Post by: Smithdad on April 19, 2013, 02:53:10 PM
I have a couple of questions. I searched the board before I ask this but did not find the answers I was looking for. Main question I have is on transmission oil. Now I know there are a lot of choices and most people have their favorite brands. I always used the Honda brand before because it was the brand my local shop had on the shelf. Worked very well and had no complaints. Changed to another brand for a while and had trouble. TO be fair it could have just been the timing and wear and tear and not the oil change but after repairs went back to what I trusted. Where I live now there are no good MX shops close by so I will be ordering and stock piling. I used Rotella T in my 4 stroke and changed the oil after every ride and was pleased. We put a lot of hours on a bike with daily riding and training. Oil will not stay in our bikes very long.
While we are at it give me some input on 2 stroke oil. I used Maxima K2 for most of my previous 2 stroke rides. Used Castor 927 before that. What do you guys use?
Thanks so much for your input. I look forward to talking with you guys on this board often.
By the way I found this board thru Allredy Canopies. I think they did a canopy for this website.
Post by: ford832 on April 19, 2013, 03:22:49 PM
Rotella will work just fine in the gearbox.I like bel ray gearsaver as I've found I get smoother shifts with it.Many of the tranny oils (Motul,Amsoils etc)are just a 10/40 anyway without the modern day friction modifiers.Some will rec atf but I find this breaks down quickly and my shifting gets notchy.To each his own though.If you like Rotella,go with it.It's as good as anything and you can't argue with the price.
From the teardown condition perspective,I've yet to find anything better than Motul 800 or Amsoil Interceptor-so I use either or of those-whichever is on the shelf at the time.Ipone is good also if you like strawberries-and it's made by Motul.
You'll get lots of advice with the criteria just being whoever presently uses what.I always based mine on what my engine looked like wear wise,top and bottom,when it was time to take it apart.(there's a big difference sometimes,they're not all created equal.)
Post by: citabjockey on April 19, 2013, 03:23:04 PM
BTW - Welcome to the forum and congrats on the return to valveless bikes!
For myself? I have not had any trouble with any 2T oil for years, S2, MC1, but have been using Lucas semi syn for the past couple of years, 40:1 in my KTM 380 and 250 and my vintage yamaha's (even in the injector tanks). One oil for all. Keeps life simple.
Post by: Dirtsaw on April 19, 2013, 04:21:00 PM
It's competitively priced too. If you're mail ordering, I can set you up to get dealer cost if you are interested...
Post by: Smithdad on April 19, 2013, 04:41:08 PM
Post by: ktm150rippa on April 19, 2013, 05:38:42 PM
Post by: Stusmoke on April 20, 2013, 12:00:32 AM
Welcome to the board! I was running Fuchs Silkolene for quite awhile in the gearbox and premix but the shifting did get pretty notchy as well. When my dad raced back in the day he said belray was the shit. So I switched to Belray gear saver and H1-R on the premix and everything has been solid!
This, I ran out of my standard oil last gearbox change and threw in some fuchs silkolene. Never again. Notchy shifts, and slipping well out of gear sometimes. In its defence, the latter is probably because my bike is half F***ed. Well three quaters
For engine oil, I like the castrol synthetic or mineral. When I went to buy a new jug last time the synthetic was 30 bucks more expensive, so after thinking it over extensively (
) I bought mineral. gearbox oil I now use 10W-40 castrol 4t engine oil. Its good stuff, it was actually a recommended alternative to gearbox oil by the manual.
Post by: 2T Institute on April 20, 2013, 12:17:44 AM
Engine Agip Kart.
Build up is from jetting and ignition, Maxima 927 is very good oil
Post by: Dirtsaw on April 20, 2013, 12:25:02 AM
Post by: TMKIWI on April 20, 2013, 04:42:24 AM
I use Belray in everything but I am biased as I get it cheap.
Plenty of good oils out there as others have stated.
Pick a good one and try and stick with it.
Post by: Smithdad on April 20, 2013, 01:00:33 PM
One other question. The bike has a Bill's Works pipe on it. I have run FMF and Pro Circuit but not familiar with the Bill's. Any experience with this pipe. Not sure of the jetting in the bike but plan to check that today.
Post by: ford832 on April 20, 2013, 01:27:53 PM
Post by: motoman356 on April 21, 2013, 12:08:34 AM
Post by: HCE on April 21, 2013, 01:57:37 AM
Post by: Smithdad on April 21, 2013, 02:39:51 AM
My son really enjoyed the bike after being on the 4 stroke for awhile. He could not believe how much lighter it felt but he also said it was hard getting used to not having the engine braking and having to use more brake to help stop. Overall we are all pleased.
Post by: Stusmoke on April 21, 2013, 02:49:08 AM
We put in a lot of time on the bike so I change the oil after every ride. One reason why I liked the Rotella T in our 250F's was the price. I have noticed that the Rotella T seems to breakdown pretty fast so that is another good reason to change the oil often. Put fresh Silkolene in the 250 and then put about 2 hours of ride time in and then changed it. It looked like it held up good and the bike seemed to shift good thru the ride time. Have enough oil for a few more changes by then I can make a good judgement on how it performs. Thinking about trying the Amsoil again.
My son really enjoyed the bike after being on the 4 stroke for awhile. He could not believe how much lighter it felt but he also said it was hard getting used to not having the engine braking and having to use more brake to help stop. Overall we are all pleased.
