelder]

Hey Joe don't forget the air cleaner. 😉 Lots of kicking on that one. Love your vids!

[@TelmoMartinho]

Your videos are very addictive 😅 Please continue the awesome work 👏

[@shotgunz124]

Don’t forget to get a air filter cage and bolt And tank strap

[@2vintage]

Yep! Ordered them today

[@623jay]

@@2vintage did i win??

[@K.V.P14]

Man your knowledge is second to none. Great work , makes me want to start fixing up bikes 🏍 😀

[@purpteaa3223]

whatever you do, dont go for an xr lol. I got an 87 xr250 to fix up and its probably one of the most complicated motors ive seen

[@toadinthehole8085]

That was fun to watch,.very good diagnosis to finding the problems.

[@cameronsienkiewicz6364]

Quick tip for getting the carb out .. just undo the bottom bolt on the subframe , loosen the top bolt just a little , separate the expansion chamber and tailpipe and swing it up and out of the way

[@marcusmacdonald9847]

My first bike was very similar, was a 04 rmz 250. Had it for years. Was the beginning of four stroke and it's not hard to tell!! Known for bad valves, and cylinder head. Requires constant maintenance of valve clearance/shims. I actually bought all new valves and cyl head, and still wasn't anywhere near being a reliable bike. Best of luck, your going to need it!!

[@tylerl8975]

Geezz this thing was all sorts of cobbed together! Good work getting this thing running mint

[@MrAddison79]

Hey at least the bottom end wasn't bad 😄👍 good work as usual sir!

[@Tommygagnee]

Love your videos man, I just picked up a non running 93 artic cat 550 sled for 350$ CAD ill be watching your videos to help me fix it 😂

[@nathanpeever6701]

If u have a non running or poor running 90s artic cat sled the 1st place I would look is the throttle position sensor...

[@Tommygagnee]

@@nathanpeever6701 Not that good in mechanic but what could change it, i know it has no spark

[@nathanpeever6701]

@tommy gangéé pm me on messenger and I will try my best to help you

[@Tommygagnee]

@@nathanpeever6701 alright ill try to find you

[@Tommygagnee]

@@nathanpeever6701 whats ur pfp

[@Jimsalos]

You need to start bringing Vinny with you to see if he approves before you seal the deal lol. Another great video, Joe!

[@burtaarsen5609]

You are really good. I'm amazed how you get them running again thumbs up 👍 and thanks for the lesson

[@BentleyCoachworks]

I built one of these and it ran amazing first kick every time. Just did another with a brand new bottom end, top end including head and valves and it wont run :( this gives me motivation to keep on trying to get it going! Im going to check again to see if i timed it to the correct mark lol!

[@jeffroberts532]

Well, there was just so much wrong that all Vinny could do was go over to the gas tank and point out that it was okay! Sometimes he draws your attention to the few things that DON’T need work. Great video, Joe! As always.

[@Jayslife104]

Vinny’s a Honda guy!

[@travisfuller9603]

i enjoy watching your way of doing things, getting these bikes fixed up. different than how id do it but not wrong whatsoever. i can 100% tell your experience in your workstyle. for instance you just went straight in for the carb as i would have taken the subframe off or left the top bolt on and swing it out of the way. all in all top notch man

[@frankm8533]

Man ur always fixing sombody else's mess good job 👏 have you had any DR350s my friend had one in the 90s I never see them around these days

[@DFerg-gn8lu]

Another great find/video!! Joe, it's great to see you give respect to all these excellent vehicles.

[@donwalters8877]

Your grandpa is probably so proud of you, you know your shit! GOD bless

[@johnbest4320]

Great video Joe quite alot of stuff wrong with it you had to go over some bad mechanics mistakes hopefully the piston is in the right way but it does sound good & you done great getting it going you & vinny have a smashing week mate 👍

[@jognswitza]

the questions you ask people when buying the toys r so good, people take notes!!!!

[@scottpastere9404]

You should actually start the carb before anything, and let it sit in the sonic cleaner running and getting clean while you tear into the motors

[@thewizardoftech5075]

when doing a fix like he does, you start with the most obvious things like getting fuel, spark and compression first. then you use those points to branch off. when fixing to resell, every hour into the bike eats away at profit. so maybe it just needed a spark plug and started right up and ran . you would be wasting all that time tearing down the carb for nothing . like they say , if it aint broke dont fix it lol. so no point in doing the carb until you know it needs it .

