YZ426-finally

[AK ZREX]

Many moons ago I posted about buying a YZ450 from my father-in-law for $700. My wife and I kept planning on a trip to Juneau to pick up the bike and an antique desk her grandma was giving her, but the trip kept getting put off for one reason or another. Finally I had it shipped to Anchorage and had a friend picked it up and hold it for me, and picked it up during a fishing expedition to Kenai.

It turns out that the bike isn't a 450, it's a 426, and it's been beat to dog snot. It runs, but it needs a LOT of TLC. Loose bolts on the clutch cover, loose bolts on the rear sprocket, a nasty wiring system etc. The carb definately needs cleaning. It also lived in SE Alaska, a temperate rain forest, and there is the rust I should have expected.

I've tightened up what I can for now, pulled the nasty metal mulisha graphics off. I hope to rebuild the bike this winter.

On the bright side, even as it sits it's a kick to ride, and there's a trail behind my house. I've forgotten how physically demanding dirt bike riding is...or maybe I'm just not in as good of shape as I thought I was.

It was still a fair deal, just not a smoking deal.

[benhurmx]

Nice bike, for 700$ i would say you still have a good deal and you lucky to have these trails close by.

[hydrashoks]

hes in Alaska. That's Main St. 500mi down is the stoplight.


*nice bike man.

[AK ZREX]

The area I'm riding is a good place to knock some of my dirt riding rust off, but I'll outgrow it soon. I'm hoping to do some more serious riding next year.

.

[John T]

Gonna stud the tires?

a little birdy told me you're gonna need a sleigh for turkey day.....

[AK ZREX]

Gonna stud the tires?

a little birdy told me you're gonna need a sleigh for turkey day.....

Last Turkey Day our high was 26 below...

This would be cool;

.

[JBoz]

Man, I still miss my '00 426. Shouldn't have gotten rid of it.

How's starting it working out? Man, that was tough until I finally figured it out. I don't think I ever got it started below 50 degrees, don't know how well a snow conversion would work.

[AK ZREX]

Starting; I wish it had a side stand, or I was 4" taller. I got the starting drill down pretty quickly if the bike is leaning on something solid, and I can get my weight up on the kick-starter.

I told my friend who picked it up for me he could ride it for a couple of days until I picked it up. He insisted on two full throttle twists as part of the starting drill, and was consistantly flooding it, and he never got to ride it. I tried it without any throttle, and it starts on the 2nd or 3rd kick. I told him to come on up to Fairbanks, and I'ld let him ride it

As for the snow conversion, even if it runs well in the cold, I can picture it being a living hell trying to keep it upright to kick start in powder snow.

[AK ZREX]

BTW, we tried to push start it on a hill. Even though it was on pavement, the tire couldn't overcome the high compression and the rear tire just skidded. If we had more time and energy we could have tried it again and used the compression release, but I had to get on the road.

I bet my stubborn buddy's right leg is now bigger than his left.

[JBoz]

BTW, we tried to push start it on a hill. Even though it was on pavement, the tire couldn't overcome the high compression and the rear tire just skidded. If we had more time and energy we could have tried it again and used the compression release, but I had to get on the road.

I bet my stubborn buddy's right leg is now bigger than his left.

Man, I bought mine brandy new in 2000. Very 1st ride I went hills & woods riding w/ some friends. Found out very quickly that a MX bike ain't a trail bike. I must have stalled that sucker 100 times that day and left arm was pumped all day 'cuz it couldn't go slow enough in the woods, had to slip the clutch all day. And with no fly wheel weight, lug it just a tetch and it stalls.

Was a great bike for MXing. Just think about lofting the front wheel and it did. Would amaze me that when the engine sounded out of breath and you knew ya had to shift it'd sing another song and lift the front wheel.

Be careful when you jump it, don't know how much 4 stroke MXing you've done. You can't ride it off a jump like a 2 stroke - you got to drive it, be under some acceleration. And what ever you do, DO NOT chicken out and roll the throttle off! It'l pitch the front wheel down so far you'll have to panic rev yer axe off to save it.

Oh, yeah - do not pump gas into the carb w/ the throttle! 1st year I had it starting was a be-otch. But I needed the tranny rebuilt after the 1st summer - a known defect that Yamaha refused to acknowledge - so my ace mechanic did piston & rings too. For what ever reason, it was much easier to start afterwards & I never had a lick of trouble with it. Heck, I never changed the plug in it.

How to kick start a 426:

Somehow get leverage on the kicker. Left foot on bike stand, up hill, on rock, etc... Slowly kick down w/ decompress pulled in until you feel a little click thru the decompress lever. Release lever & bring kick back to top. Close eyes and focus 100% of your mind & weight on your right leg. When everything's at 100% and the moon & stars are perfectly aligned, KICK. Repeat as necessary.

