2013 Suzuki TU250X
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Last Updated: February, 2, 2022
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April 10, 2017
My 2013 Suzuki TU250X was purchased off of Craigslist in November 2016 with just a hair over 10,000 KM on the odometer. It was used as a year round commuter, and is in fantastic shape. It sat waiting in my shed until I passed the skills test on March 21, 2017 and as of yesterday while dodging the Canadian West Coast Vancouver Island rain, cracked the 11,000 KM mark. A 16T front sprocket was added by the previous owner, and he also relocated the rear turn signals. The rear frame hoop has been fitted with metal brackets for some cheap Chinese plastic panniers that I immediately removed, which I plan to replace with some nice 50 caliber ammo cans. Other than that, I'm a fan of the stock look and riding feel.
I just completed an oil change, and will be checking the valves shortly. Everything looks great, and after adjusting the clutch free play, rear break, and (should I admit this next statement?) dropping it in my driveway from a standstill - twice; once on each side (what a tool!)- it's been a beauty to ride, a tonne of fun.
I've seen more of my local community in the past 2 weeks than I've seen in all the many years I've lived here!
My 2013 Suzuki TU250X was purchased off of Craigslist in November 2016 with just a hair over 10,000 KM on the odometer. It was used as a year round commuter, and is in fantastic shape. It sat waiting in my shed until I passed the skills test on March 21, 2017 and as of yesterday while dodging the Canadian West Coast Vancouver Island rain, cracked the 11,000 KM mark. A 16T front sprocket was added by the previous owner, and he also relocated the rear turn signals. The rear frame hoop has been fitted with metal brackets for some cheap Chinese plastic panniers that I immediately removed, which I plan to replace with some nice 50 caliber ammo cans. Other than that, I'm a fan of the stock look and riding feel.
I just completed an oil change, and will be checking the valves shortly. Everything looks great, and after adjusting the clutch free play, rear break, and (should I admit this next statement?) dropping it in my driveway from a standstill - twice; once on each side (what a tool!)- it's been a beauty to ride, a tonne of fun.
I've seen more of my local community in the past 2 weeks than I've seen in all the many years I've lived here!
June 2, 2017
I installed a 7" all metal side mounted chrome headlight (an 8" bucket, edge to edge) from BikeMaster on my TU this weekend. This replaced the plastic stock headlight bucket and was an easy drop in replacement. The stock plastic bucket wouldn't hold the headlamp in place, and would pop out of place creating an unsightly gap.
There weren't too many sites selling 7" all metal headlights for a reasonable price. The BikeMaster seemed to have a good reputation and was available in Canada so I put in my order from FortNine.ca.
I used a couple of the rubber grommets from the original mounting assembly and the stock bolts were thread compatible with the new threaded mount points on the BikeMaster headlight bucket. Fitting the wiring harness bits into the bucket was a bit tight, but it all went in, and the original headlamp power connector slipped right on.
Over all I'm super happy with this 7" BikeMaster headlight, and may need to pick up the Chrome and Black model as well when it's back in stock...for those black tie occasions!
I installed a 7" all metal side mounted chrome headlight (an 8" bucket, edge to edge) from BikeMaster on my TU this weekend. This replaced the plastic stock headlight bucket and was an easy drop in replacement. The stock plastic bucket wouldn't hold the headlamp in place, and would pop out of place creating an unsightly gap.
There weren't too many sites selling 7" all metal headlights for a reasonable price. The BikeMaster seemed to have a good reputation and was available in Canada so I put in my order from FortNine.ca.
I used a couple of the rubber grommets from the original mounting assembly and the stock bolts were thread compatible with the new threaded mount points on the BikeMaster headlight bucket. Fitting the wiring harness bits into the bucket was a bit tight, but it all went in, and the original headlamp power connector slipped right on.
Over all I'm super happy with this 7" BikeMaster headlight, and may need to pick up the Chrome and Black model as well when it's back in stock...for those black tie occasions!
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August 19, 2017
I'd been planning to add some .50 Caliber ammo can panniers for a while now, and Costco had a 2 pack in stock, a .30 Cal and a .50 Cal ammo can set for $27. I picked up 2 sets to use the .50 Cal cans, drilled a couple holes, mounted them on some brackets that came with some cheap plastic saddle panniers that came with the bike when I bought it and finally added some rubber washers to keep the interior water proof. I think they look pretty good and have found them to be super handy to have.
