Shopping for my Ninja

Old_Six_Fitty · January 15th, 2015, 12:08 AM

So being a cheap bahstadge and being familiar with wrenching, I'm shopping for an older the pregen Ninja 250R. Mostly as a project bike and occasional commuter. Ride to work is about 25 mi round trip and is 50/50 freeway vs city boulevard.

Shopping craigslist I see many cosmetically challenged bikes, but also see quite a few that may have title issues. I'm okay buying a low budget builder just to get the titled frame, then putting the best parts from two donors together to get a decent steed.

What are the typical issues to watch for?
> Frame weaknesses?
> Engine failures?
> Electrical failures?
> Cooling system failures?

Other than tune up & valve adjust, fresh fluids & lube, tires, brake pads / lines, repack wheel bearings - what else to expect when bringing the used and neglected Ninja back to optimal reliability and performance?

... or point the FNG to the FAQ / thread.

MrAtom · January 15th, 2015, 12:49 AM

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70685

crazymadbastard · January 15th, 2015, 07:23 AM

I would wait to get a good runner in need of cosmetics only. Titles can be a pita and better off passing imo. These frames are pretty simple. Best price I have seen for a very clean pregen was $1200 in my area. Parts are pretty cheap
you usually can get a whole wire harness for $30-50 so even if an electric mess
that can be tidied up on the cheap. Good luck out there!

DanteCoal · January 15th, 2015, 07:28 AM

I agree with crazymadbastard, but if you're wanting to get something cheaper that you're wanting to work on a bit to save money, go for it! It's a great feeling to bring an old(er) bike back to life.

As far as what to look for, if it's not too much trouble you should ask to see it w/o the fairings to get a good look @ the tabs, hidden rust pockets, etc. Also be prepared to invest time in CLEANING the hell out of the thing. In my experience all that caked on, baked on dirt and grime can really start to effect the life of a bike due to many owners not thoroughly (read: obsessively) cleaning their bikes. So engine cleaner, q-tips, and some pick tools may be in order. Possibly a chisel. (I wish I were joking about that last one)

spent_too_much · January 15th, 2015, 10:00 AM

One with title issues could be the "donor bike", if you get two. I have seen complete wiring harnesses for around $20 - $25 on eBay recently. In my area, a good runner will cost around $1000 - $1200. It might be cheaper in the long run to spend a little more up front on a good runner, that to start with a project bike. For example I have seen one in my area that, according to the seller, has sat for 3 years and does not run $750. It is a complete bike, but I am staying clear of it because it has sat for so long.

I too enjoy wrenching, and a project. But, you don't want to spend $2000 to complete a bike that will be worth $1000 when comlpeted.

As for the title issues, I came accross this thread, but have not tried it. It seems too good to be true, but for less than $100, it might be worth finding out.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655441

ninjunk · January 15th, 2015, 11:37 AM

YEP keep passing up those title-less bikes so i can get them even cheaper!!

I'd say 300-500 for a 'project' non running, cosmetically rough bike.

If you hound craig's you can pick up a pretty decent pre-gen with dirty carbs for less than a grand. For a grand it would have to be perfect, 90%+ cosmetics and less than 10,000 miles with maintenance history, and title (not running of course).

The <$500 bikes attract a lot of dreamers, wannabees and other idiots thinking they can fix it up. You gotta move fast and be decisive to snap them up, they usually disappear off CL within a couple hours.

I've been looking for 6 or 7 months now just waiting for the right bike to pop up at the right price. There are so many of these out there, it will pop up eventually, just don't expect to get a good deal checking once a week on sunday morning, you'll miss the choice-est nuggets.

I like to buy bikes that are greeeeeezzy, the greasier the better, that way you know there was oil in it and the grease protects the paint underneath. Its like I always say.. if its leaking oil, you know there is oil still in it... its when it STOPS leaking oil that you gotta worry.

oh yeah some changes got made in '99/2000 and i think there were some changes around 96, maybe just cosmetics. Just like with anything the tank rust, rubber condition, and other stuff that is affected by time and time alone will be better on a newer bike.

good luck!!

