December 19th, 2008, 08:43 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Finally Home From College!! Project timeee
Finally home from college!!! That means I get to ride and work on my bike...I've been looking forward to winter break since...well since school started back up. I have a bunch of things that have been awaiting my return to get put on my bike. Well first thing is first...tomorrow Im gunna take it out and do what Ive been waiting for . Then to get started on the projects for over the break. First will probably be the removel of the snorkel since ive yet to do this...then of course shim the needles. Next would be the installation of the competition werks fender elimination kit that ive been dying to put on. Then using my pitbull rear stand and vortex swing arm spools to do an oil change . Then some more riding. Then putting on my new rear cowl cover so complete the clean rear end look. Last week I ordered a set of clear aero flush turn signals with a "carbon fiber" base. Gunna paint the base black...only reason I didnt buy it in black is cause they only had it in amber and I reallllyyyy wanted the clear. Then of course install those bad boys. And then last but not least...polish the lip of the rims (courtesy of kkim's dyi) Then lots more riding and enjoying the warm florida weather before returning to cold jersey for school . Cant wait to wake up tomorrow and get started!!
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December 19th, 2008, 08:50 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Yeah... what's with life getting in the way of riding and modding the bike. I have the same problem with work.
Sounds like an ambitious break. How long before you need to go back? where is home and college? I'd pull the snorkel, shim the needles and then ride for the rest of the break! Keep us updated on your projects and if you get stuck, you know where we are. GL... ahh, youth... it's so wasted on the young. |
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December 19th, 2008, 08:58 PM | #3 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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December 19th, 2008, 09:08 PM | #4 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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GL!!! |
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December 20th, 2008, 08:43 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Ok so I was just wondering something. I got aero turn signals for my bike ...and they require drilling two small holes into the fairing to put them in . Not really too thrilled about this but I like the way they look. But my dad brought up a good question...with drilling these holes...may I eventually get hairline cracks in the fender due to the vibration of the bike...or am I safe? The instructions for the installation say not to even drill...to use the skinny blade of a scissor and poke it in and twist...I dunno what difference this will make...but wanna get some feedback before I start doing this...whenever that will be.
And Phase 1 of Winter Break Completed...went out for a ride this morning and felt great! |
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December 20th, 2008, 10:13 AM | #6 | |
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Great job on step 1... frankly, I'm surprised you got past that and are on step 2. |
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December 20th, 2008, 12:03 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Well as we all know...that first never is completed...I've already found 4 reasons to take my bike out in the past 4 houts since I've been up...gunna be a good break . Just got back from getting all the stuff ill need for the fender elimination,oil change and polishing the rims. I've read various threads about the kind of oil to use...I picked up the shell rotella t synthetic 5w-40 which I understand to be good but I was reading the back and it said a lot of stuff for diesle engines...I did buy the right one right? Haha
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December 20th, 2008, 12:06 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
you get the shims done already? |
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December 20th, 2008, 12:24 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Bout to break 1000 miles on the bike...so I figured I was pretty safe with the synth. Right? Didn't do the shims yet...after lunch gunna take off the snorkel and see if I even need to shim...bike runs great stock without it...never had any problems other people have said they have had but we'll see once the snorkel comes off. Will let ya guys know how it goes
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December 20th, 2008, 12:29 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
After you remove the snorkel, see if the bike has a hard time maintaining a smooth throttle setting in 6th doing about 50-60. Mine had a bad hiccup around there even with one shim. My bike was set up really bad from the factory. |
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December 20th, 2008, 04:33 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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So done for the day...only cause the sun went down . Installed the Comp. Werks fender eliminator and removed the snorkel. And I must say wow...just removing the snorkel the bike sounds soooo nice. Didn't get to ride it after the snorkel was removed cause then I hada do the fender removal. Bike isnt exactly 100% put back together yet cause ran into some issues while doing the fender. Droping washers and bolts into little crevaces and things of that nature. Used the pitbull rear stand today...just cause I wanted to play with it cause its new...and what a fine piece of metal I must say, deff worth the money. Ill have the before and after pics up tomorrow. Cant wait to get it back together and hop on for a ride...supposed to be 82 degrees Great riding weather
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December 21st, 2008, 02:42 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Got the bike all put back together today. Looks great without the fender and sounds amazing without the snorkel. Put about 40 miles on it to see if it needed to be shimmed. Idle was fine...started right up with no choke and after putting my gear on it was all ready to ride. Power felt a little flat between 3500 and 5000 but after that it felt great and above 7000 it felt like it had more punch...though that coulda just been the increased intake whoosh playing tricks on my mind . So i dont think im gunna shim...atleast not until I get my full exhaust but thats not for a while. Tonights the first night of presents for Hanukkah and I think my rear seat cowl is in the large kawasaki box my girlfriend got sent to my house
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December 21st, 2008, 06:24 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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So i got the seat cowl like I thought I would. Put it on anddddd....
disappointed . The seat is secure and its not going anywhere but it has an extremely large gap between the seat cover and the rest of the bike... As you can see from the pictures the gap is so big I can stick my finger underneath the seat cover without even trying. Im really hoping Kawasaki would not make a piece with horrible fitment like this...so Im really hoping I screwed something up. Can someone please help meee |
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December 21st, 2008, 06:53 PM | #14 |
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Something doesn't seem right. The cowl doesn't sit exactly flush on ours, but there's no more than a 1/4" gap, and probably closer to an 1/8" gap. Can't fit a finger in there, or even half a finger in there. Check the rubber bumpers and make sure you put them on with the correct orientation.
