July 31st, 2020, 01:22 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Katrina
Location: Brunswick, MD
Join Date: Jul 2020 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 5
|
Hi from an overly ambitious, new-to-everything rider!
Hi!
I’ve wanted to ride for years, but just got on a bike for the first time last weekend. I bought my first bike two days ago and took apart my first carburetor yesterday. I’m in a bit over my head, but that’s never stopped me before. I bought a 1999 Ninja 250 that was described as running but not rideable due to a sticky float needle (the owner’s guess, not confirmed). It started after a few tries when I was looking at it, and i went ahead and took it home. My husband, father-in-law and brothers-in-law all started riding in the last year, so I have lots of company. But none of them knows much about doing work on their own bikes, though they want to learn. I’d really like for this project bike to be my own, meaning I want to learn to do as much work as possible by myself. I’m sure I’ll be an absolutely nuisance in the tech forums. I’m eager to learn! —Katrina |
|
July 31st, 2020, 01:34 PM | #2 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16
|
Hi Katrina, it's good to meet you, and welcome!
Did you find the carburetor problem, or are you still working on it? These carbs can be tricky, with all the small passages and jets and seals and O-rings and diaphragms they have. I've been maintaining my own carbs for 40+ years, but rather than go through what it takes to get my 250 carbs in like-new condition I sent them to Ducatiman here on the board. Less than a week later they were back here and perfect. Not that you need to do this, but it's something to keep in mind if you find yours are more messed up than you expected. |
|
July 31st, 2020, 02:02 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Katrina
Location: Brunswick, MD
Join Date: Jul 2020 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 5
|
There wasn’t anything glaring in the carbs (that I could see, which isn’t saying much). The main and idle jets both had some slight “ethanol green” discoloration to them, but I didn’t see that any of the pinholes were clogged. I put carb cleaner spray through them, brushed them with a toothbrush, and shot them through with compressed air, then made sure I could see light through all the pinholes. Most of it looked pretty clean. I cleaned it all anyway.
I noticed two things: one, the caps to the vacuum valve chamber were missing some screws (missing 3/8 between the two carbs). And two, the gaskets for the bowls had junk gummed up around them, and one broke when I pulled it out. I’ve ordered replacement gaskets and screws. The mixture screws also seemed really open, but I don’t know how big a deal that would be. I adjusted them to 2.5 turns from closed when I put them back. Because of the broken gasket and missing screws I haven’t been able to put them back together and see if I fixed the issue. The bike also came with the air box removed so I need to get that sucker back in, which I hear is just an absolute joy to do. I’ve already read about how great ducatiman is with the carbs! I’ll keep that as an option if I mess this up myself. I’m not entirely convinced the carbs are the issue, though it’s likely. They looked awfully clean. Thanks for the welcome! |
|
July 31st, 2020, 02:14 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: C
Location: Hawaii
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250 Posts: 472
|
Welcome
__________________________________________________
"It ended up being the loose nut behind the wheel" |
|
July 31st, 2020, 02:22 PM | #5 | |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16
|
Quote:
I separated my battery box from my airbox per the mod procedure and enjoy the ease of removing and installing the airbox now. I didn't have much choice though, since things had shrunk so much that the airbox wouldn't stay on the carb mouths no matter how hard I tried. |
|
|
July 31st, 2020, 02:25 PM | #6 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Katrina
Location: Brunswick, MD
Join Date: Jul 2020 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 5
|
Quote:
|
|
|
July 31st, 2020, 07:44 PM | #7 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16
|
|
|
August 1st, 2020, 07:31 AM | #8 |
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 |
|
August 20th, 2020, 10:27 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16
|
Welcome!
|
|
November 13th, 2020, 07:36 PM | #10 |
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
|
I’m a little late but ....hello and welcome !
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
[visordown.com] - Loncin get ambitious with 300cc sportsbike | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | March 29th, 2018 06:10 AM |
[motogp.com] - Vazquez: “I went very ambitious into the weekend” | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | July 12th, 2015 09:30 AM |
[motogp.com] - Brivio: ‘We have two motivated and ambitious riders’ | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | December 2nd, 2014 09:50 AM |
[motorcyclistonline] - VaVaVroom Founder Honored for Mentoring Ambitious Students | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | May 17th, 2010 05:30 PM |
[webbikeworld.com] - Ixon Ambitious Pants Review | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | October 13th, 2008 04:31 PM |
|
|