1986-1987 ninja 250?

[86ninja]

How many on here ride this year of bike? I have a 1986 and just found out the engine and cluster are from a 2007. Im wanting to do after market hand levers and wondering what I will have to do to fit them. And if it matters what year sprockets I use as long as its from a pre gen.

[Alex]

There have been a few 86/87 owners on this site, but as you might imagine, they've been few and far between. Hopefully some of them will chime in on this thread.

[86ninja]

Ok here is another question should be easy. Are the front forks and triples from a new gen compatible With the pre Gens?

[EMSRacer07]

Originally Posted by 86ninja

Ok here is another question should be easy. Are the front forks and triples from a new gen compatible With the pre Gens?

Im not fully sure but if you take the triple and forks (might as well get the wheel and brake ass. ) should all convert. I know the if you took the rear swing arm off a new gen with wheels and everything that works.

Good luck i been wanting to convert front and rear on mine for the new wheels and brakes

[86ninja]

Yea I want to upgrade the suspension just trying to figure out what fits the 86/87. The more I can upgrade the easier it will to get parts because its just about impossible to find replacement parts that get damaged when you lay it down

[fjyang]

Hi Alex, I got a 87 like yours and the 1st gen 250 is getting rare. Never seen another one the road in southern California since 1998, I'm sure they're around just in garage or sheds waiting to be restored. Info from Japan indicate a 5,000 production number total for the 86-87 250's and most went to US, Australia and Japan, don't think it was exported to Europe.

Regarding Levers, you can swap yours with a EX500/Ninja 500 which has adjustable span (or any aftermarket lever that fit 250/500s). You can also update your clutch lever perch (two piece design) with a EX500's so you can remove it from the handle bar without taking off the grip to slid it off.

The 86-87 has 35mm diameter forks, 88-07 has 36mm forks, 08+ has 37mm forks so 2mm extra for 25+ years of advancement....not much if you ask me. That being said the triple clamps are not compatible unless you also replace the forks. If there is nothing wrong with your parts just taking it off and clean or repaint them, its not worth it to swap front ends with 88-07 Ninja but might be on the 08+ Ninja as you get to use modern 17" tires.

I installed Progressive Suspension springs in mine and change the fork oil to 15 wt. and it made a huge difference. The trend now is none-progressive spring, just straight rate from Race Tech, Sonic basically anything that'll work on 88-07's will work on ours.

Try not to lay it down too much as the plastic body work is long gone from factory since mid 90's, the good news is that the engine is pretty much the same from all 3 generations so keeping it running forever will not be an issue. 86-87 are a novelty and conversational piece at bike nights of a more mature gatherings as its probably older then most 250 owners nowdays so if you want it for transportation and ease of spare parts purpose, the 88-07 will be a much better choice.

[86ninja]

thanks that helps alot.

[CZroe]

I recall that someone here replaced the sprocket cover with one from a newgen (was it you, Frank?). That was a nice visual improvement. If the suspension is a direct bolt on with the complete triple and swingarm, then you have a lot of other options.

[fjyang]

Yup, that me the sprocket cover does have the same bolt location so I swap the 08+ onto my 86-87. I suspect the clutch and other engine cover can swap over also but have not try it yet. However, I do know the cylinder head casting where the front engine mount is located are different layout on the 08+ so you can't swap engines with 08+ model. If it was the same, one could graft the frame slider for 08+ on to older models.

On rear shock the 86-87 does have preload adjustment, on 88-07 models they remove that feature and bring it back on 08+ models. The original shock is pretty useless when new and utter crap by now as you can't rebuild them. Swap on a 08+ shock is good idea but if you like to keep your bike for the long term, investing in a good aftermarket rebuildable shock is a good idea. I got a Fox twin clicker shock and its day and night difference compared to stock.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by fjyang

Yup, that me the sprocket cover does have the same bolt location so I swap the 08+ onto my 86-87. I suspect the clutch and other engine cover can swap over also but have not try it yet. However, I do know the cylinder head casting where the front engine mount is located are different layout on the 08+ so you can't swap engines with 08+ model. If it was the same, one could graft the frame slider for 08+ on to older models.

On rear shock the 86-87 does have preload adjustment, on 88-07 models they remove that feature and bring it back on 08+ models. The original shock is pretty useless when new and utter crap by now as you can't rebuild them. Swap on a 08+ shock is good idea but if you like to keep your bike for the long term, investing in a good aftermarket rebuildable shock is a good idea. I got a Fox twin clicker shock and its day and night difference compared to stock.

Hmm. Might explain why the cheapest BIN result for "EX250 shock" on eBay is an '86 shock.

[86ninja]

has anyone put a 88-07 exhaust on the first gen? If so how did you mod he mounting point?
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[alex.s]

86 ninja 250. by far the sexiest ninjette of the bunch.

