Cafe Fighter Ninja 250

Think47 · April 2nd, 2014, 08:45 AM

I got this bike awhile bike. My original plan was to build a cafe racer style bike, then I found the blue collar bobbers cafe conversion for this. After trying to figure out what route I can go with it, I just decided to do my own thing with it.

This is when I first picked it up. Some of the plastics were cracked on the bike. Not to bad, everything worked, it had an idle problem and no spark in one cylinder. It also had a fuel leak.

Started removing some plastics so I can dig a little deeper into the bike.

When I had the bike at this point I already fixed a few problems with the bike. The fuel leak was actually the tank itself, it looked like they tried to repair it before and it just fell apart. So I found a tank on Ebay for a great price and ordered it.

New tank was installed, I trimmed the front fender a little bit, and plasti dipped it black for the time being. Also got a replacement seat for it as well since the stock seat was redone and the foam under was destroyed. Installed a K&N filter, ordered my fork gaiters that I would put on eventually lol. Got a new headlight and mounting brackets for it as well. Also modified the exhasut for the time being because I did not like those big cans on the back.

Adjustable brake lever installed, since my old one was cracked and broken. I still have to replace the clutch handle.

Painted the rims gun metal, was not a big fan on the purple.

Painted the tank and the fender, I will change the color eventually, after I do a few more things to the bike.

New tires, almost ready to ride

Decided to get a Renthal Ultra Low Bar, with new grips and bar end mirrors. Definitely cleaned the front of the bike up alot more. And there is no vibration in the handle bars. Also installed the fork gaiters as well.

And how she currently sits. Just got my motorcycle endorsement a few weeks ago. Been riding it for a few weeks now. I will be doing a few more things to it as time goes by. I got some of my ideas from this forum. A lot of information on here. Thanks to Jono and Chicago bob for answering a few questions I have.

Alex · April 2nd, 2014, 09:54 AM

Great work!

csmith12 · April 2nd, 2014, 10:04 AM

Think47 · April 2nd, 2014, 11:04 AM

Thanks!

Josh_kcco · April 2nd, 2014, 02:57 PM

whats up with exhaust?

choneofakind · April 2nd, 2014, 03:13 PM

OMG!! **** the bike, can you take us on a photographic picture of your garage? I see at least 4 rides I want more pictures of.

Dredgshadow · April 2nd, 2014, 05:15 PM

Nice work man.
I noticed a couple nice rides in there too.

Work at or own a custom shop?

Think47 · April 3rd, 2014, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dredgshadow

Nice work man.
I noticed a couple nice rides in there too.

Work at or own a custom shop?

Work at a shop. I manage the shop, so I have access to it all the time. After work I usually worked on the bike, or stayed late and worked on some cars.

heffree · April 3rd, 2014, 09:43 PM

Where'd ya get the headlight? I've been wanting to put something like that on mine but haven't found a good deal on that style of headlight. Could be because I'm kinda new to bikes so I don't really know where to look...

Think47 · April 4th, 2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heffree

Where'd ya get the headlight? I've been wanting to put something like that on mine but haven't found a good deal on that style of headlight. Could be because I'm kinda new to bikes so I don't really know where to look...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190999829363

Here is the link for the head light

Ish · April 10th, 2014, 05:39 PM

Wish i worked at a shop and had those skills. Very nice build

Think47 · April 11th, 2014, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ish

Wish i worked at a shop and had those skills. Very nice build

Just a bunch of good tools and you are good to go. Was no room in my garage to work on this, so I left it here and worked on it when I could.

hobosmeller · April 11th, 2014, 10:08 PM

wow bike looks amazing, like what was said above me, I wish I had the knowledge and know how to be able to do something like that

KawiKid860 · April 11th, 2014, 11:44 PM

Very nice, plan on doing something very similar with my 500 seeing as the already not very attractive plastics are done for after 3 times being down... Always wanted a standard/naked bike too and not quite in the financial position to pick up a new one.

heffree · April 13th, 2014, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think47

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190999829363

Here is the link for the head light

Thanks! Fifty bones ain't too bad. Are the mounts a fairly generic thing or did make those yourself?

Think47 · April 14th, 2014, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heffree

Thanks! Fifty bones ain't too bad. Are the mounts a fairly generic thing or did make those yourself?

