Time to start the huge task of repairs

[Quick1]

About three years ago, my Ninja 250 finally succumbed to the rust in its tank. There is a pin-hole leak right behind the top fairing bolt (I learned there are two sizes of fairing bolts.... the hard way) and this allowed condensation into the gas tank and the rust got real bad. One day, I had to put it on reserve and it started bogging & eventually stopped completely. From the research I did on these forums, it seemed that carb rebuild was necessary. The bike basically fell by the way-side after that.....

Its been several years now & I dragged it out of storage. So that I wouldn't have to mess around with brazing pinhole leaks & sealing the tank with POR-15 or Kreem, I purchased a tank from my friend who is parting out his 2007. I was going to tear into the carbs, but he offered me his carbs for a good price- they look brand new. I did a search and it looks like the first generation of ninja (up until 2007) pretty much has interchangeable parts.

I called a mechanic and he told me the Ninja 250 has similar body parts, but the drivetrain is more advanced. When I check parts stores, they tell me that the '93 can't use the 2007 carbs. This sounds like a salesman's pitch, but I don't want to spend $100 and waste time needlessly. I've never rebuilt carbs myself & the shop wants $600 to do it. I'm hoping to take the easy way out if they are interchangeable.

[j98sprint]

Same carbs, use 'em.

j98sprint

[JohnnyBravo]

If they fit, rebuild them ( its generally straightforward) and put em on. It may take some adjustment depending on flow differences. I'll see if I can find some stuff and give a definite answer. Usually carb swaps work, just takes a bit of adjustment... It will not blow your bike up, at the worst make it run funny till adjusts properly.

[7oxSin]

yeah ive put old carbs on newer 250s and newer ones on old 250s they work (pregen only). also 600$ for a rebuild, i know a website where you can anonymously send rhino **** in a vacuum sealed box for like 8$ cuz that shop needs some punishment...

[Quick1]

Thanks for the answers. I'll swap the carbs out and practice rebuilding the old set. Kind of takes the stress off of not messing up my only set. I've found some good tutorials & kind of eager to try now!

[n4mwd]

If the shop wants $600 to rebuild a set of carbs for the Ninja 250 then its because they don't know how to do it. Someone who knows what they are doing can do it in 30 minutes or less once they are out. In most cases, you don't need any parts either. The gaskets are reusable if they aren't damaged.

Like others have said, all major parts on the pregen from 1989 to 2007 are identical with only some minor changes. As far as the carbs, I would bet the newgen carbs would fit just fine, but they might require rejetting.

[Quick1]

Are you saying the 2007 carbs are considered newgen? I thought that started in 2008? Sorry.... NOOB questions. Or, are you suggesting I try out a 2008+ carb?

[JohnnyBravo]

Anything from 88-12 works with little to no adjustments
Keihin CVK30, before 88 it was cvk32, after 13 fuel injection

[Quick1]

Then that settles it. I'm picking up the 2007 carbs. I appreciate your help guys.

[JohnnyBravo]

I don't think I'd go back to that shop unless they were replacing your carbs with new ones... Their prices are freakin nuts, I'd rebuild em waaaaay cheaper, but then again I don't charge $100+ per man hour.

[choneofakind]

the carburetors from 1988-2012 are the same. However, with the newer generation of bike in 2008, the jetting was different. All carbs for these bikes starting in 1988 are 30mm CV-style Keihin Carbs.

However, since the needles were different starting in 2008 also, stick with a set that came off an 88-07 bike.

When you get them, soak 'em in pinsol overnight, take an air compressor, blow out all the passeges and jets, make sure the gaskets/floats/diaphragms aren't damaged, and then stick them on the bike.

Good find on a new tank. That makes your job much easier.