I'd been planning to add some .50 Caliber ammo can panniers for a while now, and Costco had a 2 pack in stock, a .30 Cal and a .50 Cal ammo can set for $27. I picked up 2 sets to use the .50 Cal cans, drilled a couple holes, mounted them on some brackets that came with some cheap plastic saddle panniers that came with the bike when I bought it and finally added some rubber washers to keep the interior water proof. I think they look pretty good and have found them to be super handy to have.
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Sept 15, 2017
After riding 7,000 Km since April, it was past time for some new rubber with a hair over 17,000 Km on the original tires. I wanted to try some dual sport tires, for some occasional gravel road action. I installed some Shinko 244 dual sport tires: 3.50 for the front and a 4.60 for the rear. I put a quick 150 Km on them, and so far so good. They definitely change the steering characteristics of the bike; slower and heavier to maneuver but I like how they ride. I think the bike is starting to look pretty fierce!
After riding 7,000 Km since April, it was past time for some new rubber with a hair over 17,000 Km on the original tires. I wanted to try some dual sport tires, for some occasional gravel road action. I installed some Shinko 244 dual sport tires: 3.50 for the front and a 4.60 for the rear. I put a quick 150 Km on them, and so far so good. They definitely change the steering characteristics of the bike; slower and heavier to maneuver but I like how they ride. I think the bike is starting to look pretty fierce!
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Nov 26, 2017
A break in the weather allowed me to take a 4 hour scramble out to the Nanaimo Lakes logging roads. Hard pack, loose gravel, partial washouts, streams overflowing the roads in multiple places, some fairly steep grades, all on good to poor condition logging roads and the TU handled it all like a champ. The Shinko 244s were terrific performers in this terrain.
A break in the weather allowed me to take a 4 hour scramble out to the Nanaimo Lakes logging roads. Hard pack, loose gravel, partial washouts, streams overflowing the roads in multiple places, some fairly steep grades, all on good to poor condition logging roads and the TU handled it all like a champ. The Shinko 244s were terrific performers in this terrain.
Dec 16, 2017
Made a run to Home Depot today with the Tu250X, AKA, the Mountain Goat! The route wasn't the most direct and the trail definitely got a bit challenging! The trail was an old decommissioned logging road that had turned into a "mostly" dried up stream bed. The descent was tough, the pictures don't do the 22% downhill grade justice!
Made a run to Home Depot today with the Tu250X, AKA, the Mountain Goat! The route wasn't the most direct and the trail definitely got a bit challenging! The trail was an old decommissioned logging road that had turned into a "mostly" dried up stream bed. The descent was tough, the pictures don't do the 22% downhill grade justice!
Jan 30, 2018
After a pretty long stretch since I had my last ride and in between the rains that have battered the East coast of Vancouver Island this winter, I was able to sneak in a nice 2 hour ride to check out various beaches in the area. The pavement was dry but the skies were threatening!
After a pretty long stretch since I had my last ride and in between the rains that have battered the East coast of Vancouver Island this winter, I was able to sneak in a nice 2 hour ride to check out various beaches in the area. The pavement was dry but the skies were threatening!
April 15, 2018
While out on a relaxed but cool ride around town, the TU250X cracked 20,000 KMs today! I managed to pull over to the side of the road just as the odometer was rolling over to capture the moment. It's been about a year since I got my MC license and started riding the TU, it having just over 10,000 KMs when I bought it. I've been having a great time riding it this past year!
While out on a relaxed but cool ride around town, the TU250X cracked 20,000 KMs today! I managed to pull over to the side of the road just as the odometer was rolling over to capture the moment. It's been about a year since I got my MC license and started riding the TU, it having just over 10,000 KMs when I bought it. I've been having a great time riding it this past year!
May 5, 2018
I completed a 383 KM loop from Nanaimo, to Victoria, on to Sooke and Port Renfrew, then up through the middle of the island to Lake Cowichan and finally back to Nanaimo. A beautiful day for a ride, with multiple stops along the way for a ride time of just under 6 hours. The back roads were great fun to ride, lots of twisty bits, switch backs and elevation changes that the TU handled with grace with many bursts from 30 Kph to 80 Kph. I didn't stop to take any pictures, but the views were fantastic. Next time!
