View Full Version : picked up a Suzi..


ninja250
May 4th, 2010, 05:02 PM
Rode home a used GSXR 600 this afternoon.
Needs a few things here and there, but not too shabby.
Sounds nice and lots of power. First fuel injected bike! :thumbup:
Lots of miles too but price wasn't so bad. :eek::D
Some tweeker went to town polishing the triple clamp too.
Need to adjust lots of stuff. Head play and new brakes etc.
Was told it had K&N air filter.
I don't see any frame damage and title was clean.
Needs mirrors, new front tire and legal blinkers. Has crappy integrated rear brake light. New battleaxe on the rear though which was a bonus.
Give me something to do.

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8335.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8334.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8333.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8331.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8330.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8329.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8326.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8325.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8324.jpg

miks
May 4th, 2010, 05:13 PM
Nice pick up man, so whats going to happen to the 250R?

ninja250
May 4th, 2010, 05:15 PM
She'll sit right there being ridden once a week until paid off and rebuilt!
Keeping her. She was my first bike to scrub knee. Have to keep it now. :D

Even though she has a bent frame she still drives around! Going to do a little solo camping and fishing off the back of the Ninjette any day now just to show her I still love her. :thumbup:

I don't even know what this GSXR been through. gotta rip the whole thing apart and find all the bad stuff.

I wish they didn't spraypaint the wheels but maybe can take that off with some alcohol.
Need to redo the brakes and front tire too then I'll be rockin' it.

Felt nice on the freeway. Got my lean on in the roundabout onroamps on the way home.

alex.s
May 4th, 2010, 05:22 PM
nice bike. don't crash this one! ;)

p.s., mind if i ask how much you picked it up for?

Banzai
May 4th, 2010, 05:26 PM
Nice find, should make for a great weekend project bike.

ninja250
May 4th, 2010, 05:28 PM
Must be crazy posting my price again but oh well. I'm crazy enough to do lots of crazy things.

I paid $4k for this bike.
You dont' usually find Suzuki's for very cheap.
5 years ago I paid 4k for a 1999 gsxr 600 too.

This here is a 2003.

It's been dropped a few times but has a full crash kit. Only thing that took the hit is upper fairing stay and engine cover.
Everything else look OK besides some paint issues and brakes. Prolly needs rotors and pads too.. might be a little spendy but not too bad.

Oh yeah it has some crazy HID bulbs too those are weird.

adri99an
May 4th, 2010, 05:59 PM
I likey!! Looks HUGE!!!

If I wasnt married to my wonderful wife of 7 years with 2 kids, a house, a career as an educator---I'd be riding an R1......

When you gonna hit GMR with me so I can take her for a 5 minute spin? I may not come back though....lol

I need my brakes done soon---you got time?

ninja250
May 4th, 2010, 06:30 PM
I have to do all kinds of work.
I missed a bunch of PM's the last few days while I did my bike search.
Let me know what needs to be done son! I can check for rotor wear and put new pads in no probs. I have extra dot4 if you need the brakes bleed to the new pads too.

Pads are cheap $25 for the HH EBC upgrade pads! If you get the right ones first.

Sorry people who sent PM's I'm heading there now~!
I gotta earn some money to buy me some parts too. lol

Snake
May 4th, 2010, 07:56 PM
Great looking bike. I'm glad to see you are keeping the Ninjette.

ninja250
May 4th, 2010, 08:26 PM
I like the little ninjette even though it put me in my place hard. lol

It is a good designed bike and easy to work on.

Expensive though in it's new form.

Well I only had about one question for my new fuel injected suzi and that was why the heck does it have a choke? was it really fuel injected?

Answer is yes..
and here's the explanation..
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090619105144AAZggNn

Hehe. Mine's the alstare special edition! Only 1500 made.

Looks like I can buy all the parts I need for it from cheapcycleparts.com just like the ninja.
Mirrors $50 ea
Front tire $100
$50 ea turn signals

Already found a list of stuff to adjust before I get to go ride it..
chain was way too tight and missing chain guard.

backinthesaddleagain
May 4th, 2010, 08:32 PM
Good luck with the project. I guess SoCal is alot pricier than New England. I am seeing a ton of $4000 bikes (some at dealerships) with no drops, faily low mileage, in the 2000 - 2003 vintage. Actually just saw a fully serviced 2000 Duc M900 for 4,395 as well as a 2000 CBR600RR with 3xxx miles, and all orig for $4K.

ninja250
May 4th, 2010, 08:36 PM
CBR's are a dime a dozen. Very common here.
Not sure about Ducs.

