I recently found a mid 90s model xt250 in a garage, its been sitting idle for some time. The bike runs but the front brake is totally seized up, how can i get ot working? I can just about pull the lever but i see no movement at the wheel end

First you need to get a can of penatrating oil (not wd-40) and spray the bolts on the caliper and get it off of the front forks. next spray the pistons or piston if it just has one on the caliper spray them well, let it soak for at least 10 minutes. while it is soaking remove the fill cap from the master cylinder where the handle goes in!!! with the cap off get a c clamp and place it over the caliper and start closing the c clamp slowly until the cylinder goes all the way in, make sure to remove the pads first to prevent damage to the pads. next replace the fill cap and then put the caliper back on then slowly pull back on the brake handle until piston comes back out putting pressure on the rotor. if this does not free it do this up to three times if it still sticks you will need to rebuild or replace it. Good Luck

Take the front wheel off , clean out the mud, free all the frozen parts and grease the brake cam shaft going through the brake panel housing. Replace the front brake cable and you should be good to ride. Hint: If the front brake drum is full of mud you need to remove the rear wheel to clean out the mud and grease the brake cam shaft there also.