2010 (evolving into a mod thread)

[ninja250]

Yeah so it was me whining on the the kawi forum but I guess I got off to a bad start there even though all I did was show my bike and tell people what I paid for it

Not looking for any trouble and this place seems more relaxed so I'll post what I have here and 250R.net

Here's my baby up on stands yesterday for second oil and chain lube at 500mi.
Probably overdid it with the chain lube a bit though. Next time I wont use so much. Gonna do the 600mi service tomorrow after a ride today!

Thanks for all the info I've learned here already just browsing.

(pic of dirty oil shows metal flecks in oil after 250mi change)

[bob706]

Nice looking bike

[ninja250]

Thanks dude.
I wasn't sure what color to get. My friend said black and I got 'er done.
This was the only "black" one they had.

Here's more random pics I took while playing around with it.

[bdavison]

Looks like you lost one of the frame tube covers.
That new paint job is sweet. Im undecided on if I like that perticular tribal print, but the bike looks great.

And dont fret over the kawi folks....if yer happy with it...screw em.

[ninja250]

Not sure if I lost it or if it was hijacked outside the dealership in the "bike parking area" by another 250 I saw parked right next to my bike.

Lesson learned there: take the truck to the bike shop from now on. lol
Should eliminate that possible problem.

Will have to pick up a new cap and use some foam tape to wedge them on solid or something.

I want to add a full yosh exhaust and jets but I'm not positive the ones marked for 08-09 will fit the "10"

[ninja250]

Also just to note..

I don't really know what I'm talking about here but cold the bike does 60mph at 7,100 rpm. I will get a reading of warm RPM today to see if my CDI thing is screwy. Pretty cold outside right now though too.

[petiteninja]

did you happen to see the price on any 2009's at your dealership? i'm wondering if they've lowered their prices to accomodate the new stock. btw, i love the shade of red on your bike. is the tribal accents on a vinyl sticker or is has it been clear coated?

[CRXTrek]

1st Welcome to a much more calm and respectful forum.

2nd I use the same chain lube very easy to see that you get full coverage when applied.

[ninja250]

Yeah that lube just soaked the whole chain no problem. I could probably use it a little more sparingly next time.

I am not sure if either of the other three bikes they had there were 09's. The guy said "You're in luck! We just got the 2010's in!"

They had a solid red, solid blue and a SE green with white on bottom (different from the green in the dude's avatar above)

Sorry to be a post whore but here's more pics.
Went from 500 miles to 625 miles on the bike today
Went to visit the snow and a couple different lakes on the way!

My CDI kept the tach indicating exactly 7100rpm at 60mph for the entire 125 miles. Then again ambient temps weren't over 70 all day either.
This bike gets a lil more fun each time I ride it.
Time to do the 600mi service.

Don't laugh at my Suzuki gear. It's from three years ago when I had a jixxer 600.

Also think I found the limit of the stock tires today but not sure. Got a lil loose there for a second.

[ninja250]

Oh yeah I forgot to add,
the Tribal stuff is a decal. All gray, no red on the tribal decal.
There is also gray trim stickers/decals here and there. I believe the stickers are under the clear coating... but not positive.
The one on the tank that says "Special Edition" looks like it is under the clearcoat, or at least the coating raises up around the sticker so if I removed it, it would probably hurt the coating. Not sure, I don't want to find out the hard way.

The big tribal sticker looks to be a removable decal but not sure there either. Don't want to ruin the paint if the coating does go over the decal.

[noche_caliente]

Looks good - congrats and welcome

[miks]

Welcome mate, bike is loooooooking gooooooooooood!

[Flow]

Beautiful bike. Now I kind of want to sell my 2008 and get a 2010.

[bdavison]

Its probably just like the 09 SE....the "Kawasaki" and "Special Edition" stickers are clearcoated in....everything else is just stuck on.

[Snake]

Great looking bike. I like the red on black paint scheme.

[Momaru]

Indeed, I like the red & black, but blue's still better

Wazzat little red patch see nestled just forward of the handlebars? A little storage bag?

[ninja250]

Originally Posted by Momaru

Indeed, I like the red & black, but blue's still better

Wazzat little red patch see nestled just forward of the handlebars? A little storage bag?

Yes, A small zip pouch.
It's very secure so it wont bind my steering or get in the way but holds extra stuff for me that is easy to access. Lock keys while I ride, point and shoot camera and the likes.

