Did I just grenade my motor by going 1k over on the valve inspection?

bowlingballhead · July 9th, 2013, 10:01 AM

I'm sure the answer is in the forum somewhere, but right now, too distraught to search. Bike won't move. Won't rev, choke does nothing, dies. Now, it won't even start. When it did start and run (kind of), engine definitely didn't sound right; ticking/clacking noise. Overheat light is not on, coolant is full. I've done all the oil and filter changes and bike is stock. I'm at about 1,000 miles over on the valve inspection/adjustment. My original dealer closed due to the economy right after I bought it in '08, and the other closest dealer (65 miles away) dropped Kawi this Spring, which I found out when I went in to inquire about the valve check. Been procrastinating on getting it done because the next closest Kawi service is 150 away in Mora, MN (

).

Am I doomed? I have a bad feeling. ('08 250r owned since new with about 8500 on the clock).

csmith12 · July 9th, 2013, 10:08 AM

Hmmmm, I have went way past the scheduled checks for valves before and they didn't blow up or anything.

Have you been riding it recently?
When was the last oil change?

csmith12 · July 9th, 2013, 10:09 AM

You tick clanking sound could be the cam chain as well.

bowlingballhead · July 9th, 2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Hmmmm, I have went way past the scheduled checks for valves before and they didn't blow up or anything.

Have you been riding it recently?
When was the last oil change?

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I have been riding it recently, and the last oil and filter change was back in November right before I garaged it for the Winter. it only has like 500 miles on the fresh oil.

Trailerboy531 · July 9th, 2013, 10:26 AM

so you walked up to your bike and suddenly...nothing. You didn't drop it, lay it down, leave it for a few days without riding, or anything before these issues started?

Also, no, it's not your valves.

bowlingballhead · July 9th, 2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trailerboy531

so you walked up to your bike and suddenly...nothing. You didn't drop it, lay it down, leave it for a few days without riding, or anything before these issues started?

Also, no, it's not your valves.

No drop, no fall, rode it just the other day. Last night coming back from the grocery store, i went to take off from a stop sign, and she didn't wanna go. I revved the **** out of it and barely made it home. In my wishful thinking mode, I just chalked it up to it being only 50 degrees here yesterday, but getting it warmed up to go down to the store today I could tell something was really not right, not just the cold.

bowlingballhead · July 9th, 2013, 10:43 AM

Come to think of it though, my bike sits out on the street. When I went to take the black trim panels under the seat off to get a better look, i noticed that the screw on the clutch side of the bike was missing, and the panel seemed misaligned. Is there anything in there that can be tampered with that would cause this kind of problem? The fuel reserve switch seemed to be in the right place

.

DaBlue1 · July 9th, 2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlingballhead

I.... Bike won't move. Won't rev, choke does nothing, dies. Now, it won't even start. When it did start and run (kind of), engine definitely didn't sound right; ticking/clacking noise. Overheat light is not on, coolant is full.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlingballhead

....getting it warmed up to go down to the store today I could tell something was really not right, not just the cold.

What have you checked?
Air Filter?
Snorkel?
Gas?
Oil Level and condition?

bowlingballhead · July 9th, 2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

What have you checked?
Air Filter?
Snorkel?
Gas?
Oil Level and condition?

Gas is full. Filled it up at my regular Mobil station, so not thinking bad gas. Oil is right in the middle of the sight glass. No air filter or snorkel yet. When it quits raining, I'll get after it. Probably the plugs as well. Thanks for the replies.

rojoracing53 · July 9th, 2013, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlingballhead

Come to think of it though, my bike sits out on the street. When I went to take the black trim panels under the seat off to get a better look, i noticed that the screw on the clutch side of the bike was missing, and the panel seemed misaligned. Is there anything in there that can be tampered with that would cause this kind of problem? The fuel reserve switch seemed to be in the right place

.

There's all kinds of vacuum hoses under that cover that if any one of them is pulled off can cause all kinds of problems. But it seems odd it would just start running crappy on the way home while it was already running good.

DaBlue1 · July 9th, 2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlingballhead

Gas is full. Filled it up at my regular Mobil station, so not thinking bad gas. Oil is right in the middle of the sight glass. No air filter or snorkel yet. When it quits raining, I'll get after it. Probably the plugs as well. Thanks for the replies.

How long has the bike been sitting in the rain?
Your issues sound similar to this one. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ank#post705237

Trailerboy531 · July 9th, 2013, 12:24 PM

Did a spark plug cap come loose?

bowlingballhead · July 9th, 2013, 06:50 PM

Tomorrow she goes up on the stands and the fairings come off. I'll let you guys know what it looks like. Thanks for the replies.

Jiggles · July 9th, 2013, 10:42 PM

My guess is your clutch is fuxored

JohnnyBravo · July 10th, 2013, 05:47 AM

Pet cock in the wrong position?

bowlingballhead · July 10th, 2013, 11:30 AM

Exhaust side:

Clutch side:

Clutchy looks significantly lighter, but not bad. Any thoughts?