The mounts are from ebay as well

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Headli...c62d89&vxp=mtr

heffree · April 14th, 2014, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think47

The mounts are from ebay as well

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Headli...c62d89&vxp=mtr

Thank you! This is definitely going to be the next upgrade to my bike. Currently has two separate headlights, which I don't really like the look of. Plus they're cheap and plastic-y...

StephenA · April 14th, 2014, 03:57 PM

could you elaborate on what you did with your exhaust. Ive been thinking of doing something very close to this. I'm actually gunna take my pipes off my bike in a few minutes lol

Think47 · April 15th, 2014, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenA

could you elaborate on what you did with your exhaust. Ive been thinking of doing something very close to this. I'm actually gunna take my pipes off my bike in a few minutes lol

I cut the stock exhaust and just put some tubing on the end, put a little baffle on the inside.

Let me tell you its loud. If you like loud then go for it. I just wanted something different and the stock exhaust was to big and heavy for what I was going for.

StephenA · April 15th, 2014, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think47

I cut the stock exhaust and just put some tubing on the end, put a little baffle on the inside.

Let me tell you its loud. If you like loud then go for it. I just wanted something different and the stock exhaust was to big and heavy for what I was going for.

yea I rode around for a few minutes yesterday with just the headers and it was ridiculous. haha I think I might just stick with the stock pipes haha

Think47 · April 15th, 2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenA

yea I rode around for a few minutes yesterday with just the headers and it was ridiculous. haha I think I might just stick with the stock pipes haha

I am going to order the blue collar bobbers exhaust eventually and see how I like it.

StephenA · April 15th, 2014, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think47

I am going to order the blue collar bobbers exhaust eventually and see how I like it.

cool. Would be nice to have a review of them on this site

Jammerkiller · April 16th, 2014, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think47

I am going to order the blue collar bobbers exhaust eventually and see how I like it.

The BCB exhaust is definitely more quiet than open exhaust. I have them on my BCB Cafe and I really like how they sound. Gives the bike that old-school "trumpet" exhaust sound. Lance (Blue Collar) actually makes and installs the baffles for the trumpets, to give them their particular sound. Otherwise, they too, would be super loud.

spc2125 · April 16th, 2014, 07:51 PM

GTR

crazymadbastard · April 16th, 2014, 07:54 PM

looking good there!

Think47 · April 17th, 2014, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jammerkiller

The BCB exhaust is definitely more quiet than open exhaust. I have them on my BCB Cafe and I really like how they sound. Gives the bike that old-school "trumpet" exhaust sound. Lance (Blue Collar) actually makes and installs the baffles for the trumpets, to give them their particular sound. Otherwise, they too, would be super loud.

Do you have a video of what it sounds like?

Jammerkiller · April 18th, 2014, 04:25 PM

I have a quick video.... now to figure out how to load it.....

IMG_1629.MOV

...or....

http://youtu.be/CITjnrKJWO8

EternalNewb · April 18th, 2014, 05:05 PM

Is that your bike, Mike? I'm in love with the gauge cluster. And the exhaust. And, heck, from what I've seen of it in that short video, probably the whole darn bike.

Jammerkiller · April 18th, 2014, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EternalNewb

Is that your bike, Mike? I'm in love with the gauge cluster. And the exhaust. And, heck, from what I've seen of it in that short video, probably the whole darn bike.

Thanks. Yup, it's mine. Blue Collar Bobber kit with "old-school" trumpet exhaust. Painted Ford "Competition Orange". I love riding it around town. It always gets stares from on-lookers.

Think47 · April 19th, 2014, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jammerkiller

I have a quick video.... now to figure out how to load it.....

Attachment 29802

...or....

http://youtu.be/CITjnrKJWO8

Thanks!

Good to here it. I can't stand to ride my bike with the way the exhaust is right now lol

Think47 · April 19th, 2014, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jammerkiller

I have a quick video.... now to figure out how to load it.....

Attachment 29802

...or....

http://youtu.be/CITjnrKJWO8

Also what motorcycle stand is that you have on the rear. Been looking for one for my garage.

Thanks

Jammerkiller · April 19th, 2014, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think47

Also what motorcycle stand is that you have on the rear. Been looking for one for my garage.

Thanks

Not sure....It's a cheapie from Cycle Gear. It has the "L" brackets to hold up just about any regular swing-arm.

jonstrocity · April 19th, 2014, 09:03 PM

neat build! I'd like to do something similar with mine since the plastics look terrible. How did you go about tucking and hiding all the wires/fuse box/coolant/etc. thats behind the side fairings?

