The spokes on the earlier TTR wheels (usually the purple or gold rimmed ones) can rust quite badly and are difficult to clean up.
If yours are really bad or you have a damaged set of spokes then Steve is selling a set of spokes off a 2004 model where the spokes themselves (not the nipples) are stainless steel - they are on eBay and they are going really cheap - only up to £10 at the moment - so just a quick heads up to the forum if anyone needs a set
Less than an hour to go on the auction and the spokes are still only at £10 - grab a bargain someone
See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spoke-set-for-Yamaha-TTR250-front-wheel-fits-all-models-including-the-Raid-/172534360402?hash=item282bd96952:g:QvAAAOSw4A5YpXf2