Non-starting 1996 gpx250

Woolley7325 · March 20th, 2014, 06:05 PM

Hi all. Next week I will be acquiring a 1996 non-starting gpx250. Without having had a good look at it and with very limited motorbike engine knowledge, I need some pointers on where to start.

I'm thinking the cdi unit because the guy I bought it off said that he took it to the shops with it running fine with no issues. After shopping he went back to it and it would not start. The electrics all worked fine still. He had it taken back to his place (over 12 months ago now) and has not touched it since.

Obviously I will have more info once I actually get the bike, but going off this info does anyone have any advice on getting it going or what the problem could be? It can only be so many things right?

Any help greatly appreciated!!!

csmith12 · March 20th, 2014, 07:25 PM

Always start with the basics...

Gas
Air
Spark

Air is the cheapest to fix, then gas, spark can get more costly.

dcj13 · March 20th, 2014, 07:33 PM

I'd be inclined to check for spark first (of the 3 basics you mentioned).

Woolley7325 · March 20th, 2014, 11:49 PM

Thanks for the opportunity to humbly reveal my ignorance about all things mechanical!!!

By air, do you mean air filter box?
Gas - fuel? How can i check if fuel's getting to the carbys?
Spark - plugs, leads etc? What am i looking for precisely?

Thanks in advance for putting up with me! :-)

csmith12 · March 21st, 2014, 06:15 AM

Here is an old post that might help.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...&postcount=111

csmith12 · March 21st, 2014, 06:17 AM

This too..

http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/My_Bike_Won%27t_Start

Woolley7325 · March 21st, 2014, 08:43 AM

Just got to wait to get it now....the suspense is like being a kid at Christmas again lol
Cheers for the tips will let you know how I get on!

quarterliter · March 21st, 2014, 08:48 AM

80% of the time, bikes don't run because old fuel was left in the carb. Clean the carbs, and with some fresh gas they usually fire up.

quarterliter · March 21st, 2014, 08:50 AM

When you do get it running, chances are the valves need to be adjusted. Look at the ninja250.org wiki for instructions

Woolley7325 · March 29th, 2014, 12:09 AM

Finally she is here!!!!!!!

I have changed oil and filter, got new battery and now am draining old fuel. I have drained the fuel, but am wondering with this model bike should the fuel run out with the Petcock on the 'on' position? Because no fuel was running out of the tank even with the Petcock set to 'on' or 'reserve'. Or does it vacuumed out?

Any help appreciated for this noob!

The bike turns over with the new battery, but still not starting.

(I have posted this same question in the thread, sorry if that's bad form.)

Woolley7325 · March 29th, 2014, 02:36 AM

Ok, I'm a tool...you tubed it and found out it's vacuumed so that's why no fuel cones out...

On another note, got the horrible air box out. Man what a pain in the butt! Need to replace air filter as it was in terrible condition. Wonder if it'll go when I put it all back together...

Woolley7325 · March 30th, 2014, 03:09 AM

Success!!! Thanks Dave (dcj13) from my other posts for the suggestion to drain the carbs, I had no idea you could do that. The fuel came out clean when I did so that was good.

Couldn't believe it when It turned over, left it running for a few mins and she settled down - black smoke slowly faded lol. Took it for my first spin around the clothes line, ran like a dream!!

For anyone interested, This is what I did to go from non starting (totally dead for last 12 months, to running smoothly...so far!

New battery
Drained old oil, replaced with new and a new filter
Drained old fuel from tank
Drained fuel from carbs
Added a fuel additive carb cleaner to new fuel
Reconnected the two rubber cups from the air box to the carbs (what a nightmare)
Cleaned the air filter

Next I need to: check chain, tyres, brakes and pads, accelerator cable is slightly sticking..... What else - any suggestions very much appreciated!

Racer x · March 30th, 2014, 05:08 AM

Very cool you got it going.

Woolley7325 · April 15th, 2014, 09:23 PM

Hey guys, got my learners the other day so I'm now ready to ride! Before I take her out on the road though I want to get brakes checked and a basic lube etc from my kwaka dealer. Being a noob I'd rather get this done by the professionals first time around to ensure I'll be as safe as I can be on an unknown bike.

Talked to the dealer and he recommended a valve check/ adjustment as it has 33000km (21500 miles). I've no idea if it's been done or not in the past. The bike runs/ sounds fine to my unskilled ear, although I've only had it in neutral and first gear lol as I can't ride it on the road yet due to my licence. (In Australia we've got to have an instructor before I go for my test).

What do you guys think? Any idea of approx cost to get it done? I'm definitely not confident to do them myself at this stage.

Appreciate any input - cheers!

quarterliter · April 20th, 2014, 04:08 PM

Chances are it has not been done. I would say it would be a good idea to have the valves adjusted.

Woolley7325 · April 21st, 2014, 03:56 AM

Yeah I'm keen to get them done to get her running as sweetly as possible. Man I can't wait to actually ride it!!! Cheers for the advice everyone. Appreciated.

