2007 hi bird 250

nevernuf · 05-28-2018, 03:24 PM

Hello everyone. So, I decided (after being offered $300 every singe time for my bike) that heck with it (sorry for the strong language....) and I'll just keep it. Having said that, I'm curious what everyone considers the "must-do" mods. I know there are other threads covering this, and last year i literally read every thread (at the time) in this dual sport/enduro heading.... I apologize for beating this dead horse..

So, to start, bike is almost completely stock. Nothing substantial has been done. Except new timing chain when it snapped, but that's a different post... New mirrors, and fuel petcock. Mine was leaking pretty good, but the TT250 petcock works awesome. Lines up great and not as long. I don't have the oval trim pieces installed but even then it's not blocked too bad.. Also new side covers, color matching, from Taobao..
So, replace the chain right away? New tires? Will they improve the ride? a set of Shinko 705's are about $107... 21 inch front and 18 inch rear now.. It has a 16/46 tooth combo now.. Upgrade to a 520 chain and sprockets?
Newer(ish) PZ30 carb, and I need to run it to see how the acceleration and everything is, but I never mastered carb adjusting/tuning...
Air filter and housing isn't the greatest.... replace with pod filter, or fix/find new?
New electronic speedo? I don't have a tach with this bike, so might be nice to have one, and I don't know how accurate the speedo is anyway...
Engine is a 169FMM. Sticker/plate says 5w50 for oil, and gives a few other particulars. I'll post photos of them is anyone wants. No sight gauge, so that's disappointing, and unless I missed it, seems to only have a screen and no oil filter.... again, disappointing.
I've read (and re-read) weldangrinds upgrades, as well as megadan's, but again was wondering if there's any "you HAVE to do this, it'll be SOOO much better" advice..
Thanks to everyone, and you know, i really like this community..

**JerryHawk250** · 05-28-2018, 03:53 PM

Being that you have a 2007 model, does it have a catalytic converter? If so I would start with gutting it or replacing it with a free flowing Ebay exhaust that most on here have swapped out to. This would mean you would need to rejet either the existing carb or get a new carb. There are a few option there. A pod filter will help it breathe better too. Stock chain should be fine if it has been well lubricated.

nevernuf · 05-28-2018, 08:11 PM

Thanks JerryHawk.. Well, looking at it, it's just the header straight to the muffler. The pipe does have a short expansion chamber in it, so that's the only place a cat could be if it was inline... There is a tube coming out, presumably for some emissions stuff, but that's all gone and blocked off..
Probably gonna get a pod filter as they are cheap enough..

I appreciate the input.

**JerryHawk250** · 05-28-2018, 08:29 PM

That short expansion chamber is the catalytic converter.

nevernuf · 05-28-2018, 09:40 PM

Thanks. Kinda what I was thinking. I read the post about drilling it out.. Just gotta figure how i'm going to re-weld it if I were to cut it open...

**JerryHawk250** · 05-28-2018, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevernuf

Thanks. Kinda what I was thinking. I read the post about drilling it out.. Just gotta figure how i'm going to re-weld it if I were to cut it open...

You could always go to your local muffler shop. I'm sure they would weld it back up for a few bucks.

Weldangrind · 05-29-2018, 12:00 PM

I like this filter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-42mm-...8AAOSwCEBZcVkM
It's angled, which suits my needs. Can you show us a pic of the intake tube and carb setup you have now? While at it, may we see a pic of the complete bike? That'll help people chime in with upgrade ideas.
A pair of Shinko 705's would be a good choice, especially if your bike will see mostly pavement and dirt. I think there's a pair of them in my future.
Do you have a plastic or steel tank?

nevernuf · 05-29-2018, 11:25 PM

Hi Jerry. Yeah, i'm sure I can find someone to do it... I just need to get it done..
Weldangrind... I'll get some pics soon.
I've got the plastic tank. Kind of like it, but wish it was larger.. There's a DR tank for sale close... Looks metal but think it's 3 or more gallons....
I've got a PZ30 carb now with a stock airbox. The filter leaves a little to be desired.. researching it, it looks like a WIX filter, p/n 49097, may fit instead... Don't know just yet but i'm going to look at it.. IF i don't opt for a pod filter...
Anyway, I wanted to reply but I'll get some pics when I can..

Thank you all..