You're lucky to find a bike alive still out here at this age. :D

I think I saw a few Ducati monsters for fairly low out here. Not new though.

throw $1000 at this bike and a couple weekends work she'll be good as new.

backinthesaddleagain
May 4th, 2010, 09:14 PM
You're lucky to find a bike alive still out here at this age.

Guess a 10 yr old RI bike is "newer" than a 10 yr old Cali bike due to our limited riding season.

DEXSPEED
May 4th, 2010, 09:19 PM
nice ride,lakers color!

sixer
May 4th, 2010, 10:47 PM
VERY SWAG- Nice find NIN!!!


I'm considering a 600GSXR myself gonna be a Corser Corona paint scheme to match my suit-

CRXTrek
May 4th, 2010, 11:09 PM
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8335.jpg


For some reason i just remembered this

C-yLYz6ejqw


:D

NICE BIKE:thumbup:

ninja250
May 6th, 2010, 10:03 AM
Not too shabby at all once I get the plastics and crappy integrated tail light off.

Original estimate of $1000 to make it safe and mechanically and legally rideable again still stands. Parts have been researched and bookmarked.

Threw in a picture of the rotors I will try on it because of their price and they look crazy and the stock floating rotors are definitely floating. lol

Everything in the engine bay looks clean. No leaks discovered yet. Looks like they never changed the freakin oil though because the sight glass is practically blacked out. :rolleyes: Dude gave me a bottle of oil with the bike that was 3/4 full like he actually did something to it but I know better by looking at how dirty the oil is dammit.

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8338.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8337.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8343.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/Copyofneededrotorsandfindpads.jpg

So I have a little list going and she will be sporty and legal again.

To make it run safe somewhat and legally on street I need:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> $484
-------------------------------------------------------------
blinkers (x4) $38 each max cheapcycleparts.com
rear fender to mount blinkers to $97 cheapcycleparts.com
license plate light $20 (overestimate)
new tail/brake light housing $50-$75 cheapcycleparts.com
front tire $100 +$20 chaparral
mirrors $40 ebay, taiwan

To make it be able to stop on a dime and not vibrate I need:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>$450
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Rotors $350/pair ebay
front and rear brake pads $50-75 (source)
front master cylinder reservoir $40 cheapcycleparts.com (lookup actual price)
Engine mount bolts new $10

Would be pleasant to have these:>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
---------------------------------------------------
Carbon fiber chain guard $50 (stop chain lube from flying, same price as OEM) Eeeeeebay
brake levers $40 (aluminum anodized ebay jobbers)
"grips" $15
Rear fairing (big plastic expensive piece) $200-$500 (depends on where and paint)
carbon heel plates (to replace ugly dremeled heel plates) $17
carbon clamp cover (to cover ugly dremeled fork clamp) $30

Not too far off about what I figured. the new plastic tail isn't mandatory but would be nice since it's not original color. (Should be dark metallic purple)

I bent the fairing stay back into place. Once I get the mirrors and bolt them on they will hold the upper fairing on secure too even though it's a little cracked. the previous owner did a somewhat OK job glueing it back together.

CC Cowboy
May 6th, 2010, 11:36 AM
Nice Alstars! I always liked that bike. It's kinda dated but that will make it a classic.

BlueRaven
May 6th, 2010, 06:11 PM
You must have an extremely good paying job to afford these two project bikes.

ninja250
May 6th, 2010, 07:41 PM
Eh they're a couple'a beaters. I can't dish all that out at once, but slowly as I get paid as would anyone else.
I figure in a year or so I'll sell them both and buy a brand spankin' new 750.
They should last me that long. I'll probably change my mind 50 times by then anyways.

No bike that I call mine and ride is a total piece though. It must work well in some way or another and not be a deathtrap like most people ride. Every bolt I can get my hands on has to be tight and secure.

