how can i tell if my dirtbike is seized?

Question

i just got a 1999 suzuki rm250(im the third owner) and got it from the last owner for free, slips and all, but the motor might be siezed. what would be the easiest way to tell? when you try to kick it, the kicker dosnt budge, like there is a bolt stuck in the motor somewhere. also, if i were to put it in first, and go about 15(getting pulled by a car) the tire just locks up. also, i was going over the bike today, and it seems like there was pure gas in the tank(its a 2 stroke) tho the guy says that he knows for sure he mixed it. he changed all the fluids, im a little suspicious about the level in the tranny, but i doubt that would be it(that would just mess with the clutch). everything else on the bike is cherry, it just wont turn over, and i dont feel like pulling off the top end to find out( gaskets and whatnot....IM BROKE!!)

Answer 1

-Put the bike on a stand.
-Put it in neutral. Make sure that the rear wheel turns freely.
-Remove the L crankcase cover and try to turn the flywheel. You should be able to.
-Remove the exhaust pipe and look in the exhaust port with a flashlight. Any scratches or scoring of the piston or cylinder wall and you need engine repair.

Answer 2

There's no such thing as a free dirtbike. From the sound of it the previous owner, and maybe the original owner, probably did zero preventive maintenance. Chances are, if you open the airbox, the filter is clogged or trashed.

If it were me I'd buy a shop manual, take the thing completely apart and replace everything that was questionable. This bike can still be competitive in novice/amateur MX and, with some modifications, even used for trail riding.

Since you have no money, your best bet is to sell it whole or parted-out on e-bay to get what you can out of it.

Answer 3

why would one be more prone to seizing than the other. the gp bikes were 500cc 2stroke 169hp bikes, dirt tracking flat tracking street riding hare scramble what ever you want. how do you Know if you go flat out on a str8 you'll seize. seems to be a bit of bunk. an under oiled bike will seize. I would be curious where you are getting you data as it doesn't make any sense to me, sorry.i used to own a kawasaki 750 2stroke and the front wheel would come off the ground in fifth gear at over a hundred mph, never seized, I raced a rz350 on a track at sanctioned races never seized the list goes on, seizing is when moving parts ie:connecting rods.pistons stop moving =seize.blowing one up is when the parts join the physical world out side the confines of the casings=blowed upped real good. If you hold anything at red line and beyond its going to let you down=rider meltdown.

Answer 4

First thing I would do is check the oil. If it has a burnt smell, you just got your first indicator.

Put the bike up on a bike jack, put it in neutral, take the spark plugs out, and look inside each jug. See if you can see a valve that may have slipped in to the cylinder.

If not, try putting spraying some silicone based spray lube in each cylinder and see if you can bump it loose.

If it is seriously seized up from running w/o oil, chances are you will have to pull the heads and tap each cylinder free.

You might be able to get away with honing the cylinder walls and replacing the rings, although your bearings probably are not in real good shape either. Depends on exactly what happened.

Answer 5

You've answered your own question. If the engine won't even move (like there is a bolt stuck in it somewhere) then it is seized up. The only thing to do is to disassemble the engine and see if it is salvageable or not. Take it from there. How much money do you want to sink into a "free" bike.

Answer 6

Sounds like it is seized to me...Listen to what guardrail is telling you...he knows what he's talking about. Good Luck

Answer 7

take the spark plug out and try to turn the motor over " there is no compresion when u do this," if it doesn't turn its locked up

Answer 8

if it was a simple problem do you really think you would have gotten it for free?