05-28-2018, 03:24 PM	#1
nevernuf Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 44	2007 hi bird 250 Hello everyone. So, I decided (after being offered $300 every singe time for my bike) that heck with it (sorry for the strong language....) and I'll just keep it. Having said that, I'm curious what everyone considers the "must-do" mods. I know there are other threads covering this, and last year i literally read every thread (at the time) in this dual sport/enduro heading.... I apologize for beating this dead horse.. So, to start, bike is almost completely stock. Nothing substantial has been done. Except new timing chain when it snapped, but that's a different post... New mirrors, and fuel petcock. Mine was leaking pretty good, but the TT250 petcock works awesome. Lines up great and not as long. I don't have the oval trim pieces installed but even then it's not blocked too bad.. Also new side covers, color matching, from Taobao.. So, replace the chain right away? New tires? Will they improve the ride? a set of Shinko 705's are about $107... 21 inch front and 18 inch rear now.. It has a 16/46 tooth combo now.. Upgrade to a 520 chain and sprockets? Newer(ish) PZ30 carb, and I need to run it to see how the acceleration and everything is, but I never mastered carb adjusting/tuning... Air filter and housing isn't the greatest.... replace with pod filter, or fix/find new? New electronic speedo? I don't have a tach with this bike, so might be nice to have one, and I don't know how accurate the speedo is anyway... Engine is a 169FMM. Sticker/plate says 5w50 for oil, and gives a few other particulars. I'll post photos of them is anyone wants. No sight gauge, so that's disappointing, and unless I missed it, seems to only have a screen and no oil filter.... again, disappointing. I've read (and re-read) weldangrinds upgrades, as well as megadan's, but again was wondering if there's any "you HAVE to do this, it'll be SOOO much better" advice.. Thanks to everyone, and you know, i really like this community.. __________________ Nevernuf 1985 Kawasaki Gpz 750 turbo 1983 Kawasaki Gpz 750 2007 Hi-bird QH250-gy 2008 Suzuki RMz250 Last edited by nevernuf; 05-28-2018 at 03:27 PM. Reason: adding air filter sentence...
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05-28-2018, 03:53 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,569	Being that you have a 2007 model, does it have a catalytic converter? If so I would start with gutting it or replacing it with a free flowing Ebay exhaust that most on here have swapped out to. This would mean you would need to rejet either the existing carb or get a new carb. There are a few option there. A pod filter will help it breathe better too. Stock chain should be fine if it has been well lubricated. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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05-28-2018, 08:11 PM	#3
nevernuf Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 44	Thanks JerryHawk.. Well, looking at it, it's just the header straight to the muffler. The pipe does have a short expansion chamber in it, so that's the only place a cat could be if it was inline... There is a tube coming out, presumably for some emissions stuff, but that's all gone and blocked off.. Probably gonna get a pod filter as they are cheap enough.. I appreciate the input. __________________ Nevernuf 1985 Kawasaki Gpz 750 turbo 1983 Kawasaki Gpz 750 2007 Hi-bird QH250-gy 2008 Suzuki RMz250
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05-28-2018, 08:29 PM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,569	That short expansion chamber is the catalytic converter. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel Last edited by JerryHawk250; 05-29-2018 at 09:15 AM.
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05-28-2018, 09:40 PM	#5
nevernuf Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 44	Thanks. Kinda what I was thinking. I read the post about drilling it out.. Just gotta figure how i'm going to re-weld it if I were to cut it open... __________________ Nevernuf 1985 Kawasaki Gpz 750 turbo 1983 Kawasaki Gpz 750 2007 Hi-bird QH250-gy 2008 Suzuki RMz250
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05-29-2018, 12:00 PM	#7
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I like this filter: https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-42mm-...8AAOSwCEBZcVkM It's angled, which suits my needs. Can you show us a pic of the intake tube and carb setup you have now? While at it, may we see a pic of the complete bike? That'll help people chime in with upgrade ideas. A pair of Shinko 705's would be a good choice, especially if your bike will see mostly pavement and dirt. I think there's a pair of them in my future. Do you have a plastic or steel tank? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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05-29-2018, 11:25 PM	#8
nevernuf Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 44	Hi Jerry. Yeah, i'm sure I can find someone to do it... I just need to get it done.. Weldangrind... I'll get some pics soon. I've got the plastic tank. Kind of like it, but wish it was larger.. There's a DR tank for sale close... Looks metal but think it's 3 or more gallons.... I've got a PZ30 carb now with a stock airbox. The filter leaves a little to be desired.. researching it, it looks like a WIX filter, p/n 49097, may fit instead... Don't know just yet but i'm going to look at it.. IF i don't opt for a pod filter... Anyway, I wanted to reply but I'll get some pics when I can.. Thank you all.. __________________ Nevernuf 1985 Kawasaki Gpz 750 turbo 1983 Kawasaki Gpz 750 2007 Hi-bird QH250-gy 2008 Suzuki RMz250
	0