I know I'm going to have to learn to do engines any time now messing with little bikes and their tiny motors too. I dread the day..

adri99an
May 6th, 2010, 08:05 PM
Went up the canyon today.......when you gonna bring Suzi by...she's HOTTT

ninja250
May 6th, 2010, 09:35 PM
Will be up there as soon as I make a few bucks to put this thing back together.
I haven't looked up what it weighs yet but it has to be about 100lbs more than the ninjette. I already tipped it over in the garage getting it into the stands and had a hell of a time picking it up. Caught me off guard when my foot stuck under the wheel of the stand while moving the stand forward with the bike in it. Will be making damn sure I don't dump it in the hills. :D Won't be able to pick it up again if it's tangled in a rail and I'm licking a wound.

I'll have it running faster than I think. I'm gonna pull that black CRX out of the garage and bolt the stereo and racing seats and nitrous back in and put it on craigslist for a couple thou for parts money while clearing up more room for bikes in the process. ;)

Ps.. the old round GSXR's are saweet. Comfy too! It can be any color but it's the curves and the feel of these things.

Anyone every play "F'zero" and always pick the fat round racecraft? then you know what I mean.

ninja250
May 7th, 2010, 07:37 AM
For reference..
Check out this dude's Alstare.
He even went the extra mile with the purple Corona decals and high-mount.
Beauty. Gives me some inspiration. :D Mine's quite a bit less attractive. :o
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/somebodiesalstare.jpg

JeffM
May 7th, 2010, 04:11 PM
KC. nice GSXR. I too am fond of some of the older, plumper, looking bikes.

ninja250
May 11th, 2010, 06:51 AM
Well new shift pedal, mirrors and rear tail light/plate light combo on the way.
I broke the old clutch pedal trying to straighten it out (figures)

That leaves me needing a new tire, blinkers and grips. Then she's on the street.
After which, time to do the brakes.

I already flushed the entire rear brake system brake fluids and I could see they consisted of two different kinds of liquids. The rear brakes worked much better after the brake fluid flush. Also clean and lubed up the chain because it looks like it never has been. Under the sprocket cover was a nightmare in it's own.

Put my backup tender wire on the battery. Was surprised to find out it was seemingly in OK condition.

Changed the oil out too and now the oil in the sight glass looks like new cooking oil and clean.. and at the right level instead of overfull now too.

Got lots of work done on it but still a bit more to go before she's ready for some twisty roads. :o
Birthday coming up later this month, maybe I'll be lucky enough to have it finished by the end of the month.

I did get to ride it around the block naked. (The bike! Not me! lol) and it's very powerful and fast! It will love me after I give it some TLC.

ninja250
May 12th, 2010, 06:10 PM
Lil more work done on 'ol yeller.

Spent last night adjusting the headset play and the fork measurements.

Then installed new engine mount bolts after using a hacksaw to chop off the old frame sliders because they had the socket buried in the plastic puck.

Also installed my new mirrors. They work great after replacing the hardware with quality hardware.

Tail light showed up. Scored it for $25 total on ebay versus $75 on cheapcycleparts.com. :thumbup: the old tail light mounts are broken on the rear plastic fairing so I either need to buy a new rear fairing now or bondo so new mounts on. Either that or screw the light to the subframe. I'm sorta reluctant to tap the subframe but it would work so easily and perfect. Still thinking there.

Took it around the block again. Starting to feel like a real bike now. Needs a chain guard to prevent the fresh lube job from flying everywhere next time I ride it! :rolleyes:

Would have done the new tire already but had to order a special 24mm Allen key tool to remove the front axle. New tire will be done next week when the tool arrives. That leaves the blinkers and then I'm riding the 600 for a while! :cool:

Here's some more porn.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8463.jpg

old crap
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/2-1.jpg

New bolt. Check out the damage the old frame slider did from the previous owners. No bent frame though luckly.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/4-1.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/5-1.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/6-1.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/7-1.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/8-1.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/90.jpg

I like this angle even though the mirrors look funny and I have them tilted in a funny way. lol
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/99.jpg

ninja250
May 14th, 2010, 01:53 PM
New folding clutch lever showed up. Looks more robust than I thought it would be which was a nice surprise. I noticed on the old shift pedal that I broke, the rivet for the link ball had come loose anyways so this will make things feel less sloppy in the shift area.


Also put in the order for $175 worth of stock OEM blinkers and their mounting hardware. :rolleyes:
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8498.jpg

Banzai
May 14th, 2010, 02:44 PM
Nice solid looking piece of hardware.

ninja250
May 17th, 2010, 07:32 AM
Front rim tool came in the mail in two days flat! Gotta love ebay. Helping me rebuild this thing. lol

Going to get the tire done today.