Jammerkiller · April 20th, 2014, 10:40 PM

Hey Anthony,

About how much plastic did you take off on the front fender? It came out looking very good.

Think47 · April 21st, 2014, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonstrocity

neat build! I'd like to do something similar with mine since the plastics look terrible. How did you go about tucking and hiding all the wires/fuse box/coolant/etc. thats behind the side fairings?

A lot of the stuff is tucked up under the seat, after I got rid of the stock air box I had plenty of room to run some of the stuff under the seat. I will post some pictures tomorrow so you can get a closer look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jammerkiller

Hey Anthony,

About how much plastic did you take off on the front fender? It came out looking very good.

Not a lot, didn't take me to long, still have some trimming to do. I hated how it covered so much. I just kept cutting away and putting it back on the bike to see how I liked it.

alex.s · April 21st, 2014, 02:40 PM

lambo, audi, GTR, '69 camero 307... dude, what does your shop do??

ds650rida · April 21st, 2014, 07:27 PM

What are you using for turn signals?

cerberusrex25 · April 22nd, 2014, 12:09 PM

I'm Kawi green with envy!!!!!

Think47 · April 23rd, 2014, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

lambo, audi, GTR, '69 camero 307... dude, what does your shop do??

The audi is actually a fisker karma lol, it's a piece of ****. We are a performance shop. Custom tuning, we have an awd dyno, also do mechanical and fabrication work as well

Quote:

Originally Posted by ds650rida

What are you using for turn signals?

The ones for the front i got from ebay, they are suppose to thread in, when I got them, they were a different thread pitch, so I just drilled out the part they thread into and ran a nut on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cerberusrex25

I'm Kawi green with envy!!!!!

ds650rida · April 23rd, 2014, 01:54 PM

ahh i see them now.

April 2nd, 2014, 08:45 AM	#1
Think47 ninjette.org member Name: Anthony Location: Florida Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	Cafe Fighter Ninja 250 I got this bike awhile bike. My original plan was to build a cafe racer style bike, then I found the blue collar bobbers cafe conversion for this. After trying to figure out what route I can go with it, I just decided to do my own thing with it. This is when I first picked it up. Some of the plastics were cracked on the bike. Not to bad, everything worked, it had an idle problem and no spark in one cylinder. It also had a fuel leak. Started removing some plastics so I can dig a little deeper into the bike. When I had the bike at this point I already fixed a few problems with the bike. The fuel leak was actually the tank itself, it looked like they tried to repair it before and it just fell apart. So I found a tank on Ebay for a great price and ordered it. New tank was installed, I trimmed the front fender a little bit, and plasti dipped it black for the time being. Also got a replacement seat for it as well since the stock seat was redone and the foam under was destroyed. Installed a K&N filter, ordered my fork gaiters that I would put on eventually lol. Got a new headlight and mounting brackets for it as well. Also modified the exhasut for the time being because I did not like those big cans on the back. Adjustable brake lever installed, since my old one was cracked and broken. I still have to replace the clutch handle. Painted the rims gun metal, was not a big fan on the purple. Painted the tank and the fender, I will change the color eventually, after I do a few more things to the bike. New tires, almost ready to ride Decided to get a Renthal Ultra Low Bar, with new grips and bar end mirrors. Definitely cleaned the front of the bike up alot more. And there is no vibration in the handle bars. Also installed the fork gaiters as well. And how she currently sits. Just got my motorcycle endorsement a few weeks ago. Been riding it for a few weeks now. I will be doing a few more things to it as time goes by. I got some of my ideas from this forum. A lot of information on here. Thanks to Jono and Chicago bob for answering a few questions I have.

April 2nd, 2014, 09:54 AM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Great work! __________________________________________________ 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)

April 2nd, 2014, 10:04 AM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	__________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

April 11th, 2014, 10:08 PM	#13
hobosmeller ninjette.org member Name: Juan Location: Rancho Cucamonga Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1995 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 with 8500 miles!! Posts: 41	wow bike looks amazing, like what was said above me, I wish I had the knowledge and know how to be able to do something like that __________________________________________________ are you aware?

