I picked up a 2004 TTR 250 a few weeks ago. My intent was to have a temporary ride that I could use to putt around with my kids as they have bikes of their own but the more I dig into the TTR the more I enjoy it and might hold onto it longer than I anticipated.
I found this site and others while searching for replacement parts and advice on how to maintain a proper TTR 250. The previous owners did a fair job of keeping her alive but there is plenty to do. I dove right in and did the usual maintenance such as new chain, fluids, carb rebuild, and a deep cleaning. I believe it spent a portion of its time being stored outdoors due to the rust. The air box was missing most of its components and a shoddy makeshift filter in its place so I purchased the replacements. The oil drain plug was chewed up and proved difficult to remove as I believe The Hulk torqued it down for a previous owner. I prefer to keep a bike mostly stock for reliability and simplicity but sometimes the aftermarket calls for a little diversity. Thankfully it appears that the majority of parts are available with a little searching and help so I am happy to find a great community that supports this great bike.
It is mechanically sound at the moment so I am looking to improve the cosmetics through a new graphics kit. I tried to pretty up the plastics with many of the methods found on the interwebs but the results were less than satisfactory. So, possibly a graphics kit from D&D will be next cover up the imperfections on the plastics as well as a new seat cover.
I am kicking around the idea of asking D&D to replace the blue color with yellow on one of their kits. I like the blue and yellow combination for its uniqueness but do not want it to be tacky or give spectators nightmares. I have seen some TTR 125s with yellow accents or just overall yellow plastics but it appears we are a bit limited on plastic and graphic choices.
The feisty oil plug which required drilling and extracting.
Welcome to the forum Adam, and congratulations on the purchase of a good "rolling project".
I work with a guy who has gorilla grip. You always have to mangle the oil filter to remove it the year after he did a service and I give him plenty of abuse over it but he just doesn't get it. Well done for getting that plug out. "Challenging" I think is the polite technical term!
Ride safe,
Simon.
Enjoy the TTR they are fun.
If you are going some yellow on your bike consider a custom graphics kit, maybe some yellow race backgrounds??
Hey I'm lucky enough that I will be in Texas in October, November for two weeks. I'm staying a week at Montgomery, just north of Houston.
Its just a holiday, any recommendations for where to go and what to see. Galviston, LBJ space museum?? What about Fredericksberg, I've heard thats worth a look??
Only just planning it now. Looking at a few day trips. I'll probably hire a car, I was thinking a big F truck so I could fit in!!!!!!!
But unfortunately no bike riding I'll be with the Mrs.
I decided to go with the full graphics and seat cover from Enjoy in the classic blue. Should be here in the next few days.
Kaos, Texas is such a big place that there is a ton to do. :) I live down south in San Antonio so if I want to get away I will head down further south to one of the beach towns like Galveston. You're in Australia, right? The beaches probably won't compare to what's down under but they have their own unique charm.
I haven't spent much time in the Houston area but if I had the chance I would personally do two things. One would be to see the Air and Space museum and the other would be to catch a Houston Texans football (American football) game.
Fredericksburg is in what they call the Hill Country which is a large scenic area full of cute towns, great pubs and restaurants, and sight seeing. I would definitely try to go there and check out some of the wineries in the area if you are into that sort of thing. Texas isnt quite world famous for their wine making but they can pump out some really nice and reasonable priced red wines in my opinion.
Don't tighten your nuts to much
Whereabouts in Texas are you? I'm an Aussie but lived for a year in San Antonio in 1990. Texas has probably changed since then! 