View Full Version : My Classic 86-87 Ninja 250r


fjyang
April 17th, 2009, 08:32 PM
This is my restored 86-87 1st Gen Ninja 250r that I got about 10 years ago and slowly piece meal to restore it to its former glory and beyond. One will be surprised on how little the engine has change for the past 20 years but in terms of pure sport the 1st gen 86-87 models are the most performance focus as it has a bigger 32mm carbs, longer intake boots and hotter cam profile but so is the power delivery where you have to rev like hell to get power and pretty much all of it is above 10k rpm. The 08's can pull from 3k but 87's can't give any semblance of torque until 6-8k.

The second and third gen 250 keep moving power down low and sacrafice peak power in favor of low end torque as most 250 owners are first time motorcyclist who do not like to rev their bike to redline in every gear. Appearance wise the 86-87 are vary compact, simple playfull like, which does not try to hide its 250 identity or be something its not.

Mods to the bike:

Yoshimur Exhaust w/ DynoJet Kit
Progressive Spring w/ 08 250 Rear shock
Adjustable levers both side, Clutch perch from 94-newer EX500
Mike's Euro Sprot Windscreen
88-07 250 Mirrors
Galfer front Lines w/ EBC Green pads
Custom Seat cover, mimic solo seat cowl but can carry passenger
Fender eliminator
Factory Case Guard w/ custom slider (no loger in production)
15T front 42T rear gearing
110-70-16 Pirelli Diablo Scooter front 130-80-16 Rear Tire

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3451069305_512a1b3971.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3451887184_b7f43b52a1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3451069937_b5fd2cb0fc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3451071363_2911213a23.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3451889954_435e0102a5.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3451890550_c408352bc3.jpg

miks
April 17th, 2009, 08:37 PM
Nice looking classic, love the colour scheme. So, how does it ride?

Alex
April 17th, 2009, 08:40 PM
:kewlpics:

komohana
April 17th, 2009, 08:40 PM
wow! that baby's in excellent condition!!
Nice job!!

kkim
April 17th, 2009, 08:46 PM
Veeerrry Nice, Frank!! :D

mucho eye catching, yet tastefully done. :thumbup:

fjyang
April 17th, 2009, 08:57 PM
Nice looking classic, love the colour scheme. So, how does it ride?


She rides like any 250 should...super flickable and you can pretty much think your bike into a turn. I believed its the lightest of all 3 version of Ninja 250, a little over 300lb dry. When this bike is in its elements which is around 11-13k rpm its just a joy to ride in canyons. I did put in progressive spring up front and an 08 model rear shock out back and its vary stable now with about 1" of sag front and back.

Most Ninja 250's suffer idleing issues, especially if you mod the air box or exhaust and mine is no different. Did the 08's did better?

kkim
April 17th, 2009, 09:00 PM
I have no idling issues... what do you mean, issues? I assume it's been rejetted, correct?

miks
April 17th, 2009, 09:01 PM
Wow, look at that last picture. The red seat just pops out and demands attention!

fjyang
April 17th, 2009, 09:28 PM
I have no idling issues... what do you mean, issues? I assume it's been rejetted, correct?


Yes, mine's been rejetted but a lot of owner of 88-07 models and my bike (before rejetting) have issues with consistant idling problems. I know you shim your needle and that goes a long way to cure that issue but I was wondering with the 08, did kawasaki actually change the jet size to get better idling.

kkim
April 17th, 2009, 09:48 PM
wow, I wasn't aware of inconsistent idling issues with the pregens. do you mean it won't hold a steady idle speed for very long from minute to minute or that it is sensitive to outside influences and you constantly need to readjust the idle speed knob to keep it to the desired idle speed from day to day/ ride to ride/ season to season?

as far as my bike, I did have idle issues meaning it used to take long to warm up before it would run cleanly w/o the choke, but rejetting has solved almost all of that.

here are the jetting specs for the new gen bikes... sorry, don't know enough of the pregen's jetting to know if it's different.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9467

what are your current jetting specs on your bike?

sharky nrk
April 17th, 2009, 10:15 PM
that bike is the bees knees - wow. makes me really really think about a project just like her. are all parts still avail?

Angel-be-Good
April 17th, 2009, 10:18 PM
How is that bike possibly that clean? My '08 looks like a rat bike in comparison.

Maybe because I haven't washed in a couple months...

fjyang
April 17th, 2009, 11:04 PM
that bike is the bees knees - wow. makes me really really think about a project just like her. are all parts still avail?

As this model is only produce for two years, all the fairing/platic parts are no longer available from Kawasaki but the good news is that since the engine has been in continuous production for 20+ years, I should be able to keep her running as long as I want. I did have to re-chrome the fork sliders as this bike only retails for $2,399 back them, Kawasaki have to meet a price point that is reflected in many of parts finishes and chrome parts that are so thin it will wear through with minimal use. You'll see that my radiator pipes are chrome but the later models are not to save cost but also its cover by full fairing.

