BannedCR500Riders.com

I've been wanting to build an A/F for some time now. I recently scored a smokin deal on a slightly clapped-out 05 250X. I just bought it to ride while I tear down my KTM 380 this winter and maybe make a couple hundred when I sell it, but then I realized it might make a decent roller for a conversion.

I'm a 6'-3" / 220 lb trail rider. I should be looking at gen3 CR250's for the easiest build and best ergos for someone my size, right?

Looking at the prices of running 250F motors on fleabay, I could sell the motor for close to what I paid for the whole bike. Alternatively, I could trade or sell the X for a less-clapped-out CR250, probably come out a few hundred ahead, and have an easier build and cleaner bike with straight radiators when I'm done. I like the idea of the 18" rear wheel already in place, but it needs some attention anyway and I also like the idea of black Excels, so that's pretty much moot.

What would you do?

To make matters worse, money's pretty tight for me right now and there's a '90 steely for sale not too far from me for a grand.

Thanks for any advice. Great site, y'all. I like the atmosphere around here.

I'm 6'5". 988 lbs.... I love my 250x conversion

AlisoBob wrote:I'm 6'5". 988 lbs.... I love my 250x conversion

Fuck Bob 998lbs.... You really need to lay off them Twinkies!!!

convert it!

sabreguy wrote:convert it!

agreed. I would love to do a 250x

AlisoBob wrote:I'm 6'5". 988 lbs.... I love my 250x conversion

I'm not looking to sign up for a lot of additional work just to be different. I'm looking for a clean, relatively easy conversion with minimal headache, and a bike I'll enjoy riding when I'm done. If it is too involved, I'll lose interest and end up parting it out.

that doesn't sound very motivated...if you want easy conversion do a gen 3 250...250X will be awesome especially the headlights, tailights and kickstands...bob has an entire thread dedicated to the build...it doesn't look very hard

IMHO GEN 4 is easiest.

I already have lights for my KTM, but I just leave them in the garage 95% of the time for weight savings & so I don't break em. Lots of kickstand options, and I wouldn't own a bike without one!

I used to be really motivated for projects like this, but I have a baby girl now who gets most of my free time.

What are the ride differences between the gen3 & gen4 frames?

Balaclava wrote:bob has an entire thread dedicated to the build...it doesn't look very hard

Nope.... The fuel tank is / was the biggest issue.

http://www.bannedcr500riders.com/board/ ... .php?t=894

For your size a CRF 450 2002- 2004 is by far the most comfortable. if you ride alot of sand a GEN 3 250 or 450 has a more stable front end than a gen 4.

The GEN 3 cr250 changes direction quicker while the 450 is much better for higher speeds.

I ride single track and super technical rocky stuff. Not a lot of high speed.

I'm really leaning towards swapping this for a gen3 CR250. 02-07 are all the same, right? On the gen3 CR, the factory tank, radiators, airbox, and boot work as-is, right? From what I gather, it's just a matter of moving the Y and front motor mounts, and lining up the chain?

I love my gen 3 cr250 conversion. As far as ridability, it rocks now, but needed some attention to the forks and handlebars and grips and front tire. Now with everything just right, it cadilacs through the harshest terrain. For me it needed plusher forks (the original stock ones were valved stiff for motocross), the bars needed to be filled with silycone, the grips needed to be soft and thick. All that was to make the front end less vibey, but the front tire was the key to handling better. It's a 21" rim and there are only two companies that make a big front tire for a 21" wheel but what a difference maker, especially in the sand.

I say trade for a gen-3, gen-3 conversions are soo much easier and come out cleaner.

dannygraves wrote:I say trade for a gen-3, gen-3 conversions are soo much easier and come out cleaner.

I still have a hard time understanding the problem with a GEN 4 conversion, i had both a GEN 3 250 CR and a GEN 3 450 and the GEN 4 450 is cleaner for me and turned out better but you know the handling issues did you get it going better. the GEN 4 is a SUPERX bike plain and simple..

I'd still like to see pics of this super clean gen-4. without a heat gunned tank, modded airbox, notched frame, shitty wiring, coil location and really shitty coolant hose routing. and I'd like the see the shifer be able to be mounted in various degrees and a kicker that goes all the way down without smacking your ankle on the foot peg... oh and lets not forget exhaust mounts... AND THE REAR BRAKE LEVER!!!

gen-3 comes out cleaner and is an easier conversion plain and simple. the 250 2 stroke motor is a similar platform and has similar requirements to a cr500 motor where as the 4 stroke motors and a completely different machine and require a low Y, lower and smalled air boot, different pipinbg and wiring, etc.etc.

I think I might try to put together a list of mod needed on every generation and you will se the gen-4 has the longest list by far.

besides, on a gen-3 you don't even have to fab up lower mounts

I like the GEN3 but, Bobbers bike is pretty cool for a big guy's bike. A GEN3 125 turns better than all of them combined.

dannygraves wrote:I'd still like to see pics of this super clean gen-4. without a heat gunned tank, modded airbox, notched frame, shitty wiring, coil location and really shitty coolant hose routing. and I'd like the see the shifer be able to be mounted in various degrees and a kicker that goes all the way down without smacking your ankle on the foot peg... oh and lets not forget exhaust mounts... AND THE REAR BRAKE LEVER!!!

gen-3 comes out cleaner and is an easier conversion plain and simple. the 250 2 stroke motor is a similar platform and has similar requirements to a cr500 motor where as the 4 stroke motors and a completely different machine and require a low Y, lower and smalled air boot, different pipinbg and wiring, etc.etc.

I think I might try to put together a list of mod needed on every generation and you will se the gen-4 has the longest list by far.

besides, on a gen-3 you don't even have to fab up lower mounts

I never had all those problems but it is a 450 as well. mine is alot easier to work on over a GEN 3 250 or 450. Mine turned out better.

But I still see no good reviews of the Gen2...if there are any. I only know a Gen2 because that is what I have...But that was a straightforward conversion as well. Really similar to the Gen3 from what I can tell.

hoofarted wrote:But I still see no good reviews of the Gen2...if there are any. I only know a Gen2 because that is what I have...But that was a straightforward conversion as well. Really similar to the Gen3 from what I can tell.

The thing is about the gen 2 is the newer gen 3 and gen 4 suspension is quite a bit better but a GEN 2 has been known to be more stable than a GEN 3 250.

Exnav wrote:

use your imagination if you have any.

Only thing that changes is the day on the calendar dude.

Ive got a gen 2 SH500 2000 that I still havent road yet .