Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126902
f:j For a lighter pull move the clutch arm forward one spline from stock. Quick tips: Suzuki RM2S0G To be competitive, the new Suzuki RM250 needs a few hours in the garage and a few bucks invested. Most of the work is simple and the end result is rewarding. First of all, the hard-pull clutch can be cured with four easy modifications. The clutch arm must be properly aligned on the aClUating rod, by moving the arm forward one spline on the rod. That causes too much slack in the cable, but the slack can be adjusted out on the cable itself. Make sure there is no sudden bend in the cable as it runs near theexhau t pipe, because a bend can cause the inner cable to bind. After thoroughly lubing the cable and greasing the cable ball end, the pull should be 50% lighter. A longer actuating lever would help even more; we also replaced the stock handlebar lever with a more-comfortable Honda CR lever a embly. The Suzuki's front forks work best with heavier, 15w oil, with the fork oil level set 125-130mm below the top of the fork tube when fully compressed (minus springs). Other useful modifications include increasing preload 5mm with pacers cut out of PVC pipe, adjusting the compression damping .,valve (located at the bollom of the fork tubes) by turning the adjuster all the way in (clockwise), then backing two clicks out. With those changes, the forks become more sensitive to the smaller bumps and don't dive radically under hard braking. TheSuzuki's Kayaba shock takes a long time to break in, and adjustments shouldn't be made until after at least three to four hours riding time. Then, the preload adjustment can be set at 85-90mm of sag; measure the distance from the rear axle to the seat bolt on either side with the rear wheel off the ground. Then sit on the bike and have someone measure the same distance. The difference should be 85-90mm. Reduce compression damping by backing the adjustment knob on the shock reservoir all the way out, then go back in two-to-four clicks. Also reduce rebound damping by a couple of clicks from stock. If it all possible, it'sa good idea to change shock oil at this time. With the stiffer front end and softer rear, the uzuki's suspension is much beller, especially when braking. The harsh kicking vanishes and the front end no longer shakes over rough stuff. We jelled our Suzuki (near sealevel) slightly leaner than stock, dropping the main jet from #300 to #290, and the pilot jet from #50 to #45. A Q-8 needle should be used with theclipsetin the center. This cleaned up the Suzuki's overall performance throughout the range. An aftermarket filter element also helped. TO N THE UG EST RACE o WHEELS, EDDIE LAWSON KED ON MICHELIN. The Daytona 200 is without a doubt the most brutal of all road races. Its tortuous banked curvesalong with the sheer speeds, duration and loads involved-create the kind of heat and stress that can make mincemeat out of tires. So when Eddie Lawson came into town, he came on Michelins. (For that matter, so did over half of the rest of the riders who qualified for this year's 200.) The result: an impressive win for Eddie, with a new track record to boot: 106.030 mph. Michelin riders also swept all three fa .~ classes of the Battle of the Twins. Including Marco Luchinelli winning theGrand Prix division. Being part of the winning team always means a lot to us. And now it can to you, too. Because this track-proven technology is engineered into our non-D.Or. Road Racing tires as well as our Hi-Sport Production Racing tires (available at dealers nationwide). So you can start doing to your competition what Eddie Lawson does to his. MIOIELlW r=::>\ IIECAllSE 50 MUOII5I11DNi ONlOUImES: MICHELIN ROAD RACING TIRES ARE AVAILABtE EXCLUSIVElY THROUGH THESE DISTRIBUTORS, Motoroce, P.O. Box 861 Wilbraham, MA 01095 (1-800-628-4040),(413-734.6211) Walt S. Schaeffer Cycle, Rt. 3, Box 14BA Altoona, AL 35952 (205-538-5906) • •• International Cycle Race Tire, 1865 Redondo Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90804 (213-597-0339) if it's Brakes you need EBC has the answer! M249 SUPERSTREEr PADS EBC's new M249 GG high friction disc pads improve your stopping power. Ideal for GSXR. Ninja. Interceptor or Gold WinglVenture. $15 to $20. set. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BRAKES METALLIC PADS GROOVED SHOES Sintered metal, long lasting "R" Series pads for Quads, Dirt Bikes and ATVs. 'Guaranteed Wet Performance. 'Full refund if not totally satisfied with wear and performance of this product. $19 per set. Soft linings with heavy grooves repel water and mud. Uprate drum brake performance 20 percent on Dirt Bikes and ATVs with reduced drum wear. AtweYI inspect pede. diace before riding. Replace ~. $7 to $15 per set" every two yur. or When lining 1hickne•• i. below 'AI Inch. K..p oil• • g_.. IWoy from bnlkH. Hy-Tech Motorcycle Components. 12860 Bradley Ave .• Sylmar. CA 91342 (818) 362-5534 17