New Ninja owner, my bike may be dead :(

[Ikoniak]

Brand new Ninja owner here, well, may not be for long :/

I recently picked up a 2004 Ninja 250 with 7600 miles on the engine. After cleaning the carbs and getting the bike in running condition, I came across another problem.

I am getting ununiformed clacking sounds from the engine, almost as if something is rattling around with my pistons. This only happens at idle, as soon as you give it gas the clicking subsides.

Another problem besides that, is the bike seems to lack power/torque to even move. Whenever you try to ride the bike, it just dies out, and if you try and blip the throttle, it seems very sluggish and unresponsive.

Here is a video I made of said noise:

Link to original page on YouTube.

Any help would be greatly appreciated guys!

[CZroe]

I have a similar sound but my clacking is a bit more uniform.

Anyway, are you sure you thoroughly cleaned every nook and cranny of those carbs? I here some require sticking a little wire in there to get in some tiny holes.

[n4mwd]

The clicking is probably the infamous Kawasaki tick. Put a little load on it with the clutch to see if that cures it temporarily. If so, its your clutch basket. Best to just ignore it.

As for the poor performance. It really screams carbs, but it could also be bad or improperly gapped plugs. Are you absolutely certain that you got every nook and cranny and little hole unplugged in them?

Other things to check: Fuel inlet filter. Some carbs have a little screen on the fuel inlet that needs cleaning. Also, check to make sure you've got good gas flow from the tank when running and none when not.

But again I say that the problems you describe scream carb problems more than anything else.

[Ikoniak]

Thanks for the reply guys!

I just did a compression check, and both cylinders both have matching compression, so my engine is good (FWEW!).

I did an extremely detailed job on the carbs, but I am pulling them back out right now to give them another thorough cleaning with someone who knows a lot about carbs and I will keep you guys posted.

Another thing I should add, is that the clacking sound doesn't appear until the engine is warmed up.

[n4mwd]

It could also be a vacuum leak if you didn't reinstall them correctly or one of the hoses cracked. Since you are pulling them off again, take a close look at them.

PS- You might want to look at this carb cleaning video if you haven't already.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Ikoniak]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

It could also be a vacuum leak if you didn't reinstall them correctly or one of the hoses cracked. Since you are pulling them off again, take a close look at them.

PS- You might want to look at this carb cleaning video if you haven't already.

Link to original page on YouTube.

That video made me realize I missed a few holes in the carb

All cleaned up (properly) and I am currently installing the carbs back into place.

I'll keep you guys updated.

Cheers!

[Ikoniak]

n4mwd, thank you so much.

I just needed to clean my carbs out properly (and boy do I feel like a n00b)

The bike runs perfectly. Now I just need to assess that clacking sound. It appears to only happen at low RPMs. Cam chain tensioner maybe?

[CmichRider]

Doesn't sound a whole lot different than mine..Lol.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by Ikoniak

n4mwd, thank you so much.

I just needed to clean my carbs out properly (and boy do I feel like a n00b)

The bike runs perfectly. Now I just need to assess that clacking sound. It appears to only happen at low RPMs. Cam chain tensioner maybe?

You're welcome.

Like I said before, test the bike at idle by using the clutch to load the engine slightly. The ticking sound usually disappears when the engine is under load.

[Ikoniak]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

You're welcome.

Like I said before, test the bike at idle by using the clutch to load the engine slightly. The ticking sound usually disappears when the engine is under load.

That's exactly what happens, now I am not worried at all about it.

Just got back from my first motorcycle ride (~20 miles) and she runs perfectly!

Thanks again guys for helping this Ninjette get on the road. You will be seeing a lot more of me around here.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by Ikoniak

That's exactly what happens, now I am not worried at all about it.

Just got back from my first motorcycle ride (~20 miles) and she runs perfectly!

Thanks again guys for helping this Ninjette get on the road. You will be seeing a lot more of me around here.

Its the clutch basket then. Its a design defect, but fortunately it doesn't matter and can be ignored. The clutch basket has internal rubber bushings that rot away with age and heat. They would ordinarily dampen the sound.

Glad you got to enjoy your bike for the first time.