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December 21st, 2008, 06:55 PM | #15 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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December 21st, 2008, 07:01 PM | #16 | |
ninjette.org dude
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Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered) |
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December 21st, 2008, 07:08 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Well I think I follwed the instructions and I don't see another way of putting the bumpers on. Ill take a pic at half time of the giants game and post it
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December 21st, 2008, 07:19 PM | #18 |
That's me!
Name: TJ
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What is meant by putting the bumpers on wrong is putting the fronts on the back and vice-versa. The gap on the seat cowl drastically varies and it seems the quality assurance from Kawi on them... Is kind of weak sauce Some people have bent the mounts for them to get them to fit more flush. I'm thinking one side can be shimmed down with washers? I'll have to double-check
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December 21st, 2008, 07:55 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Just checked...the larger rubbers are towards the front on the metal bracket and the smaller ones are in the back. Pretty sure this is the way they are supposed to be. Comparing mine to kkims it seems to be the same size gap. I dunno I guess I was hoping for a fitment as good as the seat. I dunno if bending the metal bracket will make a difference. It seems more the large rubbers are too tall?
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December 21st, 2008, 08:02 PM | #20 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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just double checked mine and it's large in the front, small in the back.
There are ways that you could make it fit better, but why obsess? I bet before you got yours and looked at other bikes, you never noticed this. |
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December 21st, 2008, 08:19 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Why obsess...come on is that even a question haha. I dunno I may try to make it fit better...ill leave it for a couple days and see if it still bothers me.
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December 22nd, 2008, 08:13 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Well went to a motorsports dealership today to pick up a riding jacket since its gettin a little nippy here (72 degrees) and everyone is having huge holiday sales. So got my jacket and some anti-corrosive spray to spray on my engine, and other metal parts on my bike since I live pretty close to the ocean. Also picked up a Vortex 15 tooth front sprocket...on sale for 8 buckss!!! Ive wanted to try this...and for 8 bucks if I dont like it I can always switch back...no biggie. Started talkin to one of the guys there about my new rear seat cowl(didnt get it from there) and they said something def. didnt sound right and to bring it in (didnt ride my bike over). So ill probably bring it by in the next couple days to have them check it out. The gap didnt annoy me that much today, but when I washed and waxed my bike a lotttt of water got underneath it and I didnt even point the hose directly at the cowl and wasnt using high pressure. I dunno we'll see.
Probably be puttin on the 15 tooth sprocket in the next couple days...Ill post how I feel about it...hopefully I'll get a useful first gear |
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December 23rd, 2008, 09:11 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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So i think I need to shim . Took my bike out this morning just for a quick little ride around the block before breakfast...great way to wake up. It was a little cooler than its been here in south Florida...about 68 I would say? Started the bike up...the idle was horibble...barley getting over 1000 and it bogged out twice. Eventually it warmed up and I was able to go. Yet whenever I jumped on the throttle below 6000 rpm the bike felt dead and in a couple instances felt like it may even stall . Yet above 6000 the bike came alive and ripped pretty hard...well hard for a 250 (which is fine by me). So it feels like it needs to be shimmed but if its running lean below 6000 and fine above 6000, wouldnt shimming make it fine under 6000 and rich above?
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December 23rd, 2008, 09:24 AM | #24 | |
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Name: Nick
Location: Occoquan, VA
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I now open the stage to Master Kelly.. Also, lots to cool projects you have planned this winter! |
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December 23rd, 2008, 11:16 AM | #25 | ||
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December 23rd, 2008, 02:28 PM | #26 |
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Name: Nick
Location: Occoquan, VA
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December 23rd, 2008, 02:58 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
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M-Oorb, In reference to your question about drilling ABS Plastic, the best advice I can give you is this: I have a lot of experience with fiberglass, having owned several fiberglass cars and boats. ABS Plastic has a lot of the same characteristics. My advice would be to go ahead and drill. Go to your hardware store and get a nylon fender washer--thats a washer with a hole the size you are drilling but with lots of body. After you drill your hole, either Super Glue the washer to the inside of the fairing or hold it in place with Silicone Caulk. Use a smaller washer for the acessory you mount to preserve aesthetics. By making this "sandwich" you can be assured that cracking from vibration will not happen. I would use the silicone caulk on both ends and be easy on the torque. Twenty Four hours later, I would snug things up--again, you don`t need to tighten things a lot.