[sixer]

Originally Posted by bdavison

Looks like you lost one of the frame tube covers.
That new paint job is sweet. Im undecided on if I like that perticular tribal print, but the bike looks great.

And dont fret over the kawi folks....if yer happy with it...screw em.

I agree

[ninja250]

Well,
got a new frame cap to replace that lost one.

Also did a few other mods. I guess I'll just throw my mod pics in here instead of creating a bunch of threads all over.

Here's some pics.
I'm going to be doing the Shogun Frame Sliders today. Thanks Racebikerentals! Two day shipping during holiday season! Very impressive.

Battery tender hookup in the tail glove box




CA emissions and Clean Air removal


Vacuum cap air box plug


Bolt and zip tie engine head plug


Fuel Filter, PCV and capped tank hole


two vacuum ports for carb sync test


She looks good from this angle


the nutcracker removed.

[ninja250]

Oh yeah here's from when I did the shimming of the needles.
Didn't have pictures of the actual mod but here's how I pulled the needles out.

No stripping screws and you can see my bag of several different types of washers to shim with.

[ninja250]

Here's the sliders before they go on..
Also my crank case breather filter. lol

[ninja250]

Chain alignment tool and RAM mount showed up. Also purchased TomTom GPS app for my Iphone 3G as well as Motion X drive app so the bike will have a mounted GPS phone that can play music. Now I'll be able to tension my chain with (hopefully) proper alignment too.

I notice the rod to the chain alignment tool got a bit warped/beat on in the mail when I roll it on a glass (completely flat) surface. I'll have to try and iron that out.
Pics of the mount with active GPS to come later. Of course since the Iphone drains juice like crazy with the big color touchscreen on all the time I'll have to add onboard charging ability.

[Alex]

Great work on this build/mod thread so far! I have to note that the chain alignment tool is worthless, though. Actually, worse than worthless, because it gives false confidence that the wheels are anywhere close to alignment. Related info in this thread.

[ninja250]

Many thanks.

I'm just coming back to this site to double check on that before I actually do the alignment. Just got the sliders on tight (even though 40ft lbs seems a bit light compared to the manual spec of 50ft lbs on the slider/engine bolts) and followed instructions. Reading the service manual and everything I can find here on chain adjustment / wheel alignment.

More pics after I finish up the rear adjustment and relube the chain.
Getting excited to go test her out with all the new stuff going on Feel like a kid on Christmas!
Thanks for all the DIY's and info on this site everyone.

[ninja250]

It would appear the chain tool and your string method both tell me my rear wheel is pointing front off to the right, rear off the the left when viewed from the rear of the bike. I also have a few mm's more slack than I'd like so I'll pull the left side of the rear wheel back a screw thread and recheck to see where I'm at.

Also, pics of the frame slider mounts in there too and some minor tweeks I need to do to make them fit like trimming/moving the radiator hose and bending the idle RPM adjustment screw.

Left slider bar


Will have to work out this clearance.


Idle adjustment knob tweeked upward a bit


Right side bar


Here's my alignment tool in place.. seems to be indicating correctly!


Here's the string trick shot from rear view of bike, pretty much face on the floor You'll see the wheel pointing right. This is stock from factory, nothces all lined up on frame.


Time to fix that right quick.

[ninja250]

lol, counted the threads on the chain tensioner screws.
The right adjuster had 6 threads exposed and the left one had 5.
If I pull the left adjuster to 6 threads the wheel will be aligned and the chain properly tensioned to about 24mm of slack. (a point lower than midway between 20-30mm's)

Very nice.

[Alex]

[ninja250]

lots more pics..

Here is after wheel alignment! Nice trick Alex, thanks man! I like it!




First time the rear wheel was loose on this girlie.


Quick chain cleaning before lube




Sparkly! Ready for lube


Moved the radiator hose to clear the frame slider brackets.
These things probably stiffen the frame up a bit too!


Puck installation






I need to buy one of these tools to check my steering play periodically.


DIY RAM installation..


all the volume, power and output accessories accessible while mounted.




Installing the base on the handlebars


Installing the mount on the base




Phone in cradle in several positions






Finishing installation of frame sliders.. trimming sprocket cover for slider bracket clearance. Measure thrice, cut once!


Dremel action


As good as I could..


back in place


Magic Mistake Eraser lol shhh, don't tell anyone!


All kinds of stuff going on already!


