A DIFFERENT tracker 🙄

[themoudie]

Apologies to Michael for the tardy posting of his image of the rebuilt RS250 engine in an original chassis for running in purposes.

Best, Bill

[Moto63]

Absolutely no need to apologise Bill, there was no rush whatsoever. Many thanks for posting it up for me.
Cheers… Michael 👍

[xbally]

Looking 👍😊

[Moto63]

Thanks Martin, I’ve also temporarily put the wheels I’ve done for the RS tracker on there too, better brand new Bridgestone tyres on, plus stainless steel spokes. I’ll get a couple more Bridgestones on the original wheels then pop them back on once I start building the tracker up. They’ve made a huge difference to the feel of the handling, much more confidence in them👍
Cheers, Michael

[xbally]

 :)I noticed the black rims,very nice.

[themoudie]

3 images of progress with the tracker rebuild from Michael. I hope that the images are OK.

Good health, Bill

[Moto63]

Many thanks for posting up the pics Bill👍
Hopefully they give a little bit more of an indication as to what the finished bike will generally look like. I’m really enjoying riding the standard RS that I bought off Kevin last year, in fact so much so that I’ve already put 600 miles on it since I swapped the engine for the fully rebuilt one. Another couple of hundred miles and I’m going to drop the oil and change it. I can feel it starting to free up a bit now, but still only using approximately half throttle.
I’m looking forward to getting the “250 tracker” finished as I’ll have it set up slightly better, so should be a joy to ride 🤞
Cheers… Michael

[xbally]

It seems to be coming along nicely now Michael.

Any plans for the bodywork, paint scheme or exhaust yet?

[Moto63]

Hi Martin, yes finally starting to take shape. The body work is pretty much what you see on the photos.  The petrol tank (Kawasaki KH125) and a seat, oh and there will be two S/S rolled mudguards. Colour will most likely be blue, that’s the original colour on the log book, so think I’ll stick with blue, although most likely be a matte finish. Think I’ll also stick with the general theme of the original RS tank, lighter blue with a darker blue stripe down the middle. I’m just in the process of trying to find out the best carb to go with, most likely a Mikuni. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
I’m really hoping to take it down to the oct Stafford show, even if it’s just in its completed but not painted dry build stage. Who knows, if I’m really lucky it may be just finished and painted🤞
Cheers,,, Michael

Oh….. and I found out the other day, apparently the “style” of bike I’m building is known as a Neo tracker.
That’s because it has the dna of a traditional tracker but with modern street bike twist
REALLY 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[xbally]

Thanks Michael.
I can't help with the carb. All mine have been standard as far as I know (Keihin I'd assume) but I'd like mine to have a bit more go. Will you use an aftermarket filter and dispense with the airbox?
Neither am I up with the latest trendy bike types. It's all a bit beyond me. No doubt a certain Mr. H. C. will advise.

[Moto63]

I'd like mine to have a bit more go.

How many miles has yours covered Martin?
The one a bought off Kevin ran as sweet as a nut, but I can’t believe the difference in the feel of the newly rebuilt engine now I’ve popped that into Kevin’s bike. Definitely more pull/torque. I think once I’ve put another couple of hundred miles and swapped the oil, I will start to rev it slightly higher, I’m pretty sure it will be considerably more powerful than the original engine.
I’ll let you know once I get to that point
Cheers, Michael

[xbally]

Hmmmm....
I've always thought mine lacks a bit of something....
I do have most of the old MOTs, even before they were computerised but anything could happen in the 3 years before an MOT is necessary, new Speedo etc...
I've had constant problems with a speedos breaking, glasses cracked or the needles breaking off but I guess mine must have covered at least 40,000 miles which is quite a lot for a small engine.
I did  once have an RS 250 with well over 70000 miles on the clock and that ran as well as mine if I remember correctly but I've no idea if it had any engine work done, not do I know if my current one has.
I know from past experience that even a top end rebuild can be pretty expensive but I'm sure you must be right about the difference in performance between an old and newly rebuilt engine (if done correctly).

[Moto63]

Hmmmm....
I know from past experience that even a top end rebuild can be pretty expensive but I'm sure you must be right about the difference in performance between an old and newly rebuilt engine (if done correctly).

Well I know from owning my first RS back in 1981 which I bought new, that regular oil changes are the key to preserving the RS engine. Because it’s a mesh filter which cannot be accessed easily, they tend to be left un maintained. So if the oil isn’t changed regularly then I’m sure I don’t to tell you of the obvious consequences. So that’s why I used to drop the oil at a maximum of every 1000 miles. I ended up putting a ridiculous amount of miles on that bike, as it was only form of transport back then. I then sold it to big bro in 1986 after running it for 5 years to buy my first xbr. He then ran it for 2 or 3 yrs as a work/ commuter bike.
Ultimately my point being, if it’s not changed regularly then the engine will wear out and start to become “under powered” due to wear. I enjoyed riding the bike I bought off Kevin so much I decided I’d get the other engine rebuilt, properly.
It was far from cheap, however I don’t intend to get rid of the 250 “neo” tracker 🤣 once it’s finished. So went for it, and like I say the difference is amazing 👍
Cheers, Michael

[iansoady]

I have to say the 250RS I had a few years ago seemed very underpowered to me, struggling to reach - let alone top - 60. My weight of 100 kg may have had an effect however.....

Nice little bike though. I'm hoping the Herald will prove more sprightly. I've just ordered some used Yam rear suspension units as the originals are rock hard even with said 100kg on them.The general opinion in the fraternity is that the originals are useless. I've also ordered some black vinyl dye for theseat.

[Moto63]

Hi Ian, yes the engine that was in Kevin’s bike was very similar to how you describe yours. It didn’t want to be revved above 6000 rpm, even tho the red line is at 9500 rpm. 6000rpm in 5th is approximately 60mph.
With the freshly rebuilt engine in, I’ve only ridden it with approximately half throttle and that is taking it to 6000rpm. So I’m guessing that once I can rev it higher it’ll most likely zip up to around the 80 mph mark. Plenty enough for what I want it for nowadays.
The original engine always started & never faltered when out riding it, and I covered a few hundred miles on it but could just tell the original engine was tired.
Oh and I changed the rear shock that Kevin had on to hagons, absolutely transformed the whole feel of the bike
Cheers , Michael