1982 YAMAHA RD2500.3L PETROL

The 1982 Yamaha RD250 presents a stable and recently sound mechanical picture. The most recent test, conducted on 16 December 2023 at 10,182 miles, resulted in a clean pass with zero defects recorded. This is a significant improvement on the pattern seen in early 2022, suggesting the previous owner addressed a cluster of minor faults. The maintenance trend is therefore clearly improving, moving from a failed test with multiple advisories to a fully compliant pass in a short space of time. The mileage pattern is highly unusual and warrants careful interpretation. The recorded figure of 10,182 miles has remained static since the December 2023 test, yet the January 2022 tests recorded 14,187 miles. This indicates a rollback of 4,005 miles, or the fitting of a replacement odometer, which is a serious discrepancy. Prior to 2022, the mileage sat at 14,182 miles in February 2018, covering just five miles across four years. The annual average of roughly 231 miles is exceptionally low for a 44-year-old machine, pointing to either very light use or prolonged periods of storage. A buyer must physically verify the true mileage and the current condition of the components flagged in the 2022 records. The front brake disc was worn and pitted, and the caliper was binding. While the 2023 pass suggests these were replaced or freed, a close inspection of the disc thickness, surface condition, and caliper slider operation remains essential. The drive chain was noted as worn but not excessive, so check for correct tension, sprocket tooth profile, and any signs of corrosion from standing idle. The rear lower shock absorber bush was flagged as slightly worn; examine it for play and deterioration, as perished rubber on a machine of this age is common. Finally, the 2022 failure listed a missing central rear reflector and missing rear footrests. Confirm these are present and secure. Given the age and the mileage anomaly, a thorough inspection of the structural integrity of the frame, forks, and suspension linkages is advised. Look closely for corrosion, particularly around the steering head and rear subframe, as long-term storage can cause hidden pitting that compromises strength.