May 3rd, 2013, 06:44 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
how to check a motorcycle engine to see if its good?
Okay, so I'm buying a ex500r engine to swap into my 250 and need to know how to chick the engines health, it's not on the frame and it isn't known if it runs, so how can I check it out?
__________________________________________________
Last futzed with by ninja_thresh_hold; May 3rd, 2013 at 08:47 AM. |
|
May 3rd, 2013, 07:49 AM | #2 |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
|
Eric,
I would make sure that the engine has enough and good lubricant inside before testing anything. Secondly, I would anchor the thing solidly, keeping it properly leveled. Clean or new spark plugs. Then, I would connect fluids, sensors and power to it, verifying that vacuum tubes are OK and hooked or capped. A compression test will tell you how worn the piston-rings-cylinders are. A leak-down test will tell you how well the valves isolate the cylinder. http://www.dansmc.com/compression_test.htm http://www.dansmc.com/leakdown.htm If the thing is in decent shape and no noises are present when turning it by hand, I would try firing it up. The most probably is that the carbs are dirty inside and that you will need to clean and re-try starting up. ...........or you could skip all those steps and just buy it as is...........
__________________________________________________
Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
|
May 3rd, 2013, 07:50 AM | #3 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Apr '13
|
You smoke too much weed
__________________________________________________
If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 3rd, 2013, 07:51 AM | #4 | |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
|
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 08:40 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
I didn't realize there was a such thing! Lol, what makes you say that?
__________________________________________________
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 3rd, 2013, 08:44 AM | #6 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Apr '13
|
Your entire OP
__________________________________________________
If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
|
May 3rd, 2013, 08:45 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
Lol ah ;P I edited it, I was kinda tired when I posted it lol
__________________________________________________
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 08:48 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
Not to hate here, but someone's going to say it:
Why not just buy a 500? You'll get a bike that has service history and can be test-ridden. Now that that's out of the way, Motofool is dead on. First thing I'd check is that nothing touches/bumps when turned over by hand. If that's good, I'd buy it on the spot for as cheap as possible. Then starting it is the basics: fuel spark air compression Don't forget to give the engine a thorough once-over to make sure things like rocker arms aren't broken. Open the oil filter thing to check for metal shavings on the filter etc etc. As long as it looks alright, go for it. If you see metal shavings or bent rocker arms, run the other direction. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 3rd, 2013, 08:58 AM | #9 | |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
|
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:14 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
I'm not critiquing the swap. I'm just putting it out there because SOMEONE inevitably will say it. So I got it out of the way for you.
I'd go for it. When in doubt, you can always part out the engine on Ebay. |
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:16 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
Yeah, and if it does work out, I'll still have a dirt bike that I can sell for a profit
__________________________________________________
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:17 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
That's why I posted here, so I can know how to check stuff myself, and tell him I'll give him like 100$ or so for it since idk if it runs
__________________________________________________
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:20 AM | #15 |
Bass Master General
|
How much is he asking for it, if it looks to be solid, i'd say max of $200, $100 if it looks to be a bit knackered.
Make sure it includes the carbs and such, last thing you want is to source random expensive replacement parts, this is why a donor bike is often better. |
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:23 AM | #16 | |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
|
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:24 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jono
Location: Memphis, TN
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.
|
Or you could just get one of these...
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:28 AM | #18 |
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
|
Some relevant threads here:
The Ex 500 Engine swap with pics Custom 09 ninja 250 with ex 500 or 650r engine + others
__________________________________________________
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) |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 3rd, 2013, 09:32 AM | #19 | |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
Quote:
__________________________________________________
|
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:40 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
__________________________________________________
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 09:45 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jono
Location: Memphis, TN
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.
|
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 11:21 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Alex
Location: Woburnn Ma
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250 Posts: 71
|
See if you can turn the engine over manualy with-out spark plugs in, then turn it over with plugs in. Should be able to feel compression to certain point.
