A forum for owners of Yamaha TTR250 trail and enduro bikes!

tripodtiger · Senior Member

RE: Resurrection of a scrapheap '02 TTR

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Finally got a decent ride in. Wagga, Howlong, Conago, Wanganella, Conargo, Corowa, Wagga Wagga.

The virus restrictions here mean that I can't cross into Victoria without self isolating for 2 weeks when I come back. That's because Victoria is viewed as a hot spot by NSW government. Despite that, there is a border 'bubble'. My home is about 50km north of the bubble. A Victorian mate, Uncle Gra', lives inside the bubble, in Victoria. He's allowed to cross into NSW, provided he stays inside the bubble, and go home. Just needs to fill out an on-line form and display it.

Graham plotted out a route and rolled it onto his roller. Every back track, channel track, farm track & long paddock he could find, that kept us off the bitumen.

It worked mostly. He made a couple of errors on his notes and then a coupe of errors reading his notes. My Zumo kept a track log while I just followed along.

Having filled up at Howlong, we expected we'd need to refuel at Conargo, there being no more fuel on the route until we ended up in Corowa.

Best laid plans of mice....

Graham not getting anything at Conargo. The store is being renovated. No fuel.

The bowsers were dry.

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Saturday 24th of October 2020 01:15:11 AM

TerryK · Super Guru

Well at least you got out, good on ya...we will all remember 2020 for various reasons

Terry

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Getting late in the arvo by now. Riding into the sunset I was wishing for a peak on my helmet. The soil turns black, which is impassable when it's wet. It was dry after recent rain and the wheel tracks were reflective. At one point I dragged my foot down to confirm that it was dry before I rode of the edge back into the track.

The fuel issue wasn't resolved by the time we reached Wanganella for a feed, a beer, a camp and a sleep.

Billabong Creek is the longest creek in the southern hemisphere. Commences on the northern side of Woomargama National Park, near Wantagong then flows west through places like Walbunderie, Jerilderie, Conargo & Wanganella, joining up with the Edward River at Moulamein. See how you Europeans like pronouncing those names.

An our road building authorities persist in aligning the reflective signs directly back at approaching drivers. So bright it's really difficult to see past them at night. Not good if there happens to be a 'roo or a cow wandering on the road just past the sign as you approach.

There was just Graham and I and a couple in their 'van at the van park. Well, it's a paddock with the water and power at various sites plus a shower & toilet. Pretty quiet. We wandered the couple of hundred metres, over the bridge, to the store for a meal and some beers. Unfortunately I had to drink that pale stuff that seems to be most popular. It's arguable that Toohey's Old is the best dark beer over here (Cooper's Dark maybe better. White Rabbit is better but it's a craft beer, so exxie). I have to say, some of the dark ales and Porters in Europe are just so much better. Anyway, off track. Wondering when I'm going to be able to get back there.

The store owners were fantastic. They seemed to appreciate the lifestyle / business that comes with a remote store. Normal hours are 9 to 7. We'd said we'd be back but didn't arrive until 6.45. No matter. We got a cooked meal and some beers and they sat with us, having a red or three until nearly 9pm.

Breakfast in the morning at 9.30 and we just chatted until about 11am. It's just really good to not worry about what time it is. And to chat to someone different. And watch the gorgeous young baby doll girl wandering to an from her 'cruiser in her short dress and riding boots. I was distracted. No photos, fellas. Graham said we're too old for all that. True. Pity. ("For the first three quarters, I wasn't even born")

I'd been getting about 330-350km to a tank up to this point. The difference was I was following Graham, who just potters along and doesn't twist the throttle that much. When I looked inside the tank, after 200km, it was still more than half full. Graham had 2 litres left after he filled from his jerry cans. Keep that for 'ron, Justin Case.

Pulled up looking over a billabong off Billabong Creek just for a squiz. There looked to be ample opportunity to get off the track for some stealth camping. There is no traffic about, as the road is just across the paddocks through farms. Really easy riding. Just keep your eyes up because there are a few cattle grids with turns immediately afterwards. Suggested that you get up on the pegs to try and see past the grid. They are always elevated over the surrounding ground level.

We had a fairly long discussion about fuel, going back to Deniliquin or not, there being no fuel on the route, making a diversion to Finley or whatever. Still, there seemed to be plenty left in the tank. Decision was made to just press on and see what happened.

Interesting thing then was that we were only 15k from Deni when Gra' turned east, following his sheets.