I completed a 383 KM loop from Nanaimo, to Victoria, on to Sooke and Port Renfrew, then up through the middle of the island to Lake Cowichan and finally back to Nanaimo. A beautiful day for a ride, with multiple stops along the way for a ride time of just under 6 hours. The back roads were great fun to ride, lots of twisty bits, switch backs and elevation changes that the TU handled with grace with many bursts from 30 Kph to 80 Kph. I didn't stop to take any pictures, but the views were fantastic. Next time!
May 15, 2018
I took a nice morning ride to Fairwinds marina, up to the lookout on Little Mountain, visited Cameron Lake, Qualicum Beach and Englishman River. Mid week traffic was light and the ride was moving along at a really comfortable pace. The TU250X is such a great fit for Vancouver Island roads, and the dual sport tires make any gravel or dirt roads and trails easy to tackle.
I took a nice morning ride to Fairwinds marina, up to the lookout on Little Mountain, visited Cameron Lake, Qualicum Beach and Englishman River. Mid week traffic was light and the ride was moving along at a really comfortable pace. The TU250X is such a great fit for Vancouver Island roads, and the dual sport tires make any gravel or dirt roads and trails easy to tackle.
May 27, 2018
I circled around Lake Cowichan, about an hour away from home, for the first time, as a bit of a scouting trip. The back half of the loop is a well maintained gravel road (which my knobby dual sport tires handled with ease) with several BC Rec and Timber West forestry campsites spread around the lake. With lots of trails and forestry backroads in the area, the campsites would make a good base for further exploring.
I circled around Lake Cowichan, about an hour away from home, for the first time, as a bit of a scouting trip. The back half of the loop is a well maintained gravel road (which my knobby dual sport tires handled with ease) with several BC Rec and Timber West forestry campsites spread around the lake. With lots of trails and forestry backroads in the area, the campsites would make a good base for further exploring.
August 12, 2018
After installing some snazzy new fork boots, I made a run to Bamfield on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The 330 KM, 7 hour round trip journey was about 180 KM of gravel logging road which the bike handled amazingly well thanks to the Shinko 244 dual sport tires. The gravel section was fairly rough in places, but I was able to make good time and probably averaged about 60 Kph on the gravel. When I arrived in Bamfield, a fellow that trailed me in a van pulled up and was all grins, rolled down his window and said "Nice riding!"
I met a friendly guy riding a BMW GS800 outside the little market and pub in town, and asked if he could join me on my return leg of the trip. We had a quick stop about half way and he was impressed with how good the TU was doing - he apologized for going so slow in sections, said the road was beating up his GS. I was totally fine with the pace, the TU was in it's comfort zone on the rutty logging road, but it just goes to show that a nice big adventure bike (and it sure was nice!) isn't the only way to have an off road adventure!
After installing some snazzy new fork boots, I made a run to Bamfield on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The 330 KM, 7 hour round trip journey was about 180 KM of gravel logging road which the bike handled amazingly well thanks to the Shinko 244 dual sport tires. The gravel section was fairly rough in places, but I was able to make good time and probably averaged about 60 Kph on the gravel. When I arrived in Bamfield, a fellow that trailed me in a van pulled up and was all grins, rolled down his window and said "Nice riding!"
I met a friendly guy riding a BMW GS800 outside the little market and pub in town, and asked if he could join me on my return leg of the trip. We had a quick stop about half way and he was impressed with how good the TU was doing - he apologized for going so slow in sections, said the road was beating up his GS. I was totally fine with the pace, the TU was in it's comfort zone on the rutty logging road, but it just goes to show that a nice big adventure bike (and it sure was nice!) isn't the only way to have an off road adventure!
A quick stop at China Creek Campground shortly after hitting gravel. Not too dusty yet!
At the Market in Bamfield, I was glad to stop and have a break from the past hour and a half of rattling road! Water never tasted so good!
Home again, this is just before the bike got washed. It doesn't look to bad in the pictures, but the bike was really dusty - and so was I! It was a great ride and it was nice to ride the gravel section home with somebody. We didn't stop or chat too much on the way out, but it was fun!
Sept 29, 2018
The afternoon was overcast and cool, but it made for a great opportunity to ride out to First Lake of Nanaimo Lakes. It would have been nice to head deeper into the back roads, but I only had a few hours to roam around. You could spend ages out here; with so many offshoots from all the logging roads to explore, it's pretty easy to come back and find new places with each visit to the area.