I found a enthusiast group in Japan dedicated to only 86-87 models and they told me the production figure is around 10,000 worldwide and even them have hard time finding body parts for this bike.

I would say 80% of the 86-87 model you see out there have been drop and neglected but a new coat of paint and seat cover will go a long way to freshen the appearance.

fjyang
April 17th, 2009, 11:17 PM
wow, I wasn't aware of inconsistent idling issues with the pregens. do you mean it won't hold a steady idle speed for very long from minute to minute or that it is sensitive to outside influences and you constantly need to readjust the idle speed knob to keep it to the desired idle speed from day to day/ ride to ride/ season to season?

as far as my bike, I did have idle issues meaning it used to take long to warm up before it would run cleanly w/o the choke, but rejetting has solved almost all of that.

here are the jetting specs for the new gen bikes... sorry, don't know enough of the pregen's jetting to know if it's different.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9467

what are your current jetting specs on your bike?

My bike won't idle after warming up and when I adjust the idle it either stay on at 3,000rpm or die if I drop the idel lower. My bike has been in storage for 5 years until last year and only after 3 shop have work on it before the last shop cure the idle issue but I did not take a record of the jetting change but I do know they change the pilot jet to #38 and plug the costing enricher tube. Most concensus are the 250 engines are vary tempermental to mods, and its a drag to jet it right so most put the air box back after they going with pods.

I'm curious to know what jetting spec that Area P have done to the 88-07 models.

kkim
April 17th, 2009, 11:29 PM
Yes, I've also read of jetting difficulties with the pregens after pods are installed. I wonder why???

Bummer that such a beauty of a bike is a bitch. :p

so, are you saying your jetting woes were cured by that last shop or that even after they "cured" it, you continue to have the 3000 rpm idle or die problem?

That's a good question on what Purspeeds jetting is in his bike. You may want to PM him and ask. ;)

sometimesido
April 18th, 2009, 06:22 AM
wow, very nice bike Frank.

TnNinjaGirl
April 18th, 2009, 09:40 AM
Great job. She looks better than new.

Snake
April 18th, 2009, 10:35 AM
I always liked the look of the classic bike. Very nice job.

BritBiker
April 18th, 2009, 10:58 AM
Now I'm tempted to get a classic Ninja and do it up. That really is a beauty of a bike, wonderfully done up. How much did it cost altogether to do? Can't have been cheap, but it looks like it was definitely a labour of love.

Kudos to you mate, kudos.

talldrink
April 18th, 2009, 11:19 AM
:thumbup:

:clapping:

:drool:


B E A UUUUUUUUUUUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! Simply gorgeous bike there.

Flashmonkey
April 18th, 2009, 01:23 PM
:eek: That bike is stunning!

Strider
April 18th, 2009, 03:53 PM
Nice lookin' ride Frank! :thumbup: I really like the color combo and the mods

sharky nrk
April 18th, 2009, 10:16 PM
i looked a bit yesterday and it may be a little more difficult finding one of these in half decent shape than I though

Sound Wave
April 18th, 2009, 11:14 PM
beautiful bike!!! did your bike originally come with the lower fairing like this one?
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/submittedphotos/1987KawasakiZX250RNinja-MartinO.jpg

jonb08
April 18th, 2009, 11:28 PM
That is such a cool looking 250. Very clean, very retro, very nicely done. Is that stock colors?

fjyang
April 18th, 2009, 11:38 PM
Thanks All! for the kind comments. It was and still is a continuous labor of love just like any kind of projects with older bikes. You have to like/love the bike to be willing to pour time/money into it so if you find a bike you have an emotional connection with it, it will be easier to stick with it. I paid $1,200 to a kid 10 years ago and the bike was a basket case but it only have 8,000 miles on it so I know the engine was good just cosmetics that need work. I put easily that amount back into the bike but this bike also serve as a learning tool for me on bike mechanics.

I still have some chroming to do on a few parts then its good for a few years. I replace the seat cover 10 years ago and I just replace it again as red vinyl fade pretty fast compare to black so after 3-4 years the color start to change, mine was like pink just before I change it two weeks ago. As long as you don't drop the bike and crush the plastic its not that hard to find parts to keep the bike running. I like to get my bike along side with 88-07 and 08- 250's to see the evolution and ride with them of course

fjyang
April 18th, 2009, 11:49 PM
beautiful bike!!! did your bike originally come with the lower fairing like this one?
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/submittedphotos/1987KawasakiZX250RNinja-MartinO.jpg


The lower cowlings are aftermarket accessories that will take a miracle to find one :-) I'd tried. There was rear seat cowl accessory that was only available in the Japanese market also like a vapor ware. I did find a Kawasaki factory engine/case guard that's also pretty hard to get on my bike in place of a lower fairing. Targa use to make a complete lowers for the bike but its also vapor ware now.

I got the last of the Yoshimura exhaust that was made for this model from a small shop that sold me for $230...now I see $450 for a slip on so I'm not complaining.

fjyang
April 18th, 2009, 11:56 PM
That is such a cool looking 250. Very clean, very retro, very nicely done. Is that stock colors?


