Video: Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke project bike

Two-stroke enthusiasts, rejoice!

The two-banger renaissance is in full tilt in Australia at the moment, with new fuel-injected model offerings from the likes of KTM, Husqvarna and Gas Gas, continued development from smaller European brands plus incremental updates to Yamaha’s storied two-stroke range.

With their simplicity and fun factor, it proves that two-strokes are as relevant as ever amid the modern four-stroke onslaught.

The madness of a certain pandemic has also renewed our fascination with the nostalgia of second-hand two-stroke machines – driving up prices and creating more awareness than ever for the humble smoker.

Resident bikesales tester Sam Charlwood is among the droves of Aussies chasing a second-hand two-stroke motocross machine of his own, having grown up pre-mixing fuel and racing them himself.

This new bikesales series is devoted to finding, purchasing and making a second-hand two-stroke Sam’s own. Join us for the ride!

Read and watch on to find out more.

Episode 1: Finding ‘the one’

This is the starting point for the bikesales Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke project bike journey.

Before the video series had even been mentioned, Sam had spent months perusing classifieds trying to track down a suitable candidate. With the COVID-19 pandemic driving prices sky high, Sam decided he didn’t want the equivalent of a ‘renovator’s delight’, which required dozens of hours and thousands of dollars being thrown at it.

That brings us to this find, a 2019 Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke. Traded in at Sam’s local dealership about an hour south of Sydney, Southern Highlands Motorcycle Centre in Mittagong, this machine has sat in storage nearly all of its life and presents a perfect candidate.

Watch on to see if it’s the real deal.

Episode 2: First ride and lineage  

So, we’ve bagged a Yamaha YZ250, given it a light going-over and filled it with premix.

Now it’s time for the first ride.

In this episode, Sam visits a good friend’s place – and another YZ250 aficionado and owner, Kurt Moore – to see what kind of changes he can make to the YZ250 to make it more rideable and fun.

Kurt is the proud owner of a YZ250 which he has gently modified and tailored to his own riding ability over the years. It provides plenty of inspiration for Sam’s new project.

Episode 3: Celebrating a legend

When most of us think of the Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke, we conjure Chad Reed.

The Australia supercross and motocross star made his name on the BluCru’s flagship motocross machine, winning the prestigious AMA Supercross championship in 2004.

With our 2019 Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke in need of some visual love, it makes sense to channel a bit of Reedy with its appearance.

Here, we’ve enlisted the help of one of the best graphic businesses around, TeenCee Graphics in western Sydney. Watch on as Rach and the talented TeenCee Sydney team work their magic.

Episode 4: Suspension work

Many people jump straight to spending big on graphics and aftermarket pipes when they purchase a new two-stroke. But maybe we’ve been doing it all wrong?

Tailoring the suspension on a motocross bike to your size, riding style and skill level is arguably one of the biggest out-of-the-box improvements you can make.

So in this episode, Sam takes the 2019 Yamaha YZ250 to Shock Treatment suspension in western Sydney. One of Australia’s most revered suspension tuners, Shock Treatment’s Terry Hay offers a sprawling facility which includes a full workshop and test track – allowing customers to play with settings and dial the bike in right at the facility.

Here, you can get an insight into the suspension tuning process, and see Terry and his team work their magic on our YZ250 test bike.

Episode 5: Jetting and engine

We’re nearing completion of the Yamaha YZ250 two-stroke project, having found a suitable bike, discovered the kinds of changes we can make, tweaked the suspension and overhauled its appearance.

Now it’s time to fine-tune the 2019 model’s jetting and get it really running smoothly and crisply. Here, Sam Charlwood enlists the help of one of Australia’s most experienced two-stroke specialists, Yamaha’s Darren Thompson. 

Episode 6: Gate drop

The build is complete and the big day is here: we take the YZ250 to Mt Kembla for round one of the Wollongong Motorcycle Club point score.

It’s been quite the journey transforming this 2019 YZ250 to its current state… but there is no way to benchmark a motocross bike than to put it in competition, so we’ve entered round one of the 2023 Wollongong Motorcycle Club pointscore.

The 250 two-stroke will take on an open field including 250 and 450 four-strokes, as well as numerous other two-stroke machines.

This article was originally published on March 6, 2023.