Really interesting from then on. More turns than a pig on a spit. We were heading generally south of east. That meant heading north, south and, I'm pretty certain, west. But fun gravel and natural terrain soil. Even a bit of mud from a leaky irrigation channel. Both hating the thought of mud, we went around it through the scrub.

A couple of the tracks, signposted 'road', were so over grown that you could barely see the twin track. Actually, they were the most fun as they tended to wind through the trees, making the ride more interesting. It was most interesting when Graham dived from the left track to the right track and basically stopped in a sand drift. Fortunately I ride a good distance behind. Unfortunately, I'd just got on the gas to get through the sand. I did miss him. It wasn't pretty. I hope it's on my gopro.

Kept riding, waiting for it to run onto reserve. Which it did at 441km. We threw the couple of litres in and that got me another 25 or so on the main (so it was more like a litre). Back onto reserve and still 40 or so km to Corowa. By the time we got there, I was weaving from side to side to pick up fuel. Lunch at 4'oclock to quiet the worms.

Another job is to find out where 'empty' is and measure and mark the tank.

Graham went back to the covid ridden 'DanLand' (Victoria - Australians will get the joke. And its a joke, don't get annoyed) and I figured I just have to slab it home.

I didn't however. I had a wonderful ride up some connecting back tracks through the vicinity of Brocklesby, Goombargana, Walbunderie and Henty, including a really quick run up Ryan Stock Route. Somewhat sadly, I couldn't say that I went past Burrumbuttock on this trip.

That's about it. I did slab it the final 60k from Henty, given that it was getting late again and I'm loath to clobber skip at any point, let alone on a back road whilst on my bike.

I did get some beautiful views, only stopping for a couple of quick snaps. Mainly for the green, which is different to how it's been the past few years.

Now it needs the filter cleaned and an oil change. 4000km is probably too far. I'll be doing them at 3000 from now on.

Someone can tell me how to rotate the photo. There is no rotation button in the 'edit photo' pop up.

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Saturday 24th of October 2020 02:20:37 AM

TTRfan · Super Guru

Great ride report and photos.

Great to see the green returning. Nature is very resilient.

Loving your Ozzy place names. Talking of which a Zoom quiz question last week identified that France has six villages called Silly, 12 called Billy, and two called Pratt biggrin biggrin biggrin

Brian

ttr steve · Super Guru

I enjoyed reading that, save for Ron Later-on! love that saying biggrin biggrin

Thanks for posting smile

tripodtiger · Senior Member

TTRfan wrote:
Talking of which a Zoom quiz question last week identified that France has six villages called Silly, 12 called Billy, and two called Pratt
Brian

That's a really funny sentence.

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Finally, finally, finally - I've confirmed that the clatter was the chain on the upper guider roller.

I found some time between the other bikes to go back to it, rather than just try and ignore it.

Some time ago, I put on a roller from some motocross bike. Didn't seem to change the noise at all. Then the plastic wheels disintegrated and I was left with the bearings sitting on the bolt.

I pulled the bolt out and replaced it with a piece of aluminium, set a bit higher and extending back to the frame over the swingarm pivot. Yep, the noise was present but different and the aluminium very quickly got some score marks in it.

The aluminium thing got pulled and I went from 50T to 47T on the rear sprocket. Peace at last.

Fresh oil & filter, clean air filter, new tyres. Missed out on a weekend away 'cause it was predicted to belt down and blow. It did.

mossproof · Super Guru

Why does noone ever believe me?
Glad you've confirmed it. I agree it sounds like terminal engine death rattle sometimes!

tripodtiger · Senior Member

I'll have to scroll back through and find out when you actually told me to look at the top roller set up.

Since my last time here I've had another bit of a ride. 2k to Mt Gambier and back for the Historic Master of Mac Park meeting. I really like Mac Park, this was the first time I've been there without the historic race bikes in a trailer. 2 days each way and 2 days for the meeting.

Really good ride, once I passed Tocumwal and got into the Millewa Forest along the Murray River. Not been there in over 20 years, after spending several months going there routinely as part of a team investigating a triple murder (I'm sufficiently over it all now to openly admit my previous occupation, that's a good sign). I always new there was good riding through there. Just not much good photography or videos - it's just trees.

Slabbed it again to Elmore (Vic), where I went to the wrong place for lunch. We waited for each other, separated by 200m. I even rode past him, looked straight past his 701, did a ewey, then rode past again to the bakery. He didn't ring, just rode up about 10 minutes later.