January 15th, 2015, 12:08 AM	#1
Old_Six_Fitty ninjette.org member Name: Mark Location: Folsom Ca Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): DL1000 V-Strom, KLR650 Posts: 20	Shopping for my Ninja So being a cheap bahstadge and being familiar with wrenching, I'm shopping for an older the pregen Ninja 250R. Mostly as a project bike and occasional commuter. Ride to work is about 25 mi round trip and is 50/50 freeway vs city boulevard. Shopping craigslist I see many cosmetically challenged bikes, but also see quite a few that may have title issues. I'm okay buying a low budget builder just to get the titled frame, then putting the best parts from two donors together to get a decent steed. What are the typical issues to watch for? > Frame weaknesses? > Engine failures? > Electrical failures? > Cooling system failures? Other than tune up & valve adjust, fresh fluids & lube, tires, brake pads / lines, repack wheel bearings - what else to expect when bringing the used and neglected Ninja back to optimal reliability and performance? ... or point the FNG to the FAQ / thread.

January 15th, 2015, 07:23 AM	#3
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	I would wait to get a good runner in need of cosmetics only. Titles can be a pita and better off passing imo. These frames are pretty simple. Best price I have seen for a very clean pregen was $1200 in my area. Parts are pretty cheap you usually can get a whole wire harness for $30-50 so even if an electric mess that can be tidied up on the cheap. Good luck out there! __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

January 15th, 2015, 10:00 AM	#5
spent_too_much ninjette.org guru Name: Miguel Location: MA Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2000 EX-250; several other years of the same Posts: 470	One with title issues could be the "donor bike", if you get two. I have seen complete wiring harnesses for around $20 - $25 on eBay recently. In my area, a good runner will cost around $1000 - $1200. It might be cheaper in the long run to spend a little more up front on a good runner, that to start with a project bike. For example I have seen one in my area that, according to the seller, has sat for 3 years and does not run $750. It is a complete bike, but I am staying clear of it because it has sat for so long. I too enjoy wrenching, and a project. But, you don't want to spend $2000 to complete a bike that will be worth $1000 when comlpeted. As for the title issues, I came accross this thread, but have not tried it. It seems too good to be true, but for less than $100, it might be worth finding out. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655441 __________________________________________________ ... can't stop updating the bike!

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January 15th, 2015, 12:49 AM	#2
MrAtom . Name: . Location: . Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot. MOTM - July '15	https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70685

January 15th, 2015, 07:28 AM	#4
DanteCoal ninjette.org member Name: Dante Location: Salem, OR Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2016 Ninja 300 ABS, R.I.P 1986 Ninja EX250 Posts: 93	I agree with crazymadbastard, but if you're wanting to get something cheaper that you're wanting to work on a bit to save money, go for it! It's a great feeling to bring an old(er) bike back to life. As far as what to look for, if it's not too much trouble you should ask to see it w/o the fairings to get a good look @ the tabs, hidden rust pockets, etc. Also be prepared to invest time in CLEANING the hell out of the thing. In my experience all that caked on, baked on dirt and grime can really start to effect the life of a bike due to many owners not thoroughly (read: obsessively) cleaning their bikes. So engine cleaner, q-tips, and some pick tools may be in order. Possibly a chisel. (I wish I were joking about that last one)

January 15th, 2015, 11:37 AM	#6
ninjunk Lostcause enthusiast Name: Graham Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2000 EX250F Posts: 178	YEP keep passing up those title-less bikes so i can get them even cheaper!! I'd say 300-500 for a 'project' non running, cosmetically rough bike. If you hound craig's you can pick up a pretty decent pre-gen with dirty carbs for less than a grand. For a grand it would have to be perfect, 90%+ cosmetics and less than 10,000 miles with maintenance history, and title (not running of course). The <$500 bikes attract a lot of dreamers, wannabees and other idiots thinking they can fix it up. You gotta move fast and be decisive to snap them up, they usually disappear off CL within a couple hours. I've been looking for 6 or 7 months now just waiting for the right bike to pop up at the right price. There are so many of these out there, it will pop up eventually, just don't expect to get a good deal checking once a week on sunday morning, you'll miss the choice-est nuggets. I like to buy bikes that are greeeeeezzy, the greasier the better, that way you know there was oil in it and the grease protects the paint underneath. Its like I always say.. if its leaking oil, you know there is oil still in it... its when it STOPS leaking oil that you gotta worry. oh yeah some changes got made in '99/2000 and i think there were some changes around 96, maybe just cosmetics. Just like with anything the tank rust, rubber condition, and other stuff that is affected by time and time alone will be better on a newer bike. good luck!!