[86ninja]

That they are
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[fjyang]

I never get tire of 1st Gen styling thats why I bought one and its more fun then my bigger bikes, always a grin on my face when done riding it. How many bike you can redline at every gear and give the big bike their run for their money.

Regarding exhaust, I got a Area P for the 88-07 model and it fits the 86-87 and its being drafted on my bike while I'm going through second phase of my restoration on my 87. Headers will all fit between the 86 & 88+ models, its the exhaust hanger (footpeg) location that are different. The Yoshi & Muzzy systems for the 88+ has a fix tab thats welded to the exhaust canister but if you replace it with a canister that has the clamp on bracket then it will work.

[Renner]

Originally Posted by EMSRacer07

(might as well get the wheel and brake ass. )

Hmmm.. brake ass....sounds interesting...any pics

[fjyang]

I also like the 88+ 250 styling but prefer the bigger brother much better. The 88-07 was style after the 87-90 Ninja 750r to make it appear a bigger bike then it was and the 250 decal was removed. The 08+ 250 is even bigger and heavier then the 88+. I'm tempted to get a 88+ as a companion to my 750r but only so much room in the garage. It funny as 88+ 250 outlive its older brother by 20+ years and most forgot about the relations between the two bikes.

My 750 has been modifed quite a bit but the styling is exactly the same as stock so you can still see the resemblance to the 88+ 250

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by fjyang

That can't be the original front fender, could it? It looks way too modern!

[86ninja]

So this would fit the 86?

http://www.biohazardcycles.com/servl...sh-3-SS/Detail
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[fjyang]

Originally Posted by 86ninja

So this would fit the 86?

http://www.biohazardcycles.com/servl...sh-3-SS/Detail
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YES! I strongly recommend a jet kit if your going to change the exhaust. If you plan on extensively modified your 86 and funds are not too big of an issue, I would get a 08+ front end & rear to draft onto the 86-87, that would close the gap between all three gen. Put a full exhaust, pot filters, jet kit and your done

[fjyang]

Originally Posted by CZroe

That can't be the original front fender, could it? It looks way too modern!

The whole front end & rear has been swap: 94 ZX9 forks and fender with 95 ZX7 wheels, 17x3.5-17x5.5, 320mm discs, 6 piston caliper from 01-02 GSXR1000, 89 ZX10 rear swingarm etc....

Basically bring a 80's bike to modern standard in terms to suspension, wheels and brakes just like the 08+ 250's without the modern cloth.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by fjyang

The whole front end & rear has been swap: 94 ZX9 forks and fender with 95 ZX7 wheels, 17x3.5-17x5.5, 320mm discs, 6 piston caliper from 01-02 GSXR1000, 89 ZX10 rear swingarm etc....

Basically bring a 80's bike to modern standard in terms to suspension, wheels and brakes just like the 08+ 250's without the modern cloth.

I'm still shocked. That front fender looks far more modern than '94 too! Looks like something from Ducati.

[86ninja]

So when buying new springs for the front forks there isnt a year specific spring?

[xgs]

Hi everyone

I'm looking at an '87 250. About 1500$, 18 000 miles. Says never dropped and winterized every year. Apparently it starts fine.

Anything on these bikes I should look out for? I live in an apartment so I don't really have the facilities to do serious work on it. Can I expect trouble?

[Alex]

It's a 25 year old bike. Odds of it needing zero work or maintenance are quite low. Owners of the 86/87 version like it quite a bit for some of the differences in those years, but if you want a trouble-free / no-work-needed bike, I'd look for one about 20 years newer. With $1500, there should be some good options popping up from time to time, and for $1800 - $2000, there should be some pristine choices.

[thomason2wheels]

Originally Posted by Alex

It's a 25 year old bike. Odds of it needing zero work or maintenance are quite low. Owners of the 86/87 version like it quite a bit for some of the differences in those years, but if you want a trouble-free / no-work-needed bike, I'd look for one about 20 years newer. With $1500, there should be some good options popping up from time to time, and for $1800 - $2000, there should be some pristine choices.

Is that really true? Pristiine choices for 2k? Wow that is amazing...what year models can you expect to find for that kind of money?

[Alex]

Search on craiglist for bikes in the $2000 - $2500 range, and plan on talking them down closer to $2000. I think you'll eventually find decent pregens in the 2003 - 2006 range.

[fjyang]

Originally Posted by xgs

Hi everyone

I'm looking at an '87 250. About 1500$, 18 000 miles. Says never dropped and winterized every year. Apparently it starts fine.

Anything on these bikes I should look out for? I live in an apartment so I don't really have the facilities to do serious work on it. Can I expect trouble?

If you're specifically looking for a 86-87 model and the cosmetics looks in good shape, the $1,500 is not a bad price. If you're just looking for a transport, then you can get a much "newer" 250 for the same money.

If your looking to buy a 86-87 250 like I am you probably know what your looking for and want. But any 25+ year old bike will required overhall of many parts. The 1st gen. 250 were built to a price point I think it sold for $22- 23k back in 86-87. Quality paint and finishes were not its strong suit.

