February 17th, 2010, 09:28 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mitch & Sarah
Location: Maine
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250, '87 KZ305 Posts: 18
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Sarah's Project '99
Sarah's Project '99
So we picked up this '99 Ninja in October of '08 for $600.00. It has around 14,000 miles on it. I knew it needed some work, it ran OK but I knew it needed to be tuned up at the very least. The front fairing was pretty busted up from being knocked over in the driveway, blinkers were busted off, and the tail fairing had some cracks in it also. On the plus side, it has a pretty much brand new set of Sport Demons on it. Here are the pics from the day we got it..(it makes the bike look a LOT nicer than it was) Since the fairings were in rough shape, we decided to strip the bike, find some decent used plastics to replace the few that were bad, and paint the bike. Here is Sarah halfway through the tear-down: Here is the bike after we got done with the teardown: So we finally got around to getting some work done on the pieces. Sarah decided she wanted to paint the bike 2008 Corvette Velocity Yellow. We spent a weekend prepping the plastics and getting her painted. Sarah helped some with the prep work, and I sprayed the paint. Here are the pieces after 6-7 coats of paint and 2 coats of clear: (These pictures do not do the color justice at all. it is MUCH brighter than these pics when it is in the sun) We also have some goodies waiting to go on the bike. We decided to go with AsianCycle flushmounts in the front...black baseplates with amber lenses, along with AsianCycle Arrow turn signals for the rear, black housings with amber lenses. Like this, but with black bases, not chrome: I decided to strip the fuel cap ring of its paint and polish it. Looks awesome, and it took like 20 minutes! Next it was time to paint the wheels and other odds & ends. Since I did the polished look with the fuel cap ring, we are also planning on stripping the edges of the wheels and running a polished look there, too, like this: We are planning to get a "generic" decal kit in black, and only using a few decals on the bike, just to break up the yellow. Also did a valve adjustment, carb cleaning and sync, air filter replacement, fresh oil / filter change, new clutch and accelerator cables, new grips, new front and rear brake pads, new spark plugs. Time for some colorsanding & buffing! Me, out on the fire escape, sanding.. REASSEMBLY! ...That was this spring. After I got it reassembled, I took it for a spin and the head gasket went, and the motor spent all summer at the local mechanics getting the head gasket changed (I know, it was quite an ordeal...). Then, when I finally got it back he did not adjust the valves correctly and a rocker broke, which in turn unsprung one of the exhaust valves. So the bike is currently stripped down & waiting for me to finish that. Sarah and I really think a nice Area P exhaust would set the bike off....What do you guys think? Carbon Fiber long/short, or Aluminum? Thanks for looking, Mitch & Sarah |
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February 17th, 2010, 10:27 AM | #2 |
2012 is here,let's ride!!
Name: dex
Location: visalia,ca.
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009R,'12 suzuki +500 Posts: 354
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nice work!i like the long carbon can personally.
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February 17th, 2010, 11:41 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matt
Location: South East Florida/Rutgers University
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r (Fastest Color) Posts: 914
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I really like the original paint scheme but the yellow really pops. Nice work. And personally...I'd say long carbon fiber. Area P makes a great pipe, I love my 15in c/f.
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Pictures of my ninjette plus... |
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February 17th, 2010, 12:21 PM | #4 |
Psychic war veteran
Name: Thomas
Location: Norfolk, VA
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Kawi Green '09 Ninja ZX6R Posts: 663
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Wow, lots of work, and an amazing result. Major thumbs up, and I hope your motor woes work themselves out quickly for this riding season. Personally, I'd go with the short carbon can to offset the yellow of the bike.
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* If you're arguing with some idiot over the internet, chances are pretty good he's doing the same thing! Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction |
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February 17th, 2010, 12:54 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kim
Location: mundo de ensueño
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.
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Welcome! The bike looks great - y'all have done a really nice job with it. Kerry from AreaP posts here, so you can probably get some pointers from him on the best exhaust for your bike
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Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders |
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February 17th, 2010, 04:24 PM | #6 |
Livin' the Minimoto Life
Name: Mark
Location: Riding around in TX
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.
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You know, this thread inspires me to find a cheap 250, or any bike for that matter, and do a build/rebuild.
Great job. Even though I'm not a yellow fan, it works with the bike. I'm really diggin' it.
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--- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro |
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February 17th, 2010, 08:02 PM | #7 |
Ride it like you stole it
Name: Jeremy
Location: Bama
Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R, '04 R6(sold) Posts: 362
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Wow, all that work just to end up with motor problems. That must be frustrating.
I like the long carbon pipe. It seems to "fit" better. |
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February 18th, 2010, 06:29 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mitch & Sarah
Location: Maine
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250, '87 KZ305 Posts: 18
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Thanks guys. We were thinking short carbon, but now i'm kinda liking the short aluminum, I think it would look really good if I do the aluminum-edge to the wheels look. Plus it's a little cheaper. Thoughts?
Mitch |
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February 18th, 2010, 07:59 AM | #9 |
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Name: rock
Location: greenville, south carolina
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.
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Stuff looks tasty, good job
I prefer carbon fiber or Ti cans because they don't get hot like aluminum or stainless and of course they look sweet ass well. The longer muffler looks better imo I'm not a fan of polished wheel edges... looks too "chromy" on a spot bike and then you also have to maintain them.
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Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up |
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February 18th, 2010, 12:41 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: A
Location: Long Island, NY
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Honda CBR600F4 (sold) 1999 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 586
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I remember the project from ninja250.org's forum.. loved to watch this bike come together... Didn't you get another engine?