The afternoon was overcast and cool, but it made for a great opportunity to ride out to First Lake of Nanaimo Lakes. It would have been nice to head deeper into the back roads, but I only had a few hours to roam around. You could spend ages out here; with so many offshoots from all the logging roads to explore, it's pretty easy to come back and find new places with each visit to the area.
Oct 6, 2018
The Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada brought sunny skies! I made the 283 Km loop from Nanaimo through Lake Cowichan and across to the Port Alberni inlet and home again. I had just added some hand guards to cut the wind, they blend in pretty well with the bike and worked great. What a beauty ride!
The Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada brought sunny skies! I made the 283 Km loop from Nanaimo through Lake Cowichan and across to the Port Alberni inlet and home again. I had just added some hand guards to cut the wind, they blend in pretty well with the bike and worked great. What a beauty ride!
Jan 6, 2019
After weeks and weeks of heavy rain, including a wind storm said to be the worst in the history of the province from the electric grid perspective, I was able to get out for a 2 hour ride to Spider Lake. The storm knocked power out for over 700,000 residences and businesses all over Vancouver Island. The outages started Dec 20th, and the last areas didn't get power again until days into the new year. Hydro crews were brought in from all over BC, the prairies and eastern Canada; special Ferry sailings ran just for the Hydro crews from Vancouver to Nanaimo, as they worked through the holidays. The damage was extensive, but the crews did a great job. I'm super appreciative of all the effort they put in and that they missed Christmas with their families to help our communities get back online. My area was pretty lucky to lose power for only 2 1/2 days, we were back online a couple days before Christmas.
The sun and blue skies were inviting me out, so I did the only logical thing, I bundled up for a ride. With temperatures hovering just above 0C, I hit the road!
After weeks and weeks of heavy rain, including a wind storm said to be the worst in the history of the province from the electric grid perspective, I was able to get out for a 2 hour ride to Spider Lake. The storm knocked power out for over 700,000 residences and businesses all over Vancouver Island. The outages started Dec 20th, and the last areas didn't get power again until days into the new year. Hydro crews were brought in from all over BC, the prairies and eastern Canada; special Ferry sailings ran just for the Hydro crews from Vancouver to Nanaimo, as they worked through the holidays. The damage was extensive, but the crews did a great job. I'm super appreciative of all the effort they put in and that they missed Christmas with their families to help our communities get back online. My area was pretty lucky to lose power for only 2 1/2 days, we were back online a couple days before Christmas.
The sun and blue skies were inviting me out, so I did the only logical thing, I bundled up for a ride. With temperatures hovering just above 0C, I hit the road!
I intended to continue deeper inland to Horn Lake as well, but I hit some rain and the skies were getting darker in that direction, so I decided to cut the trip short. I did catch a nice rainbow with a bit of blue sky over Spider Lake before I headed for home. It's likely to be some weeks before I get out again, this was just a brief break in the wet West Coast winter weather.
February 16, 2020
After about 3 years watching Amazon for a price drop on some replacement shocks by Progressive Suspension, part# 413-4039B 15", which I had stored in my "save for later" shopping cart, I hit the jackpot! A price drop from $340 to $188 with free shipping was certainly a nice savings! 2 days later they arrived and looked fantastic! I got the idea from a post by Weeee on the TU250 Riders forum and have been waiting for an opportunity ever since.
After about 3 years watching Amazon for a price drop on some replacement shocks by Progressive Suspension, part# 413-4039B 15", which I had stored in my "save for later" shopping cart, I hit the jackpot! A price drop from $340 to $188 with free shipping was certainly a nice savings! 2 days later they arrived and looked fantastic! I got the idea from a post by Weeee on the TU250 Riders forum and have been waiting for an opportunity ever since.
I installed them today, a quick 10 minute swap before the rains came and even managed to sneak in a 20 minute test ride. What a great upgrade from the stock shocks. I think they look great, they ride really nice and are a definite improvement for any of us riders weighing more than a soaked t-shirt! My Tux isn't any garage queen; hard working and dirty as she runs in the pics below! Looks like it's time for a chain clean and a good lube!
