Medusa Cycles Forum

Ok, so it's no powerhouse. This is a 02 Yamah XV 250. The stock model is rated at about 23 HP. It accelerates as good as my 350 Chevy pickup. Neither are going to win a straight race but I merge into highway traffic just fine. I've had it up to about 90mph and it sustains 75mph without a whimper. With a 2.5 gallon tank and currently 74 mpg (down from 80 mpg stock) I can't complain about the range or operating cost. I'm not content with it but I'm not disappointed either. At least I'm riding.

When I met Medusa Mike I asked him if he had any suggestions on how to increase the power.

"Pick up the gas cap and drive a 650 under it."

Haha, Thanks Mike.

As much as I'd like to, it ain't in the budget yet.



My wife and I were supposed to get two XV250s (before we fell into mortgage hell). I got mine first. At a mere 300 lbs each I could have hung both of them from the hitch on the RV so we'd have transportation when we went drive-about. Well, she bailed on wanting a bike and the ol' RV hasn't moved since we bought the house, so now 3 years later (and bit more seasoned) I decided I wanted something different...but there is that budget thing. It seems every time I get a few extra bucks something breaks and the repairs suck it all up.

So this is my project bike now. I see it as a good thing. I have under $100 in the mods so far and I'm learning what I want (and don't want) without breaking the bank. Mikes been good even though I think he secretly thinks its' a waist of effort.

I'll see if the effort was a waste when I sell it. In the mean time I'm having a blast cutting and welding. It's keeping me busy (retired-handicapped) and that's worth the small change and the effort right there. I have a few power mods to try yet and I hope to make my custom seat (the one in the picture is a temporary made from the buddy seat) and bobber fender, and foot-forward the controls this week.

It won't be my last bike but I like it ok for now.

My final test will be if I can still paint (it's been nearly 30 years).

May you all get to ride regular.

JJ

I have completed the pan for my new seat. It turned out well.

first I masked the bike and taped over the hollows so the fiberglas would follow the contour.



Next was to fiberglass it.



I pulled it from the bike...um...and realized I forgot to wax the aluminum foil.



But we don't let the little things bug us. I roughcut it out and was ready to shape and reinforce it.



It was few days later that I had the pan finished and was ready to make the brace. I designed it to clip on the back and secure with one bolt on the front.



This perfect fit didn't come easy. There was a lot of pounding and grinding and welding and sanding and, yeah, a bit of swearing. But in the end I couldn't have been happier with the fit.



I'm hoping to have the uphulstery done tomorrow. It has been about 20 years since I uphulstered anything...and never a motorcycle seat. So if you don't hear from me it didn't go so well.

The upholstery didn't go quite as good as I'd liked. I failed to use enough padding. Not that it is uncomfortable. It is better than that block I was sitting on...it just looks...anemic.



I had hoped it would be a little more professional in appearance. But then it is my first time, (blush). It was designed to wrap the fender. When I finish making the fender and recover the seat maybe I'll have it closer to the image in mind.

The strap is from the old buddy seat...It makes not quite so generic.

It is a learning experience.

I hadn't planned on keeping this cover for long. The contour of the seat really begs for a stitched form fitting cover. Diamond would be nice, with beading. Although I found an easy short cut is to pick up a stylish office chair at Goodwill for a few bucks and use the prestitched cover from that. If I find one in diamond pleating I'll give it a go.

In the mean time I can sit on it.

That's a cool lookin' little run-about! I like it!

Thanks! Here is the latest. Fork is now 2 inches over factory. Swing arm is 1 inch over factory, I added 2 inches to the vertical frame. The foot pegs are 6 inches forward. I made another new seat which is 7 inches lower than factory. The little short rear fender is twice as short as I planned but once I got to playing with it I liked this better.

I made a windshield...I don't really care for a windshield but this little bike needs the streamlining if it is going to top 100mph (one of the goals). All in all I reduced about 17 inches of wind against the rider. The test ride was awesome. It was a new bike this last time out.

Paint won't be before next spring. But I'm not sure how I want to paint it anyway. I can do simple custom stuff, and I'm good with stencils. I guess it will come out how it wants. Everything else has. This is way beyond my initial plan.

Fender was too short. It kept sucking up my shirt tail. Live and learn. It was an easy fix.