Modifying an old YZ250 for trials?

[enigma82]

I have a 1987 YZ250 that's sitting in my garage stripped, not in working order, and not doing anything. I want to give trials a go, so I was thinking in the process of fixing up this YZ I might turn it into a bit of a trials bike, just to have a go at it before I shell out for a new or newer trials bike.

I'm wondering what would be necessary to make it a fun trials bike? What should I do to the shocks? Trials tyres of course. I guess I could shave some foam off the seat? What size sprockets would be appropriate? Anything I should do to the carby for better throttle response? Or would a YZ engine be pretty good in that area already? I'm not sure cos I haven't ridden the thing in years. My biggest concerns are the clutch and the exhaust system. How can I make an old, stiff clutch soft again? And the exhaust system will get in the way - I think it would be in risk of being crushed on some obstacles. Anything I can do about that?

Are there any major differences between the YZ250 and a trials bike that i'm not considering? Keep in mind i'm not aiming to do serious competitions on the end result. Just want to use it to get a taste of trials.

Thanks for any advice.

[wr250f95]

hate to say it but i think your in over your head.

[tigmaster]

well trials bikes are usually 4 strokes but i have seen plenty of 2's out there too. most people completely remove their seats and as far as gearing get yourself the smallest front sprocket u can and the biggest rear. make sure brakes are super good. make sure your bike is jetted perfectly and do not remove the exhaust or u are just getting rid of power. just get rid of as much weight as u can. weight weight weight, get rid of it. as far as the clutch, i would replace all the clutch components if u have the cash. if not make sure the basket fingers and inner hub splines dont have any grooves in them. if they do u are not going to be able to control the bike that well. i would suggest replacing the clutch disks and getting stiffer springs to give u good snap and power. thats the basics.