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February 17, 2020
Since the TU250X doesn't have a center stand, I've been using the Tirox SnapJack V2 for a few years now to help with chain maintenance and cleaning. Working with the side stand it's a quick way to get the rear tire off the ground. It's a simple option that allows the rear tire to spin freely, avoiding the need to roll the bike a few feet at a time to work on the chain in small sections. Lock the front brake with the Velcro strap, position the jack on a rubber pad under the swing arm and snap/lock it into place to lift the wheel. Because I'm often working on an uneven surface I have to use the last hole to lift the wheel high enough and can't use the 2nd safety pin but on a flat driveway or garage floor it's not an issue, particularly with regular tread road tires. Speaking of which, I'll be replacing my Shinko 244s this spring, they've now got about 10,000 Km on them!
Since the TU250X doesn't have a center stand, I've been using the Tirox SnapJack V2 for a few years now to help with chain maintenance and cleaning. Working with the side stand it's a quick way to get the rear tire off the ground. It's a simple option that allows the rear tire to spin freely, avoiding the need to roll the bike a few feet at a time to work on the chain in small sections. Lock the front brake with the Velcro strap, position the jack on a rubber pad under the swing arm and snap/lock it into place to lift the wheel. Because I'm often working on an uneven surface I have to use the last hole to lift the wheel high enough and can't use the 2nd safety pin but on a flat driveway or garage floor it's not an issue, particularly with regular tread road tires. Speaking of which, I'll be replacing my Shinko 244s this spring, they've now got about 10,000 Km on them!
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March 21, 2020
After about 13,000 KMs it was time for some new tires on the Suzuki. The Shinko 244s were great, and I figure 13K KMs is a pretty decent run for a dual sport tire that had a lot of city and highway riding mixed in with a fair share of hard riding on gravel roads. This time I thought I'd try something a little different but still able to take the TUX on gravel roads and light trails when the opportunity presents itself. I mounted some Shinko SR241s: a 3.5 in the front and 4.0 for the rear. A quick test ride and right away I noticed the SR241s are a nimbler tire than the 244s on the street. I'm looking forward to putting them through their paces on some gravel and logging roads soon.
After about 13,000 KMs it was time for some new tires on the Suzuki. The Shinko 244s were great, and I figure 13K KMs is a pretty decent run for a dual sport tire that had a lot of city and highway riding mixed in with a fair share of hard riding on gravel roads. This time I thought I'd try something a little different but still able to take the TUX on gravel roads and light trails when the opportunity presents itself. I mounted some Shinko SR241s: a 3.5 in the front and 4.0 for the rear. A quick test ride and right away I noticed the SR241s are a nimbler tire than the 244s on the street. I'm looking forward to putting them through their paces on some gravel and logging roads soon.
May 11, 2020
At 29,936 Km, I had to replace the chain on the TU250X which had developed a kink over the winter that I wasn't able to smooth out with cleaning and lubricating. I order a nicely priced RK-520 Max X-Ring chain from Fortnine and waited a bit longer than normal for it to ship due to Covid-19. 10 minutes to install, 30 minutes getting myself organized. The sprockets are still in great shape so I didn't replace them. I didn't realize how much that kink impacted the ride until I took it for a quick spin before the rain started. Beauty! The next ride will see the odometer pass 30,000 Km! I'll try to get a pic just as it's ticking over.
At 29,936 Km, I had to replace the chain on the TU250X which had developed a kink over the winter that I wasn't able to smooth out with cleaning and lubricating. I order a nicely priced RK-520 Max X-Ring chain from Fortnine and waited a bit longer than normal for it to ship due to Covid-19. 10 minutes to install, 30 minutes getting myself organized. The sprockets are still in great shape so I didn't replace them. I didn't realize how much that kink impacted the ride until I took it for a quick spin before the rain started. Beauty! The next ride will see the odometer pass 30,000 Km! I'll try to get a pic just as it's ticking over.
May 15, 2020
Cracked 30,000 KMs while taking the TU out to Nanaimo Lakes, preferring the long way home from the office. I've been spending a lot of time on the Kawasaki Versys 650 lately, especially on longer rides, but since replacing the chain on the TU I have been having a blast around town and back roads on the little 250! The sprocket and spines on my Super Sherpa counter shaft finally went to hell, broke the sprocket welds done by the previous owners' hatchet job on the bike, which I expected to happen eventually, so the TU is my back roads bike again until the Sherpa situation is resolved in some manner.
