XR200R watcha think?

[johns'85 250sx]

Hi!, I will probably get kicked from the 3-wheeler forum for this, but I bought a *2000 honda XR200R* GASP!!!!!! and I would like to know what to look out for, and some info., and how to tighten the chain. It's all stock, and only missing the number plate(future #13). Right now I have been using it to cruise around my ranch 1mile long by 1/2 mile wide, and it seems to run alright, but ya never know. all info. and replies are appreciated!
http://i34.tinypic.com/mhc7ev.jpg

[elanharper]

looks like a clean bike

[3wheelmecca]

Yeah!!!! Nice! I heart XR200s, that needs to lose some altitude though.

[dirtjunkie85]

looks like a clean bike. there isnt much to worry about with the xr200's they're pretty bulletproof. if it gets hard to start then I would check the valve clearances. as long as the oil looks good the motor souldnt need much. I would search the frame ect for cracks and, such some people try to take the little xr's beyond their means, if it has been owned by more people than the guy you bought it from. I would maybe grease the bearings and pivot bolts ect. hmmm thats all it can think of to look for. Adjusting the chain in super easy, just loosen the rear axle and tighten or loosen the chain adjusters (little screws hanging off of the axle) until you can fit about 2 1/2 fingers under the chain and your set. just make sure to adjust each side the same amount or the wheel will be skewed. after than tighten the axle and rally the crap out of that bad boy!!

[johns'85 250sx]

here's a problem though I heard from the guy I bought it off of(he's my dentist) that his kid bottomed it out, and laid it over twice, that's why I thought about asking what to look for. also I have been jumping it(my little jump, about 3' at 20-30 degrees) and it keeps trying to bottom out, is that a problem, because I am hitting it full throttle, with at least a 200 yard run at it?

[Atc GuY]

Those bikes don't take kindly to getting the wheels off the ground. Little bumps are OK, but if you're looking to be getting air on it, the fork seals will blow. Put the bike up on a crate with the front tire off the ground, and look at the top of the forks. There should be 2 bleeder stems (one on each fork), just like letting air out of a tire, push the middle of the stem down and let the excess pressure out. There should be no pressure in the forks. (The manual says you can add up to 15lbs of pressure to stiffen the fork, but it WILL blow the seals, trust me.) As previously stated, the 200 is another bulletproof Honda, they had no major flaws in the design. I wouldn't worry about it being laid down, but if the kid jumped it a lot, then you may want to throughly check the suspension out. The engine is very easy to work on, and is really forgiving. If you keep the tires on the ground, give it regular oil changes, and use it only to peel across you land (no jumps), it will last a VERY long time. Top speed is 63 mph. That engine came from factory with a stator pre-wound for lights. It's a nice little set-up.

[johns'85 250sx]

I put it up on a stack of cinder blocks and checked the stems with my tire gauge and it read 0 so now what?, just keep it on the ground?, or no big jumps?, and wow 63 MPH!, well I topped it out a while ago and it ran great topped out, and runs through out the gearing and throttle range. but the shock thing has me puzzled

[Atc GuY]

If I reads zippo you're golden. I just wanted to make sure someone hadn't blown the forks full of air. Best would be to keep it on the ground, but definitely not big jumps IMHO. What do you mean, "the shock thing has me puzzled" If you're asking about how to check the suspension for problems, all you have to do is see if there is oil leaking out of any of the suspension components, or if anything is busted. If nothing major meets the eye, ride the thing. Best things you can do for a bike is perform good maintenance, ride it, and clean it after use. I owned an '01 XR200R. GREAT trail bike, I loved the 6-speed tranny. The bike will go through anything.

[johns'85 250sx]

what I meant was that I didn't think that the shocks were behaving right, but they are so that's great, and the hand full of times I've trail ridden it it does GREAT!!!!!!!!!, and yea I clean it whenever I get the chance, even if it's just dusting it off. I've only had it a month or two and love it, but now I have a problem; too much stuff to ride and not enough people to ride it all lol