New Here, Cleveland - OH

Kruse08 · May 16th, 2014, 02:56 AM

Hello Everyone,

Thought I would introduce myself as I am new to the motorcycle world. Name is Brandon and I just bought a 99 from a friends dad for a good price -$900- about a month ago. Had 8,500 miles on it when I got it and they owned it for 7 years before letting it go to me. I am learning a lot about driving and operating a bike though I am familiar with cars as I have worked on many of them prior to owning a bike but I am always nervous when taking them apart. I have been doing a lot of research about maintenance and what is needed. I have an end goal in mind from a person on this site. I admire his bike, his user name is "Jono". I will post pictures later this week to let you all see the purchase. Glad to be apart of this community.

Alex · May 16th, 2014, 03:22 AM

Kruse08! Glad to have you aboard...

Racer x · May 16th, 2014, 04:34 AM

Welcome

KJohnson21 · May 16th, 2014, 09:26 AM

cbinker · May 16th, 2014, 09:32 AM

Hi.

EternalNewb · May 16th, 2014, 09:45 AM

Welcome, Brandon.

csmith12 · May 16th, 2014, 09:51 AM

Welcome!

choneofakind · May 16th, 2014, 10:06 AM

Welcome Brandon, I also have a '99 and am in the Cleveland/Akron area.

Paiging @Jono for some insight.

Kruse08 · May 16th, 2014, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the welcoming, Chris I am glad to see another person in my area. If you would like to ever meet up let me know.

Ninja Bob · May 16th, 2014, 09:03 PM

Clevelander here. Ohio City.

Kruse08 · May 16th, 2014, 10:22 PM

Hey Shawn, how are you doing? Nice to meet another person from around the area.

Snake · May 16th, 2014, 11:48 PM

Hello and welcome.

Ninja Bob · May 17th, 2014, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kruse08

Hey Shawn, how are you doing? Nice to meet another person from around the area.

Pretty good. You've come to the right place. This site is pretty rockin. Have you taken a class yet?

squirrelystar · May 17th, 2014, 07:57 AM

Welcome!

Jono · May 17th, 2014, 08:43 AM

@Kruse08 I am glad to read that my old bike is still being admired! If you have any questions feel free to send me a message. Happy to help you out.

Kruse08 · May 17th, 2014, 04:51 PM

Thanks Jono and Shawn no i have not taken a class yet, I have my temps so far and have only had the bike for a month now. Still figuring out when I am going to take it and where is a good place as I am not sure of places in the area. If you guys know of anywhere that is good to take classes at let me know, it would be appreciated.

supernoob · May 17th, 2014, 05:36 PM

Welcome!!! I'm new also. you got one heck of a deal on that 99!!!

I got my 08 for 800 bucks!!! If i didn't get it that cheap I wouldn't know the joys of riding.

Be safe out there.....

Kruse08 · May 17th, 2014, 05:38 PM

Hey glad to see you have joined also. Be safe yourself and glad to see you got a low price as well.

Ninja Bob · May 17th, 2014, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kruse08

Thanks Jono and Shawn no i have not taken a class yet, I have my temps so far and have only had the bike for a month now. Still figuring out when I am going to take it and where is a good place as I am not sure of places in the area. If you guys know of anywhere that is good to take classes at let me know, it would be appreciated.

I took mine at Polaris back in 2010. And that's where my partner is taking hers. My friend is taking his at Tri-C. You can go here to find classes and register.

You might not be able to schedule one for any time soon cause they book up pretty quickly. But you could do what I did and just walk into one of the booked up classes and get your name in a drawing to take no-show spots. The one I went to had three no-shows.

choneofakind · May 18th, 2014, 07:29 AM

^^ that worked for me as well. Silly no shows.

JohnnyBravo · May 18th, 2014, 07:54 AM

Welcome... Cleveland rocks

Kruse08 · May 18th, 2014, 02:22 PM

Here is the bike, only thing I have done is the fender eliminator. The bike has a few problem areas that need addressed. Surface rust on the swing arm and oxidization on the motor, front forks, and a few other areas. Trying to figure out how to get rid of the oxidization.

choneofakind · May 18th, 2014, 02:39 PM

Looking good! It even matches mine!