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December 23rd, 2008, 03:31 PM | #28 | |
That's me!
Name: TJ
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December 23rd, 2008, 03:36 PM | #29 | |
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December 23rd, 2008, 03:51 PM | #30 |
That's me!
Name: TJ
Location: Ames, IA
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r (Tis blue), 2008 CBR600RR Posts: 454
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December 23rd, 2008, 04:01 PM | #31 |
FORMER MOTORCYCLE RIDER
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December 23rd, 2008, 06:47 PM | #32 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Whoa whoa whoaaaa guys lets keep this a little clean why dont we.Alex and Vex...thanks for the help...put all my fears aside. I dunno if I wanna put this new turn signal in though. It seems kinda long...I dunno I'll post up some pics tomorrow so maybe I can get some feedback...but if I do do it(haha thats kinda funny...I said dodo) Ill def. use your guys advice. And to the hardware store we go tomorrow for some washersss. Thanks for all the help guys...thats why this forum kicks some serious ass
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December 27th, 2008, 12:37 PM | #33 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Idle is high
So im off to go get washers to finally shim the needles on my carb. I think ive done enough research on the subject to finally try to do this. But before I do this I wanna post an issue ive been having on my bike. When the bike starts it idles at about 1300 rpm. After some stop and go traffic...like light to light...once I stop at a light my idle will be about 2300 to 2500 rpm. Yet when I drive a further distance without stopping...say 10 min...and I do stop at another light idle will return to about 1500. Now I know our bikes are supposed to idle at about 1300 rpm and that 1500 is ok but that 2300 is way high. Now some background as I do not know what is relevant with this high idle. Bike has 1002 miles on it. Had a kawi dealer do the 600 mile service and haven't done oil change since. Only engine mod is a snorkel removal...as I said I haven't shimmed yet. I do mostly stop and go traffic and don't really go on the highways like 95 or the turnpike(if you know the roads here in south florida...the blue hairs are crazy drivers as it is...at highway speeds they are nuts.). Um nothing else seems wrong with the engine other then it being practically dead below 5000rpm...thats why im shimming. Dont really remember the idle being like this before I removed the snorkel...it may have been. And also when its a lot of stop and go and the idle is higher...I do not hear the fan coming on(as this is what I thought it originally was...that the extra power needed to power my fan raised the idle...like having the ac on in a car). I hope when I come back from Home Depot with some washers someone can help me out . Sorry for the long post...thanks for the help guys!
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December 27th, 2008, 12:49 PM | #34 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Yeah, that 2300-2500 idle is way too high. When it does that, if you sit and blip the throttle, does it come back down to the normal 1300-1500?
It may be related to the snorkel removal, but I had no such issues when I removed mine. Your idle should return to your preset idle rpm once the bike is fully warmed up. I would recommend you proceed with the shimming and see if the extra washers makes a difference with your idling instability. Sorry, do you have any exhaust mods at this point? Trying to help you determine how many washers to start with. |
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December 27th, 2008, 01:14 PM | #35 |
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Good luck Matt! Shoot me a PM if you have any questions - I plan to be around this afternoon
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December 27th, 2008, 01:34 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org dude
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Matt - is your choke completely off when the idle is going higher than you'd like?
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December 27th, 2008, 02:40 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Kkim...no exhaust mods...think im gunna start with 1 washer on each and see how that goes. When I blip the throttle it doesnt go back down to where its supposed to be . And Alex...the choke is all the way off
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December 27th, 2008, 02:43 PM | #38 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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And thanks kim I will! I was looking for various stuff at home depot for other stuff and no one in that store knew where anything was I was getting so frustrated...just wanted to get home and shim! And for some reason I thought the packaging on the washers would state sizes...I was looking for .025 with an 1/8 in hole...read on kf that those were the right ones...and all I got were numbers. So just to be sure I bought one package of #6 and one of #8...anyone wanna tell me which are the right ones before I start . Hoping shimming will alleviate my high idle problem and not make it worse...could it make it worse?
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December 27th, 2008, 02:53 PM | #39 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Just to let you know, I started off with one, but when I then removed the snorkel, the bike ran lean and I had to add another. To save time, I'd recommend you start off with 2 washers. If it's too much, you'll have to take one out, but that will be the same amount of work if you added one first and needed still another one.
With regard to the washers, use the ones which the hole in the washer is just big enough so the needle will go through. I doubt your idle problem will get worse. I feel the "stuck" idle is being caused by the slightly lean condition the snorkel removal brought about. |
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December 28th, 2008, 08:35 AM | #40 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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Thanks to Noche Caliente who found out I was using the wrong sized washers for the job...went to radio shack to pick up the right ones. Just in case anyone needs any reference if they are going to shim and havent yet...the washer size needed is #4. So im gunna shim now and hopefully the idle goes away....
To be continued... |
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