Hi 2SW! Just re-joined the forum after a couple of years in the wilderness after I sold by GT750 & RD400 projects to fellow forum members. Thought you might be interested in this, my latest project. Picked up a 1987 SRX250 roller a while back. Brought back a RD250 motor from Barber VF this year and decided to do the transplant. So far so good!
A good combo.
THAT, friends and neighbors, is going to be super cool. :thumbs: :vroom: :burnout:
I had the same thought a few years ago, posted it on the old forum. Then someone came along and offered me way too much for the SRX! Looking forward to this thread.
Cool! :clap: What Yamaha should have built back in the day.
Might even deserve a 350 top end too. :wink:
:agree:
Started dismantling the RD250 motor. Should have loosened the drive sprocket while still in the frame but got ahead of myself. That thing was on as tight as a camel's arse in a sandstorm so had to channel my inner McGyver. I didn't want to risk damaging the casings so I backed the motor up to the vice and used an old chain I had lying around. Applied some heat to the sprocket & nut and off she came.
Smart!
Air Tech has a full fairing option. https://www.airtech-streamlining.com/yamaha-fairings-seats-fenders-parts/86srx25.htm
Good to know! Thanks for that
The RD250 motor came mounted in a chopped frame. So I was able to graft the bottom section with the front engine mounting points onto the SRX frame. Here is after cleaning up the initial tack welding and adding some bracing around the headstock.
Nice! :clap:
I'm always amazed the amount of brackets and tabs on a frame. Looks like a good start,
I like cross-pollinating. Basic hot rodding at it's best.
Cheers, 50gary
First experience of vapor blasting and I am well pleased (in the words of Allen Millyard)
Where is your vapor blasting being done?
I found a local shop that does it:
http://www.vaporblastingnc.com/
Check out the Gallery for pics
I think this rear sprocket might need replacing. I've never seen one this bad before. There's a lot of red on this bike so I couldn't resist throwing in a pic of the "blue" in the garage :vroom:
It does not appear that your pipes will clear the tire unless you do some real fancyfabrication
.
I mean... might as well take it all the way. :dawg:
Don't forget the red sprocket nuts!
A little more progress. Got the RD coils mounted up. Tested them and I have sparks so that's good. Carbs all cleaned up and mounted. Some more parts on the way so next steps will be replacing the points (badly pitted), setting timing, finish the oil pump install with new lines. Then a test start!
I've hit a snag with the build and I would appreciate some input. I was going to make an offset drive sprocket for the front to match up with the SRX rear. However when I mocked it up the clutch actuator mechanism will hit the chain. Not good. Looking into possibility of moving rear sprocket inboard about 10mm but that looks challenging. Ideas welcome!
Hmmm...?
Potentially a game of small gains. 10mm is a lot to move/alter one piece but maybe a few mm by primary, rear sprocket and possibly an engine shift by a few mm would see the chain align?
If there is some potential to offset primary 3mm?
Theres potential for the rear to be inset 3 mm* and shift the engine to the left 3mm.
Give or take there's your 10mm.
* watch out for chain to tyre clearance.
Thats all I got....good luck.
Space the engine cover and make a longer clutch pushrod, then go ahead with the offset sprocket?
Yeah, you'd have to do someting with the shift shaft, too. :umm:
hi,
looking at the very nice way that you fabricated the engine mounts it would be a shame to rip them apart to move the engine over 10mm. but would it be possible to machine 10mm off of the engine mounts on the engine and then slide the engine over on the bolts and use spacers in the other side?
i have built half a dozen hybrids and have always found that it is best to get the engine to line up rather than start spacing everything else. even if it means offsetting the engine by a small amount.
cheers
les.
Long way to go but taking shape!
Got the drive train lined up. Went the route of offsetting the rear sprocket in the end. Two perfectly good JT sprockets were butchered but everything lines up nicely with a 10mm spacer between them. In case you're wondering, the current rear tire is now rubbing the chain but it is way wider than it should be so that will be replaced with stock size (90/90-18).
very cool. i would recommend welding that all together. :twocents:
Slow going on the project lately due to life getting in the way, but did manage to work on the foot controls a bit. I had a set of rearsets left over from a GT750 project. I cut some new brackets from 1/2 inch ally plate. I didn't have to modify the hanging brackets on the chambers which was a bonus.