Really good route with lots of everything. Including some deepish sand. I've always avoided it, as much as possible. By the time we got to Mt Gambier, I reckon I was going through it quite well. It proved, if it was required, that steg pegz are a great thing that I should make for it.

Packed up for day 2. The trees are a brilliant colour.

P1070842 (2).JPG

We bumped into the 'Back Roads' television show crew, at Rapunyap. Unc was star struck by Heather Ewitt.

A school memorial.

20210301_144659 (2).jpg

On the north western side of The Grampians.

P1070848 (2).JPG

We followed Unc's road book, that he made from Rally Navigator. At least until he missed a turn or whatever and I used my Zumo to find out where we were and how to get back onto his route. Bitumen where we couldn't avoid it, lots of gravel roads, sunlight & dust in our eyes, some winding hilly bits, over grown fire trails and long disused road reserves that only once ended up with a locked gate.

tripodtiger · Senior Member

By the time I got home, the rear shock was dead. Riding on the spring only. Boing, Boing. It's visible in some of the video I took. Even though the quality of the video is pretty poor. Did I put the link on the video threads? I can't recall at the moment.

Anyway, the boing, boing broke the bottom off the air box. It only stayed there because the airbox lid held it there. I only discovered it when I pulled the rear shock out to send it away for rebuild.

I have used the heat gun to do a repair. I cleaned up each side of the fracture and widened the outer edge into a V, wide enough for the filler rod.

First go, I didn't get enough heat into the filler rod and I was able to pull it apart.

Second go, I made sure that I rotated the rod so that it heated up properly before pushing it into the gap. Seems to have worked.

Gadget sent me an old one, from his spares. That's the one that I will clean up and stick in, rather than using the repaired one.

I got the rear shock back. Putting it in was a bit of an effort, as was re-fitting the rear wheel, such that I really strained my back. It's been over a week and my back is getting towards satisfactory, so that I can finish the job.

Oh, I've gone back to 15:50 gearing as 15:47 was just a bit too tall to hold 6th on the open road.

mossproof · Super Guru

Me and Fogorin near the end of page 2

I've been toying with the idea of a "What's the source of that rattle?" thread for a while!

Looked like a great ride out, except for the shock shock! Did something actually hit the airbox? Nice bit of welding!

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Hey, finally got back here.
I reckon the swingarm was hitting the air box.
That nice bit of welding was sheer luck. No skill involved. I found a technique that worked.

End of page 2. I'll have to go back and check how long it was before I actually looked and made a test.

I've just been repairing it again.
Most recent issue was the starter motor. I ended up replacing the brush holder with a new one (last one at Yamaha Aust). The insulating nut retainer inside had broken. The tension on the power feed had gone so it was able to vibrate. Well, it had vibrated sufficiently to allow the power cable to rotate when I took it off. No wonder it didn't want to work.

I've got a pork roast on, so I'll come back 'ron with some pics, like this...

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Wednesday 27th of July 2022 10:33:06 AM

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Got the replacement O ring. Did the video over again, without back ground music.

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Monday 8th of August 2022 07:49:47 AM

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Sunday 14th of August 2022 07:09:38 AM

TerryK · Super Guru

Interesting video, did that bike come from South Australia....thats a HOEY sticker on the rear shock res.

Cheers Terry

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Nope. It came from a paddock outside Wagga.

I've been using Pete for suspension work for a few years now. Met him through Leigh, the sidecar mate. He supports historic road racing, SART & ASBK. He and his missus are nice people too. There is a very friendly HRR community in SA. I do wish I lived there. The fact that there are so many gravel roads around the place is another enticement.

TerryK · Super Guru

I've used Hoey a few times & know lots of guys that do also, yes stacks of gravel roads in the Adelaide hills & of course we have the Flinders ranges as well

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Geez that took some time and repeated effort.

Things I've learnt.

Don't use a 'should do' O ring. It probably wont.
Just get the oem one. Yes, it's something like 600 times more expensive than the $0.20 that an O ring should cost. The pay off is when you don't have to start again.

Do use the correct size copper washers for the rear oil return fitting. The diameter of the bango/bolt is small than the front & top fittings. I used the same size copper washers, 'cause it still covered the head of the bolt but, as it's tightened, the washer does not centre on the bolt. Hence, it leaks. And you have to take the header off yet again.