Maintenance, upgrades and add-ons to this point since I picked up the bike at about 10,000 KMs, in no particular order:
Cracked 30,000 KMs while taking the TU out to Nanaimo Lakes, preferring the long way home from the office. I've been spending a lot of time on the Kawasaki Versys 650 lately, especially on longer rides, but since replacing the chain on the TU I have been having a blast around town and back roads on the little 250! The sprocket and spines on my Super Sherpa counter shaft finally went to hell, broke the sprocket welds done by the previous owners' hatchet job on the bike, which I expected to happen eventually, so the TU is my back roads bike again until the Sherpa situation is resolved in some manner.
Maintenance, upgrades and add-ons to this point since I picked up the bike at about 10,000 KMs, in no particular order:
- New tires at about 17,000 KM (Shinko 244) and about 29,000 KM (Shinko SR241)
- 1 set of break pads on the front and shoes for the rear at about 25,000 KMs
- Break fluid flushed at about 25,000 KMs
- 1 X-Ring chain at about 29,900 KMs
- Fork boots
- Progressive Suspension shock upgrade
- Bike Master chrome headlight bucket
- Pannier mount by previous owner (cheap plastic panniers are long gone)
- 50 Cal Ammo can panniers (currently off)
- Cheap plastic round mirrors for the trails (save the stock ones!)
- PowerMadd MX hand guards
- 12 Volt marine power socket
- Oil & filter changes about every 3,000-4,000 KMs
- Regular chain cleaning and lubrication
- Valve checks, minor adjustment at about 15,000 KMs (time to check again)
- Battery replaced at about 28,000 KM
- GPS Mount
- Clutch cable lube
- Battery tender
- Replaced spark plug
- Turn signals relocated by previous owner
- 16 tooth front sprocket by previous owner
August 10, 2021
My Tuesday afternoon started out great, taking my daughter for a practice ride learning how to ride a motorcycle, me on the TU250X, her on the DR200. We were just about to head home, on our last leg, going up Doumont Rd for the final loop back home.
Arg, suddenly the TU250X engine died and wouldn’t start on the fly. Coasted to the side of the road and tried restarting. Felt like it it suddenly lost compression or something, wouldn’t complete turning over. Suddenly I had visions of my Kawasaki Super Sherpa cam journals exploding in the cylinder head again!
Got rescued by my wife with the truck, loaded it up and I drove the DR200 home.
Removed the valve covers to check that the tappet nuts didn’t come super loose or fall off and the damn bolt head rounded off on the exhaust side. 😡
An 8 point socket will hold but I can’t fit the driver in there and don't have an 8 point wrench. 😡😡
My Tuesday afternoon started out great, taking my daughter for a practice ride learning how to ride a motorcycle, me on the TU250X, her on the DR200. We were just about to head home, on our last leg, going up Doumont Rd for the final loop back home.
Arg, suddenly the TU250X engine died and wouldn’t start on the fly. Coasted to the side of the road and tried restarting. Felt like it it suddenly lost compression or something, wouldn’t complete turning over. Suddenly I had visions of my Kawasaki Super Sherpa cam journals exploding in the cylinder head again!
Got rescued by my wife with the truck, loaded it up and I drove the DR200 home.
Removed the valve covers to check that the tappet nuts didn’t come super loose or fall off and the damn bolt head rounded off on the exhaust side. 😡
An 8 point socket will hold but I can’t fit the driver in there and don't have an 8 point wrench. 😡😡
Next up, go to work with some vice grips, skinny pipe wrench or a cold chisel/punch to knock it loose. Stupid aluminum is so soft. 😡😡😡
The vice grips got it off. Will replace both valve covers with new ones. 😡😡😡😡
Nope not the tappets, but noticed something…
Took the cylinder head cover and countershaft cover off, spinning the countershaft, won’t go to TDC in either direction while checking the valves. Solid clunk stops it hard going either way just a few degrees from TDC. 😡😡😡😡😡
Wondering if the Cam Chain jumped out a tooth or 2, but was nice and firm on the sprockets. The only other thing that makes any sort of sense is that maybe the piston pin circlips broke and the piston pin slid sideways a bit and is blocking on the way up at the bottom of the cylinder jug? So, next up is removing the cylinder head and jug to see what's what.
That's Job for Thursday morning, now it’s bbq hot dog time!
