Re: NX250 Restoration
Verfasst: So Jul 30, 2023 6:34 pm
So last week I took the bike on a test run around my area. About 100 miles of back roads, maybe 25% dirt. Had zero issues besides the clutch pivot bolt ejecting itself. Fortunately, I have a nice stock of collared bolts and had a replacement when I got home.
I took the bike on a 280 mile ride yesterday. I feel like I understand this bike quite a bit better now. I think it's a better road bike than it is a dirt bike. I had fantasies of turning this thing into a trail bike for my girlfriend, but I think it would take quite a bit of work for it to be a good trail bike.
A few observations:
With the 5.10x17 rear tire, I'm sure the geometry isn't ideal. I noticed in mid-high speed dirt corners, the rear constantly wants to slide out. Any time I hit an imperfection in the surface, the rear opts to step out. I want to be able to ride the bike fast, but it really doesn't want me to. I also noticed the front likes to tuck pretty often as well. I'm gonna try and wear this tire out to get a 4.10x17 next. Hopefully that will improve the turning quality.
On the pavement? This thing ROCKS. I love the way it transitions between corners, it really rides like a supermoto. I have supermoto wheels that would work for it, so the question is, where do I find a rear disc conversion? Do I buy a crf230 swingarm and see if I can make it work?
I also noticed that at around 5000rpm the bike has a terrible flat spot. Is that normal, or should I adjust my carb tuning? As a result, it feels like it has VTEC once it finally gets to 6500rpm. Maybe I'm just too fat.
I think the 10wt fork oil with XT350 springs is the right setup for the front, but that GSF600 shock leaves a lot to be desired. But I won't touch that unless I do a disc conversion anyways.
Luckily, this bike is going to be mostly for my girlfriend, and I doubt she'll ride it so fast that she'll struggle with the same issues. So really, the bike is perfect.
I took the bike on a 280 mile ride yesterday. I feel like I understand this bike quite a bit better now. I think it's a better road bike than it is a dirt bike. I had fantasies of turning this thing into a trail bike for my girlfriend, but I think it would take quite a bit of work for it to be a good trail bike.
A few observations:
With the 5.10x17 rear tire, I'm sure the geometry isn't ideal. I noticed in mid-high speed dirt corners, the rear constantly wants to slide out. Any time I hit an imperfection in the surface, the rear opts to step out. I want to be able to ride the bike fast, but it really doesn't want me to. I also noticed the front likes to tuck pretty often as well. I'm gonna try and wear this tire out to get a 4.10x17 next. Hopefully that will improve the turning quality.
On the pavement? This thing ROCKS. I love the way it transitions between corners, it really rides like a supermoto. I have supermoto wheels that would work for it, so the question is, where do I find a rear disc conversion? Do I buy a crf230 swingarm and see if I can make it work?
I also noticed that at around 5000rpm the bike has a terrible flat spot. Is that normal, or should I adjust my carb tuning? As a result, it feels like it has VTEC once it finally gets to 6500rpm. Maybe I'm just too fat.
I think the 10wt fork oil with XT350 springs is the right setup for the front, but that GSF600 shock leaves a lot to be desired. But I won't touch that unless I do a disc conversion anyways.
Luckily, this bike is going to be mostly for my girlfriend, and I doubt she'll ride it so fast that she'll struggle with the same issues. So really, the bike is perfect.