Drivetrain issues?

TonyKZ1 · October 21st, 2011, 11:12 AM

Hello all, my '89 Ninja 250 has 70k+ miles on it and 31k+ miles on the current engine. I noticed a vibration and noise on my way into work thursday morning. It wasn't the engine as it only vibrated and made noise when moving. When I got to the parking lot, I could hear the noise and feel the vibration just turning the rear wheel by hand.

I babied it home and started troubleshooting. I had installed new tires (Pirelli Sport Demons) last friday and had checked the bearings and their grease then when I had the rear wheel off. I removed the rear wheel/tire and checked them again anyhow. I put the rear axle bolt back in the wheel and set them on a pair of jack stands and spun the wheel, it spun fine, nor was there any noise or any vibration and the tire is pretty well balanced too. So that knocks out the rear wheel bearings. I had already replaced them anyhow back in Feb 2010, at 50k+ miles.

So then I removed the chain from the front sprocket, turned the sprocket by hand and felt something while turning and the shaft would also move in and out, not much but some. I then started it up, keeping my hand away from the sprocket of course. I could hear the noise and feel vibration again, not very loud though. I then checked my original engine's countershaft, it turned freely without any noise or vibration and didn't move in or out.

Also the last time I did an oil change, about 4k miles ago, I thought I'd check/clean the oil pump screen. It had a lot of metal debris/pieces in it. I cleaned it and re-installed it.

So if you're still with me after this lengthly post, I'm guessing it's my transmission and it's time for engine/transmission #3? Or could it be the clutch assy, yet it still works normal as before.
Thanks for any help or suggestions, Tony

dubojr1 · October 24th, 2011, 05:38 AM

Maybe @Racer x can help. He seems to know our engine/trans very well.

Racer x · October 24th, 2011, 06:20 AM

I would say the engine is done. Unless you are comfortable splitting the case. Meta bits are never a good thing to find.

TonyKZ1 · October 25th, 2011, 11:30 AM

Yea, I wasn't really comfortable splitting the case. I could do it, but getting it all back together again working and with no oil leaks might be another job all together.

So I guess I'll replace it and keep putting more miles on the little Ninja, instead of buying another bike which was an option, but due to lack of major funds not really feasible.

As it turns out, one of the vendors I occasionally buy stuff from on eBay has one, less than 5k miles and somewhat local, well local in this case being on the other side of the state. But I'll drive up there, pick it up, and be home in a day. Oh and the price for this engine is $200, not too bad I guess at least compared to the $500-600 dollar ones I was seeing on eBay and their $200 shipping fees.

In a way, I didn't really want to buy another bike, even though I'm kinda wanting a 500-600cc bike. Since I just put new tires, Pirelli Sport Demons, on a few weeks ago. And I've already got the upgraded front forks, rear shock, and stator installed on this one.
Tony

October 21st, 2011, 11:12 AM	#1
TonyKZ1 ninjette.org member Name: Anthony Location: Marble Hill, MO Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1975 Kawasaki KZ400D (Sold), 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (sold), 1997 Yamaha XJ600s Seca II Posts: 231	Drivetrain issues? Hello all, my '89 Ninja 250 has 70k+ miles on it and 31k+ miles on the current engine. I noticed a vibration and noise on my way into work thursday morning. It wasn't the engine as it only vibrated and made noise when moving. When I got to the parking lot, I could hear the noise and feel the vibration just turning the rear wheel by hand. I babied it home and started troubleshooting. I had installed new tires (Pirelli Sport Demons) last friday and had checked the bearings and their grease then when I had the rear wheel off. I removed the rear wheel/tire and checked them again anyhow. I put the rear axle bolt back in the wheel and set them on a pair of jack stands and spun the wheel, it spun fine, nor was there any noise or any vibration and the tire is pretty well balanced too. So that knocks out the rear wheel bearings. I had already replaced them anyhow back in Feb 2010, at 50k+ miles. So then I removed the chain from the front sprocket, turned the sprocket by hand and felt something while turning and the shaft would also move in and out, not much but some. I then started it up, keeping my hand away from the sprocket of course. I could hear the noise and feel vibration again, not very loud though. I then checked my original engine's countershaft, it turned freely without any noise or vibration and didn't move in or out. Also the last time I did an oil change, about 4k miles ago, I thought I'd check/clean the oil pump screen. It had a lot of metal debris/pieces in it. I cleaned it and re-installed it. So if you're still with me after this lengthly post, I'm guessing it's my transmission and it's time for engine/transmission #3? Or could it be the clutch assy, yet it still works normal as before. Thanks for any help or suggestions, Tony __________________________________________________ 1997 Yamaha Seca II - mostly stock, Racetech upgraded forks, FZ6R rear shock, Oxford Heated Grips, Barkbusters Blizzard Handguards, a Scottoiler vSystem chain oiler. My Mileage Tracker Page.

October 24th, 2011, 05:38 AM	#2
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Maybe @Racer x can help. He seems to know our engine/trans very well. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

October 25th, 2011, 11:30 AM	#4
TonyKZ1 ninjette.org member Name: Anthony Location: Marble Hill, MO Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1975 Kawasaki KZ400D (Sold), 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (sold), 1997 Yamaha XJ600s Seca II Posts: 231	Yea, I wasn't really comfortable splitting the case. I could do it, but getting it all back together again working and with no oil leaks might be another job all together. So I guess I'll replace it and keep putting more miles on the little Ninja, instead of buying another bike which was an option, but due to lack of major funds not really feasible. As it turns out, one of the vendors I occasionally buy stuff from on eBay has one, less than 5k miles and somewhat local, well local in this case being on the other side of the state. But I'll drive up there, pick it up, and be home in a day. Oh and the price for this engine is $200, not too bad I guess at least compared to the $500-600 dollar ones I was seeing on eBay and their $200 shipping fees. In a way, I didn't really want to buy another bike, even though I'm kinda wanting a 500-600cc bike. Since I just put new tires, Pirelli Sport Demons, on a few weeks ago. And I've already got the upgraded front forks, rear shock, and stator installed on this one. Tony __________________________________________________ 1997 Yamaha Seca II - mostly stock, Racetech upgraded forks, FZ6R rear shock, Oxford Heated Grips, Barkbusters Blizzard Handguards, a Scottoiler vSystem chain oiler. My Mileage Tracker Page.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Guy, New Bike- Drivetrain issue	biblefreak	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	25	April 7th, 2015 03:08 PM
[motorcycle.com] - Brammo’s EV Drivetrain Ambitions Expand Beyond Two Wheels	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	January 26th, 2015 04:10 PM
[motorcycle.com] - Drivetrain Maker Team Industries Invests in Brammo	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	July 8th, 2014 10:30 AM
Drivetrain good for how many miles?	eyeheartny	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	15	June 11th, 2013 08:02 AM
[topix.net] - New Brammos Feature 6-speed Drivetrain	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	May 4th, 2011 11:00 AM

October 24th, 2011, 06:20 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	I would say the engine is done. Unless you are comfortable splitting the case. Meta bits are never a good thing to find.