My Ninja be dead, so I joined this forum!

November 7th, 2013, 01:30 PM

Hey guys and gals. First to introduce myself. I'm in the Charlotte area, just south of the border actually in SC. Been riding since about '63 when I was but a wee lad on a Honda 55 Trail.

Big green sure made a nice little bike in the Ninjette. My wife got her MC license on it and I rode the thing a lot motor pacing and SAG support for bikes.

Well, I killed it dead. Did a long run on the interstate at shall we say, 'elevated' speeds and that was that. Nice long run on the interstate, then pulled off and did some stop and go traffic. Rode it through my neighborhood, pulled into my driveway. I put it in neutral, turned off the key. No indications of any problems. I opened the garage door and went to start it and it wouldn't turn over, just a click. Whatever, I pushed it in the garage.

Couple days later I come out to see what was up. Something seized up. It will go into 1st, but I can't get the wheel to turn. It won't go into second. Pushing it back and forth in first to try to get it to go into second does nothing.

That was maybe 2 years ago. I figured oh well, now it's a project bike. But really, I don't know what to do with it. Fix it, part it out, sell it as is... What do you think?

alex.s · November 7th, 2013, 01:37 PM

the first problem was caused by a dead battery or a blown VRR that wasn't charging the battery.

the not going into 2nd is by design, its called the kawi "positive neutral finder". the transmission output shaft has to be spinning in order to push the ball bearings inside toward the outside of the shaft to "unlock" from neutral to slide over into 2nd gear... this means the wheel has to be going like 5 mph to get into second, or you have to be really lucky.

and when its cold it can definitely be a bitch to move even with the clutch in.

now after sitting for 2 years, the gas is bad and it needs the carbs and fuel lines cleaned

csmith12 · November 7th, 2013, 01:39 PM

Welcome James!

Have you tried turning it via the front sprocket nut? Maybe it's just the starter. Check the kickstand switch too, jump the wires to bypass.

csmith12 · November 7th, 2013, 01:41 PM

I am making an assumption that you had oil in it the entire time. Another chap just lost his engine due to a leak at pace. Hope you fair better.

TonyKZ1 · November 7th, 2013, 03:35 PM

Welcome to the Site, James.
Tony

KJohnson21 · November 7th, 2013, 11:34 PM

^^ yeah, what alex.s said ^^

...and it doesn't matter what speeds you were doing on the highway. That's what it's made for. If it wasn't making weird ugly sounds when you parked it, the engine should be basically okay. But at this point the carbs need a good cleaning.

Racer x · November 8th, 2013, 05:02 AM

Charge the battery and try again. If its a strong click the turn the key so you get lights and all. Put it in neutral. Remove the plastic plug in the side cover on the left side. Use a big washer or something. There is a 14 mom nut on the end of the crank. Try to turn it counter clockwise.

JohnnyBravo · November 8th, 2013, 10:18 AM

Welcome to the forum... Ya got plenty of good help round this place, best of luck

RedPepper64 · November 8th, 2013, 01:33 PM

Welcome and best of luck with the little biddie!

RedPepper64 · November 8th, 2013, 01:43 PM

Welcome and best of luck with the little biddie!

Snake · November 9th, 2013, 02:41 PM

Hello and welcome.

Motofool · November 9th, 2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southeastjames

Hey guys and gals. First to introduce myself. I'm in the Charlotte area, just south of the border actually in SC. Been riding since about '63 when I was but a wee lad on a Honda 55 Trail.

............But really, I don't know what to do with it. Fix it, part it out, sell it as is... What do you think?

Welcome to our site, James !!!

Have you worked on bikes during all those years?

I would buy a used engine and replace the seized one.

NinjaDucky · November 26th, 2013, 02:01 PM

Welcome! And yes motorcycle batteries are small and if yours is older it may just need replacing, especially if its sat dead for a couple years. See if you can turn it manually from the front sprocket nut. If you can your bike likely is fine. Flush and replace the fluids, clean everything, get a new battery and maybe a new spark plug while you're at it, I bet she starts right up

adouglas · November 26th, 2013, 02:04 PM

Holy crap, someone on the site even older than I am.

Welcome!

allanoue · November 26th, 2013, 02:41 PM

James
fix it

May 11th, 2014, 08:56 AM

Well, it's been a while. Been busy getting getting the new house in order and with life in general.

Through research I found that Kawas have a 'positive neutral' and I couldn't get it into second because the bike had to be running and moving. Duh.. never heard of it. Anyway, a good carb soak in Berrymans, new battery and tappet adjustment and it's doing it's thing again.

Where do you guys think a good place to sell it is? I hate to resort to Craigslist, I put up at ADVRider. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=977206

I don't want to be one of 'those' guys that join and post a bike for sale so I'll refrain from spamming your forum. If you have any ideas let me know.