The vice grips got it off. Will replace both valve covers with new ones. 😡😡😡😡
Nope not the tappets, but noticed something…
Took the cylinder head cover and countershaft cover off, spinning the countershaft, won’t go to TDC in either direction while checking the valves. Solid clunk stops it hard going either way just a few degrees from TDC. 😡😡😡😡😡
Wondering if the Cam Chain jumped out a tooth or 2, but was nice and firm on the sprockets. The only other thing that makes any sort of sense is that maybe the piston pin circlips broke and the piston pin slid sideways a bit and is blocking on the way up at the bottom of the cylinder jug? So, next up is removing the cylinder head and jug to see what's what.
That's Job for Thursday morning, now it’s bbq hot dog time!
August 12, 2021
Unbolted and removed the cylinder head for a peek. Warning: Some viewers may find the following content disturbing.
Unbolted and removed the cylinder head for a peek. Warning: Some viewers may find the following content disturbing.
The valve head broke off the stem, but can't really tell the cause, if it was due to being too tight or was a physical failure. The valve stems are quite small. The last valve clearance check about 800 KMs ago was on the loose side of the range.
The cylinder jug looks OK, so looks like it'll be a new head, piston, valves and some of the supporting bits (rings, valve seals, gaskets etc).
The cylinder jug looks OK, so looks like it'll be a new head, piston, valves and some of the supporting bits (rings, valve seals, gaskets etc).
October 30, 2021
The TU250X top end rebuild is complete after weeks of terrible weather. Without a garage I do all the work outside in my shed or in the yard other than some bench work in my small shop storage area.
The parts arrived from WeBike Japan in about 2 weeks vs 2 months the dealer estimated. With no broker fee, and no tariffs/duty, I was only charged Provincial and Canadian Federal taxes on delivery. I saved about $400 including FedEx shipping vs the dealer quote.
The TU250X top end rebuild is complete after weeks of terrible weather. Without a garage I do all the work outside in my shed or in the yard other than some bench work in my small shop storage area.
The parts arrived from WeBike Japan in about 2 weeks vs 2 months the dealer estimated. With no broker fee, and no tariffs/duty, I was only charged Provincial and Canadian Federal taxes on delivery. I saved about $400 including FedEx shipping vs the dealer quote.
- 2 x O RING 09280-30001-000
- 2 x CAP, INSPECTION 11175-18920-000
- 1 x PISTON 12111-26G00-0F0
- 1 x VALVE 12911-26G00-000
- 1 x VALVE 12912-26G00-000
- 1 x HEAD ASSY, CYLINDER 11100-26G02-000
- 2 x OIL SEAL (5 x 11 x 8.2) 09289-05015-000
- 1 x RING SET 12140-49280-000
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Cylinder head bits transferred from old head to new, valves installed, and the new piston and rings are looking good! A keeper for one of the valves shot across the table and bounced off the wall when I was compressing the springs...almost lost the bugger. That would have sucked!
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The cylinder jug slipped over the piston nice and easily.
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I'm always paranoid about dropping the cam chain into the case, so am always relieved to get the cam chain and cam installed without that nightmare occurring!
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Adjusting the valves is always a bit of a pain, it's a pretty cramped space to work in even with the tank and some hoses moved out of the way. Finally all the frame mounts, exhaust and various connectors and hoses are reattached. Beauty! The TU250X is back in action!
February 2, 2022
Saying so long to my 2013 TU250X.
This was a hard decision to make. I got the TUX in 2017, and have taken it on so many great rides and visited fantastic places around Vancouver Island. I have since acquired additional bikes and the last few years the TUX has seen very few days outside the shed. It's such a great bike to ride, it really needs someone who'll stretch it's legs out more than I will.
So I'm trimming down the herd by a couple bikes and thinking about my next adventure, it's time to try something different. The good news is the TUX has been sold to a new rider who has their MC course lined up for the spring, so the mighty TUX will ride again. I'm sure it will bring her all the fun and excitement that I had when I first got this superb Suzuki TU250X and made it my own.
Saying so long to my 2013 TU250X.
This was a hard decision to make. I got the TUX in 2017, and have taken it on so many great rides and visited fantastic places around Vancouver Island. I have since acquired additional bikes and the last few years the TUX has seen very few days outside the shed. It's such a great bike to ride, it really needs someone who'll stretch it's legs out more than I will.
So I'm trimming down the herd by a couple bikes and thinking about my next adventure, it's time to try something different. The good news is the TUX has been sold to a new rider who has their MC course lined up for the spring, so the mighty TUX will ride again. I'm sure it will bring her all the fun and excitement that I had when I first got this superb Suzuki TU250X and made it my own.