Hi folks. Just a few words to introduce myself. I am very new or at least re-visiting the 250s after ~53 years. My first and only 250 was a Ducati MK 3 back in 1968. Since then I have owned and ridden many road bikes. My current bike is a BMW R1150RT. I recently underwent bypass surgery and found, at least for the moment, my Beemer a bit cumbersome. I have since replaced both front and rear shocks to get both feet flat on the ground but I still find I am a little apprehensive. I have purchased a somewhat lighter Yamaha from one of the members here. The bike is an SRX250 (light sport), 1984. I have yet to have it delivered and I am looking forward to getting on with riding it.
George. We know your bike very well here on the forum. The previous owner has done a brilliant job getting it back on the road. I sold off my heavy road bike and went back to a 250cc , the SRX 250 is so light to move around and setting it on the centre stand is so easy comparing to my big bike. No need to lower the suspension George to get both feet flat on the floor , there designed for short guy's like us . Gary
Welcome! I actually have a ‘66 MK 3 sitting in my dining room at the moment. It’s waiting on some paperwork and my wife thought it was so pretty that it could live inside for a while.
Hi Mate. After all these years since I owned the Ducati Mark 3, I find it curious that the first 250 Mark 3 exhibited sort of expected performance, i.e., each unit of horsepower = ~16 CC, i.e., 250cc = ~15-16HP, and 85Km/hour top speed. While 1966 models have completely different specs that are hardly reached today, i.e., 18-22Hp and a top speed of 104MPH to 110MPH depending on where you get the specs. I am presuming these specs were achieved by the introduction of the desmo technology and the lighter alloy motor housing. Have you come up with any other conclusions given that the 1970 Ducati 250 Mark 3 exhibits similar characteristics to the 1963 to 1965 Diana 250?
Hi Gary. A question. I am assuming, given your a stickler for originality, your SRX250 still has the original chain-gear tooth numbers. I am considering increasing by one tooth to give a little more torque through the range. Top speed doesn't really matter that much. What are your thoughts? Cheers George.
I'm too young to have really encountered these things in the wild when they were relevant but I'd be very leery of any horsepower numbers that were published in the 60's. Most of the older folks I know who rode these thigs back in the day preferred the spring heads to the Desmos. I've just putted around the neighborhood on mine and it looks and sounds great but is by no means a high performance bike by modern standards. Here she is:
Hi George Sorry for the very slow reply. Yes mate , i've kept my bike looking pretty well stock as such , as i prefer it that way , especially for insurance value. I have though went up one tooth on the front to lower the rev's at highway speed , but yes , you can increase the rear sprocket if you want to for more get up and go. There seems to be a lot available to choose from , link below. These engines do rev though , you could try the stock gearing first to see what your thought's are. These bike's are very nimble to ride as you'll find out on your first ride as i did , hardly no input to move the bike around so i think the bike would be a blast on the tight stuff. As Oigy has commented on in his add , please do check the tyre's over for safety sake before hitting the range's. New tyres are available to suit , and there very close to O.E spec's. http://www.jtsprockets.com/catalogue/model/s2727/
Thanks for that important info, Gary. One question. What tyres have you fitted to your bike, and who fitted them? I have Michelin's on my BMW but that bike weighs 225Kg thereabouts. On my lighter bikes, e.g., my GSXR's I had Dunlop Elite from memory. They didn't wear as well but stuck to the road well. I will probably get the bike registered with the existing tyres then get new ones fitted soon after before I take her out on the road. Cheers George.
Hi George The factory sized tyres ( Front 90 / 90 x 16 & Rear 100 / 90 x 18 ) are no longer available as far as i'm aware. The tyres I have fitted are Pirelli Sport Demon's ( Front 100 / 90 x 16 & Rear 110 / 90 x 18 ) , these tyres are very close to factory sized tyres. I wanted to keep with the closest sized tyres i could get , especially on the rear as I didn't want to burn HP with wider tyres than I needed , well it is a 250cc bike. As it is the new rear tyres look's huge in the picture i supplied earlier , but it's only 10mm wider. I do have a set of correct sized tyres stored in the shed that where fitted back in the day’s , they’ve done no work at all , heap’s of tread left but they’ve gone hard. Hence , reminding you of your tyres , no offence. I purchased mine through my old home town bike shop that’s alway’s looked after me. I get better prices from this business than other supplier’s on the web. Just had the tyre's sent to me , which in the end i still saved $. As for fitting , reached out to a good mate that fitted / balanced them for me. Getting any bike tyre's fitted in my home town isn’t a option as I stay well clear of all of them. PM , inbound.
Bridgestone do BT39SS in 80/90x16 and 100/90x18 suitable for the 2.15" rims. They are soft compound sports tyres for light weight bikes. You may need to order them in. https://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/battlax/bt39ss.html
I've found my list of tyre's that where available when i was looking to see what's out there to suit. The Pirelli's where recommended to me via old home town bike shop. Pirelli Sport Demon - 100/90/16 - 110/90/18 Bridgestone BT45 - 100/90/16 - 110/80/18 - 110/90/18
Meant to ask George , are you going to get the bike on normal rego or historic rego ?. I went with historic rego , so much cheaper , especially when you don't intend to use the bike all of the time. I joined the VJMC , there is a branch in Armidale , so just around the corner from you.
Hi Gary. I was thinking of getting it only 'historic rego'. What are the rules for say test riding after adjustments etc to ensure safety etc?
I have sent an email to the Armidale VJMC rep to get clarification for historic rego. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems I do not need a blue slip. Only completion of a road safety statement form that I can download as a pdf then take to Services NSW complete with the membership confirmation of the VJMC.
I have ordered the Pirelli Sport Demon option from Sam. Reasonably priced including a flat $22/tyre for fitment when I bring only the wheels to him. Sounds good. Thanks for the advice. Cheers George.