Kruse08 · May 18th, 2014, 02:44 PM

Any thoughts of how to clean the oxidization?

choneofakind · May 18th, 2014, 02:46 PM

Is it actually oxidation on the engine? It really just looks like road salt crusties from my computer

Kruse08 · May 18th, 2014, 02:51 PM

Not to sure honestly. Just wanting to figure out how to remove it. Sanding and painting maybe.

choneofakind · May 18th, 2014, 02:54 PM

If it's just road grime and residue, try simple green.

The rust on the swingarm looks like it should be able to be taken off with some light sand paper. Then repaint it. Matching paint can be found here: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Servicing_the_swingarm

misfitsailor · May 19th, 2014, 10:31 AM

Welcome, Brandon. By all means try various cleaners first.

crazymadbastard · May 30th, 2014, 05:46 PM

Welcome friend!

Kruse08 · May 30th, 2014, 05:57 PM

Thanks for the late greeting! I have put around 1,100 miles on it in just over a month now. I have achieved one tank that I was averaging 80 miles to the gallon.

snot · May 30th, 2014, 06:36 PM

Welcome from Midwest Ohio.

Kruse08 · May 30th, 2014, 06:37 PM

Thanks Snot, where at are you located in the West of Ohio.

snot · May 30th, 2014, 06:39 PM

I am north of Dayton, there are a few more of us in this area.

Kruse08 · May 30th, 2014, 06:40 PM

Awesome, good to meet more people. I posted in he rides section of a ride my friends and I are doing June 2nd. I Know it is short notice but anyone is welcome.

snot · May 30th, 2014, 06:46 PM

To far for me during the week. There is a huge ride every year in Hocking hills (another forum). We did it this spring and might do another in the fall. I will keep you posted.

Kruse08 · June 20th, 2014, 10:27 AM

Well I have started making a list of everything I want to do to the bike and it is very long. I decided I would start by cleaning it up and replacing old and worn parts. The first two items to be purchased was a new gen rear shock and soupys dogbones so I can raise the rear.

May 16th, 2014, 02:56 AM	#1
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	New Here, Cleveland - OH Hello Everyone, Thought I would introduce myself as I am new to the motorcycle world. Name is Brandon and I just bought a 99 from a friends dad for a good price -$900- about a month ago. Had 8,500 miles on it when I got it and they owned it for 7 years before letting it go to me. I am learning a lot about driving and operating a bike though I am familiar with cars as I have worked on many of them prior to owning a bike but I am always nervous when taking them apart. I have been doing a lot of research about maintenance and what is needed. I have an end goal in mind from a person on this site. I admire his bike, his user name is "Jono". I will post pictures later this week to let you all see the purchase. Glad to be apart of this community.

May 16th, 2014, 03:22 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	Kruse08! Glad to have you aboard... __________________________________________________ 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)

May 16th, 2014, 04:34 AM	#3
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Welcome __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

May 16th, 2014, 09:26 AM	#4
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	__________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

May 16th, 2014, 09:32 AM	#5
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	Hi. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

May 16th, 2014, 09:45 AM	#6
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.	Welcome, Brandon.

May 16th, 2014, 09:51 AM	#7
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	Welcome! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

May 16th, 2014, 10:06 AM	#8
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Welcome Brandon, I also have a '99 and am in the Cleveland/Akron area. Paiging @Jono for some insight.

May 16th, 2014, 12:49 PM	#9
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Thanks for the welcoming, Chris I am glad to see another person in my area. If you would like to ever meet up let me know.

May 16th, 2014, 09:03 PM	#10
Ninja Bob Certified Slacker Name: Shawn Location: Cleveland Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R SE Posts: 232	Clevelander here. Ohio City. __________________________________________________ *Ninja Bob*

May 16th, 2014, 10:22 PM	#11
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Hey Shawn, how are you doing? Nice to meet another person from around the area.