Coming along nicely. :)
This is rad!
A friend had an SRX6 back in the day and I was seriously impressed with the chassis. Totally flickable and a definite upgrade over the RD platform. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out!
Quote from: BlueR32 on December 23, 2021, 03:29:40 PM
I think this rear sprocket might need replacing. I've never seen one this bad before. There's a lot of red on this bike so I couldn't resist throwing in a pic of the "blue" in the garage :vroom:
Do you get the VJ23 out much and use it?
Did you bring it in, or have someone do that?
Few and far between over here.
Do you get the VJ23 out much and use it?
Did you bring it in, or have someone do that?
Few and far between over here.
[/quote]
Yes indeed! She gets out almost every weekend. Probably one of the most fun bikes I have ever ridden. Also use it for track days. I didn't bring it in. Bought it off a WERA 13x Forum member last year January.
http://forums.13x.com/index.php?threads/1996-suzuki-rgv250-sp.365862/
It might be an optical illusion, but that chain doesn't look quite straight. maybe it's just channeling its inner pride month... :whistle:
Try it without the chain on and see if the sprockets are in line. I often use a 3 foot length of 1/2" rod or angle aluminum. Hold it tight against the front sprocket and see how it lines up at the wheel.
The other thing is that an RD chain will usually clear the rear tire even if it's a couple of sizes larger than stock. It should just touch a 130 or so tire. My last TZ rubbed on a 130/65 Avon with stock front sprocket and chains aligned and it's basically the same motor.
As mark mentioned, that set up needs to be stronger and welding would be a start. If not, it will distort and probably fail in use.
Nice project BTW.
Thanks for the great suggestions all! That tire is a 130 and the chain is just touching. Stock SRX rear is 100 so I have some options. I will check the sprocket alignment for sure. Right now its just mocked up with some 12mm plastic spacers which I had lying around but the plan is to get the exact spacer size needed once everything is lined up. The final spacers will be steel and I will get it all welded up as suggested. Don't all hold your breath waiting for the next update as this weekend I am heading to Colorado for 2 months to escape the humidity here in NC. Looking forward to exploring CO on 2 wheels:)
Time for a project update. Slow progress but wiring is sorted, motor runs, foot controls are mostly figured out. Almost at the point of tearing down to do frame cleanup and paint prep.
Lookin' good! Nice work. :clap:
Yup, I like it; lookin' like a motorcycle!
Love this! Always liked those crazy SRX but couldn't ever get my hands on one. This will be awesome once complete!
It's been a while since last update and not a lot to report. The project is stripped down and next step will be cleanup and prep for painting. I retired end of June and I'm in CO for the summer so will get back into it in the Fall. Meanwhile I did a trip back to the homeland (Ireland) in April and rode the south west area with my brother and some friends. Remarkably we had no rain the entire week. A highlight of the trip was meeting up with Forum Member @elliotles1 in Glengarriff. Stay tuned!
Quote from: BlueR32 on July 19, 2023, 08:46:34 AMIt's been a while since last update and not a lot to report. The project is stripped down and next step will be cleanup and prep for painting. I retired end of June and I'm in CO for the summer so will get back into it in the Fall. Meanwhile I did a trip back to the homeland (Ireland) in April and rode the south west area with my brother and some friends. Remarkably we had no rain the entire week. A highlight of the trip was meeting up with Forum Member @elliotles1 in Glengarriff. Stay tuned!
Congrats on your retirement :cheers:
The IRL trip sounds like a great time. Beautiful area! And really cool that you were able to meet up with Les.
There's an SRX a couple of hours from me on marketplace, and I know a guy with a spare engine (or two)...I DO NOT need another project! Oh, dear.
BlueR32
was great to catch up, thanks for calling in. its raining alright now!
i am currently selling two or three bikes to fund the next one. i will keep following yours, good luck with it.
might catch up with the brother for a spin sometime.
cheers
les.
Perfect frame painting day yesterday here in NC! Nice & warm, low humidity and no pollen.