Then I just need to figure out a way to mount the stock tail light, and need to wait for the OEM turn signals to show up.

I think I might need to buy a new rear tail fairing to hold the tail light. The tabs that hold the tail light housing are broken off from the tail fairing. I tried to screw it to the subframe last night but still didn't fit right. got a couple nice new tapped holes in my subframe now though. :D:o:rolleyes:

Lots of work going into this thing. Hope it's worth it. Wonder if it's ever had it's valves adjusted or not. Will have to do that too eventually I guess. I have always heard the best time to do your valve adjustment is when you buy a new used bike.

New tires, grips, plate reflectors and oil/filter going on it today.
Wish me luck with the lights, they are driving me nuts right now trying to find mounting positions without the stock locations available.
I'll probabaly never buy used again like I already knew before I bought this bike but did anyway. :p who knows if every bolt on the whole bike is loose. I had/have to go over every single thing and found tons of loose stuff already.

Buying used is a bad idea if you aren't your own mechanic. These motorcycles are built like RC helicopters. If one tiny little thing goes wrong, it's all over. People ride them around without maintaining them at all like nothing will ever even happen.

Agh well at least I know what I'm doing. This thing will be ready as soon as the blinkers show up that should already be on their way, unless cheapcycleparts is lagging again. Also will probably spring for a new tail fairing. New carbon chain guard already coming too since the bike has no chain guard at all. I'm guessing someone raced this thing before by the way everything was stripped off it and the wear on the front tire when I got it. No wear in the middle, only on the sides. Like a race takeoff or something.

Getting new tire today, still need new rotors. surprisingly, the front brake pads were fine. It has to be the rotors causing the "bumpiness and uneven compression" when I apply the front brakes. Last part of the brake system that isn't new.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8566.jpg

How I tried to mount my light without the tail fairing before I realized it wasn't going to work right when I put the fairing on.
The previous owner had the integrated tail light hung by zipties since the fairing light tabs were broken.
Probably just going to order a new tail fairing on ebay from which to hang the tail light.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8565.jpg

ninja250
May 17th, 2010, 03:36 PM
New Bt-016 tire on the front. It came with a 95% tread BT-021 on the rear.

Did new grips while I was at it. Some crazy Italian grips I've never heard of that the package claims are the bomb.

Oil change any day now, standing by.

Took it for a spin and all the rotors are shot. Those are next after mounting all the lights and signals!

Hard for me to tell if I got all the steering play out or not. I'm pretty sure I did but maybe still a little click there when I go down the driveway. Hard to tell because I can't take it out on the freeway yet without all the lights.

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8568.jpg

New Bt-016 almost same size as the ninja 250's.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8569.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8570.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8571.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8572.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8574.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8575.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8576.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8577.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8578.jpg

ninja250
May 17th, 2010, 03:42 PM
Also,
bidding on original front fender with original purple and yellow scheme.
Need to find an original rear tail fairing somewhere but that's a longshot. I think it's the first thing to hit the ground on this bike. She has hips! haha

jonthechron
May 17th, 2010, 04:04 PM
i picked up a Suzi too last summer, but she was 100% synthetic silicone, yours i believe is oil filled

ninja250
May 18th, 2010, 01:54 AM
Lol I don't have enough fast cars (only 1) , houses (only 2), motorcycles (only 2) or money (hmmm, or do I?) to afford those type of Silicon Suzi's you score. lol

I have to settle for the oil filled ones that don't talk back or treat me wrong until I'm yanking it (throttle) too hard/often. :D

P.S.. this Suzi talks through the gas tank just like the ninjette does. That little squeal to let you know she cares.
"fweeeeeeeeert!"

Man she's almost ready to ride. Some way to bolt the tail light into the fairing and those blinkers I'm waiting on and I get to wring her out a bit. Hopefully I don't highside from the funny bt-021 rear and bt-016 front tire combination. I'll have to keep my throttle hand in check coming out of the corners.

Needs the entire pads/rotors/bleed front and rear too before I'm happy to leave it alone for a bit and ride it to work every day.
Found a new rear rotor and pads for a total of $70 on ebay. Not bad. Front rotors vary a bit more it seems.

ninja250
May 21st, 2010, 06:53 AM
Received my $175 in spankin' new OEM blinkers yesterday. :)
Removed the old front condensated flushmounts and slapped the new blinkers on the front.

