1997 EC250 power valve bearings...

[2ndGen]

I did my first top end since I bought it and the power valve has no bearings on one side. Has anyone seen this? Pic attached. You can see the bearing on the one side. On the other side there's a bushing? No bearings. I don?t have a legit manual. I have a later manual showing two bearings on that side but I don't know what was supposed to be on this particular bike.

 

[swazi_matt]

not sure about 1997, but more recent bikes have 2 bearings on the side of the bush. so you would need 3 bearings like the one you have
https://www.motocrosscenter.com/shop/en/content/8-gas-gas-parts-manuals

 

[(F5)]

I'd swap the existing bearing over for size, to see if it would work, then as Swazi sez try it. Can't see why it would be different. But 'despice' (probably Spanish for Parts list) pdfs may be available for that far back.

 

[cbutler]

I have a 99 engine parts rich and it shows 2 bearing if that helps, the bearing are the same size I buy them off ebay for cheap.

 

[2ndGen]

Thanks all. I had a feeling. Makes no sense it would be different. I should tear it back down and do bearings. It ran great for a good while when I bought it and it's been like this. I have a feeling I'll be lazy about it. But damn, I should not be.

 

[(F5)]

Should just pull out the side with pipe off or tap through.

 

[BrandonEc300]

Up till 98? it used that bushing instead of the two bearings, Here?s a link for the original parts diagram for the older gassers https://www.neubert-racing.com/gasgas/1997/ec250/

 

[(F5)]

Ahh, 000033098 VENTIL

So it is original. But why? Can you swap it with two bearings?
Probably same question was asked in the factory in 1998.

 

[gasgasman]

The bushing made it this long. Why switch to bearings?

 

[(F5)]

I'm imagining it is flogged now. Maybe it isn't, be a judgment call. But the factory obviously chose to change it early on in the model life. I'd be guessing for price or reliability.

 

[2ndGen]

Up till 98? it used that bushing instead of the two bearings, Here?s a link for the original parts diagram for the older gassers https://www.neubert-racing.com/gasgas/1997/ec250/

Nice! This is great. Might not be the best but at least it's the original design and not some yahoo putting in the wrong part.

 

[2ndGen]

The bushing made it this long. Why switch to bearings?

I'm imagining it is flogged now. Maybe it isn't, be a judgment call. But the factory obviously chose to change it early on in the model life. I'd be guessing for price or reliability.

I'll probably let it fly for now, again because I'm lazy, but might look into bearings the next time as it makes sense they shifted in that direction right after this.

Still have to find fork seals and then I'm back on the trails.

Thanks all. Super helpful.