March 20th, 2014, 06:05 PM	#1
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Non-starting 1996 gpx250 Hi all. Next week I will be acquiring a 1996 non-starting gpx250. Without having had a good look at it and with very limited motorbike engine knowledge, I need some pointers on where to start. I'm thinking the cdi unit because the guy I bought it off said that he took it to the shops with it running fine with no issues. After shopping he went back to it and it would not start. The electrics all worked fine still. He had it taken back to his place (over 12 months ago now) and has not touched it since. Obviously I will have more info once I actually get the bike, but going off this info does anyone have any advice on getting it going or what the problem could be? It can only be so many things right? Any help greatly appreciated!!!

March 20th, 2014, 07:25 PM	#2
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	Always start with the basics... Gas Air Spark Air is the cheapest to fix, then gas, spark can get more costly. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

March 20th, 2014, 11:49 PM	#4
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Thanks for the opportunity to humbly reveal my ignorance about all things mechanical!!! By air, do you mean air filter box? Gas - fuel? How can i check if fuel's getting to the carbys? Spark - plugs, leads etc? What am i looking for precisely? Thanks in advance for putting up with me! :-) __________________________________________________ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John3:17

March 21st, 2014, 06:15 AM	#5
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	Here is an old post that might help. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...&postcount=111 __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

March 21st, 2014, 06:17 AM	#6
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	This too.. http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/My_Bike_Won%27t_Start __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

March 20th, 2014, 07:33 PM	#3
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	I'd be inclined to check for spark first (of the 3 basics you mentioned).

March 21st, 2014, 08:43 AM	#7
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Just got to wait to get it now....the suspense is like being a kid at Christmas again lol Cheers for the tips will let you know how I get on! __________________________________________________ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John3:17

March 21st, 2014, 08:48 AM	#8
quarterliter ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Madison Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 465	80% of the time, bikes don't run because old fuel was left in the carb. Clean the carbs, and with some fresh gas they usually fire up.

March 21st, 2014, 08:50 AM	#9
quarterliter ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Madison Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 465	When you do get it running, chances are the valves need to be adjusted. Look at the ninja250.org wiki for instructions

March 29th, 2014, 12:09 AM	#10
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Finally she is here!!!!!!! I have changed oil and filter, got new battery and now am draining old fuel. I have drained the fuel, but am wondering with this model bike should the fuel run out with the Petcock on the 'on' position? Because no fuel was running out of the tank even with the Petcock set to 'on' or 'reserve'. Or does it vacuumed out? Any help appreciated for this noob! The bike turns over with the new battery, but still not starting. (I have posted this same question in the thread, sorry if that's bad form.) __________________________________________________ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John3:17

March 29th, 2014, 02:36 AM	#11
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Ok, I'm a tool...you tubed it and found out it's vacuumed so that's why no fuel cones out... On another note, got the horrible air box out. Man what a pain in the butt! Need to replace air filter as it was in terrible condition. Wonder if it'll go when I put it all back together... __________________________________________________ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John3:17

March 30th, 2014, 03:09 AM	#12
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Success!!! Thanks Dave (dcj13) from my other posts for the suggestion to drain the carbs, I had no idea you could do that. The fuel came out clean when I did so that was good. Couldn't believe it when It turned over, left it running for a few mins and she settled down - black smoke slowly faded lol. Took it for my first spin around the clothes line, ran like a dream!! For anyone interested, This is what I did to go from non starting (totally dead for last 12 months, to running smoothly...so far! New battery Drained old oil, replaced with new and a new filter Drained old fuel from tank Drained fuel from carbs Added a fuel additive carb cleaner to new fuel Reconnected the two rubber cups from the air box to the carbs (what a nightmare) Cleaned the air filter Next I need to: check chain, tyres, brakes and pads, accelerator cable is slightly sticking..... What else - any suggestions very much appreciated! __________________________________________________ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John3:17

March 30th, 2014, 05:08 AM	#13
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	Very cool you got it going. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

April 15th, 2014, 09:23 PM	#14
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Hey guys, got my learners the other day so I'm now ready to ride! Before I take her out on the road though I want to get brakes checked and a basic lube etc from my kwaka dealer. Being a noob I'd rather get this done by the professionals first time around to ensure I'll be as safe as I can be on an unknown bike. Talked to the dealer and he recommended a valve check/ adjustment as it has 33000km (21500 miles). I've no idea if it's been done or not in the past. The bike runs/ sounds fine to my unskilled ear, although I've only had it in neutral and first gear lol as I can't ride it on the road yet due to my licence. (In Australia we've got to have an instructor before I go for my test). What do you guys think? Any idea of approx cost to get it done? I'm definitely not confident to do them myself at this stage. Appreciate any input - cheers! __________________________________________________ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John3:17

April 20th, 2014, 04:08 PM	#15
quarterliter ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Madison Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 465	Chances are it has not been done. I would say it would be a good idea to have the valves adjusted.

April 21st, 2014, 03:56 AM	#16
Woolley7325 ninjette.org member Name: Rohan Location: Australia Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1998 kawasaki GPX250 Posts: 53	Yeah I'm keen to get them done to get her running as sweetly as possible. Man I can't wait to actually ride it!!! Cheers for the advice everyone. Appreciated. __________________________________________________ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John3:17

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