My 250R runs!!! I started a complete tear down in November '04 and just now got it all back together. I still need some odds and ends, but it runs. I don't have a thumb throttle yet. So, I just had throttle cable out there hanging in the breeze. I only intended to take it up the driveway, but I took it down the block because I couldn't resist. I took it slow because everything is brand new and I had no throttle. I couldn't help but think "what the hell is wrong with this thing, I thought these things are supposed to be scary fast". I then realized that I've never ridden a two-stroke and that these thing have powerband. I opened the throttle a pinch and holy crap! She' started to scoot and I could feel the front end wanting to climb.
All and all, it wasn't a bad shakedown. I need some loc-tite for my couter shaft bolt. I also had some gas dribbling out the upper vent tube on the carb when i stopped. Lastly, will the right side of the engine make noise? There is an audible whir in that area, but nothing you're gonna be able to hear disctinctly if you step away from the bike. It fades out once you open the throttle a little. I had to get new cases, so every bearing in it is brand new (counter balancer too). I didn't change the big end of the rod because it checked out tight upon inspection. I'm gonna do a HUGE write up in about two weeks.