Pure delight, with an 1992 XT225

Ash

Oh Yes....
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I wanted a super lightweight bike to go on the back of my Ford Transit, with my Dave Cooper bike rack.
So I didn't have to use my Motolug trailer.

It needed to be a tall bike, because of my pinned legs.

So I bought an XT 125, cracking bike but just not enough power..

After much research I narrowed it down to a Beta Alp 200, serow 225 or Serow 250.

The Beta Alp is a good bike but a tiny fuel tank 6 ltr. And no luck with finding a larger one.

The XT 250 is too heavy at 123KG dry weight.


So the XT225 it was then. 108KG dry weight.
Trouble is there rare and darn expensive, especially given there age..

So I asked on here & got a non runner for way under 1/2 the price of any others that were for sale in the UK at the time.
August 2021.

It had ran a few years earlier, but was a nightmare to start.
Only 37k miles & generally scruffy..
( still is , but won't be ) ;)

My riding buddy is a fantastic mechanic & said he wasn't worried about it not running.
So I bought it 16 August 2021..

Delivered it to him the next morning and as I was packing away my Motolug trailer I could hear his pressure washing going.
I look around his hedge, he'd stripped the plastics off & was washing my bike..feck I thought...:eek:

But he said as he was going to go through everything not to worry.... ;)
That was at 13:28pm.
At 14.59pm he had it running, perfectly.
Starting everytime.
The carberation was way out & the carburetor was full of cack.

First start up - https://youtu.be/YBJLN0rvuY0

I had it MOT'd on the Wednesday ( passed )..:)


We had a tour of Scotland booked for the 3rd of September 2021 and I was hoping to use it then..
Rather than the XT125X

Nothing like cutting it fine...:blast


As it was going to be purely a road bike, new Avon trailrider tyres were ordered.
When I took the wheels off i noticed it had a heavy a duty chain on it.
Totally over the top & the front sprocket was far to big & grinding on the gearbox casing..' fuck '.
:blast.

So I ordered the correct chain size 428 pitch & 45 total rear sprocket, 17 tooth front sprocket +2.

( it had 42t / 15t on it ) Super low geared. :tears

Which had made it a much better road bike.

B4 I changed the chain & sprockets 45 / 50 MPH was absolute flat out.
Now it will Cruise at 60+ & downhill 75 MPH.
Fitted some 1150GS bar risers..
new cables.
Oil & filter.
Group puppies
Disc pads & brake shoes.
Battery.
Spark plug.
Coil.
Rectifier.
Used handguards.
Denali LED spots. ( standard headlight, kin awful )
A screen I had on my Guzzi 1000 Strada.
Clarke 4.1 US Gallon gas tank.
And a homemade rear top box rack..
Used DELKEVIC exhaust system ( £50 eBay ).

Made to Scotland, it was a pleasure to ride & have covered over 1500 miles through this winter, first time I've ridden through a winter in years.
I certainly would not use my shiny new KTM 390ADV with salt on the road or through the winter for that matter as I just can't clean it everytime I use a bike in winter.
But the Serow is as tuff as old boots..


JB & BHT recommended to let the bike run out of fuel everytime by turning the fuel tap off.
I didn't at first but soon learnt their advice was spot on after a couple of non starts...
Fanks guys :bow

All in all it's turned out to be a cracking wee bike.
More than fit for purpose.
And by changing the fuel tank & exhaust system I've shed 6KG off its base weight..
I pump out the fuel tank everytime I put it on the bike rack, so it's sub 100KG on the nose weight of my Transit.
 

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a great outfit you got there Ash , camper comfort and bike freedom .looks to be another wise buy and in decent nick .I had the ttr250 raid great bike still very light at 120kg but heavier than yours .
I have Atts old camper with a little SH125 scooter and I love it. the scooter is brilliant for popping to shops , sight seeing etc. also have an xcountry that will be deployed for more demanding duties :D Att took his drz to Portugal with it so hoping the 650 x will be ok as very similar weight. its all guesswork though as I don't know the rack model.