All I need to do is get that tail light mounted and mount the rear blinkers somewhere. Will probably just drill a few holes instead of buying a new $100 rear blinker plate fender.

That leaves me needing:
rotors/pads/bleed job
levers
front wheel cowl with original decals (using repainted yellow ugly one now)
rear tail fairing with original decals. (using cracked repainted ugly yellow one now)
decals for upper fairing (have stock painted upper fairing, needs stickers to match bike)
Tune-up/valve adjustment (always assume you need this with a used bike)

But at least I can ride it around legally now until I obtain those parts. :thumbup:

I might even replace the HID's with stock normal bulbs too. I did manage to rewire those more suitably but still don't think I like them.

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/IMG_0796.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8605.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8606.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8608.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8609.jpg

ninja250
May 21st, 2010, 07:22 AM
Might actually be possible to get it back fairly close to it's stock form one of these days, plus a few carbon parts here and there.
The windscreen I have on mine needs to be swapped for a "taller" one too, or one more close to stock.

I actually saw one riding around the neighborhood the other day in better condition than mine while riding my 250R. (not the one in this pic I found online though)

Here's how they should look bone stock
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/LovethatGSXR.jpg

ninja250
May 21st, 2010, 05:33 PM
Oh baby! Finished making a mount for my tail light.
Working on the rear turn signal mounts now.

Bidding on original purple tail race cowl/cover.

Scored an original front fender on Ebay! Mint as it gets..
get rid of the painted and trimmed/crashed/cracked one that came with mine.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/frontfairingrightiso.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/frontfairingleftiso.jpg

One day I'll have to get off my lazy butt and figure out how to clean the silver spray paint off the rims to make them gold again.

ninja250
May 21st, 2010, 07:21 PM
Pics of the home made brake light mount.
Used two screws and some standoffs for the bottom mounting tabs and made some "rubber fingers" to hold the light in the fairing. Worked out pretty solid!
You can see inside the fairing where the old mounts broke off. Now the rubber fingers rest right where the old mounts broke. That should hold me until I replace the rear fairing with an original. :)
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8613.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8615.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8616.jpg



See I fit much better on a gsxr size wise.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8621.jpg

ninja250
May 23rd, 2010, 02:51 PM
Spent the night last night mounting the blinkers until 2am and then woke up at 7am to go riding it. Hehe
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8658.jpg

Just won another piece of original Alstare plastics.
Purple tail fairing race cowl cover with original top half of the number plate stickers.

Along with the new front wheel cowl that is coming and this tail cowl, I need one more fairing piece left to have all original painted fairings on this bike.

Will post pics when they show up and I get them mounted.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/orignialtailcowl.jpg

I took the GSXR up to GMR with Adrian today too, to give it a test run. Five minutes down the road and it started pouring rain on me. Put at least 100-130mi on it today with no issues besides the fact that it started being reluctant to kick over later in the day. I think I'll just replace the battery and charging system now to prevent a break down in the future. Should be the last of the stuff I want to replace besides the brakes and those spiffy plastics coming from ebay.

Might need a few extra fairing screws now too.

Lots of power. Had it on one wheel today and leaned over 45*. Very fun but you better have some self control after coming from a Ninja 250R to one of these puppies. :D

Doesn't turn as good as the Ninja 250R but it's heavier and faster. I still like both bikes for different reasons. Gotta get to that Ninja frame soon too so they're both running top notch. Pics and vids from today's ride session coming up shortly in the ride reports section of the site.

ninja250
May 25th, 2010, 01:40 PM
CF chain guard showed up.
Maybe new fairing pieces tomorrow.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8702.jpg

ninja250
May 26th, 2010, 11:06 AM
Here's the new front wheel cowl! In better condition that dude's photos would allow him to show.

Looks perfect! :)
I need to find/win the OEM tail firing now. (impossible?) OEM tail cowl on it's way..
This thing is gonna be sick.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8705.jpg

ninja250
May 26th, 2010, 06:41 PM
New front wheel cowl installed.
Really helps the front end stand out quite a bit. :)

Here is the one it came with, all painted and chopped short
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8706.jpg

The new one has the brake hose clip still mounted and no cracks in the plastic.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8708.jpg

You can really see how much they trimmed off in this pic.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8709.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8711.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8712.jpg

Grn99Kawi
May 27th, 2010, 05:01 PM
f*in awesome!