[AK ZREX]

Even though it's not running right is pretty quick. I'm dying to ride it with the carb cleaned up, but I'm up to my butt getting ready for winter.

I haven't tried to jump it yet, I'm trying to sneak up it, sort of like I did when I got off of a KLR 250 and climbed on the ZRX...there is a paradigm shift I have to work through before I wick it up.

An enduro would be better for the type of riding I plan to do. There is a motocross track here, but I'm along way from being ready to race.

[NitroRoo]

Very cool - since it runs I'd say you got a pretty good deal. The 400 and 426 YZ's were definitely a PITA to start. JBOZ has it right though, you have to get the engine as close to TDC as possible, then give it a swift kick and it'll come alive. They are tough bikes and will sustain a lot of abuse - but they definitely like moving fast - not built for the slow, tight stuff.

[JBoz]

Even though it's not running right is pretty quick. I'm dying to ride it with the carb cleaned up, but I'm up to my butt getting ready for winter.

I haven't tried to jump it yet, I'm trying to sneak up it, sort of like I did when I got off of a KLR 250 and climbed on the ZRX...there is a paradigm shift I have to work through before I wick it up.

An enduro would be better for the type of riding I plan to do. There is a motocross track here, but I'm along way from being ready to race.

Good - start slow & small w/ jumps. That pic of me was my practice jump in my back yard - had 3 different 1 track launches. Seriously tho, when you get to jumping, unless you want to brown your shorts, drive off under power. Not throttle pinned, but positive acceleration off the face.

Check what sprockets you're running, MX are gear way high. I think I went up 3 on my rear right off the bat (after the woods ride). Still didn't help trail riding, dang fly wheel weight. I think you can replace w/ a WR fly wheel, not sure tho.

[JBoz]

Oh - and if it has the stock header (looking at your pics & kicking myself) you've got to pull it (maybe loosen it) to get the dang oil filter out. After 1st oil change I went w/ a FMF head pipe that was j-u-s-t high enough to get the filter out.

Yeah, I miss that bike. And the weight & age I was...

[NitroRoo]

You can add flywheel weights. Larger radiators can really help in the woods too, but that's probably more coin than you care to put into the bike. It'd just make sure all the suspension is sorted and get it running right - then ride the snot out of it!

Staying in the throttle up the jump, and landing on the throttle are both good habits

weeee....


man I miss that bike...

[AK ZREX]

You can add flywheel weights. Larger radiators can really help in the woods too, but that's probably more coin than you care to put into the bike. It'd just make sure all the suspension is sorted and get it running right - then ride the snot out of it!

Staying in the throttle up the jump, and landing on the throttle are both good habits

weeee....


man I miss that bike...

Nice air

[Johnny2bad]

Glad I found this thread.

Been shopping for a newer ice/trail bike and found a clean '01.

Sold my '83 XL600R because of the hard starting issues, this one doesn't sound much better.

Dang, I was getting excited.

[AK ZREX]

Glad I found this thread.

Been shopping for a newer ice/trail bike and found a clean '01...

Just out of curiosity, what were they asking for the bike?

[Johnny2bad]

Just out of curiosity, what were they asking for the bike?

Prolly going to look at it......... too nice to pass up.

Has aftermarket rims, is otherwise stock.

Current owner has had it for 5 years and ridden it twice. Too many bikes and works too much.

From the overall condition and paint wear on the frame it looks like fairly low hours.

Asking 1285. There is another buyer waffling on it and we are in a holding pattern.

Gonna push him and try to get it for a K.

[AK ZREX]

Very nice. I wish my bike was as nice. In that condition it would be a $2500-$2800 bike in this part of the country.

[Johnny2bad]

The ones I see in that price range have the snot modded outta them.

He started @ 1500 I believe. I see others asking more but they sit for sale. ~800 is the low end.

Do you ride in the winter? I wonder about the cold starts.

A buddy has a good exhaust cam from an '03 YZ450F, it has the same lobes but with the built in auto-decompress and will swap straight into this bike.

Found an '86 KX500 too...yikes.

[AK ZREX]

The ones I see in that price range have the snot modded outta them.

He started @ 1500 I believe. I see others asking more but they sit for sale. ~800 is the low end.

Do you ride in the winter? I wonder about the cold starts.

A buddy has a good exhaust cam from an '03 YZ450F, it has the same lobes but with the built in auto-decompress and will swap straight into this bike.

Found an '86 KX500 too...yikes.

Once it dropped below 40 degrees I couldn't get the bike to start, but it wasn't running right before then. The carb desperately needs cleaning or rebuild, which I will do this winter. I expect that the ignition system could use some love too. Once I work on it I'll run it around a little bit, but I doubt I will be able to do the cam swap this winter.

IOW, as my bike sits, it's not a good representative of the YZ426.

