The Samurai’s Forge: Taming the TDR – A Final Ride Before Farewell

At Bushido Motorcycles, every machine has a story — and some of them are personal. One of my own bikes, a Yamaha TDR250, recently found a new owner. But before handing it over, it needed the full Bushido send-off: a careful shakedown ride and final inspection.

Out on the road, it quickly became clear something was off — the TDR was running on one cylinder. First instinct said it might be a fouled plug, so I swapped both out with fresh NGKs. Still no change. That’s when I traced the issue deeper into the throttle system and found the culprit: one of the carburetor throttle cables had slipped out of the 1-3 cable mixing tube.

It’s a quirky flaw in the design — that old splitter unit can loosen over time. So, I decided to take it a step further. With a bit of modification and plastic welding, I reinforced the old splitter housing to ensure that cable won’t work itself loose again. Nothing too radical — just the kind of subtle, thoughtful repair you only learn from years of riding and wrenching.

Once the cable was secure and the TDR reassembled, it fired up beautifully — both cylinders strong, throttle response crisp. Everything seems to be running great now, just waiting on a fine day for a final test ride to confirm it’s 100%.

And for peace of mind, I’ve already ordered a brand-new throttle cable for the new owner — just in case. It’s the kind of extra step we take not because we have to, but because it’s the right thing to do.

This TDR's ready to leave the forge with honor — sharper than ever and carrying a bit of the Bushido spirit with it.

Until next time — ride with honor, wrench with precision.

Bushido Motorcycles – Timeless Samurai Rides