DEXSPEED
May 27th, 2010, 06:35 PM
bike lookin good ,kc getting lucky findin those oem parts.

ninja250
May 28th, 2010, 01:42 AM
Thanks guys.
I had something for sale on ebay but it didn't sell. Gonna have to wait a short while longer on my brake rotors and pads.
Still waiting on some more plastic too though.
She's slowly getting better. Much nicer now than when I bought it.

To be continued in a short while when I get more parts. :eek::D
Time to work on the ninja again for a little bit.

I have to remember to adjust the steering stem nut and steering play again though. These old gsxr's always have play in the headset. One night I gotta sit down and figure out how to get rid of it once and for all. I always adjust the steering nut but not tight enough and it loosens up just enough to create play after a few miles again. Next time I'll have to crank it down another half turn more after I "think" it's tight. Steering play is annoying. Then you have to get on the bike and test it to make sure it still turns. If it's too tight the bike gets all hard to turn on you. lol

CC Cowboy
May 28th, 2010, 02:59 PM
If you are looking for an inverted front end I saw one on the Wera forum this morning. Would really make the bike extra groovey.

ninja250
May 28th, 2010, 06:05 PM
Eh I'm gonna sell her in a year or so for a new one I think. When she's spanking new then I'll go for upgrades. For now - wokring on getting it back to stock. lol
I spent all day today (birthday) adjusting the damn steering stem nut 3 times and testing between each adjustment. Hell of a long day but got out for a small twisty run and a couple wheelies again. (see new avatar)

Here's some pics of the stem nut adjustment. Repeat x3. lol
Still think I could go tighter! Needs more work man. Steering play is my pet peeve.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8726.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8719.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8725.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/DSCN8728.jpg

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/cakewheeliesuzibig.jpg

HKr1
May 29th, 2010, 02:55 PM
Dam, your doing allot of work to that bike! It's looking real nice :thumbup:

ninja250
May 30th, 2010, 07:43 PM
Just added the icing on the cake.
Nice new Bremzen rotors on the way. Paid full price for the 100% USA made non knockoff ones. Let's hope they're right.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab288/ninja250Rse/bremzen.jpg
Now I need pads and lines.

Front suspension on this thing is so stiff, pretty sure I can leave it as it is.

I want one of those Galfer floating rear rotors. :jaw:

Did get the headset play finished up today too. Now it's a tiny bit on the tight side and should seat up after a nice freeway ride.

c-dog
May 30th, 2010, 08:22 PM
Wow! This is a very cool project. It's great to see fully restored classic sport bikes. Yours is turning out very nice.

RedNinja09
May 30th, 2010, 10:07 PM
Wow, I really enjoyed reading your posts about all the work you are putting into the Suzuki. Very interesting. I totally agree that you shouldnt buy used unless you are a mechanic. You never do know what people have done.

This is my 2nd summer riding my 2009 Ninja. Any tips on what I need to do to maintain it ? I suppose I could get out my owners manual buuut... I am no mechanic. I would have to take it in somewhere for service. But, any tips from a pro would be appreciated.

Red

ninja250
May 31st, 2010, 02:39 AM
Thanks for the kind comments guys.
Really just throwing money at it. That's all there is to it. That and a little elbow grease and the right tools for the jobs.
(I need a headset adjusting wrench badly for my bikes! I'm chewing the bolt up with pliers getting it adjusted properly)
No toolmarks or you got the wrong tools!

Wow, I really enjoyed reading your posts about all the work you are putting into the Suzuki. Very interesting. I totally agree that you shouldnt buy used unless you are a mechanic. You never do know what people have done.

This is my 2nd summer riding my 2009 Ninja. Any tips on what I need to do to maintain it ? I suppose I could get out my owners manual buuut... I am no mechanic. I would have to take it in somewhere for service. But, any tips from a pro would be appreciated.

Red

If you ride it fast at all, you should probably know the condition of every bolt on the motorcycle off the top of your head, and have it recorded in the service manual when the last time you touched each bolt was and what you did to it. Especially all those on the front end suspension and controls. Hell even if you don't ride fast but just ride at highway speeds I'd recommend it. You guys would be surprised what I have seen. Just cleaning off your bike and making sure all the bolts are tight (to spec) can make a world of a difference in how the bike rides and performs.

