My First Ninjette, Her problems and what I should do

[jodag]

Let me introduce you guys to Louise, my '05 Ninjette:



I just bought her 11 days ago, she's running fine and the post purchase inspection revealed only some minor things to take care of (new chain, add coolant, lube clutch cable). for $1400, seems like a steal to me

Her first owner beat her up and her whole right side has scratches and broken connections:

-right side fairing connections broken:



-right side exhaust pipe:



-windscreen cracks and broken connections:




I tried looking for parts online, but they are rare and expensive, so if I want to fix her, I'll have to do it myself. any suggestions on how I should proceed?
[Duct tape always worked for me, but this might be a little too much ]

On another note, I'd love to add some purple, to go along with the green, maybe purple rims too.

bonus photo: Louise, the latest addition to the family, next to my mom's Titine and my dad's Volusia (he has no naming creativity...)

[NevadaWolf]

Parts are rare and expensive???? Where are you looking?

AFAIK, any part from the Ninja between 1986(?) to 2007 will fit so you shouldn't have trouble finding parts on eBay.

[Motofool]

I wouldn't worry about those cosmetic things for some time, Jo.

If the bike has been abused, you should learn how to and perform the whole list of service work, starting by valve adjustment, fluids replacement and general lubrication.

Next, I would replace those tires if they are old, which could produce some more cosmetic damages if the skid at the wrong moment.

Please read these:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Tires

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Service_Schedule

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Main_Page

Those plastic cracks could be internally reinforced with aluminum sheets and epoxy glue, so they don't grow further with vibrations.

There will always be time to pimp her up !!!

[Joshorilla]

Urgh it's a lemon, sell it and get a gixxer, ninjettes are far too slow anyhow.

[jodag]

thanks for the input. I only looked for the fairings, eBay and other places, but I could only find newgen fairings. I ll look some more, but if you have links, it d be much apreciated!!
my service manual should arrive soon, I ll give it a good read and start the maintenance.
as for pimping her out, it's never too early to dream and plan

[iplante]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Parts are rare and expensive???? Where are you looking?

AFAIK, any part from the Ninja between 1986(?) to 2007 will fit so you shouldn't have trouble finding parts on eBay.

1988* - 2007 will fit.

[headshrink]

She seems to be suffering from Female Hysteria. The only known treatment for FH is to rev her engine again, and again, and again... sometimes varying the frequency of revs, and sometimes holding it steady for a while. You'll only know she needs if your riding her. I guarantee she'll smile once again.

No, I jest. Welcome to the Ninjette family. I see by the picture of your stable your probably not a newbie to motorcycles.

[greenaero]

Hi Jo, Welcome to the forum! Nice looking bike, I wouldn't worry too much about the minor cosmetic damage. It definitely passes the 50 foot test. Ditto on Motofool's great advice; be sure to check your valve clearances and that the fluids are replaced on schedule.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Urgh it's a lemon, sell it and get a gixxer, ninjettes are far too slow anyhow.

Sometimes ya just have to tell the truth.

[jodag]

Originally Posted by headshrink

She seems to be suffering from Female Hysteria. The only known treatment for FH is to rev her engine again, and again, and again... sometimes varying the frequency of revs, and sometimes holding it steady for a while. You'll only know she needs if your riding her. I guarantee she'll smile once again.

No, I jest. Welcome to the Ninjette family. I see by the picture of your stable your probably not a newbie to motorcycles.

Unfortunately, I am quite a newbie to motorcycles. Those are my paren'ts bikes and they don't know how to take care of them besides cleaning them (they don't have chains either).

Yes, FH seems to be what I have lmao. I know it is all cosmetic, and for a first bike she's fine, but if there are some stuff I can do myself during my spare summer time, I'd love to pimp her out!

[jodag]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Urgh it's a lemon, sell it and get a gixxer, ninjettes are far too slow anyhow.

meh. ninjettes are less expensive and...grab a chair... i like the look of the ninjette more than the gsxr , and so far, she seems to have no problem going to 60mph and she accelerates faster than all the cars in town.
What else do I need?

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by iplante

1988* - 2007 will fit.

Thank you. I wasn't sure when Kawi finally settled into their pre-gen style.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by jodag

Yes, FH seems to be what I have lmao.

LOL, I actually meant your bike had FH, since you mentioned your ninjette is a lady. I wasn't implying you had FH, since we just met and all.... there's another tool for that.

[jodag]

Originally Posted by headshrink

LOL, I actually meant your bike had FH, since you mentioned your ninjette is a lady.

oh haha. well. where I'm originally from, France, all motorcycles are "feminine"
[une moto] so I couldn't possibly think of her as a guy.
plus, even though I live in San Francisco, I still find the idea of me riding a guy a little unbearable.
I'm just going to fix her up and hope it lasts until I save up enough for me to get a new bike.
how would you guys "paint" on the fairings? I just want to do some highlights or small stuffs.