What next? Air filter is a little dirty but not that bad. Drain the gas tank? I'm coming to the end of me mechanical skillz

.

bowlingballhead · July 10th, 2013, 11:41 AM

A better look at the clutch side plug:

Not all that much different.

csmith12 · July 10th, 2013, 12:13 PM

Your carbs need synced.

DaBlue1 · July 10th, 2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlingballhead

....
What next?

How long has the bike been sitting in the rain?
Did you read thru this thread? http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ank#post705237

bowlingballhead · July 10th, 2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

How long has the bike been sitting in the rain?
Did you read thru this thread? http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ank#post705237

My bike has sat outside (except for winter) since the day I got it (which is over five years ago). I've never had a problem like this before and it's been through torrential downpours. I will read the thread right now though, thanks.

bowlingballhead · July 10th, 2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

How long has the bike been sitting in the rain?
Did you read thru this thread? http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ank#post705237

In the end, you were right all along. I took off the tank, dumped the gas, drained the carb float bowls, rolled down to a different G-station, put two gallons in a gas can, poured it in, and boom . . . cooking with Crisco again.

I am still in disbelief that it turned out to be a fuel problem. I've been fueling at that station for years and have never had a problem. The Ninja has sat outside in the rain for years and it has never been a problem . . . but when you're right, you're right.

Thanks everyone for the replies. The Ninja is staying in a garage from now on it looks like.

DaBlue1 · July 11th, 2013, 08:17 AM

July 9th, 2013, 10:01 AM	#1
bowlingballhead ninjette.org member Name: Franklin Location: Minnesota Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 baby! Posts: 16	Did I just grenade my motor by going 1k over on the valve inspection? I'm sure the answer is in the forum somewhere, but right now, too distraught to search. Bike won't move. Won't rev, choke does nothing, dies. Now, it won't even start. When it did start and run (kind of), engine definitely didn't sound right; ticking/clacking noise. Overheat light is not on, coolant is full. I've done all the oil and filter changes and bike is stock. I'm at about 1,000 miles over on the valve inspection/adjustment. My original dealer closed due to the economy right after I bought it in '08, and the other closest dealer (65 miles away) dropped Kawi this Spring, which I found out when I went in to inquire about the valve check. Been procrastinating on getting it done because the next closest Kawi service is 150 away in Mora, MN (). Am I doomed? I have a bad feeling. ('08 250r owned since new with about 8500 on the clock).

July 9th, 2013, 10:08 AM	#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	Hmmmm, I have went way past the scheduled checks for valves before and they didn't blow up or anything. Have you been riding it recently? When was the last oil change? __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 9th, 2013, 10:09 AM	#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	You tick clanking sound could be the cam chain as well. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 9th, 2013, 10:26 AM	#5
Trailerboy531 Gear crash test dummy Name: Max Location: South Bay (So. Cal) Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.	so you walked up to your bike and suddenly...nothing. You didn't drop it, lay it down, leave it for a few days without riding, or anything before these issues started? Also, no, it's not your valves. __________________________________________________ CVMA #531

July 9th, 2013, 12:24 PM	#12
Trailerboy531 Gear crash test dummy Name: Max Location: South Bay (So. Cal) Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.	Did a spark plug cap come loose? __________________________________________________ CVMA #531

July 9th, 2013, 10:43 AM	#7
bowlingballhead ninjette.org member Name: Franklin Location: Minnesota Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 baby! Posts: 16	Come to think of it though, my bike sits out on the street. When I went to take the black trim panels under the seat off to get a better look, i noticed that the screw on the clutch side of the bike was missing, and the panel seemed misaligned. Is there anything in there that can be tampered with that would cause this kind of problem? The fuel reserve switch seemed to be in the right place .

July 9th, 2013, 06:50 PM	#13
bowlingballhead ninjette.org member Name: Franklin Location: Minnesota Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 baby! Posts: 16	Tomorrow she goes up on the stands and the fairings come off. I'll let you guys know what it looks like. Thanks for the replies.

July 9th, 2013, 10:42 PM	#14
Jiggles 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	My guess is your clutch is fuxored __________________________________________________ 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

July 10th, 2013, 05:47 AM	#15
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	Pet cock in the wrong position? __________________________________________________

July 10th, 2013, 11:30 AM	#16
bowlingballhead ninjette.org member Name: Franklin Location: Minnesota Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 baby! Posts: 16	Exhaust side: Clutch side: Clutchy looks significantly lighter, but not bad. Any thoughts? What next? Air filter is a little dirty but not that bad. Drain the gas tank? I'm coming to the end of me mechanical skillz .

July 10th, 2013, 11:41 AM	#17
bowlingballhead ninjette.org member Name: Franklin Location: Minnesota Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250 baby! Posts: 16	A better look at the clutch side plug: Not all that much different.

July 10th, 2013, 12:13 PM	#18
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	Your carbs need synced. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

July 11th, 2013, 08:17 AM	#22
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.

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