Sometimes I just take stuff apart on my bike for the fun of it, or to completely clean a part for no reason and put it back on. That's how I spot loose bolts before they come lose and fall out etc. I pretty much mean every bolt on the motorcycle. Yep, I have touched all of the structural bolts on my bike with a socket and torque wrench at least once, where applicable. I had to redo the steering play on the gsxr 6 times before I finally got it right yesterday and even then I still might be a *hair* too tight and have to do it one more time. lol. This took me like 3-4 days and a lot of patience because I had to test ride it between each adjustment which meant disassembly and reassembly between each test ride.

Inspect your tires for nails or cracks too and frequently check your tire pressure. Make sure you battery cables are connected well and all your lights work and the brake light actuators are adjusted right. Might even add a bAttery tender if you have not already. Measure the stretch in your chain and compare to the service manual. also check for sprocket wear, and lube the whole final drive.
Might even give a quick visual check of your brake rotors and pads. You can usually see when they need to be replaced just by leaning over and looking at the calipers/pads/rotors. Also retorque your caliper mounting bolts front and rear while you are at it. (safety measure)

The best thing you can do is make sure the bike is sound and running like it should by making sure it's not falling apart all the way down to the suspension and engine bolts. Then you know for sure you are the only one to blame when something goes haywire!
start pulling plastic off 'till she's naked and start picking bolts to tighten! When you're done with each one, mark it with a paint marker and move to the next one! when your done, the piece of mind you have about riding your bike that it is assembled correctly will be rewarding and give confidence enough to ride hard and do your own maintenance from then on.

RedNinja09
May 31st, 2010, 12:05 PM
OK, I always do a visual check of everything before I go. Just a once over to make sure everything looks right. But, that's about as far as I go mechanically. I dont know anything. But, I will keep that info in mind.... :D

adri99an
May 31st, 2010, 02:07 PM
Daammmm--your bike looks waaaaayy different since I last saw it~~!! Nice freakin job dude!

Chris--believe it or not KC is a mastermind mechanic....he took my fairings off in 2 minutes flat~ :)


KC- I've got my hmf slip on exhaust coming...my left signal ....going to get the oil...filter....and so on....can't wait to hit Palomar---I'm off June 8th for summer vacation!!!!!!!!

RedNinja09
May 31st, 2010, 09:38 PM
I believe he IS the master mechanic. Looking at all that work, he has to know what he is doing. I wish he lived around the corner from me. Damn it...

ninja250
June 1st, 2010, 02:47 AM
I'm no special person. Just played with legos as a kid growing up.

I believe it makes the difference. lol :D

I also learn exceptionally fast.

I forgot to add, check all your fluids.. and chain tension.
Let me know when you get your goods Adrian. I'll help you out no probs.

You know my number. Hit me up if I go missing from the site. I probably won't be welcome on this site anymore because I grow annoyed with answering to grumpy old guys about everything I say. If I'm so controversial, half of what I say must be worth something.

adri99an
June 1st, 2010, 06:25 PM
Don't you know that the grumpy old men on this forum sit around all day waiting for you to post.....it's their livelyhood and if you go--what will they do? Maybe croak sooner???

backinthesaddleagain
June 1st, 2010, 06:49 PM
How is CC a grumpy old man when he suggested where an inverted fork could be found for the gsxr?

Alex
June 1st, 2010, 07:10 PM
Don't you know that the grumpy old men on this forum sit around all day waiting for you to post.....it's their livelyhood and if you go--what will they do? Maybe croak sooner???

1st warning.

Grn99Kawi
June 1st, 2010, 07:13 PM
ya know.. I read adri99an's reply like 5 times and I don't get it.....

adri99an
June 1st, 2010, 07:17 PM
My exhaust should be here in a few days....my left blinker as well....what oil should I pick up at Berts? And how much of it? Also....got back from Azusa Canyon a bit ago and noticed my rears were squeeeking.....someone mention not to go HH in the rears because they seem to lock up...is this true?

adri99an
June 1st, 2010, 07:22 PM
ya know.. I read adri99an's reply like 5 times and I don't get it.....

:idunno::