motorcycle dilemma

sombo · April 1st, 2011, 03:14 PM

Ok, here's my dilemma. My bike has developed a tapping sound that was diagnosed as coming from the cam chain or the tensioner. The tensioner assembly was just replaced and didn't fix the problem. So that leaves the cam chain itself. The bike has 18k on it and is 17 years old, which means that the chain is old, worn and just generally stretched out. It's not bad enough yet to need immediate fixing, but I was told to keep an eye on it in case it worsens.

Here's the issue. To fix it would cost between $700-$800 regardless of who I take it to. One place I trust said it might be possible to replace it w/o splitting the case. If they can do that it would cut the cost down to $450, otherwise it if the case has to be split open to get the chain off it would be the same as everyone else. I love my bike and want/need to keep it running. I can't get a new new bike because I can't qualify for financing (already tried before I got the bike I have now and my credit isn't any better) because motorcycles are treated as "luxury" items instead of "necessity" items the way cages are.

So my choices are to shell out the money in the next month to get it done. Or. Run it like it is, try to put money aside for a newer bike and hope that my current ride stays running that long. I love my little 250 and want to keep her, but should I consider something newer with less age/mile related issues?

Alex · April 1st, 2011, 03:22 PM

I wouldn't spend $800 to fix a 17 year old bike. I'd run it until it dies, then find a 5 year old bike for $1300 - $1500.

Or - I'd find a way to have the work done much cheaper. Find a handy friend to work on it together, find an independent shop that would have a better rate, etc. For some sense of scale, entire ninja 250 engines are for sale online for less than $500.

Jesse8931 · April 1st, 2011, 03:26 PM

I would use it as a trade in and get a newer bike. I got my 07 for 1300

sombo · April 1st, 2011, 03:50 PM

If I were to get a newer bike it would not be another 250 simply because it would most likely be stock and not setup like mine. I like the way mine is set up and would basically want to do the same to any newer bike which would end up costing me even more then simply fixing my current one.

fjyang · April 2nd, 2011, 05:14 AM

If you can get a manual tensioner, you can tighten it more then the automatic stock tensioner can take up the slack. Get a manual and see if it really does need the case to be split to replace the cam chain.

Jesse8931 · April 2nd, 2011, 08:47 AM

If you have it set up how you like and you like your bike find a wrecked but good running ninja and just swap the motor.

bob706 · April 2nd, 2011, 09:08 AM

+1 for the manual cct

Momaru · April 2nd, 2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjyang

Get a manual and see if it really does need the case to be split to replace the cam chain.

I'm fairly sure it does, but I've got a new gen so YMMV. I tried when mine came down with the Kawi-click about a year ago. Shop said it was the cam chain. I replaced the tensioner and that helped for a little while but not for long. I've got about 16k on it. After spending 2 days and a lot of time/frustration getting the entire clutch off (not easy with a beefy nut that's cranked down to about 100ft-lbs and directly hooked to driveshaft) I discovered there's a gear and a flange that physically prevents the cam chain from coming off the bottom to simply pull it out & replace.

DSC04770.jpg
That's the clutch on the left, the cam chain guide is the yellowish plastic thing in the back, cam chain in the upper right, and the blocking gear center with the paint on it. The flange is under/behind & concealed by the gear

That said, I've heard they make replacement cam chains that can be riveted together like a drive chain. With the same tool too in fact, if you get a decent quality chain breaker/riveter. While still a bit of a pain, it should be not much harder than getting into the top end of the engine to check valves.

I'd definitely look into a manual CCT first though. WAY less pain if it's all you need to get things fixed up.

Just my

sombo · April 2nd, 2011, 10:06 AM

@Paul. That's basically what the one shop was saying. That most Kawasaki's have a plate/gear preventing you from getting the cam chain off easily, but that he's had a few that didn't. He said it seemed to depend on the bike and he wouldn't know until he looked at it.

I don't see how an engine swap would save me any money. Figure a couple hundred for the engine, then another couple hundred to get it swapped out. I can't do the work myself since I don't have the tools or even a place to do it in.

The manual tensioner might not be a bad idea if I can get one. Again I'd have to have a shop do the work. If it works I guess it could at least extend the time before the chain absolutely has to be changed no matter what. I'll have to look into that option. Thanks.

April 1st, 2011, 03:14 PM	#1
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	motorcycle dilemma Ok, here's my dilemma. My bike has developed a tapping sound that was diagnosed as coming from the cam chain or the tensioner. The tensioner assembly was just replaced and didn't fix the problem. So that leaves the cam chain itself. The bike has 18k on it and is 17 years old, which means that the chain is old, worn and just generally stretched out. It's not bad enough yet to need immediate fixing, but I was told to keep an eye on it in case it worsens. Here's the issue. To fix it would cost between $700-$800 regardless of who I take it to. One place I trust said it might be possible to replace it w/o splitting the case. If they can do that it would cut the cost down to $450, otherwise it if the case has to be split open to get the chain off it would be the same as everyone else. I love my bike and want/need to keep it running. I can't get a new new bike because I can't qualify for financing (already tried before I got the bike I have now and my credit isn't any better) because motorcycles are treated as "luxury" items instead of "necessity" items the way cages are. So my choices are to shell out the money in the next month to get it done. Or. Run it like it is, try to put money aside for a newer bike and hope that my current ride stays running that long. I love my little 250 and want to keep her, but should I consider something newer with less age/mile related issues?

April 1st, 2011, 03:22 PM	#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	I wouldn't spend $800 to fix a 17 year old bike. I'd run it until it dies, then find a 5 year old bike for $1300 - $1500. Or - I'd find a way to have the work done much cheaper. Find a handy friend to work on it together, find an independent shop that would have a better rate, etc. For some sense of scale, entire ninja 250 engines are for sale online for less than $500. __________________________________________________ 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)

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April 1st, 2011, 03:26 PM	#3
Jesse8931 ninjette.org guru Name: Jesse Location: Ann arbor mi Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250r Posts: 374	I would use it as a trade in and get a newer bike. I got my 07 for 1300

April 1st, 2011, 03:50 PM	#4
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	If I were to get a newer bike it would not be another 250 simply because it would most likely be stock and not setup like mine. I like the way mine is set up and would basically want to do the same to any newer bike which would end up costing me even more then simply fixing my current one.

April 2nd, 2011, 05:14 AM	#5
fjyang ninjette.org member Name: Frank Location: Pasadena Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121	If you can get a manual tensioner, you can tighten it more then the automatic stock tensioner can take up the slack. Get a manual and see if it really does need the case to be split to replace the cam chain.

April 2nd, 2011, 08:47 AM	#6
Jesse8931 ninjette.org guru Name: Jesse Location: Ann arbor mi Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250r Posts: 374	If you have it set up how you like and you like your bike find a wrecked but good running ninja and just swap the motor.

April 2nd, 2011, 09:08 AM	#7
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	+1 for the manual cct

April 2nd, 2011, 10:06 AM	#9
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	@Paul. That's basically what the one shop was saying. That most Kawasaki's have a plate/gear preventing you from getting the cam chain off easily, but that he's had a few that didn't. He said it seemed to depend on the bike and he wouldn't know until he looked at it. I don't see how an engine swap would save me any money. Figure a couple hundred for the engine, then another couple hundred to get it swapped out. I can't do the work myself since I don't have the tools or even a place to do it in. The manual tensioner might not be a bad idea if I can get one. Again I'd have to have a shop do the work. If it works I guess it could at least extend the time before the chain absolutely has to be changed no matter what. I'll have to look into that option. Thanks.