May 16th, 2014, 11:48 PM	#12
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Hello and welcome.

May 17th, 2014, 07:57 AM	#14
squirrelystar ninjette.org member Name: Victoria Location: Dallas Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 50	Welcome!

May 17th, 2014, 08:43 AM	#15
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	@Kruse08 I am glad to read that my old bike is still being admired! If you have any questions feel free to send me a message. Happy to help you out.

May 17th, 2014, 04:51 PM	#16
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Thanks Jono and Shawn no i have not taken a class yet, I have my temps so far and have only had the bike for a month now. Still figuring out when I am going to take it and where is a good place as I am not sure of places in the area. If you guys know of anywhere that is good to take classes at let me know, it would be appreciated.

May 17th, 2014, 05:36 PM	#17
supernoob ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: Nitro, WV Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 26	Welcome!!! I'm new also. you got one heck of a deal on that 99!!! I got my 08 for 800 bucks!!! If i didn't get it that cheap I wouldn't know the joys of riding. Be safe out there.....

May 17th, 2014, 05:38 PM	#18
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Hey glad to see you have joined also. Be safe yourself and glad to see you got a low price as well.

May 18th, 2014, 07:29 AM	#20
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	^^ that worked for me as well. Silly no shows.

May 18th, 2014, 07:54 AM	#21
JohnnyBravo Certifiable nontundrum Name: Harper Location: NC Milkshake stand Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16	Welcome... Cleveland rocks

May 18th, 2014, 02:22 PM	#22
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Here is the bike, only thing I have done is the fender eliminator. The bike has a few problem areas that need addressed. Surface rust on the swing arm and oxidization on the motor, front forks, and a few other areas. Trying to figure out how to get rid of the oxidization.

May 18th, 2014, 02:39 PM	#23
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Looking good! It even matches mine!

May 18th, 2014, 02:44 PM	#24
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Any thoughts of how to clean the oxidization?

May 18th, 2014, 02:46 PM	#25
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Is it actually oxidation on the engine? It really just looks like road salt crusties from my computer

May 18th, 2014, 02:51 PM	#26
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Not to sure honestly. Just wanting to figure out how to remove it. Sanding and painting maybe.

May 18th, 2014, 02:54 PM	#27
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	If it's just road grime and residue, try simple green. The rust on the swingarm looks like it should be able to be taken off with some light sand paper. Then repaint it. Matching paint can be found here: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Servicing_the_swingarm

May 19th, 2014, 10:31 AM	#28
misfitsailor Ninjette Jockey Name: Tim Location: Stockton, Ca Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, 2 Honda Monkeys, Polini & GRC mini GP Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	Welcome, Brandon. By all means try various cleaners first. __________________________________________________ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?.

May 30th, 2014, 05:46 PM	#29
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	Welcome friend! __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

May 30th, 2014, 05:57 PM	#30
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Thanks for the late greeting! I have put around 1,100 miles on it in just over a month now. I have achieved one tank that I was averaging 80 miles to the gallon.

May 30th, 2014, 06:36 PM	#31
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	Welcome from Midwest Ohio.

May 30th, 2014, 06:37 PM	#32
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Thanks Snot, where at are you located in the West of Ohio.

May 30th, 2014, 06:39 PM	#33
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	I am north of Dayton, there are a few more of us in this area.

May 30th, 2014, 06:40 PM	#34
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Awesome, good to meet more people. I posted in he rides section of a ride my friends and I are doing June 2nd. I Know it is short notice but anyone is welcome.

May 30th, 2014, 06:46 PM	#35
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	To far for me during the week. There is a huge ride every year in Hocking hills (another forum). We did it this spring and might do another in the fall. I will keep you posted.

June 20th, 2014, 10:27 AM	#36
Kruse08 ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Cleveland, OH Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 99 Ninja 250 Posts: 217	Well I have started making a list of everything I want to do to the bike and it is very long. I decided I would start by cleaning it up and replacing old and worn parts. The first two items to be purchased was a new gen rear shock and soupys dogbones so I can raise the rear.

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