Frame sliders stickin' out






...and finally, a chain lube! This should do it for modifications and adjustments stage 1!!

Stay tuned for modifications STAGE #2!

[Snake]

This is a great thread ninja250! Great DIY info here. Thanks.

[ninja250]

Thanks Snake!
Havin' fun playin' with my new ride.
Might as well snap some shots along the way. Not too much DIY info in there but some pics to give ya ideas of what I've got cookin'. Pretty much going through a checklist of stuff I see on this website already!

Stay tuned for the next round of upgrades. Gotta make a few more payments first. lol
Wonder when the heck my license plate is gonna show up?

[sixer]

Ninja250-

My plate showed up about 35+/- days or so...

What type of chain lube?

Youve been busy...

[ninja250]

I think it's called BelRay Super Clean Chain Lube

Sure makes my chain white huh? Would look sweet on a white bike. lol
I try and use it sparingly but I'd rather have crap fling all inside my sprocket cover than ruin my chain for no reason. Stuff coats really well too.

Hey now that my back wheel is straight it spins a heck of a lot smoother by hand when in neutral on the stands. Probably better gas mileage too? Better for tires and chain/sprockets all around.

[sixer]

Ninja 250- BelRay got it.
removing the CA emissions and Clean Air stuff - what does it do for the bike...

[ninja250]

Removes confusing and unnecessary equipment.
Also, when I remove the airbox I will want to remove and cap off the clean air, which will in turn require the CA emissions removal. Preparation for more modification in my case I guess. Not supposed to do it without aftermarket exh but I'll be getting mine soon enough so just did it.

I want to open up the idle mixture screws and do the 1/5th throttle pull mod. Those two mods shouldn't cost any money. =)

[Betlog]

Good stuff here. Thanks for posting. What exhaust are you getting?

[ninja250]

Nothing less than a full Yosh my friend!
Love that carbon look and they always sound so good.

Pretty penny for that system though. Need some pants and I have the elictrical system for charging my iphone coming soon. (in the mail) Not sure if I want to do a peg upgrade or a rearset upgrade. Not sure on the clips either. I do know I want to do the K&N intake modification and jetting along with that yosh when I do it though. That's probably upgrade #2. We might see a little wimpy "upgrade #1.5" between now and then though for some small farkles and the likes

Maybe rip the carb out and play with that some while I'm at it for upgrade #1.5

About the rearsets, I refuse to move my feet higher. I won't install rearsets that move my foot up. In fact, I need to move my foot down! I saw some other mod for some lowering pegs on this bike somewhere I might try. I'm 6'6" tall, I need more room not less. lol

[laraider]

wow, super nice bike you got there ninja250! very cool color! very nice mods, i wish i can do all of those mods, i really need a buddy that knows stuff like this. can anybody help me do mods?

[beowuff]

Originally Posted by ninja250

Sure makes my chain white huh? Would look sweet on a white bike. lol
I try and use it sparingly but I'd rather have crap fling all inside my sprocket cover than ruin my chain for no reason. Stuff coats really well too.

Just a quick FYI about chain lube. Too much can be worse for your chain and sprocket then running the chain dry. All that extra lube ATTRACTS dirt and grime. It then acts like sandpaper and quickly wears down the chain and sprocket.

Here's a quote from http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_oft...se_to_do_so%3F

"Using too much lube will just attract more dirt. Don't saturate the chain, but don't skip any links, either. The warm chain draws in the lube to the areas it's needed (the o-rings). Wipe off the excess, then wait at least 30 minutes. This allows the liquid "carrier" of the lubricant to evaporate, leaving the chain "waxed." If it's convenient, you can let the lube sit overnight, then wipe off the chain in the morning."

The bike does look amazing though. Hope she rides as well as she looks!

[ninja250]

I'm pretty excessive about cleaning the chain every 300-400 mi.
I look pretty good for what might be left on there and there usually isn't much of anything. Surprising even though I go in dirt sometimes.

I'm really good about scrubbing all the stuff off with a chain brush and relubing on time though. Haven't seen anything to make me think the particular lube is attracting any extra dirt over how it came stock when I cleaned it the first time.

I think this brand of chain lube is just crazy like that maybe? The stuff spreads all over the chain like that itself if all I do is spray on the sprocket contact side.

I'm also careful to clean the sprocket cover out each chain lube.

[Ryosen11]

Subscribed. Very nice looking bike and some useful info provided in here…Thanks