getting 2 85 xr200 dirt bikes - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

mikesta21 · 10-23-2006, 02:33 PM

One of them runs, one needs a cam and rockers(included). I bought these to learn about engines and I hope to learn how to completely dissassemble the motor and put it back together again. What resources should I use? the seller is including a service manual. What tools exactly should I look for? rachet set 1/4 or 3/8" drive? I have a regular set of metrics but I'm not sure exactly what set, "pit posse" is advertised on four strokes.com where I will post this message again.
If anyone has any tips on what to buy or get to use as directions that would be nice.. if I cant find anything or get stuck I will have to get a mechanic friend involved to teach me.
any help would be great....
mike.

h22lude · 10-24-2006, 11:27 AM

a complete set of tools is always helpful with any task. If you plan on using them often I'd say just get a whole set

mikesta21 · 10-24-2006, 02:30 PM

any particular recommendations? whatsa "whole" set, and also what kind of tq wrench is good? I like the ones that you twist or set the dial--ive read good things about precision instruments and of course craftsman.

Sirfallsalot243 · 10-26-2006, 01:26 PM

You could take that entire bike apart and put it back together with an 8,10, and 12mm socket. As with most japanese dirtbikes.

mikesta21 · 10-26-2006, 04:13 PM

how hard is that? do you have any experiences with them? I need to talk to someone who knows their 4 stokes..

Sirfallsalot243 · 11-05-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesta21

how hard is that? do you have any experiences with them? I need to talk to someone who knows their 4 stokes..

Its basically the same as a car motor, just smaller and only 1 cylinder. Air cooled too, which makes the job even easier. Ive got a bit of experience with them. Im a two stroke guy, but thumpers arent a big deal. Let me know if you have any questions. You might also want to check out www.allthingsmoto.com

BurntRubber87 · 11-06-2006, 11:14 PM

Oh believe me..you just bought two dirtbikes..you will use your tools..and you will use them often..I'd say get like a $100 craftsman handtool set..thats what my mom bought me for christmas one year when I got my first dirtbike a '91 Honda CR-125R..probably my MOST taken care of possession i've ever owned..but anyways..4 strokes are alot more lenient on the maintenance side but you will still have to do maintenance on it.

Sirfallsalot243 · 11-06-2006, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurntRubber87

Oh believe me..you just bought two dirtbikes..you will use your tools..and you will use them often..I'd say get like a $100 craftsman handtool set..thats what my mom bought me for christmas one year when I got my first dirtbike a '91 Honda CR-125R..probably my MOST taken care of possession i've ever owned..but anyways..4 strokes are alot more lenient on the maintenance side but you will still have to do maintenance on it.

CR125 is a race two stroke. Top ends every year. Much higher maintenance. XR200's are BULLETPROOF. Change the oil, clean the air filter, fill it with gas and go! Air cooled, non competition four strokes are the EPITOMY of low maintenance. Followed by non competition two strokes, then race two strokes, and the highest maintenance is competition four strokes. Id hate to have to do a top end on a CRF250r every 65 hours.

Youll love the XR200's. Theyll run FOREVER. You cant even imagine the abuse my friends and I put an XR200 through, and it kept on ticking. It is a Honda, after all.

BurntRubber87 · 11-07-2006, 07:40 AM

I didn't think the four stroke MX bikes needed a top end change every 65 hours? Thats crazy..I thought only the 2 strokes were that bitchy. Anyway, I usually bought the highest grade crankcase oil and mix oil..usually the new "buzz" i'd buy it..and when I used top shelf Bel-Ray stuff..my rings would last alot longer than a season, I went two season without changing my top end, my bike wasn't losing power, I even did a compression test and they were right in specs..wasn't smoking..no piston slap..I ended up doing a top end job because I just got nervous..I think it was because it was broken in very well, broken in and raced on the same exact type of oil the entire rings life so..I dunno. But anyway I'm just using that as a generality..if you own a motorcycle..you will work on it, because you will drop it and mess shit up, and eventually something is going to need to be maintained...And if you bring your bike to a shop to get worked on..then you're a sally.

Sirfallsalot243 · 11-07-2006, 09:51 AM

Lol then you must not be pushing it. Im not capable of pushing my bike to its fullest potential- not many can. The only reason I go through a piston a season is because I ride a lot of mud- and mud is very hard on an engine. If I stick to dry dirt, my top ends last me a long time. I usually use Mobil1 MX2t- my buddies complain that riding behind me smells like a fart, lol. It smells horrible when it burns, but its by far the best lubricating and cleanest burning.

Yeah, the MX thumpers are horrible. The valves arent right. Either too soft, and they mushroom... or too hard, and they shatter. Yamaha is the only company that doesnt have serious valve issues. I think the CRF250r is the worst motor that honda ever built. It makes great power, but its not practical to the weekend warrior. Maintenance is too high, and cost to fix WHEN (not if) it breaks, is also very high. Very uncharacteristic of honda, IMO.

BurntRubber87 · 11-07-2006, 03:00 PM

I haven't been riding in a long ass time, but the bel-ray 2 stroke mix was the best there was at the time..SR1..or H1R or somethin' like that. I just know my bike ran great! never had any issues with it. the best part about a 2 stroke is being able to warm it up in 30 seconds and not be worried about it, lol..kick it over..let it idle for about 10 seconds, then peg the throttle open until its got that crisp ping sound, not the boggy brrhh sound...and then you're ready to go!

Sirfallsalot243 · 11-07-2006, 04:35 PM

Yeah, I agree. Unless your piston is forged, then it might take a little longer.

I like two strokes because if theyre gonna blow up, they give you plenty of warning, and even if they do blow up.. so what? $300 bucks will rebuilt the entire motor!

mikesta21 · 11-09-2006, 08:50 PM

2 things..
do i need a driver? a mechanic told me when he used to work on motorcycles he found if you dont pay attention you will strip things on an old bike and a driver really helps.

is the suspension on an xr200 awful? im seeing bad reviews all over the internet saying the 250 was soooo much better suspension wise.

gotsum · 11-17-2006, 12:36 AM

glad to see there is still interest in the older vintage bikes. i recenty picked up a 76suzuki rm370 and a 77 kawi ke250 enduro. both run but i want to tear em down and make pretty again, i'm going for the original stock look, maybe a slight cafe racer stance for the kawi, who knows. good luck with your new purchase, i have friends who have been in the cycle business for 30+years if you have any tech questions.