Fixed until next time. 20 years? Reckon I wont worry by then, at 82 I don't think I'll be able to lift my leg over the seat.

tripodtiger · Senior Member

12 months since I posted on her.
It's still running.
Probably better than I am.
End of last year was pretty mad with bike racing and trailer building. I've got the whole transporter thing done now. Just in time to decide I need to start all over again.

It fits the outfit.

Anyone interested in a '19 DMax 2wd, Active Camper and an effing big bike trailer? I am getting another dog, so it's an extra cab I'll be needing (it never stops!)

I hurt my shoulder, had surgery. That took care of November to April.

Then it's been winter. I'm starting to whinge like some old bastard these days. Oh, my hips. Move like one too. Riding has been a bit limited, I'm not hugely into day rides on my own.

It's just starting to warm up now. More day light hours. I took the sidecar to SA a few weeks back. Road races in Victoria & Tasmania in the next few months. Looking forwards to it.

I do need to take the TTR out for a multi day ride.

TTRfan · Super Guru

Good to hear from you Ray and that you are still upright and moving!

I know what you mean about solitary riding. I have no interest in it whatsoever, When I was into restorations, it was always a bind having to motivate myself to put mileage on the bikes to run them in - yawn!!!!

Brian

tripodtiger · Senior Member

I've not got rid of it yet. It just turned 60000km old.

Keep thinking that a CRF300 might be a good replacement. Then I think how much I like having old bikes. And how much money I save by not shelling out for a new one.

I did buy some spares, including a dis-assembled engine. I fitted the Staintune muffler, after I bought a Db killer for it. I've recently taken that off as I didn't like it being so loud. Oh dear, how old am I? I don't know that it made it go any better anyway.

Looking forwards to warmer weather now. I got out, with a couple of blokes, for a 160km ride last Saturday morning, after coffee as befits my senior status.

This Sunday, it's the forests around Rosewood & Coppabella. I was helping with a car rally up there a fortnight ago, so I want to get a plot of the various sections. I did the equipment sweep of one section, in the D Max. I couldn't stop thinking how much fun it will be on the TTR. Or the sidecar for that matter.

My next door neighbour did make me a cover for the Zumo mounts of the TTR & Tiger.

Yeah, upside down, 'cause I'm on the other side of the planet.

Photo from the 24 Hour Trial a few months ago, in SA.

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Wednesday 20th of September 2023 06:20:53 AM

mossproof · Super Guru

A good mate of mine has a crf300L. It is a good trail bike once you have splashed the cash for suspension that works, and is very light on fuel use. As a replacement for a ttr though, it is noticeably larger, heavier, less nimble. Don't get rid of Lil' Blue 'till you've tried one, then don't get rid of it anyway - it's what they call a retrograde step.

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Probably just thinking with my fingers.
I go to the local dealer (we only have one - Honda, Kawasaki & KTM), as I did the other day, and see new bikes.

I have picked up a heap of spare parts for mine, including an engine in pieces. I don't know what is missing.
I reckon the hardest part will be going through the lot and identifying what is what. And identifying what is missing.

Maybe a re-built engine could be the best thing for mine.

Missed out on a decent ride into the hills today. Spring head cold. Bugger.

Didn't stop me fitting a new front Shinko E705 and a UHD front tube. I also backed off the front compression dampening for a bit of a test. They were at +10. Moved them to +6

The manual says 20 clicks. I can find 23 on both legs.

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Sunday 24th of September 2023 05:11:33 AM

TerryK · Super Guru

mossproof wrote:
A good mate of mine has a crf300L. It is a good trail bike once you have splashed the cash for suspension that works, and is very light on fuel use. As a replacement for a ttr though, it is noticeably larger, heavier, less nimble. Don't get rid of Lil' Blue 'till you've tried one, then don't get rid of it anyway - it's what they call a retrograde step.

The TTR was ahead of it's time, the fact that it was sold here in Australia up until 2013 and alongside the WR250R shows the support it had. I am very lucky to have both a TTR250 & WR250R ( both from new) they both have their strong points & ride very different to each other.

I ride with a few guys that have CRF300L's & they all have spent money on the rear shock & forks, in fact one guy (also has a WR450F) said my WR250R will kill the CRF300 in every way.

I always found the TTR to be a better hill climber than the WRR & feels lighter, BTW the CRF300L or rally is no lightweight either

Cheers Terry

tripodtiger · Senior Member

It's been quiet around here since April. Things were cooking along, then I turned the Tiger upside down just outside a little town called Tarana (between Lithgow & Bathurst) while enroute to Sydney.

