April 17th, 2009, 08:32 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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My Classic 86-87 Ninja 250r
This is my restored 86-87 1st Gen Ninja 250r that I got about 10 years ago and slowly piece meal to restore it to its former glory and beyond. One will be surprised on how little the engine has change for the past 20 years but in terms of pure sport the 1st gen 86-87 models are the most performance focus as it has a bigger 32mm carbs, longer intake boots and hotter cam profile but so is the power delivery where you have to rev like hell to get power and pretty much all of it is above 10k rpm. The 08's can pull from 3k but 87's can't give any semblance of torque until 6-8k.
The second and third gen 250 keep moving power down low and sacrafice peak power in favor of low end torque as most 250 owners are first time motorcyclist who do not like to rev their bike to redline in every gear. Appearance wise the 86-87 are vary compact, simple playfull like, which does not try to hide its 250 identity or be something its not. Mods to the bike: Yoshimur Exhaust w/ DynoJet Kit Progressive Spring w/ 08 250 Rear shock Adjustable levers both side, Clutch perch from 94-newer EX500 Mike's Euro Sprot Windscreen 88-07 250 Mirrors Galfer front Lines w/ EBC Green pads Custom Seat cover, mimic solo seat cowl but can carry passenger Fender eliminator Factory Case Guard w/ custom slider (no loger in production) 15T front 42T rear gearing 110-70-16 Pirelli Diablo Scooter front 130-80-16 Rear Tire Last futzed with by fjyang; June 15th, 2009 at 07:17 PM. Reason: pics fixed |
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April 17th, 2009, 08:37 PM | #2 |
I'm lovin' it.
Name: Mike
Location: Melb, Australia
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.
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Nice looking classic, love the colour scheme. So, how does it ride?
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Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son. |
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April 17th, 2009, 08:40 PM | #3 |
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
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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) |
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April 17th, 2009, 08:40 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Steve
Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.
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wow! that baby's in excellent condition!!
Nice job!!
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Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous? |
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April 17th, 2009, 08:46 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Veeerrry Nice, Frank!!
mucho eye catching, yet tastefully done. |
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April 17th, 2009, 08:57 PM | #6 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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Quote:
She rides like any 250 should...super flickable and you can pretty much think your bike into a turn. I believed its the lightest of all 3 version of Ninja 250, a little over 300lb dry. When this bike is in its elements which is around 11-13k rpm its just a joy to ride in canyons. I did put in progressive spring up front and an 08 model rear shock out back and its vary stable now with about 1" of sag front and back. Most Ninja 250's suffer idleing issues, especially if you mod the air box or exhaust and mine is no different. Did the 08's did better? |
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April 17th, 2009, 09:00 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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I have no idling issues... what do you mean, issues? I assume it's been rejetted, correct?
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April 17th, 2009, 09:01 PM | #8 |
I'm lovin' it.
Name: Mike
Location: Melb, Australia
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.
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Wow, look at that last picture. The red seat just pops out and demands attention!
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Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son. |
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April 17th, 2009, 09:28 PM | #9 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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Quote:
Yes, mine's been rejetted but a lot of owner of 88-07 models and my bike (before rejetting) have issues with consistant idling problems. I know you shim your needle and that goes a long way to cure that issue but I was wondering with the 08, did kawasaki actually change the jet size to get better idling. |
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April 17th, 2009, 09:48 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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wow, I wasn't aware of inconsistent idling issues with the pregens. do you mean it won't hold a steady idle speed for very long from minute to minute or that it is sensitive to outside influences and you constantly need to readjust the idle speed knob to keep it to the desired idle speed from day to day/ ride to ride/ season to season?
as far as my bike, I did have idle issues meaning it used to take long to warm up before it would run cleanly w/o the choke, but rejetting has solved almost all of that. here are the jetting specs for the new gen bikes... sorry, don't know enough of the pregen's jetting to know if it's different. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9467 what are your current jetting specs on your bike? |
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April 17th, 2009, 10:15 PM | #11 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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that bike is the bees knees - wow. makes me really really think about a project just like her. are all parts still avail?
