OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Bike Talk => Topic started by: Nathan S on May 05, 2008, 10:52:12 pm

Title: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Nathan S on May 05, 2008, 10:52:12 pm
I usually hate it when people ask this sort of question, but my brain hurts.

I have both a 250A and a 400C sitting here. Both are matching numbers bikes, with unmolested frames, and no obvious catastrophes.

But there's only one lot of road gear, only one decent seat base, etc. So I can build one into a decent resto that will go onto club rego, while the other will still be a rideable bike, but will be a roughy.

If you were in my position, which one would you focus on, and why?

The 400 is currently more complete, and logically is the one to choose.
But my heart is with the 250 (not that I have any particular emotional attachment to either of these bikes).







Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: jimson on May 05, 2008, 10:58:58 pm
Nathan the 250 will be cheap rego if it was me I would keep the 400 for the dirt but I'm a poooooor bastard  ;D jimson
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: cyclegod on May 05, 2008, 11:05:30 pm
Do the 400, I had one for commuting for a while and it was a hoot...
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: mx250 on May 05, 2008, 11:11:18 pm
If ya gonna resto decide if are you gonna satisfy your self (either to ride or to look at or just for satisfaction) or to satisfy others (club concourse etc). And then decide which bike fills the need.

Other than that restore the oldest and/or rarest, or the one you can make the most original.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Nathan S on May 05, 2008, 11:30:15 pm
Which bike I do, it'll be a rider - not a bush bike nor a VMXer, just something that I can take to the shops occasionally, use at CD6 as a pit bike*, etc. Probably the hardest dirt riding it'll see would be fire trails.

I reckon I can get either bike to a similar standard - it won't be a nut and bolt resto, but pretty good.

Which is best? I guess the 400's extra grunt would be nice on the road???
Which is rarest? I've got no idea on this one...




*Damn that Mark Austin and his RT2 for putting ideas into my head! :)
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Freakshow on May 05, 2008, 11:47:29 pm
250 - we all got parts to help you finish it.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Quicksilver on May 06, 2008, 09:16:47 am
Go the 250. better looking bike in my opinion, easy ride to putt down to the shops. More people will ID with it as a vintage bike then the 400. Greater topic of interest to the common man. You'll talk bikes more often as people ask you questions all recall owning one in the passed. Cheaper rego is a real bonus too.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: yzhilly on May 06, 2008, 09:19:26 am
Nathan there is no substitute for CC's go big. Everyman and his dog have got a 250.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Tex on May 06, 2008, 09:26:02 am
Quote
Cheaper rego is a real bonus too.

With 250 stickers etc on, would the 400 pass as a 250? Not that I am encouraging any illegal activity, oh dear me no.

A bloke I went to uni with had an RD250, that was actually a 400.

Tex
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: jimg1au on May 06, 2008, 01:23:30 pm
tex
the 250 rd and 350 rd barrells are interchangeable.every one dose it to get the chep rego and insurance
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Quicksilver on May 06, 2008, 02:24:15 pm
Not to mention the legal shit hole you'd be if involved in a prang, you'd get arse sued off for rest of life and prolly do a stint in the can.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: vmxrider on May 07, 2008, 09:27:07 pm
Go with the one with the cheaper on road costs. Not sure how club rego and insurance works with capacity (ie over 300cc) and what freedom you have as far as riding on the street. Maybe someone who has experience with club rego could shed some light.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Freakshow on May 12, 2008, 11:19:29 am
I got DT250 road gear if your interested .... cheap
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Graeme M on May 12, 2008, 09:35:39 pm
400C... that's the yellow tanker isn't it? I had one for a while, great fun on the street and fabulous on the fireroads. It's a pig in anything harder than that but ya gotta love that jerky pong-pong way it runs, the fantastic mid range, that big radial finned head and the sheer inertia of the thing. The 250 is also a barge but it's pretty gutless. Rego the 400, gear it down so it doesn't stall everywhere and rip it up. And make sure you use some nice big wide period type bars!!
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: vandy010 on May 13, 2008, 11:31:35 am
if it's a puttin down to the shops you'd like to go, then it sounds like there could be a bit of kickstartin to be done. in that case, go the 250. if it were me, i'd put the 400 on the road and the 250 on the track in pre75.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: BETRIC on May 14, 2008, 06:58:56 am
I WOULD  RESTO THE DT250A
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: mx250 on May 14, 2008, 08:01:09 am
Hey Nat, are you any the wiser yet? :P

Glad you asked the question? ;D

How many for the 250, how many for the 400? Who gave the strong reasons for or against? Ah shit, go and have a beer and play 'spin the bottle' with the empty  ;D.
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: yzhilly on May 14, 2008, 09:57:28 am
I think we should poll it .
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on May 14, 2008, 03:25:03 pm
be a man - go big - size does matter!!!!!! :o

Rossco
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: Mark Austin on May 16, 2008, 09:58:37 pm
Nathan,

Ya gotta go the 400 route I reckon. More cubes = better  ;)

Club rego works for bikes over 30 years old. $80 registration and greenslip, and $80 full comprehensive insurance form NRMA (this is for my Guzzi).

There are a few restrictions - should be on a club run, and "testing runs" 10 - 15 km from your house,  but mostly the conditions are not well policed.

Cheers,
Mark

PS The mighty RT2 was a lot of fun putting around at CD5 - and covered in mud, it at least gave it some cred in inner city Sydney !!!
Title: Re: DT250A or DT400C - which one to resto?
Post by: BJJ on May 16, 2008, 10:05:52 pm
I had a mint 250,  which I trail rode for a few months when I returned from europe.  NIce,  chuck it on the trailer and do whatever.  Good paint,  solid.  That was 15 years ago.  If I had the same bike now I would put a blanket over it.  Never remember seeing any 400C  in South Island (NZ).  My money is on the 400 man,,,,,,,,,,,,,  or PM me,  I might buy it from you.