:beerjug:
 
I found the seat uncomfortable on one I used for a bit.

Have you seen this http://www.davidlambeth.co.uk/l-wam/

I use an Airhawk seat cushion..
1 to get me higher - seat to footrest for my busted limbs..
2 I also have a part metal pelvis, so need the cushion effect..
Amongst a load more limb problems.. :tears

Nice link ..Cheers for that..
 
a great outfit you got there Ash , camper comfort and bike freedom .looks to be another wise buy and in decent nick .I had the ttr250 raid great bike still very light at 120kg but heavier than yours .
I have Atts old camper with a little SH125 scooter and I love it. the scooter is brilliant for popping to shops , sight seeing etc. also have an xcountry that will be deployed for more demanding duties :D Att took his drz to Portugal with it so hoping the 650 x will be ok as very similar weight. its all guesswork though as I don't know the rack model.

:beerjug:

Cracking Hymer you've got.. :drool

I looked at scooter, but I can't do feet/leg forward bit, as I need have as much leg room as possible.
I have a nose weight limit of 112 KG on my Transit , so anything heavier couldn't go on the back.
Your Hymer will be much more .
I've still got the Motolug if I need to tow with the KTM, but the serow will do 90% of what the KTM 390ADV will do.
:thumb2

Roll on summer..:beerjug:
 
My mechanic / riding mate was so impressed with my Serow.
He part exchanged his KTM 200 Duke for one..
So we are twinies now..:D
 

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How does a disabled person get his 100KG bike onto his Dave Cooper bike rack..
Well he gets his mate to fabricate a bike lift.
No ramp needed.

Simple tiny 250KG chain winch..

This is the Mk one version..
The Mk one version was just the 2 bolt fixing & lift off from the left.
And I had a snapped bolt..
Piccy 4
 

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This is the Mk 2 version.
That lifts from the centre, straight up.
Rather than an angle of the MK one.
And the new black upright is taller too..

2 minutes on or off & fits in the van when out riding.

So great for wild camping..

The Mk 2 version 4 bolt fixing & separate lift pole center mount..
Piccy 2.
So the lift part is completely separate from the bike rack & bolts directly to the towbar flange now.

I spent 30+ yrs as heavy crane operator / heavy plant HGV driver, so knew I could get a lift to do it..

He who dares, wins..:D
 

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EDIT..

37K kilometres not 37k miles..:blast

I'm as daft as a brush..:loopy
 
Nice one Ash :thumb
The Serow is a great little bike, should give you lots of happy miles
 
Nice one Ash combining getting away from home in reasonable comfort along with your favourite pastime

The riding motorcycles one Not the rebuilding and polishing Guzzis :aidan
 
This is the converted Dave Cooper bike rack..
 

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Nice one Ash.

This may be of interest to you regarding your seat.

With Ange's TTR 250 I had a spare KTM seat with a gel insert.
I got a spare ttr base and set about cutting the foam to fit but left the top alone to preserve the shape. Then simply stapled the cover down.

She says it's all day comfortable.
So butt pads etc etc are all very well but if you come across a cheap for example Seat Concepts that's for another bike remember it's simple enough to make one fit your Serrow. :)
 

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Fanks for that Tim...
I tend to stick with the Airhawk ( I have 4 Neoprene )
As it has the added extra bonus of lifting my body, that way I get 2" from seat to footrest.
So keeping my legs as straight as possible
But definitely something to consider with the KTM 390ADV..
As I've got spare seat base 4 that..
 
Fanks for that Tim...
I tend to stick with the Airhawk ( I have 4 Neoprene )
As it has the added extra bonus of lifting my body, that way I get 2" from seat to footrest.
So keeping my legs as straight as possible
But definitely something to consider with the KTM 390ADV..
As I've got spare seat base 4 that..

Yes Ash, I understand and it's not easy to lower the footrests on them either.
 


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