Suzuki · Honda XL / XR / SL four-stroke single (1970-)

GN125 / GN250 / GZ250 / TU250

Library entry covers 1982-2016

18 factory 46 guideline

Published source

Suzuki GZ250 Service Manual (Suzuki Motor Corp.), Periodic Maintenance Chart p.2-1

Factory service manual. Covers GZ250 service manual, chart in km, mi and months.

Open the source

64 items for a 1999 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration: Centrifugal (slinger / rotor) filter
Valve gear: Overhead cam, screw/locknut adjusters
Ignition: Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1999 Suzuki GN125 / GN250 / GZ250 / TU250

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 600 mi

2 items

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Drive chain: clean and lubricate. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: every 600 mi (1,000 km); inspect every 3,000 mi

Every 1,000 mi or 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Wet-cell batteries on old machines need regular topping up, more in hot weather.

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

1 item

Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

1 item

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner element: clean. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: clean every 2,000 mi (3,000 km)

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

11 items

Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Guideline

Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 15 months

9 items

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Chassis bolts and nuts: tighten. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: first at 600 mi
Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Factory

Manual: Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler mounting bolts: tighten. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plug: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Engine idle speed: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: first at 600 mi; throttle cable play at the same interval
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: first at 600 mi
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Tires: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

6 items

Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Guideline

Often done with every oil change on old machines.
Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

3 items

Clean centrifugal oil filter (rotor / slinger)

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 30 months

4 items

Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil filter: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: first at 600 mi (1,000 km)
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plug: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: first at 600 mi
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Front fork and rear suspension: inspect. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 18,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

2 items

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Guideline

Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 10 years

1 item

Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Weak spark when hot is the classic symptom. Old capacitors fail with age, not miles.

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake fluid: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: every 2 years; inspect every 3,000 mi

Every 4 years

3 items

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel hose: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: every 4 years; inspect every 3,000 mi
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake hose: replace. Factory: Periodic maintenance chart p.2-1: every 4 years; inspect every 3,000 mi
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.