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April 17th, 2009, 10:18 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Ryan
Location: San Francisco
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '11 Street Triple R Posts: 337
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How is that bike possibly that clean? My '08 looks like a rat bike in comparison.
Maybe because I haven't washed in a couple months...
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The Sunday Best | Current mileage: 50,000 |
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April 17th, 2009, 11:04 PM | #13 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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Quote:
I found a enthusiast group in Japan dedicated to only 86-87 models and they told me the production figure is around 10,000 worldwide and even them have hard time finding body parts for this bike. I would say 80% of the 86-87 model you see out there have been drop and neglected but a new coat of paint and seat cover will go a long way to freshen the appearance. Last futzed with by fjyang; April 18th, 2009 at 07:49 AM. |
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April 17th, 2009, 11:17 PM | #14 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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Quote:
I'm curious to know what jetting spec that Area P have done to the 88-07 models. |
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April 17th, 2009, 11:29 PM | #15 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Yes, I've also read of jetting difficulties with the pregens after pods are installed. I wonder why???
Bummer that such a beauty of a bike is a bitch. so, are you saying your jetting woes were cured by that last shop or that even after they "cured" it, you continue to have the 3000 rpm idle or die problem? That's a good question on what Purspeeds jetting is in his bike. You may want to PM him and ask. |
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April 18th, 2009, 09:40 AM | #17 |
Ms. Personality
Name: CB
Location: Murvill, TN
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.
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Great job. She looks better than new.
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April 18th, 2009, 10:35 AM | #18 |
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
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I always liked the look of the classic bike. Very nice job.
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April 18th, 2009, 10:58 AM | #19 |
Token British guy
Name: James
Location: Surrey, UK
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): Derbi GPR50R Posts: 15
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Now I'm tempted to get a classic Ninja and do it up. That really is a beauty of a bike, wonderfully done up. How much did it cost altogether to do? Can't have been cheap, but it looks like it was definitely a labour of love.
Kudos to you mate, kudos.
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Biker, Independent, and part-time stud since 7th March 2009. |
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April 18th, 2009, 11:19 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Deb
Location: Philly
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '09 ninja 250 (blue) Posts: 295
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B E A UUUUUUUUUUUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! Simply gorgeous bike there.
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A woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong she is until she's in hot water! |
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April 18th, 2009, 01:23 PM | #21 |
Professional belly dancer
Name: James
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.
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That bike is stunning!
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April 18th, 2009, 03:53 PM | #22 |
Back on the Black!
Name: Alan
Location: Gastonia, North Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 (Black) Posts: 831
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Nice lookin' ride Frank! I really like the color combo and the mods
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April 18th, 2009, 10:16 PM | #23 |
Fighting Texas Aggie '05
Name: Neil
Location: Hutto, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.
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i looked a bit yesterday and it may be a little more difficult finding one of these in half decent shape than I though
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April 18th, 2009, 11:14 PM | #24 |
Ramen Rider
Name: Gary
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.
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beautiful bike!!! did your bike originally come with the lower fairing like this one?
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/submi...ja-MartinO.jpg |
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April 18th, 2009, 11:28 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jon
Location: Long Island, NY
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 Posts: 91
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That is such a cool looking 250. Very clean, very retro, very nicely done. Is that stock colors?
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April 18th, 2009, 11:38 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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Thanks All! for the kind comments. It was and still is a continuous labor of love just like any kind of projects with older bikes. You have to like/love the bike to be willing to pour time/money into it so if you find a bike you have an emotional connection with it, it will be easier to stick with it. I paid $1,200 to a kid 10 years ago and the bike was a basket case but it only have 8,000 miles on it so I know the engine was good just cosmetics that need work. I put easily that amount back into the bike but this bike also serve as a learning tool for me on bike mechanics.