Wht kind of decal kit are you planning? I think a simple "Kawasaki" text and maybe a little "Ninja" on each side would be plenty to break it up... that's about what I had on my 99... Adam
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2000 Honda CBR600F4 Silver and Red 1999 Kawi Racing Green Ninja 250 sold |
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February 19th, 2010, 07:12 AM | #11 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mitch & Sarah
Location: Maine
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250, '87 KZ305 Posts: 18
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Quote:
We are planning on just getting some small black Kawasaki and Ninja decals as you said. Probably only putting a small Kawasaki on each side of the tank and two small Ninja stickers somewhere else. Mitch |
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February 19th, 2010, 08:55 AM | #12 |
Musical Genius
Name: Belinda
Location: O'Fallon, MO
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R Blue AKA "The Kid" 08 Vulcan 900 Classic Blue(for now) AKA "Honey" Posts: 146
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Great work. I really like the yellow.
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ti·gress n. 1. A female tiger. 2. A woman regarded as daring or fierce. |
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February 19th, 2010, 09:01 AM | #13 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paul
Location: Roanoke, VA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
I'm not much of a yellow fan myself, but this bike may sway me. Looks phenomenal. Best o' luck with the engine though. Dunno who you're considering sourcing the decals from, but we've got a couple forum members with a vinyl cutter that can hook you up. Here's a link to one of them http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25105
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Proud member of the Blue Army |
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February 19th, 2010, 09:05 AM | #14 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mitch & Sarah
Location: Maine
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250, '87 KZ305 Posts: 18
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Quote:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EX250...Q5fAccessories |
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February 19th, 2010, 09:35 AM | #15 |
You are sleeping
Name: Casey
Location: LMFAO!!!
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.
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Killer restoration work! Looks brand new or better.
p.s.. long can CF would look nice.
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<Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce |
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March 13th, 2010, 05:15 PM | #16 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mitch & Sarah
Location: Maine
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250, '87 KZ305 Posts: 18
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Quote:
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Code=POW301051 Once I received it, I went down to my local hardware store and got the proper fittings to hook it up to my compressor. Regulated the compressor to 30-40 PSI, hooked everything up and viola, valve stays up! It was not easy to get the springs compressed but we were successful after a few hours of trying. I put the cams back in, set the timing, adjusted the valves and fired it up. Synced the carbs and it was running great! Until it started knocking like crazy----uh-oh. Turns out the guy who did the motor work last year "forgot, or lost" a few pieces to the CAM CHAIN TENSIONER. I found out that the knocking noise was actually a ridiculously loose cam chain. I took out the tensioner, and it was missing part numbers 92144 (large spring), and 92027 (collar) (diagram here: http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_sectio...1999&fveh=8510. The shaft was all beat up from where the ball-bearings were beating on it as well. I just ordered a whole new assembly (shaft,springs,bearing,collar) for around $40. Here is a vid, prior to the tensioner noise (beware, crappy cell phone vid): Also, I managed to install the rear turn signals and do some re-wiring to the rear lights, and also the Signal Dynamics Back-Off-XP brake modulator that I bought a while ago. Here is that stuff all installed, showing what will happen when the brakes are pushed (I had a rope tied around the brake lever & handlebars to turn the brakes on, another crappy cell phone vid): Mitch
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March 13th, 2010, 05:17 PM | #17 |
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
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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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March 13th, 2010, 05:25 PM | #18 |
Fastly Slow!!!
Name: Jeff
Location: Kent, WA
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250, 1980 Honda XL125 Posts: 467
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Looks awesome! Great job.
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March 18th, 2010, 10:53 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Chris
Location: Huntsville, AL
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755
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Bike looks great, sucks that mechanic screwed you over though.
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The Ninjette is not a disposable bike. You are not ever supposed to get rid of it. It is like a [friendly] herpes virus.... once you got it, you get keep it forever. Originally posted by-Headshrink |
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March 19th, 2010, 09:01 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mitch & Sarah
Location: Maine
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250, '87 KZ305 Posts: 18
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Thanks guys. Cam chain tensioner is going back in this weekend with all new parts, hopefully no more clatter.
Scored a no-longer-available Yoshimura 2 into 1 pipe off of the other 250 forums last night, it's supposed to be in the mail today or monday. Also scored a gauge cluster, I'll be swapping out the speedo/odometer into the new one since mine has broken mounting pegs. Pics: I'm going to sandblast & paint / possibly powdercoat the pipes. Mitch
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March 19th, 2010, 06:35 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Chris
Location: Huntsville, AL
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755
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One of my friends briefly had a Ninja 250, and it had that Yoshi exhaust on it, and from what I remember it was LOUD. I don't know if it was supposed to be that loud, but he rode by my work one time, and he slowly cruised behind the building and I have never heard a vehicle from inside the building before, and I could clearly hear that bike riding behind the building.
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The Ninjette is not a disposable bike. You are not ever supposed to get rid of it. It is like a [friendly] herpes virus.... once you got it, you get keep it forever. Originally posted by-Headshrink |
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March 28th, 2010, 03:03 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mitch & Sarah
Location: Maine
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '99 EX250, '87 KZ305 Posts: 18
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Got the new cam chain tensioner parts installed and no more clatter, engine sounds great and pulls really nicely.
Put the Yoshimura exhaust on this weekend, and yes, it's LOUD. I even repacked it and it's insanely loud. We are thinking about having another muffler can put on. I put the stock exhaust back on for now. All back together!
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March 28th, 2010, 03:14 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: A
Location: Long Island, NY
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Honda CBR600F4 (sold) 1999 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 586
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the bike looks awesome!!! Great job. I can't help but wonder how yellow rim tape would look
Adam
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2000 Honda CBR600F4 Silver and Red 1999 Kawi Racing Green Ninja 250 sold |
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March 28th, 2010, 04:41 PM | #24 |
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
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The bike looks great. I wish I had your painting skills.
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