[Johnny2bad]

Seller stated he was also having starting and running issues (prolly from sitting IMO)......replaced the jets, cleaned house and no more problems.

Getting closer to a synch in our schedules to go look at it.

I remembered the name of the rims, it has Excel's on it.

[Brian129]

Seller stated he was also having starting and running issues (prolly from sitting IMO)......replaced the jets, cleaned house and no more problems.

Getting closer to a synch in our schedules to go look at it.

I remembered the name of the rims, it has Excel's on it.

are you sure that's aftermarket? I think it might have come with a set of some sort of Excel's I seem to remember that was what I had on mine. Though mine was a BEAT TURD!!! it was still nasty fast,

I sold it for $1100 2 years ago though, so i guess for being beat that wasn't bad.
They are all a pig to start, but the YZ450 cam will make a big help!!! I figured it out and it wasn't bad, had a few friends ask to borrow it to go riiding. I didn't really care so I said you can take it if you can start it; it never left.

[Johnny2bad]

are you sure that's aftermarket?
I think it might have come with a set of some sort of Excel's I seem to remember that was what I had on mine.

Going on what the owner said.

You may be right, talked to a guy yesterday that's way smarter than me on these things and he said the same....they came with Excels.

Cam swap sounds pretty easy. Gonna √ it out on Sunday.

[Johnny2bad]

I own it.

And my right foot hurts a little bit.....

[AK ZREX]

I own it.

And my right foot hurts a little bit.....

How'd the negotiating go? Did you get it started?

My friend said his foot hurt and his right leg was going to be bigger than his left.

[Johnny2bad]

How'd the negotiating go? Did you get it started?

My friend said his foot hurt and his right leg was going to be bigger than his left.

Things went well.

Seller was a nice guy with too many bikes, wife issues, great sense of humor and 8 fingers. Main road ride was a Beemer.

Starting wasn't that bad, it was keeping it running that was a challenge.

Temp was ~32˚ that morning and the dang thing would just light and quit.

Finally kept it going with some fancy throttle work. Ran better as it warmed but had a "funny" off idle feel.

I think the pilot jet still needs some cleaning, a mechanic-tuner buddy said he had to go 2 up on his pj they are that cold blooded.

Got it for 1100 bux. Came with an axle stand and a shop manual. PO said there's some other bits that may also show up.

Bike shows some wear with a few minor white tell-tales on the plastics but for an 11 year old mx'er it's a cream puff.

Good knobbies with newer chain and sprockets.

The YZ450 exh cam is in the works and also found a nice set of barely used studded tires w/covers and a shortened rear shock I may install for the ice.

This is the nicest/newest ice-dirt bike I've ever owned, very plush suspension. Wish I was younger....

[AK ZREX]

Things went well.

Seller was a nice guy with too many bikes, wife issues, great sense of humor and 8 fingers. Main road ride was a Beemer.

Starting wasn't that bad, it was keeping it running that was a challenge.

Temp was ~32˚ that morning and the dang thing would just light and quit.

Finally kept it going with some fancy throttle work. Ran better as it warmed but had a "funny" off idle feel.

I think the pilot jet still needs some cleaning, a mechanic-tuner buddy said he had to go 2 up on his pj they are that cold blooded.

Got it for 1100 bux. Came with an axle stand and a shop manual. PO said there's some other bits that may also show up.

Bike shows some wear with a few minor white tell-tales on the plastics but for an 11 year old mx'er it's a cream puff.

Good knobbies with newer chain and sprockets.

The YZ450 exh cam is in the works and also found a nice set of barely used studded tires w/covers and a shortened rear shock I may install for the ice.

This is the nicest/newest ice-dirt bike I've ever owned, very plush suspension.

Sounds like you got a great deal, and it's always nice to do a transaction with good people.

Wish I was younger....

I know exactly what you are talking about...I'll be 47 in December. Sometimes the YZ makes me feel like a 17yo, sometimes it makes me feel my age.

[Johnny2bad]

Well, I may as well do this here.....

Mike, if you decide to keep your 426 you HAVE to put the 450 exhaust cam in, makes it a whole different bike.

Got it home today after a buddy installed the cam and it's 25˚F out. Rolled off the trailer and figgered WTF I'll give 'er a try.

Fuel on, choke on, no manual compression release, six stabs at the throttle, close my eyes and giver a kick..... it started on the first go with about the same effort as a big 2 stroke. I was like...

Now, it still took 3 more attempts to keep it running but that's 'cuz it's cold blooded and I should be able to tune that out of it.

She still re-lit on the 1st or 2nd kick and I wasn't huffin' and puffin' when it did decide it was time to keep running.

I'm still in awe.

Found a set of new Pirelli's all studded up with some good ice screws on Excel rims with covers.

All I have left is to re-gear, add a few doo dads and then I'll be ready to go make sno cones.