Thanks,
James

Joshua763 · May 11th, 2014, 09:03 AM

whats up James, I am just a newb here but it wouldn't hurt to put it up for sale you just need twenty five posts If it is a nice bike some one from the area you are in might like what they see. I think (tell me if I am wrong site people)

November 7th, 2013, 01:30 PM	#1
Southeastjames Guest Posts: n/a	My Ninja be dead, so I joined this forum! Hey guys and gals. First to introduce myself. I'm in the Charlotte area, just south of the border actually in SC. Been riding since about '63 when I was but a wee lad on a Honda 55 Trail. Big green sure made a nice little bike in the Ninjette. My wife got her MC license on it and I rode the thing a lot motor pacing and SAG support for bikes. Well, I killed it dead. Did a long run on the interstate at shall we say, 'elevated' speeds and that was that. Nice long run on the interstate, then pulled off and did some stop and go traffic. Rode it through my neighborhood, pulled into my driveway. I put it in neutral, turned off the key. No indications of any problems. I opened the garage door and went to start it and it wouldn't turn over, just a click. Whatever, I pushed it in the garage. Couple days later I come out to see what was up. Something seized up. It will go into 1st, but I can't get the wheel to turn. It won't go into second. Pushing it back and forth in first to try to get it to go into second does nothing. That was maybe 2 years ago. I figured oh well, now it's a project bike. But really, I don't know what to do with it. Fix it, part it out, sell it as is... What do you think?

November 7th, 2013, 01:37 PM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	the first problem was caused by a dead battery or a blown VRR that wasn't charging the battery. the not going into 2nd is by design, its called the kawi "positive neutral finder". the transmission output shaft has to be spinning in order to push the ball bearings inside toward the outside of the shaft to "unlock" from neutral to slide over into 2nd gear... this means the wheel has to be going like 5 mph to get into second, or you have to be really lucky. and when its cold it can definitely be a bitch to move even with the clutch in. now after sitting for 2 years, the gas is bad and it needs the carbs and fuel lines cleaned __________________________________________________

November 7th, 2013, 01:39 PM	#3
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Welcome James! Have you tried turning it via the front sprocket nut? Maybe it's just the starter. Check the kickstand switch too, jump the wires to bypass. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

November 7th, 2013, 01:41 PM	#4
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	I am making an assumption that you had oil in it the entire time. Another chap just lost his engine due to a leak at pace. Hope you fair better. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

November 7th, 2013, 03:35 PM	#5
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	Welcome to the Site, James. 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.

November 7th, 2013, 11:34 PM	#6
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	^^ yeah, what alex.s said ^^ ...and it doesn't matter what speeds you were doing on the highway. That's what it's made for. If it wasn't making weird ugly sounds when you parked it, the engine should be basically okay. But at this point the carbs need a good cleaning. __________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

November 8th, 2013, 05:02 AM	#7
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	Charge the battery and try again. If its a strong click the turn the key so you get lights and all. Put it in neutral. Remove the plastic plug in the side cover on the left side. Use a big washer or something. There is a 14 mom nut on the end of the crank. Try to turn it counter clockwise. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

November 8th, 2013, 10:18 AM	#8
JohnnyBravo Certifiable nontundrum Name: Harper Location: NC Milkshake stand Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16	Welcome to the forum... Ya got plenty of good help round this place, best of luck __________________________________________________

November 8th, 2013, 01:33 PM	#9
RedPepper64 Kawi Girl Name: Heather Location: Washington Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Green SE, '13 Ninja 636 Pearl White Posts: 245	Welcome and best of luck with the little biddie! __________________________________________________ Perspective: Everything looks better from the inside of a motorcycle helmet

November 8th, 2013, 01:43 PM	#10
RedPepper64 Kawi Girl Name: Heather Location: Washington Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Green SE, '13 Ninja 636 Pearl White Posts: 245	Welcome and best of luck with the little biddie! __________________________________________________ Perspective: Everything looks better from the inside of a motorcycle helmet

November 9th, 2013, 02:41 PM	#11
Snake 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	Hello and welcome.

November 26th, 2013, 02:01 PM	#13
NinjaDucky ninjette.org member Name: Sean Location: Buena Park, Ca Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja EX250r Posts: 32	Welcome! And yes motorcycle batteries are small and if yours is older it may just need replacing, especially if its sat dead for a couple years. See if you can turn it manually from the front sprocket nut. If you can your bike likely is fine. Flush and replace the fluids, clean everything, get a new battery and maybe a new spark plug while you're at it, I bet she starts right up

November 26th, 2013, 02:04 PM	#14
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Holy crap, someone on the site even older than I am. Welcome! __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.

November 26th, 2013, 02:41 PM	#15
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	James fix it

May 11th, 2014, 08:56 AM	#16
Southeastjames Guest Posts: n/a	Well, it's been a while. Been busy getting getting the new house in order and with life in general. Through research I found that Kawas have a 'positive neutral' and I couldn't get it into second because the bike had to be running and moving. Duh.. never heard of it. Anyway, a good carb soak in Berrymans, new battery and tappet adjustment and it's doing it's thing again. Where do you guys think a good place to sell it is? I hate to resort to Craigslist, I put up at ADVRider. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=977206 I don't want to be one of 'those' guys that join and post a bike for sale so I'll refrain from spamming your forum. If you have any ideas let me know. Thanks, James

May 11th, 2014, 09:03 AM	#17
Joshua763 ninjette.org guru Name: josh Location: 763 Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): five honda's one harley one ninja most have sold all where fun.(one honda was a moped) Posts: 344	whats up James, I am just a newb here but it wouldn't hurt to put it up for sale you just need twenty five posts If it is a nice bike some one from the area you are in might like what they see. I think (tell me if I am wrong site people)

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