After riding my CR125 for about 6 months without setting foot on a four stroke, you should have seen me try to ride my brothers '96 XR250R yesterday. I just about went over the bars the second I let off the gas
With regards to oil on the 250F, you are right to dump the engine oil after 2 hours of riding at the most. The extreme temperature fluctuations cause the oil to break down rapidly and severely limiting its lubeability as it were
I heard a mechanic at my local shop saying that after 2 hours of 250F motocross riding, 5W-40 essentially becomes 10W-40 and after ONE more hour on that it becomes 15W-40. about two hours of riding is roughly a full day at a motocross practise or race session by estimate, depends how many peopel there are. And thats on a bone stock 250F. Not one thats been programmed to run a little leaner. Don't need to do the two strokes tranny oil that often though, I do mine every five hours to keep it nice and smooth and consistent. Let us know how the young fulla goes, its always satisfying to hear the same things from a 250F transplant: THIS THING IS A BLAST!!!!
Post by: eprovenzano on April 21, 2013, 01:25:12 PM
I'm happy to see you and your son have not given up racing / riding but have found a less expensive alternative, not to mention a bike that will put a bigger smile on his face... Yes there is a "re-learning" curve, but I'm sure he will make the transition rather quickly. Agreed the lack of engine braking is "different", but once he re-learns how to carve and steer with the back wheel, he will forget about the engine brake... Not to mention, I'll bet he's having more fun then he's had in a while. Isn't that why we race / ride, for the grin factor. I'll also bet your wallet is going THANK YOU... THANK YOU... THANK YOU....
Yes you are correct, the choice of which oil to run can be very personal... You say there are no good MX shops in your area. I'd stop and see what they carry, and then base your decisions on that. As far as my bike(s), I run Amsoil syn premix, and AFT in the tranny. If been using AFT for a loooong time with zero issues. I've been using Amsoil as my premix of choice since its carried locally in my MX shops, and usually can be found at most MX shops.
I run Rotella T in my cruiser, and all my 4 stroke equipment. My equipment doesn't see the abuse a MX bike receives so I am 100% sold on it.
Again welcome to the smoking section... Now just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Post by: Smithdad on April 21, 2013, 06:49:19 PM
Post by: Dirtsaw on April 21, 2013, 08:36:51 PM
Post by: Smithdad on April 21, 2013, 09:01:32 PM
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on April 22, 2013, 10:26:20 AM
When I was racing GNCC's and Enduros, I used Castrol GTX 20w50 in the bottom and Silcoline in the mix. I changed oil and air filter after every race. In 1999, I raced 48 events on a single top end and clutch. I replaced the ring once. When the top end came apart in race 48, we tore it down and although the clutch looked ready for replacement, the mains and other bottom end pieced looked pristine.
I now use either Amsoil (if I have it) or Mobile 1 Synthetic 15w50 - especially on my vintage bikes. I'm running Amsoil mix.
Welocme to the thread.
Post by: Smithdad on April 22, 2013, 12:39:42 PM
Got an email back from Bill's Pipes. The jets 178 and 50 with clip position 3 is the suggested starting point for jetting from Bill's for the YZ250.
After 3 days on the bike he is getting happier each day.
Post by: ford832 on April 23, 2013, 03:01:20 AM
If you have never tried it the MP Heavy Duty Metal Protector is a pretty good chain lube by the way.
I agree.It's may favourite-along with the other brand name for it-Maxima Chain Wax.
Post by: eprovenzano on April 23, 2013, 05:18:25 PM
1.) how he felt about the change,
2.) if you've had a chance to race the new steed yet.
I'm sure your wallet will be much happier.
Post by: Smithdad on April 25, 2013, 01:27:47 AM
THe reason I said funny you should ask is because he took the 250F for a quick spin around our track to say good bye and the motor seized up before he completes a lap. We pushed it into the shop and put it on a stand. I will get to it one day.
Post by: eprovenzano on April 25, 2013, 01:08:01 PM
Funny you should ask that. To answer your question. He LOVES it. He did have some issues adapting to not having engine braking but got past that pretty quick. Had to learn to use the front brake more. Novel idea. I think once I get the suspension set right for him he will be much faster. He already looks comfortable on it. His first race will be in May at an Area Qualifier just not sure which one yet.
THe reason I said funny you should ask is because he took the 250F for a quick spin around our track to say good bye and the motor seized up before he completes a lap. We pushed it into the shop and put it on a stand. I will get to it one day.
I'm glad to hear he's able to make the transition, and yes it is a novel idea to use the front brake instead of relying on engine braking... I'm sure once he gains confidence in the bike and relearns how to ride a smoker his lap times will improve. I'm sure with seat time he will find he can take different lines than the strokers take. Sorry to hear about the 250F.. I was going to ask what you were going to do with all of your free time once you got the YZ dialed in... Now I know... rebuild the 250F..
Post by: Stusmoke on April 26, 2013, 05:22:10 AM
Funny you should ask that. TO answer your question. He LOVES it. He did have some issues adapting to not having engine braking but got past that pretty quick. Had to learn to use the front brake more. Novel idea. I think once I get the suspension set right for him he will be much faster. He already looks comfortable on it. His first race will be in May at an Area Qualifier just not sure which one yet.
THe reason I said funny you should ask is because he took the 250F for a quick spin around our track to say good bye and the motor seized up before he completes a lap. We pushed it into the shop and put it on a stand. I will get to it one day.
POS thing. Give him six months on the 125, then sit a 250 under his arse and watch the 250F fireworks.
Post by: Smithdad on April 26, 2013, 12:15:45 PM
We both LOVE the 250. Just got my hands on another clapped out 2001 YZ250 for a new project bike.
Post by: Stusmoke on April 26, 2013, 12:58:46 PM