[@robspear03]

@@thewizardoftech5075 Always assume the carb is fucked

[@e5m956]

Yea my boss gave me a Blaster that was sitting for years and the first thing I did is tear the carb down to every piece and clean it lol.

[@larrywarner9314]

Joe I have a rule of thumb, don't matter wut it is when it's in my shop always check carb , spark , compression !!! No matter wut I'm working on , example this morning my biddy dropped off his chai saw I just put a new carb on it 2 months ago and the carb was plugged tight with saw dust , he took it to a jonsered dealer and they couldn't figure it out .

[@MaxsGarajMahal]

Before I shimmed the valves, I'd have done a compression test to see if there is a bent valve.

[@lukenelson8975]

Bro you give me so much confidents to fix my own machines

[@trose7620]

Nice bike, I'm so done with Suzukis right now. Having hell finding critical parts for an older one. But I do continue to work on them. Got to keep lights on. Great vid.

[@ispgravy4233]

Like your videos but I like them more if there isn’t multiple long videos of the same bike - my favorites are the ones with one full video of one bike. I also prefer dirt bike videos 😂 I think your a great mechanic, keep it up 👍

[@brianmccullen9156]

Awesome bike Joe when are you going to get that Honda 700 XX rebuilt

[@2vintage]

Guy who i bought the parts from isn't shipping them out. I'm having difficulty getting him to ship them. As soon as he does I'm making the video.

[@Outlaw_media10]

starting to learn alot from you. thanks for making these videos

[@leekarpinski4038]

Learnt lots from Joe's videos

[@DIRTVLOG]

@@leekarpinski4038 Joe who?

[@jaybones821_YT]

Your Dog took one sniff at it and said I ain’t helping on this one. Live your vids.✌🏼

[@scorp14901]

You are one smart dude! I have a 2000 yz125 I bought off a guy new top end was running great lots of power it shut off and won't start it's getting fuel and spark but acts like low compression did something give up

[@captainprairie5790]

I must be learning something from watching your videos, I thought the timing was off by the way it kicked over at first. Great video again! Thanks bruh!

[@andyw237]

You got a full size dirt bike for $1500 in 2023, that is a decent deal running or not. Where i live they would have told you "carbs just need cleaned", and they would want the same price as a brand new MX bike. keep up the good work, hopefully the market comes back to earth soon.

[@garyhurdiss10]

Don't matter if their ready for work or not m8 end of day your their to bike a bike.. its as long as it takes or no sale.. ps great vids keeps up the great work pal

[@Justin_104]

This was one of the merg years between Kawasaki and Suzuki. I had an 05 & 06 KX250f (practically the same bike). Great bikes, other than the fact they liked to throw valves...

[@purebloodheretic4682]

Throwing Valves!!! So they were a Good Bike until the Engine Explodes😆 👍

[@Justin_104]

@purebloodheretic4682 yeah you pretty much had to adjust the valves after every other ride, and I'm not even fast. 😂 those early carb 4-strokes kinda sucked ngl.

[@bf760]

I think it's amazing what you can do with something someone else messed up so bad.

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

What a score. That thing sounds crisp af. I couldn't tell the difference if it was carburetored or fuel-injected.

[@Jursaw]

Good job fixing it but why cold revs? Never understood why people did that

[@RATADATUAVELHA]

I love that bike, great you managed to get it working!

[@AZVIDS]

Wow that was a mess! Nice fix Joe👍

[@Hold-my-beer]

Recently found your channel and subbed, I’ve been binging lol. I don’t even work on or even own dirt bikes or four wheelers. lol but I like how you diag these things and work out the kinks. I’m finding myself wanting to buy a project bike. So if I ever do I’ll probably be emailing you for help if I get stuck lol.

[@gmhgmhgmh]

It is a pleasure learning from you so much! Great videos! I wish the broken Yamaha dirt bike got fixed too...

[@Ty-NY8vp]

Can’t wait to see the first ride on the Rm 250 Suzuki. I love Suzukis there my favorite. Love the channel.

[@fixingstufftv453]

Nice! sounds awesome. Love those Suzukis, reminds me of the DR250 I had when I was working in Zambia, built like a tank.