April 14th, 2014, 03:57 PM	#18
StephenA Riding Ruby.. Name: Stephen Location: SoCal Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, 2007 Ninja 250R Posts: 392	could you elaborate on what you did with your exhaust. Ive been thinking of doing something very close to this. I'm actually gunna take my pipes off my bike in a few minutes lol __________________________________________________ Unregistered

April 2nd, 2014, 11:04 AM	#4
Think47 ninjette.org member Name: Anthony Location: Florida Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Ninja 250 Posts: 37	Thanks!

April 2nd, 2014, 02:57 PM	#5
Josh_kcco ninjette.org guru Name: Josh Location: Kern Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): '04 Ninja 250R Posts: 367	whats up with exhaust?

April 2nd, 2014, 03:13 PM	#6
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	OMG!! **** the bike, can you take us on a photographic picture of your garage? I see at least 4 rides I want more pictures of.

April 2nd, 2014, 05:15 PM	#7
Dredgshadow ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Johnson City, TN Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 600RR, 2009 250r Posts: 130	Nice work man. I noticed a couple nice rides in there too. Work at or own a custom shop?

April 3rd, 2014, 09:43 PM	#9
heffree ninjette.org member Name: Jeff Location: Utah Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): EX250 Posts: 24	Where'd ya get the headlight? I've been wanting to put something like that on mine but haven't found a good deal on that style of headlight. Could be because I'm kinda new to bikes so I don't really know where to look...

April 10th, 2014, 05:39 PM	#11
Ish ninjette.org member Name: Ish Location: San Clemente, California Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 2001 KX125 2001 Posts: 85	Wish i worked at a shop and had those skills. Very nice build

April 11th, 2014, 11:44 PM	#14
KawiKid860 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Murphey Location: Eastern Washington Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.	Very nice, plan on doing something very similar with my 500 seeing as the already not very attractive plastics are done for after 3 times being down... Always wanted a standard/naked bike too and not quite in the financial position to pick up a new one.

April 16th, 2014, 07:51 PM	#24
spc2125 ninjette.org member Name: Steven Location: MA Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 10 Ninja 250 Posts: 172	GTR

April 16th, 2014, 07:54 PM	#25
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	looking good there! __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

April 18th, 2014, 04:25 PM	#27
Jammerkiller lurking about........ Name: Mike Location: Tucson, AZ Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004/2005 Ninja EX250, VFR750, Shadow ACE750, NC700X Posts: 33	I have a quick video.... now to figure out how to load it..... IMG_1629.MOV ...or.... http://youtu.be/CITjnrKJWO8 __________________________________________________ Fast....Cheap.....Reliable...... You can only pick two. Last futzed with by Jammerkiller; April 18th, 2014 at 04:31 PM. Reason: added Youtube link....

April 18th, 2014, 05:05 PM	#28
EternalNewb ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: S Location: CA/MA, usually Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R, 2007 Ninja 650R, 2001 F650 Dakar Posts: A lot.	Is that your bike, Mike? I'm in love with the gauge cluster. And the exhaust. And, heck, from what I've seen of it in that short video, probably the whole darn bike.

April 19th, 2014, 09:03 PM	#33
jonstrocity ninjette.org newbie Name: jonathan Location: houston Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2001 ex250F Posts: 6	neat build! I'd like to do something similar with mine since the plastics look terrible. How did you go about tucking and hiding all the wires/fuse box/coolant/etc. thats behind the side fairings?

April 20th, 2014, 10:40 PM	#34
Jammerkiller lurking about........ Name: Mike Location: Tucson, AZ Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004/2005 Ninja EX250, VFR750, Shadow ACE750, NC700X Posts: 33	Hey Anthony, About how much plastic did you take off on the front fender? It came out looking very good. __________________________________________________ Fast....Cheap.....Reliable...... You can only pick two.

April 21st, 2014, 02:40 PM	#36
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	lambo, audi, GTR, '69 camero 307... dude, what does your shop do?? __________________________________________________

April 21st, 2014, 07:27 PM	#37
ds650rida ninjette.org member Name: rich Location: new jersey Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 636 250r Posts: 183	What are you using for turn signals?

April 22nd, 2014, 12:09 PM	#38
cerberusrex25 Accesories Guru Name: Dave Location: Centreville, VA Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250(Cafe/fighter project) Posts: 537	I'm Kawi green with envy!!!!!

April 23rd, 2014, 01:54 PM	#40
ds650rida ninjette.org member Name: rich Location: new jersey Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 636 250r Posts: 183	ahh i see them now.

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