I still have some chroming to do on a few parts then its good for a few years. I replace the seat cover 10 years ago and I just replace it again as red vinyl fade pretty fast compare to black so after 3-4 years the color start to change, mine was like pink just before I change it two weeks ago. As long as you don't drop the bike and crush the plastic its not that hard to find parts to keep the bike running. I like to get my bike along side with 88-07 and 08- 250's to see the evolution and ride with them of course Last futzed with by fjyang; April 19th, 2009 at 05:17 PM. |
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April 18th, 2009, 11:49 PM | #27 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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Quote:
The lower cowlings are aftermarket accessories that will take a miracle to find one :-) I'd tried. There was rear seat cowl accessory that was only available in the Japanese market also like a vapor ware. I did find a Kawasaki factory engine/case guard that's also pretty hard to get on my bike in place of a lower fairing. Targa use to make a complete lowers for the bike but its also vapor ware now. I got the last of the Yoshimura exhaust that was made for this model from a small shop that sold me for $230...now I see $450 for a slip on so I'm not complaining. |
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April 18th, 2009, 11:56 PM | #28 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Frank
Location: Pasadena
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 87 Ninja 250, 90 Ninja ZX750R, GPZ 900r, 02 Moto Guzzi LeMans, 95 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 121
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Quote:
The 86 are only available in black with red seat, the 87's come with either black or white also with red seat. The Japanese version come with more color options. |
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April 19th, 2009, 07:22 PM | #29 |
ninjette.org member
Name: D
Location: cali
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R Posts: 114
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beauuuuutiful!
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April 19th, 2009, 10:47 PM | #30 |
Live 2 Ride Forced 2 Work
Name: Chris
Location: Guam
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 RED 250r Posts: 386
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That sucker is cherry! Nice job man. You can tell a lot of TLC went into getting that bike to look so great!
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April 20th, 2009, 06:23 AM | #31 |
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
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Looks Good Frank, nice job on the restoration!
Tony
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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. |
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April 20th, 2009, 06:38 AM | #32 |
Giggity Giggity
Name: Ryam
Location: San Diego
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 ninja 250R aka Hiryu Posts: 481
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Very sexy bike, Im sure she rides like new after you dolled her up bro
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Facebook DY Fender chop, Danmoto CB slip-on w/baffle, Airbox removed, Kleen-air removed, shimmed needles, Mikuni #117.5 Main jets, K&N RU-1822 air filter pods |
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April 20th, 2009, 06:45 AM | #33 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Ryne
Location: West Laf, IN
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 290
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Looks great!
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http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/224099 |
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April 20th, 2009, 08:00 AM | #34 |
The Sexy Filipino
Name: Jordan
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2008 (da black one) Posts: 312
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wow. i like it.
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Area P CF Standard,Airbox Removed,K&N R-0990,Factory Pro Jet Kit 3.0, Zero Gravity DB I'm not riding too fast... I'm flying too low. |
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April 26th, 2009, 07:33 AM | #35 |
Ninja fan
Name: Ian
Location: Bismarck, ND
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250, 2003 buell XB9R Posts: 46
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WOW. That takes heart. I love it!
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April 26th, 2009, 07:44 AM | #36 |
Über n00b
Name: Bob
Location: Alberta, Canada
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Triumph TT600, Honda NS50F, Kawasaki ZZR-250 (sold) Posts: 225
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Wow, that bike just looks amazing.
Real nice job you've done on it. Definitely something to be proud of. |
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April 26th, 2009, 12:23 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796
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That should be one for BOTY! You can see the amount of work and passion in it! Amazing stuff Frank and that red is just BEAUTIFUL!
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May 7th, 2011, 03:00 PM | #38 |
ninjette.org member
Name: James
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550F, 1986 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 1975 Honda CB400F, [sold: 1999 Suzuki SV650] Posts: 30
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I'm looking into buying a 1986 ninja 250 and found your post. I could not help registering on the forum just to say what a beautiful bike it is. My gf agrees. Congrats! I know the fairings on the one I'm looking at are messed up. I hope they're repairable.
pfj edit: That seat is custom? You hit the nail on the head. I love how the red/black continues the lines of the body. |
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May 7th, 2011, 04:01 PM | #39 |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: Caledonia, Ontario, Canada
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): Honda, Buell, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha Posts: 170
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A true classic beauty, now you need a ZZ-R 250 to complete a trio of pre-gens. All red of coarse as that is the fastest colour.
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May 7th, 2011, 09:35 PM | #40 |
I hate driving...
Name: S
Location: SW Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.
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That bike looks impeccable nice work!
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09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast |
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