I was on the sidecar as I figured a multi day ride could sort out how long I can ride it for. Am I still up for a full day, or not? Short answer is yes. Longer answer is provided I follow back roads where I have to climb around it to get it around corners. I can't just sit there, it hurts too much.

So does highsiding a sidecar. And recovery is slow.

Which brings me to the TTR, which is in bits, again.

The rear shock seal blew again. When I saw oil all over the back I was very happy that it wasn't coming from the engine. Well, that was before the outfit turned rider launcher & turtle.

As I recovered, I figured I should attend to the starter clutch. As a result, I've added some photos in that thread and clarified a bit for those that follow down that path.

Specifically, which way to turn the clutch relative to gear wheel, so it comes off.

It's a relatively easy job, just take your time and have the manual on hand, as well as the starter clutch thread from here.

Someone mentioned that I should look at the kick starter too, as the saw tooth mechanism may be damaged. Well, it was in pieces, the rear shock was out and enroute to Adelaide so...

It looks fine.

While the clutch cover was off, I thought I'd have a crack at working out what the g.o. is for an oil cooler. And, I started a thread on that too.

It looks pretty simple, you need 1 x 12 x 1.25 x 25mm blanking bolt. 2 12 x 1.25 x 25 banjo bolts, the oil cooler and hoses.

As the rear shock isn't back, and I've been struggling with a post-covid issue (post highside, I picked that up from one of my sons), I'm dragging the chain on finishing that. There is some chance that I wont be able to find an oil cooler before I am ready to stick it all back together. If that happens, I'll have to sacrifice the hours and clutch gasket. I still haven't confirmed that the head of the blanking bolt wont foul any part under the cover. I think it will be ok. And I'd like to test the oil flow with that bolt in situ. Lucky I've got a spare clutch cover to play with.

In case you're still reading, it was the depression in the road surface just in front of the RFS truck that brought me undone. Never been on the road before and I wasn't even planning to go this way. I got turned around due to a road closure. Doing about 90km/h (GPS), slowed for a right curve, on both bike brakes to help it turn right. Next thing I know it's suddenly turned sideways, around the front wheel with the sidecar leading.

I could hear the sidecar wheel starting to dig into the road.

I felt the seat starting to lift.

Next thing, I'm face down, spread eagle & I can hear a car approaching. No idea how long I was unconscious.

That was on 12th April. I reckon the sidecar wheel dipping into the depression has un-weighted the back wheel and, I was on the brakes hard enough to just let it turn. Anyway, live and learn. Probably lucky to get away with it.

Poor bike. Written off. I bought the wreck back and will do v2.

Couple of days in hospital in the west of Sydney. Broken right collar bone, tissue damage to my left shoulder, tissue damage at the base of my skull and concussion.

The shoulder was plated. Then I got covid & post covid issues. So recovery has slowed down.

Jobs right, I can still do little bits, so the TTR has got that attention it needed and deserves. But, will it get the oil cooler?

-- Edited by tripodtiger on Tuesday 27th of August 2024 08:40:58 AM

TerryK · Super Guru

Gee lucky not to have major damage to the body looking at the Tiger rubber side up

mossproof · Super Guru

I thought you must be suffering some sort of confinement when there was such a large number of your posts appearing! Very sorry to hear of your injuries, and the effective loss of the outfit.

Hospital is clearly the best place to go to catch Covid, or worse While I'm not a great fan of litigation culture, a hole like that on a highway with no warning surely warrants investigation? It certainly would here.

Regarding the oil cooler, I think your idea of fitting it all and temporarily linking the banjos with a hose would work fine. Just make sure the hose is heat resistant. Good quality hose clips ("Jubilee clips") work fine.

Get well soon!

ttr steve · Super Guru

Glad you are alright and making a recovery, that could have been alot worse

tripodtiger · Senior Member

Cheers fellas,

Yep, not a great deal to do whilst recovering. Bits and pieces mostly. Watch TV, Youtube, streaming services. I am liking 'CarSOS' from blighty. It's pretty formulaic, light entertainment. Would be good if they spent more time on the repair side of things - like the cold repairing of cast steel - amazing!
It has taught me one thing - cars in the UK die in those quaint sheds. It's not to be taken too seriously, it's all set up to entertain. But much better than the yank shows where they just tart up some P.O.S. and hand it back.

I hope the TTR shock comes back soon.

Anyway, it will all be right on the night.