Possibly buying 2010 TXC 250. Anything I should be aware of?

[Cavery]

Hello All!

I am new to the site, and new to the sport. I've been lurking here at Cafe Husky for a while doing research, and learning. I've always been interested in Dirt bikes & trail riding. I've finally, at 37, decided to take the plunge.

I've located a 2010 TXC 250 locally that I will be looking at on the weekend. the owner is asking $1700 for the bike. He claims all is working well except for the electric starter. Apparently it starts easily when cold, but when the bike heats up, the electric start has trouble getting the bike fired. He says it always kick starts fine.

Assuming this all checks out, it seems like it could be a good deal, but this is my first bike and definitely am no expert on the matter. Is there anything I should look out specifically on this model? Any tips in general would be appreciated as I want to make sure I try to make an educated decision on my purchase.

Cheers!

 

[R_Little]

I have the same 2010 model.

It requires a bit or work to get running right but it is solid after that.

The E-start issue is either an exhaust valve too loose or the starter gears are worn...there is an upgrade at around $125 from Husky.
You will need access to I-beat to tune it correctly
Be careful of the cam cap bolts...they can strip...40 inlb ONLY! Use a torque wrench.
They only hold .9 qts oil so check the level often.

Make sure the swingarm and linkage is clean and lubed.

The Fuel pumps can fail...mine is fine.

They handle great and the power is good when tuned.

 

[Cavery]

Thanks for the rundown R_Little, I really appreciate it. I ended up buying the 2010 TXC 250. It set me back $1600 which seemed like a steal to me. I took it in the trails all day on Saturday and she ran great. As the seller said, it did siffer from the hot start issue about 50% of the times I tried it. It did always kick start with no problems.

I am going to dig into the starter issues and see if I can troubleshoot the problem. Based on the tonne of information I've sifted through here I am going to troubleshoot in the following order. Please let me know if I am missing anything, or should change the sequence.

1. Take off the valve cover & check to see if I have the updated exhaust cam (the one with the bent spring)
2. If not, should I just bend the spring myself, or buy updated cam?
3. Check valve clearance to make sure it is within spec. if not re-shim accordingly Test.
4. If problem still exists, reduce clearance on left exhaust valve to .006 - .005. Test.
5. If problem still exists, replace worm & ring gear. Test.
6. If problem still exists, replace starter motor. Test.
7. If problem still exists, start doing squats and prepare to kickstart forever.

If I've missed anything, or screwed up the order, please chime in.

Cheers.

 

[Motosportz]

Thanks for the rundown R_Little, I really appreciate it. I ended up buying the 2010 TXC 250. It set me back $1600 which seemed like a steal to me. I took it in the trails all day on Saturday and she ran great. As the seller said, it did siffer from the hot start issue about 50% of the times I tried it. It did always kick start with no problems.

I am going to dig into the starter issues and see if I can troubleshoot the problem. Based on the tonne of information I've sifted through here I am going to troubleshoot in the following order. Please let me know if I am missing anything, or should change the sequence.

1. Take off the valve cover & check to see if I have the updated exhaust cam (the one with the bent spring)
2. If not, should I just bend the spring myself, or buy updated cam?
3. Check valve clearance to make sure it is within spec. if not re-shim accordingly Test.
4. If problem still exists, reduce clearance on left exhaust valve to .006 - .005. Test.
5. If problem still exists, replace worm & ring gear. Test.
6. If problem still exists, replace starter motor. Test.
7. If problem still exists, start doing squats and prepare to kickstart forever.

If I've missed anything, or screwed up the order, please chime in.

Cheers.

I would also suggest a Earth-x battery from ZipTy racing. Very low weight and much more cranking power. Additionally I know on some of these there is issue with the decomp where you can polish one part that makes the decomp work better.

 

[Cavery]

Thanks, I'll definitely have a look at those batteries. As far as the part of the decomp that can be polished. Would you happen to have a link to a thread discussing it? I never came across that while doing my research.

 

[ray_ray]

Thanks, I'll definitely have a look at those batteries. As far as the part of the decomp that can be polished.

Would you happen to have a link to a thread discussing it? I never came across that while doing my research.

Can't find the thread but here's the cam video I made that was the starting problem with one of the 010 TC250 bikes I purchased ... I think the second bike has the stock cam in it and it starts OK ...

One note on the video .. The 'bad' cam that has the slow action has a bent spring on it also ... That spring came straight from the factory and I made that bent in it myself. Apparently some of those decompressors worked and some did not.

And not sure why, but these bikes like to be at TDC before kicking over, just like the old-time big-bore bikes ... Its seems like a full stroke on the kicker does not spin the engine over very much or something.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAecH802iPM

--

And I always use the hot-start button if my bike does not start on about the 3rd kick after it has been running.

