1990 VTR250

NICE! that all white one is a sweet little ride!! Thanks sis!!!

 

VTRs are very attractive to grey squirrels.

 

Finally fucking arrived.

 

+10mm over stock will help a lot. So will having a real shock.



Just need to narrow the upper collars by 1mm each, 30mm total width to 28mm. Everything else is bolt-on.

 

Wow - very nice, Capt!

 

OK. 1mm off each side. Came out pretty nice.

 

Is this shock for a diff application or technically called out for the VTR?

 

EX500

Searched and searched and compared specs / dimensions.

This one was a really good candidate. It was really just one of two possibilities. 1987-90 CBR600F is the other. But that bike is heavier than an EX, and at 295mm could be too extreme of a ride height change. Plus this shock body is smaller (like the OEM shock) and fits in the space and swingarm nicer.

I think this one was a really good choice. I might have to clearance the upper shock clevis on the frame, but not nearly as much as I had to do for the Fox TC on the VT250R. We'll see.

Even the Cartridge Emulators had to be sourced differently. The RZ350 also has 35mm damper rod forks. And then using the PD265 part number confirmed it is the callout for a 1980 CB750 that has 35mm forks. Bam.

 

Who doesn't love a shiny new shock? I just ordered a Nitron for my VFR1200 but expect that will be many weeks away.

 

I have a Nitron stowed away for my last 86 VFR RestoMod build. They are so frickin' tasty.

I scored it at the right time, pretty sure somebody's scorned girlfriend started listing his shit when he was kicked to the curb. I sleep like a baby with aqua blue sugar plums dancing in my head.

 

Hahahaha

 

Time to get back into the shock area to confirm the YSS fitment and install. I thought now is the time to remove the whole exhaust and refurb, it was pretty corroded in front of the swingarm pivot. I will make sure the suspension pieces move freely and feel good, but I won't be pulling it all apart. The bike is low mileage and they visibly look good.

Getting a fairly corroded exhaust chamber off without mangling anything or busting your knuckles is a win.



Not breaking the stud off that was corrosion bonded to the aluminum collar is a celebration. Put the tools away and am calling it a victory to finish on. I soaked, banged, torched and pried most of yesterday evening. Had a fresh mind a slightly different approach this evening. Did some more shocking and loosening and got just the right pry angle with a 2x4 and a breaker bar on the header pipe. A nice feeling of "release". Thank Fucking God.



I will be pulling the short rear header pipe out for restore when I have the inner fender and shock out.

The chamber, while not horrible, was a rusty eyesore that is pretty visible and now is the time for sure. It would have distracted from a lot of other work around it, especially a freshly painted slip on pipe connecting to it.