The official XT225 thread!

Just picked these up yesterday. 2001's, less than 500 miles but haven't run in a few years. I am looking for a few stock parts.... 1 rear turn signal, complete speedo cluster, possibly gas tanks as they are severly rusted inside so not sure if I'm better off replacing them if I can find cheap enough. Also need right side battery cover. If anyone would be interested in buying these 2.... let me know.. not sure if I'm going to repair or sell...depends on parts... if anyone can tell me a good place to get parts for these, it would be greatly appreciated.

Ebay is great for xt parts. Replace the tanks withplastic tanks from Clarke mfg.

Those look nice. I have an '01 I bought with 3,000 miles on it. Use it mostly for street riding. I have a '94 for dirt. It has the Clarke 4 gallon tank on it, and it's great, but does not look stock, if that matters. If the rust has not actually weakened the metal, there are a number of chemicals that can remove it. I use full strength muriatic acid, but there are safer, and more expensive alternatives, like Rusteco. You should be able to find the rest of the parts on eBay, and if you need small parts like grommets, etc, you can either get them from a dealer or a place like cheapcycleparts.com.

I assume you ordered this ....?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/39297/ITEM/Polisport-Shield-Handguards.aspx

And this?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/39298/ITEM/Polisport-Shield-Handguard-Mount-Kit.aspx

However your handguard covers are blue & I don’t see any blue ones in the first link. I also don’t see any screws going into the plastic covers on yours as they show.

These just look to be the plastic covers. Surely you didn’t order these?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/39272/ITEM/Polisport-Defender-Handguard.aspx

Before I try to order two sets, exactly what did you order?

Your post has so much font and color crap in it it shuts down when I try to reply.

Get whatever color is available, unless you like to take videos of yourself as you ride.

Black's gone. I got the last of them. No more blue

If you want to run these without the plastics, do it. The metal hand guard without the plastics is worth the full price. It's the Schnizzle.

Jah Don't See No Color.

WTF? I assume you are talking about my post. Looks normal here on two different browsers even if I try to edit it or quote it.

You must have posted this while i was writing & looking at the other site.
I just ordered two sets, hope I picked the right things.
This...
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/39297/ITEM/Polisport-Shield-Handguards.aspx
And this ...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/39298/ITEM/Polisport-Shield-Handguard-Mount-Kit.aspx
Look right to you?
Yeah, only colors shown were red, silver, or yellow. Went with the silver for the 2005 XT225

I ran into this when I purchased mine, prev. owner had prob. tightened to spec, which is way too high for the pot metal the cover is made from. Destroyed the attached bolt head trying to remove it.

When I called the Yamaha dealer about it, he said it was common, and recommended I follow the procedure the shop uses. It is to gently tap the outer edge of the oil cover with a chisel in the direction of removal. The metal was soft enough that the chisel bit right in and immediately turned it open.

After all my struggles with sockets, vise grips, etc., I was amazed how easily the chisel method worked.

I now have anti seize compound on the threads of the new one, and limit the tightening force.

From the one review on their site:
"Honda Foreman 450 es atv

For something so easy to install, These were a bit of a pain. I had some hardware missing too. I also did not like the bushings they used to fit different handle bars. Now installed I find they move a little once in a while, but not too bad. They look cool and were a great price. They keep the cold air and branches from getting to my hands!!!"

Do yours move at all,or are they pretty solid?

Yep. That's the Shnizzle. The vinyl tubing they send to shim the end pieces is way too thick with aluminum bars. I used a few wraps of gorilla tape and they hold nice and tight.

Planning to drop a tooth or 2 on the front sprocket to make it easier for the wifey to ride. Does anyone know how small I can go on the front. Sprocket Specialists says all the way down to a 12? I'm thinking a 13 should be enough.

You have to shim the bar end piece with something to make them grab. Metal on metal will slip. Here's a different brand with vinyl tubing on the end. I used gorilla tape on the Polisports. They don't move at all.

dont know. For trail i assume?

for street i found the bike way more civilized going up one tooth. Less unintentional wheelies and longer legs in first and second.

Oil cover? Or do you mean the oil drain bolt/plug? That’s exactly what I was meant here ...

Man, first gear is already so low. I can hardly feature anybody going smaller than a 14 tooth. You would be pretty wound out at any road speed with a 13. Even with a 14 I’d guess.
I’m gonna try a 16 one of these days to see how that works out on the road. Can’t get much trail riding right around here.

I have the 16t front, probably going back to the 15. The bike seems a little hesitant to take off (need to slip the clutch a lot) when riding with a passenger, and I'm worried about bending a shift fork. The tranny has only popped out of gear once, but enough to scare me. I do a lot of road in the winter, and the 16 is good solo, but I find I'm always hunting between 5th and 6th.
Regardless, yeah, 14 would be awful damn low, but you could probably wheelie into 3rd

I think body weight would have a lot of reasons to drop to a 14. I am 240 and the 15 tooth takes a long time to get up to highway cruisin speed (60+). I have a 14 tooth but have not taken the time to install it. I also have a new rear tire that needs to be spooned on. Maybe tomorrow!!!!!
I also tried a 16 tooth and couldn't use 6th gear at all! The bike did not have enough power to sustain 6th gear with my weight.

I can’t find that review, or any review on these. Where is it?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/192/39297/ITEM/Polisport-Shield-Handguards.aspx

Still, can’t beat the price. Ought to work on something around here.
Thanks, 'Canuman'.

They are da Shnizzle. Lil' duct tape, some zip ties, and the world is good. Fer Chrissakes you're from Alaska. You should be able to rebuild a 225 with a pocket knife in the bush while being attacked by bears. You'll make 'em fit.

Regards from the hardest of the soft states.