Project: Garage Find

[Martin77]

Nice to see it being enjoyed after all the hard work there's always a couple of jobs to fix just when you think it's all finished, and then there are the small adjustments to get it to feel nice. Lets hope for a nice summer so you get to properly enjoy it!

[m3-paul]

Fantastic that you got there and the final result is brilliant. I adore my 2MA, I will never sell it. Just brings the biggest smile to my face as the rev counter needle swings to 10000rpm

[yamahar1z3xc]

Thought I'd take a look at the bike today. Replaced the problem fuse and that gave me the full electrics back. Need to get some shorter spares then what I currently have for a better fit but they are in there now.

As for what its like to ride, very different and I need to get more practice in. There is no engine braking, but get in the powerband and it shifts. Oh does it go. The front brake is uncomfortable at the moment as I think the span is wrong, more adjustment needed there. However I spent the entire 35 miles of tonight's ride with a little grin on my face.

Great job squirrel, Where did you source the new airfilter from?

[squirrel_hunter]

Thought I'd take a look at the bike today. Replaced the problem fuse and that gave me the full electrics back. Need to get some shorter spares then what I currently have for a better fit but they are in there now.

As for what its like to ride, very different and I need to get more practice in. There is no engine braking, but get in the powerband and it shifts. Oh does it go. The front brake is uncomfortable at the moment as I think the span is wrong, more adjustment needed there. However I spent the entire 35 miles of tonight's ride with a little grin on my face.

Great job squirrel, Where did you source the new airfilter from?

I got the foam from Yambits. But I think its still available from Yamaha if needed.

[squirrel_hunter]

So I went out today with my friend with the RC8 that set this whole thing in motion. Did about 120 miles on the TZR and I'm really getting into it now. Being able to use the engine properly is a really good feeling, get it into the power band and keeping it there and boy does that sound good. I'm still a little light on using its handling to the full but its quick turning and stable, lots of confidence in its abilities being far better than mine. Just need more time on it.

There are a few tiny details I need to sort and I'm still learning its quirks and how it behaves. For example I found that the oil sender in the tank doesn't quite seal, and that it gets very hot stuck in traffic as there is no air flow over the engine. But none of this detracts from what the bike is. I've even shown the previous owner some pictures of how it sits now; he couldn't believe that its the same bike and he's happy that its been rebuilt and is now getting used.



So I was thinking of just reviewing the past year and a half of the build but its all in here. There have been highs and there have been lows and at times I was ready to give up but I think from the fun I had on the bike today its all been worth it.

I posted all this up here as over the years I've read plenty of build threads and enjoyed them, and reading what others have achieved helped inspire me to attempt this. So without sounding to corny I just hope that others out there reading this decide that some bike sat wasting in the corner of a garage is worth the effort saving.

The final thing to say is a big thank you. A thank you to all those who have helped me have hopefully been credited along the way and a thank you to all those who have offered advise when I had problems. And a thank you to all those who have left the comments here encouraging me on, cheers all.

Oh and a final, final thing; I'm thinking about what project bike to take on next...

[Need4speed]

Oh and a final, final thing; I'm thinking about what project bike to take on next...

that's important

[enduras_wr200]

    Amazing job mate! As for the next project I'd say get yourself a TDR250. Same engine, 3 times the fun! Some hard to find parts (bodywork) is the only downside. That and the silly prices they are sold for in the UK.



   Cheers, Fanis

[squirrel_hunter]

Well I have had a second opinion on it, Andy from Artdeans. As it was previously his he was very interested to see it so brought it down to him. He quite liked it so let him take the keys for a few minutes. At one point we did wonder if he was coming back, and when he did finally reappear he did admit to considering staying out for longer, and described its affect on him as a rush of blood to a sensitive region. I wouldn't go quite that far personally, but its a cracking riding experience.

[gammaguy21]

Sounds like it's come full circle.
Cracking bike, love mine to bits.
Great job! 

[squirrel_hunter]

Umm... So... Yes... this is the bike that adorns the front cover of Practical Sportsbikes this month.

It all started some months ago on here when I received a private message from Chris Newbigging the Features Editor. The bike was still very much a work in progress but he asked to keep in touch and that they would be interested in doing a feature once the bike was completed. We exchanged emails once I had it on the road and he would let me know once they had a slot in the magazine. A couple of months passed by and I was contacted by Jim Moore The Editor. And so a couple of weeks ago on a sunny Sunday Jim and Ian Jubb the Photographer turned up at my place.

The day started with me chatting about the bike and Jim whipping out a note pad. We moved into the garage arranging the bike for a few shots while more notes were scribbled. Once Ian had the pictures he needed, including the action spanner twiddling shot we got kitted up for the test ride.



I had identified a couple of corners in advance as asked to get the road shots from and we headed out to them. Jim was in front as we got onto an open bit of road behind some cars and he went for the overtake. I'd never heard my bike from anywhere other than the riders seat and it just made me grin. Then I snapped back out of it and went after Jim. He knows how to ride a bike.

At the corners we wait for Ian to catch up in the car. Jim does lap after lap of the corner as Ian takes photos from different angles and directions. Was interesting stood there watching, Jim honing it round the bend on my bike when the next rider round on their own bike barely manages to wobble through.

Once the action shots are complete we break for a little pub lunch and then head back out to do the static shots. We eventually found a suitable spot looking out over Swindon and Ian set to work. And With that it was back to mine for some final details and the day was complete.



I've got to say both Jim and Ian are genuine guys, had a good laugh with them and spent most of our time swapping biking stories. It really looks like the dream job and I had a great time taking part, if you ever get the opportunity to take part in something like this I say go for it.

I'm really happy with how the article has turned out and am going to frame a copy and hang it in the garage. But for now its time to consider the next project...

[ybk]

Thats awesome! That's a cool closing chapter for the restore, fame! PS magazine is cool, I get it all the time on the ipad 

[Mick]

Well done Steve nice to see all the hard work and money you put into project being recognised not just from us but outside the TZR forum too.

[Doromus]

Amazing rebuilt!

Lots of money invested aswell as lot of patience into it 

The result was impressive, it´s just like a new TZR250 2MA (if they were still made)

If i were you, since you got the barrel outside the bike for maintenance i would have tuned them up  Stock ones are too soft..... They have a lot to do and a lot more power to deliver 

Good job mate!

[mboddy]

Yes, great job. I enjoyed the read too.

If i were you, since you got the barrel outside the bike for maintenance i would have tuned them up  Stock ones are too soft..... They have a lot to do and a lot more power to deliver 

I have been racing using these engines using stock porting for years.
It is good enough for the track and all you will ever need for the road.
Just ask Jools about where his midrange went using F3 spec porting.
If you wish to increase the output then first get the squish right.
Ignition, carby and airbox restriction hold the engine back and not the porting.

[jools]

You could be right there Mark 

As soon as Grant has checked the ignition over, I'll be trying some std cylinders again just to see - maybe just cleaned up a bit. Now if only I could find a 2XT's top end...................