From experience on my own 250, things to watch out for: Forks chrome were easily pitted, wasn't that much chrome on it to begin with and after 25+ years, rechroming is vary likely unless its been garage and babied most of its life. I had mine acid dip and hard chrome and after 14 years, its still holding but some spots are showing again.

The other typical stuffs are fork seals, brake caliper seals will begin to fatigue after this many years. Master cylinder could use a refresh with rebuilt kit but the easy way is to get a newer 2000+ model master and your good to go.

Carb is a typical issue on any older bikes. All 250 ninja's were jetted too lean and many have idle issues. I recommend replace the pilot jet to a size or two bigger then stock and it will help cure idle issues. If you have to turn the pilot screw out more then 3 turns to get good idle you're outside the normal range and need to go one size up on pilot jets.

Clutch springs will fatique over time and need to be replace, even the pre-gen's suffer from this. I just replace my clutch and the spring is like 1/4' shorter compare to new ones. If the bikes have not been abused, the plates should be fine but if you're going through the labor of removing everything, just replace the clutch plates with the springs while your at it. For a while, I though my 25+ year old had a slipper clutch

Water pump and thermostate on Nija 250's age really well. I replace mine a year ago and it looks almost new and I never have issues with over heating. One Note: Kawasaki redesign the water pump housing sometimes in mid 90's. The older water pump use paper gasket for the water pump halfs and its been updated to O'ring gasket on the newer design. Kawasaki no longer sell the paper gasket so if yours leak, the easy way is to get later model water pump or cut your own paper gasket. The newer water pump design are interchangeable with older versions and looks the same besides the O'ring gasket.

Ignition coils and pick up coil are things to watch out for on any 25+ year old machine. Mine started to develop a misfire every 40 sec or so on idle but fine when riding. The 86-87 250 use a coil that has 3 oms compare to .3 oms on later 250's so they're not interchangeable.

Rear shocks on the 86-87 are better then the 88-07 model as it has pre-load adjustment just like the new gens. Problem is after 25+ years the oil in the shock is pretty much gello by now and they're not rebuildable so get ready for new shocks.

I'm sure I miss some stuff but its a start. If your not handy with bike maintenance or don't like to get your hands dirty, you're going to pay a lot more then $1,500 to get a 86-87 250 into tip top shape.

[fjyang]

Originally Posted by 86ninja

So when buying new springs for the front forks there isnt a year specific spring?

The 86-87 use 35mm forks, 88-07 use 36mm forks, with 1mm difference, I think they're interchangeable but don't quote me on it. I do recalled the progressive spring I got on my 87 is a lot shorter then stock one's, the difference is taken up with spacers.

[fjyang]

I'm pretty much to done with my resto mod. on the 86-87 250. Maybe it'll serve as catalist for those interested in the bike that started the whole 250 thing back in the 80's.

The exhaust header is from Area P but the mid-pipe is custom made to match the lines of the body work also by Area P Keary's son Kenny as I live 10min. from their factory. Canister is Yoshi TR3 16" length.

Fox Twin-Clicker shock, Swingarm from 88-07 model (longer then 86-87), Telefix fork brace to go with the period mods. 08-12 chaingurad and sprocket cover...etc Got to get some finishing touches and decals but the overall is done.

[Jiggles]

Damn thats a cool bike

[Alex]

[choneofakind]

very cool bike indeed!! Congrats on doing a great job.

[james250ninja]

where do u get bar ends for this model

[CZroe]

If the bars are threaded then it probably takes Kawasaki standard bar ends. If they are open then you can use universal bar ends with an expanding plug.

[marcopolo081594]

Hey guys. I still don't know how many more of the 86 kawasaki ninjas there are on the road today. I have one myself. Its not in the best looking condition right now due to multiple wrecks. But I do plan on restoring it like I've seen you guys do it. Keeping her original color and everything. Just needs a little work done to the fairings. Check her out.

[Mohawk]

Not sure about the rest of Europe but the original EX250-H1 got to the UK in 1986 as the GPZ250, replaced in 88 with the GPX250 which is the 88-07 Ninja, the replaced in 90 with the ZZR250 (which I have) till 91/92 then dropped from sale due to changes in UK learner laws restricting riders to 125cc.

[ducatiman]

the old '86-87 has achieved classic status!

A few very nice examples posted above.

I applaud your efforts at keeping ... or returning to ...stock appearance.

[dood]

this will be the first time restoring a bike 87 ex250

[fjyang]

Good luck, its really simple bike to restored, mostly finishes like paint and if you can afford powdercoating, the wheels, swingarm and forks will do wonders. Don't throw any plastic away so just fix them.

[fjyang]

Originally Posted by james250ninja

where do u get bar ends for this model

The stock bars are hollow, I went overboard by having the bar ends welded up and tap them to accept threaded bar ends.