 

[R_Little]

My 2010 TE250 has the stock cam, unmodified and the stock starter gears in it and it starts fine after I reduced the exhaust valve clearance to .006"

That being said, the E-starts on these bikes are not that robust.

I use it like a 2-stroke re-starter and only use it to re-lite when I stall.

I kick it most of the time.

 

[Cavery]

Thanks for posting the video ray_ray, but it says it's private when I try to watch it.

 

[ray_ray]

Thanks for posting the video ray_ray, but it says it's private when I try to watch it.

My mistake ..it should be public viewing now on the VID.

 

[JonXX]

Put a JD Tuner on it and bump the idle up a little bit. That'll make it really scream, and prevent 99% of the off-idle roll-on flameouts.

Keep the air filter clean.

 

[Cavery]

Just did my first oil change. Man what a pain to get the drain plug out. Any tips for pulling the filter behind the drain plug? I couldn't figure it out, not a lot of room down there.

 

[Boogie]

Just did my first oil change. Man what a pain to get the drain plug out. Any tips for pulling the filter behind the drain plug? I couldn't figure it out, not a lot of room down there.

I stick a clean, m8 x 35mm bolt in there and gently pull the filter out.

 

[Cavery]

I finally got around to checking the valve clearance yesterday, and it's definitely out. I'm hoping that is the root of my Starter issue. I definitely have the updated cam with the bent spring, and the pressure release seems to be working fine.

The valve clearances are as follows:

Left Intake .008
Right Intake .007
Left Exhaust .007
Right Exhaust .007

I'm going to pick up a shim kit and try to tighten that up a little.

If that doesn't work, I guess the next step would be to order the updated starter gear kit.

Boogie, thanks for the tip in regards to the filter. I'll definitely try that next oil change.

 

[joedirt]

Don't know if its already been mentioned but be really careful with the cam cap bolts. They strip very easily. A good torque wrench is a must.

 

[Cavery]

Thanks Joe I appreciate the heads up. I did actually see that in other posts. Looks like I have to go shopping for a wrench.

 

[Ken Hynes]

Congrats on the bike purchase, see you out at the Ganny!

 

[Cavery]

Thanks Ken.

Actually my buddy and I are going to fabricate a trailer this weekend so I can do just that, haul this thing up to the "Ganny". If you ever need anyone to ride with, let me know. I don't know anyone else with a bike.

 

[Ken Hynes]

Thanks Ken.

Actually my buddy and I are going to fabricate a trailer this weekend so I can do just that, haul this thing up to the "Ganny". If you ever need anyone to ride with, let me know. I don't know anyone else with a bike.

Hey

I would be happy to take you out to the Ganaraska Forest and show you around. There are a few things you need to get sorted; your bike must be registered (green or blue plated) and insured. To ride the Ganaraska trails you must be a member. Go on here, http://www.grca.on.ca/, their membership is yearly based on the date you joined. It is well worth the cost and over 600km of trails right under your nose. You must have your papers on you at all times, the OPP are in there and you will be checked. There are a few other trail networks close to Toronto and for those you must be a member of the OFTR, http://oftr.ca/index.php, you will need to join and select the Ontario Dual Sport Club (ODSC) as your member club. On there is an excellent Forum where organized and casual rides are posted. I plan on riding Ganaraska on Saturday and possible Sunday or Monday, you can text me at 416-859-0556.

 

[Cavery]

Hey

I would be happy to take you out to the Ganaraska Forest and show you around. There are a few things you need to get sorted; your bike must be registered (green or blue plated) and insured. To ride the Ganaraska trails you must be a member. Go on here, http://www.grca.on.ca/, their membership is yearly based on the date you joined. It is well worth the cost and over 600km of trails right under your nose. You must have your papers on you at all times, the OPP are in there and you will be checked. There are a few other trail networks close to Toronto and for those you must be a member of the OFTR, http://oftr.ca/index.php, you will need to join and select the Ontario Dual Sport Club (ODSC) as your member club. On there is an excellent Forum where organized and casual rides are posted. I plan on riding Ganaraska on Saturday and possible Sunday or Monday, you can text me at 416-859-0556.

Thanks again, that's some good info. I've got the plates and insurance in place, but haven't picked up a trail pass yet. I've been to Ganaraska riding with Trail Tours (http://trailtour.com/) twice. Once with one of their bikes, once with my own. Figured it would be a good idea to get a couple of lessons since I've never ridden anything without ski's, a hull, or four wheels before. It also doesn't hurt to have someone around who knows the forest

I'm not 100% sure if we will get the trailer completed this weekend or not. If we do, I'd be up for a ride on Monday for sure. Fri - Sun we will be in Griffith (near Calbogie), definitely going to check some trails out there.