[@robomoto5550]

The little whistle as you rev it sounds sweet

[@travisr896]

I learnt the hard way of never buying an 04-06 RMZ250 that the guy said he did the top end in and it won’t run. I bought one for $1000 guy said he did the top end in and was riding it,hit a jump and wiped out. Brought it home timing was off didn’t know to much the mechanics side of it or had the time.Took it into the dealer to look at and turned out I had to rebuild half the bike. Engine cases were even cracked so I lucked out owner of the shop had a parts one where he sold me for cheaper what was hard to find. $5500 to rebuild later dealer gave me a deal on parts and labour said would have cost $8000 to do normally. So when you said guy rebuild the top end I knew right away “Annnd here we go” 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@thewizardoftech5075]

thats a weird situation. if he was able to ride it and jump it. then it should have been in time. and if it somehow jumped time. then it should have just been top end work. and mechanics at dealerships rob you. over 5000 to rebuild an old rmz is insane. you can get complete bottom ends crank and all for 700 bucks or less with a little searching used . you could have bought yourself next to a brand new bike for 5500 . i would have sold the bike off for what you paid or a little less. and spent the quoted 5500 on something else. because with you 6500 into it after the rebuild it would have still been worth less then half of that . sorry that happened to you. if that situation happens again. and you have to go to a dealership. pay the fees to give it a once over, and get a quote. dont let them just get it working and bill you at the end . because there is no way to prove what they did in the engine, especially since they used , used parts .

[@travisr896]

Yeah sorry I was telling the story in pieces the way he told me. He obviously didn’t start from the beginning to the end. My guess was he rode the bike the engine blew hitting a jump or after then he tried to rebuild the top end. But still doesn’t make sense cause he did try to rebuild the top end cause the timing was off. But yet the whole engine still had to be rebuilt. So how did the piston,valves and everything els get damaged? Cause if you rebuilt the top end you obviously do the piston and valves if needed.Plus the bikes not going to start with the timing off or rest of the engine damaged. Some how till this day it doesn’t make sense to me what really happened.

[@rileytaylor9436]

I've been watching you build this channel since you started and id love to see you do a old wetbike project, Ive seen them on marketplace and they're super cool

[@adamjones8156]

Weren't those bikes always blowing up? The kawasuki 250fs 04 and 05 I think. Nice job man 👍

[@dtha70]

And junk cam chain tensioners was common too. Everyone went to manual tensioners and 1 ride OCIs with welded cam sprockets to keep these things happy

[@b1n]

Watching video now. Always fun to try to guess whats wrong. I am guessing the previous owner put something together wrong, like the piston upside down or bent valves from a timing issue, something like that 😂.

[@lilspice1136]

Please work on a 2000+ kx125 lol I watched your older model but it be nice someday to watch you work on the bike I got. I love watching your videos even the odd ball ones, definitely educational and fun. Keep up the hard work! PS: I like every video

[@dhooter]

Always be skeptical when they say no play side to side. Learned that from watching so many of your videos. Hell of a mechanic Joe 👍👍🤘🤘

[@keairasalmaso5127]

Have only just discovered this wish I found it earlier your videos are mint keep up the good work mate

[@2vintage]

Thanks 👍

[@keairasalmaso5127]

@@2vintage no worries mate keep up the good work

[@reddye2331]

It will be cool to see when u eventually develop into producing more hp by porting the cylinders. It isn't rocket science but it is challenging to say the least.

[@HP-hm3pn]

It would be interesting to hear from the previous owner how it got in such bad condition. Enjoyed the video!

[@kentuckyjohn6149]

I would check those head bolts to make sure that guy torqued everything down right .That guy should not work on bikes..Have a Flat CR carb that’s not giving me any fuel it seems for start up I have been through it a bunch of times u made that look easy..lol Good job bud..

[@waynecurrie9017]

I've got a say thank you for all the great videos I've learned a ton and know what to look out for when I get my quad. now I just need to find one I like at a good price

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Great video as always. Do you ever check for spark or drain some oil out when you are negotiating price?

[@_Hangman]

Those first Kawasuki's (yes Suzuki & Kawi mixed together) were such heaps valve train wise. Then again most 250F's were besides the Yamaha.

[@bueller48]

i may have to tackle this on my own rmz but mine is an '04. i'll start with the carb---something i've never done as I'm getting back into dirtbiking since i was kid. i don't have a manual but same jets?? great vid!

[@andrewkirtley6565]

Great video. Also the best way to remove carby is the 4 bolts that hold rear subframe on. Remove them and entire rear of bike comes away. Piece of piss.

[@thebigguy8306]

BRAVO congrats on finding the problem(s). Sounded great

[@paulpinto8400]

Wow. Amazing riders. The strength it takes to ride like that is superhuman status.