The 86 are only available in black with red seat, the 87's come with either black or white also with red seat. The Japanese version come with more color options.

B2FiNiTY
April 19th, 2009, 07:22 PM
beauuuuutiful!

Jiu Jitsu Player
April 19th, 2009, 10:47 PM
That sucker is cherry! Nice job man. You can tell a lot of TLC went into getting that bike to look so great!

TonyKZ1
April 20th, 2009, 06:23 AM
Looks Good Frank, nice job on the restoration!
Tony

Cali619
April 20th, 2009, 06:38 AM
Very sexy bike, Im sure she rides like new after you dolled her up bro ;)

Rynownd
April 20th, 2009, 06:45 AM
Looks great!

islanderman7
April 20th, 2009, 08:00 AM
wow. i like it.

ians_04_250
April 26th, 2009, 07:33 AM
WOW. That takes heart. I love it!

Mista Bob
April 26th, 2009, 07:44 AM
Wow, that bike just looks amazing.
Real nice job you've done on it. Definitely something to be proud of. :thumbup:

Nemy
April 26th, 2009, 12:23 PM
That should be one for BOTY! You can see the amount of work and passion in it! Amazing stuff Frank and that red is just BEAUTIFUL!

poorfatjames
May 7th, 2011, 03:00 PM
I'm looking into buying a 1986 ninja 250 and found your post. I could not help registering on the forum just to say what a beautiful bike it is. My gf agrees. Congrats! I know the fairings on the one I'm looking at are messed up. I hope they're repairable.

pfj

edit:

That seat is custom? You hit the nail on the head. I love how the red/black continues the lines of the body.

johnjohn
May 7th, 2011, 04:01 PM
A true classic beauty, now you need a ZZ-R 250 to complete a trio of pre-gens. All red of coarse as that is the fastest colour.

00NissanNinja
May 7th, 2011, 09:35 PM
That bike looks impeccable nice work!

Yasko
May 9th, 2011, 07:43 PM
I love old bikes...:thumbup:

poorfatjames
March 13th, 2014, 03:51 PM
The 86 are only available in black with red seat, the 87's come with either black or white also with red seat. The Japanese version come with more color options.

I never noticed that the turn signals are integrated into the fairing! I like the look. I guess US regs were different.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1577&d=1240124135

oblivion007
March 13th, 2014, 04:00 PM
Very nicely kept! Nice!

fjyang
March 20th, 2014, 12:34 AM
I never noticed that the turn signals are integrated into the fairing! I like the look. I guess US regs were different.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1577&d=1240124135

You'll also noticed it has factory rear seat cowl from Kawasaki. The lower fairing is also available from US when new. The turn signal is integrated into the bodywork everywhere except the US. I was tempted to shop Ebay Canada to get the integrated signal fairings as I know they go the 86-87 model too but never got around to it. Is yours restored?

Sirref
March 20th, 2014, 12:44 AM
crazy sick good build. everything looks clean especially the dash, that dash is beautiful.

fjyang
March 20th, 2014, 12:53 AM
Since someone revived this old thread, I'll post some updates of my bike. Minor upgrades like Fox twin clicker rear shock, custom Area P exhaust (Area P header for Pre-Gen and Yoshi TSR canister). Powder coated wheels, swingarm etc.. and some decals updated. Its been published in a British Mag. called Practical Sportsbikes which focus on 70's, 80's and 90's machines.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/9557250481_b830087c9c_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/9560040634_773b0a3edb_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/9557252969_97cd6d99f3_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/9560042818_1d4d2d56ec_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/9560037710_aa1a55821b_c.jpg

Sirref
March 20th, 2014, 12:57 AM
when your bike gets published in a magazine, you know you're doing something right

fjyang
March 20th, 2014, 01:04 AM
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/13283297135_7a32806043_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7251/13283438633_693600d58b_c.jpg

This is what it looks like two years ago. After I move to a new home and gone through a major remodel and forgot to cover my bike. I literally tear the bike down and restored it again more or less. Lesson, don't park your bike in a house that going through remodel, dust from tiles, drywall, carpet etc will get into everywhere, even inside the carbs :eek:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5268/5735435059_231abbb4bd_z.jpg

250rr
March 20th, 2014, 12:20 PM
Nice work, my friend. :thumbup:

Ytse Frobozz
March 20th, 2014, 02:26 PM
That bike is awesome. Love the details and color scheme, especially those white wheels!

dcj13
March 20th, 2014, 05:18 PM
when your bike gets published in a magazine, you know you're doing something right

When it get published in an international magazine, it's World Class! That is a good looking bike!

ForceofWill
March 20th, 2014, 07:34 PM
That thing is clean man. Very well done.

poorfatjames
March 20th, 2014, 08:21 PM
Is yours restored?

not even close, but it's reliable DD. Just got a 75 honda 400f stable mate! What a pair :)

Congrats on getting published (twice, it sounds like?)! Your work deserves it.