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 11:27 AM | #23 |
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
|
I don't think I've ever seen used oil, or a filter without metal particles
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 12:07 PM | #24 |
Jigglin' your Jiglets
Name: Sean
Location: San Jose, Ca
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Apr '13
|
I liked the old op better
__________________________________________________
If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs |
|
May 3rd, 2013, 12:51 PM | #25 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
Quote:
Are you thinking that metal shavings are normal? Or is this just because your bike is still brand new? Sorry, Idk what you were suggesting exactly. |
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 3rd, 2013, 12:55 PM | #26 |
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
|
Naw... I ran the army oil analysis program, so I saw on the machine the metal particles that were microscopic, so even if you can't see them they exist... Glad you can't find them though
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 01:00 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
Oh gotcha. Well I meant like giant shiny metal shavings that would imply that something bad was happening. Of course there's going to be a bunch of tiny particles of metal in any engine oil
|
|
May 3rd, 2013, 02:17 PM | #29 |
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
|
I didn't have any smarty, useful things to say besides all oil got metal stuff in em.
Chone glad you care enough for your bike to go the extra miles!!! |
|
May 4th, 2013, 02:35 AM | #30 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
Location: Eastern Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
Do you know how many miles are on the engine? These 500 engines are a little more fragile than a lot of other bikes due to awkward design on kawis part. A really abused 500 motor can be trash around 20k miles, but a well cared for one can go for as long as any other sport bike engine. I'd just stay away from one in unknown condition, bad things happen if you continually go over 10,500 rpms. |
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 4th, 2013, 06:25 AM | #31 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
|
|
|
May 4th, 2013, 06:48 AM | #32 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Goshen CA
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 red 250 ninja Posts: 740
|
I think if you don't know enough about engines to know how to check one out, you don't know enough to do a proper engine swap.
Just my thought. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 4th, 2013, 01:35 PM | #33 |
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
|
how to check if an engine is good.
has fluids, still in bike: run the engine, get it up to temp. does it sound horrible? is it spewing fluids? does it even run? ok good so its looking good so far. do a compression test. still good? drain the oil and catch some oil with an oil test kit then send it off to the lab to be tested. when the results come back if it tests clean its probably good. no fluids, out of bike, off ebay or something: disassemble the engine and examine the crank and bearings, valves and seats, pistons, cams, the trans, do ohms checks on the stator and pickup coils, check the oil pump and all the seals. make sure nothing is bent (crank, rods, trans shafts or forks) if everything looks good, reassemble. otherwise replace or fix whats broken or toss it aside for spare parts in the future.
__________________________________________________
|
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
May 4th, 2013, 04:54 PM | #34 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
Location: Eastern Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.
|
I spose I could get some info from ex-500.com but I'm too lazy right now. OP may want to check it out himself.
Also just saying if you start pulling the 500 engine apart you have to lap the head before reassembling or else it'll be toast before you go 500 miles. Buying a replacement motor is usually a lot cheaper than rebuilding for the 500 unless you can do it all yourself and are pretty good at it. Another note, make sure you get a 2nd gen engine (1994-2009) or if you get a 1st gen (1987-1993) You'll want to replace the CCT, flywheel, transmission and probably a few other bits with 2nd gen units. |
|
August 25th, 2013, 04:58 PM | #35 |
ninjette.org *********
Name: Eric
Location: Athens, Alabama
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (忍者 250r; sold!) 2001 zx6r Posts: 347
|
ended up gettinga zx6r instead
__________________________________________________
|
|
August 25th, 2013, 07:57 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brandon
Location: Orlando, FL
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110
|
Awww quitter
__________________________________________________
"It sounds like a lawnmower." "Shut up no it doesn't." |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
PSA - Check your engine covers. | red5 | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 4 | October 21st, 2013 02:18 PM |
Check out my DIY engine stand | headshrink | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 4 | January 1st, 2012 12:08 AM |
Pre-ride inspection: Don't forget to also check that your engine is still attached. | Skippii | General Motorcycling Discussion | 5 | September 14th, 2011 09:52 AM |
Why it's always good to check your tires before any ride... | capt_bugaloo | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 8 | September 23rd, 2009 06:21 PM |
Possible upgrade: Things to look for and check on a good deal... | Verus Cidere | General Motorcycling Discussion | 33 | May 24th, 2009 05:01 AM |
|
|