[@ricaze70]

These early Suzukis/Kawasakis 4T were a disaster when they were new! I can’t imagine how bad they are used…

[@metrobadger]

Totally support folks working on their bikes but some of them just shouldn’t! Once again, good job cleaning up someone else’s mistakes!

[@dtha70]

Cams seizing in the head and these bikes spinning the gears on the cams was VERY common.

[@jimmyjones9085]

those stone cold high revs kill me every time ouch my heart

[@lorditsprobingtime6668]

Same! Varying revs after a slow gentle warm up yes, constantly blipping the throttle is effectively momentarily throwing full load on all bearings and rings when it hasn't even had time to circulate oil to half those parts. I'm old school, run em in light throttle and low revs varying and gradually taking the revs a little higher at a time, NEVER labor the engine but, no big revs or big throttle, even just blipping.

[@patbriggsmbr]

Great to watch. I’ve learnt so much. 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lucascady4992]

Ring Gap or Piston is in backwards??? IDK🤷 apparently the timing was off? I Love how you always kick the shit out of it, then decide to clean the carb?! Love the content Homie!!!

[@trashcan4698]

kicking the shit out of it is easier then ripping the carb apart lmao

[@rosenvalentinov249]

Great interesting videos.. I like your channel ! I waiting for the first ride with this beast.

[@sheffielduk3428]

Now addicted to youre channel haha! Just got myself a yz250F 2016!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Just in time for costly repairs. To let you know in advance of your expensive repair bill that is just around the corner, you can rebuild the top end of a YZ 2-stroke for about $200.00. You might want to sell it, and get a 2-stroke if you are not made of money, and like to ride.

[@sheffielduk3428]

@EarthSurferUSA it's hardly been used, just done full service and rides beautiful, do you go through life being scared of bikes and cars breaking? Nothing lasts forever! Not even the breath that your taking. I love 2 strokes but I may part ex for 450 soon as I miss the 450 power

[@shauncoetsee6]

howzit man, i am here in SA, been watching all your vids, love it, and yes i have learnt so much from your channel, i have a Yamaha TW 200 trail here, and she is very boggy, b not idling properly and not reving good

[@kellybrown6988]

Old worn out Chinese eBay aftermarket bling! I like it! Very nice!

[@Im2qwik]

When I was a young lad of 19 (45+ years ago) my 250 Suzuki stopped on the road..I took it home and worked on it every day after school trying to start it...spark with plug out of cylinder was good...primed it..put new points in...even had my dad tow it with his car....not start...pumped it and pumped it until one day.....i put it a new spark plug....it started immediately...plug would not fire under compression...what a learning ordeal :)

[@lorditsprobingtime6668]

Let's see if I can guess correctly the brand of spark plug: A Champion plug? I had in Suzukis around that era 2 TS 185s over the years, one TS 250, and a 550GT. I especially loved the TS 185, when I only weighed about 9 stone ringing wet they were a great weight and power for fun riding and bush bashing but, every time I used a Champion plug it would fail on me at some point, NGK were good but not those Champion ones, though that seemed to be only with 2 strokes. Sometimes it wouldn't be a major issue but 1 time I was climbing up the side of a valley nobody else was even game to try and almost to the top when it suddenly died! The front brake couldn't hold it on that slope and it just took off backwards and I can't ride backwards so me and bike tumbling all tangled up most of the way back down. Painful, embarrassing, annoying and extremely frustrating as I would have made it as I was almost there and that would have had them all worshiping my incredible skill and abilities. Yeah well, I'm allowed to dream lol. I don't even know why but, Champion plugs, at least back then, were not reliable in 2 strokes for some reason. I never could work out exactly what or where they failed, they'd just stop letting spark through.

[@jftjft5962]

Just subscribed, glad I did! Really great DIY video, thanks for sharing.

[@leighatkinson527]

just incase youre unaware if you was gonna keep the 04 250 i would recommend aftermarket procircut water pump set and steel valves :)

[@AlphaQ214]

Got to where you were measuring the valves and as soon as I heard you get to .015 i had a feeling the shims were missing. Based on the fact the guy didn't know how to shim valves and the timing being that far off, its easy to over look when a shim falls out in disassembly. Well now time to finish the video.

[@AlphaQ214]

Great video

[@michaelrowlandhogan9524]

You are a genious, common sense abounds, well done !

[@marjeanedgar3156]

I didn't see the cam bearing locater key ? Often lost. When I bought my rmz I found one in the case from previous owner !