1986 Ninja 250r restore

JoeMcG · February 10th, 2014, 03:39 PM

Bought this back in 2005 and rode it every so often until about 5 years ago. I got it from a man whose son used to do amateur racing, so the stock engine is on the ground, attached is a slightly tuned racing engine. It's been in my parents garage for the last 4 years and I'm going to try and get it running while I'm in town for the next few weeks. Not sure what I want to do with it, seen some pretty nice naked ones.

dcj13 · February 10th, 2014, 03:50 PM

Welcome to the group!

CC Cowboy · February 10th, 2014, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMcG

Bought this back in 2005 and rode it every so often until about 5 years ago. I got it from a man whose son used to do amateur racing, so the stock engine is on the ground, attached is a slightly tuned racing engine. It's been in my parents garage for the last 4 years and I'm going to try and get it running while I'm in town for the next few weeks. Not sure what I want to do with it, seen some pretty nice naked ones.

Hello, my name is Harvey. Nice to meet you too.

Josh_kcco · February 11th, 2014, 12:11 AM

dig the rims lol

JoeMcG · February 11th, 2014, 02:23 AM

Nice meeting everyone, and you can thank 1986 for those rims lol.

fjyang · February 12th, 2014, 10:03 AM

Nice bike Joe! Not many of those around anymore, it was only available for 86-87 and few people know it was the vary first Ninja 250 that kick off the 250 trend back in 80's.

If you want to café or turn it into street fighter please reconsidered. There are plenty of 88-97 250's for dime a dozen out here for cut up projects but the 86-87 are rare and your bike looks vary complete so its easy to take it back on the road with vary little effort. I would kept the body work as that's what unique about the bike but if you want to swap front & back end of 98+ Ninja 250's it'll update the running gear to 17" rims and still maintained the looks.

Clean the carbs and swap out the pilot jet for size or two bigger and you'll get great idle as it was jetted too lean from factory to start with.

JoeMcG · February 13th, 2014, 06:22 AM

Update: I got a new battery, new spark plugs, changed all the fluids, and it started right up. Also plastic welded some of the cracks on the farrings and I'm currently working with the electronics to get all the lights working.

Thanks for the tip Frank, I remember it always having idle issues.

justopelt · February 14th, 2014, 04:32 PM

I have a 1986 also with everything attached. Mine currently is running 2009 rims and swingarm.

it is a cool looking bike definitely unique since it was only made for two years. Enjoy it is an aweseome lil bike. Have any questions on it just ask! have completely gone through my bike twice.

7oxSin · February 17th, 2014, 12:22 PM

cant wait to see some pics of her put all together!

JoeMcG · February 18th, 2014, 10:42 AM

For any one who want to hear its first start. Can't get it to idle properly, going to order some new jets, but it's completely rideable once the lights are back on.

http://youtu.be/ZNVxK9CRKrY

justopelt · February 18th, 2014, 11:07 AM

In my 86 i went up couple sizes bigger in jets and also put washers under the needle. starts right up otherwise i was having same problem also.

JoeMcG · February 18th, 2014, 11:35 AM

Do you remember what size jets you put in it?

justopelt · February 18th, 2014, 11:41 AM

I can check in couple of hours...and i will let you know

fjyang · February 19th, 2014, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justopelt

I have a 1986 also with everything attached. Mine currently is running 2009 rims and swingarm.

it is a cool looking bike definitely unique since it was only made for two years. Enjoy it is an aweseome lil bike. Have any questions on it just ask! have completely gone through my bike twice.

Love to see a pic of your 86 250 with 09 rims. Did you swap both front and back or only the rear rim/swingarm?

justopelt · February 21st, 2014, 03:02 PM

Sorry for the delayed response. I run a 112 main and a 40 pilot. When I got the bike it had a 130 main and ran but like ****. I have messed with all kind of different combinations and this has worked best for me. Also have 2 washers under the needle also. I will get pics up on profile soon. Bike is currently torn down for new steering bearings and wheel bearings since one was rough.

jcgss77 · March 1st, 2014, 09:53 PM

Any more info on this?

February 10th, 2014, 03:39 PM	#1
JoeMcG ninjette.org newbie Name: Joe Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ZX6R, 1986 ninja 250r Posts: 5	1986 Ninja 250r restore Bought this back in 2005 and rode it every so often until about 5 years ago. I got it from a man whose son used to do amateur racing, so the stock engine is on the ground, attached is a slightly tuned racing engine. It's been in my parents garage for the last 4 years and I'm going to try and get it running while I'm in town for the next few weeks. Not sure what I want to do with it, seen some pretty nice naked ones.

February 17th, 2014, 12:22 PM	#9
7oxSin MSF Coach! Name: Lupe Location: Antioch, Tennessee Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 ninja 250 Posts: 886	cant wait to see some pics of her put all together! __________________________________________________ Hey Unregistered wanna ride the dragon? Ninjette group ride! May 16th-20th Join the Ride!!http://www.ninjette.org/forums/group.php?groupid=35

February 10th, 2014, 03:50 PM	#2
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Welcome to the group!

February 11th, 2014, 12:11 AM	#4
Josh_kcco ninjette.org guru Name: Josh Location: Kern Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): '04 Ninja 250R Posts: 367	dig the rims lol

February 11th, 2014, 02:23 AM	#5
JoeMcG ninjette.org newbie Name: Joe Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ZX6R, 1986 ninja 250r Posts: 5	Nice meeting everyone, and you can thank 1986 for those rims lol.

February 12th, 2014, 10:03 AM	#6
fjyang 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	Nice bike Joe! Not many of those around anymore, it was only available for 86-87 and few people know it was the vary first Ninja 250 that kick off the 250 trend back in 80's. If you want to café or turn it into street fighter please reconsidered. There are plenty of 88-97 250's for dime a dozen out here for cut up projects but the 86-87 are rare and your bike looks vary complete so its easy to take it back on the road with vary little effort. I would kept the body work as that's what unique about the bike but if you want to swap front & back end of 98+ Ninja 250's it'll update the running gear to 17" rims and still maintained the looks. Clean the carbs and swap out the pilot jet for size or two bigger and you'll get great idle as it was jetted too lean from factory to start with.

February 13th, 2014, 06:22 AM	#7
JoeMcG ninjette.org newbie Name: Joe Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ZX6R, 1986 ninja 250r Posts: 5	Update: I got a new battery, new spark plugs, changed all the fluids, and it started right up. Also plastic welded some of the cracks on the farrings and I'm currently working with the electronics to get all the lights working. Thanks for the tip Frank, I remember it always having idle issues.

February 14th, 2014, 04:32 PM	#8
justopelt ninjette.org member Name: Justins Location: wisconsin Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1986 250 Posts: 16	I have a 1986 also with everything attached. Mine currently is running 2009 rims and swingarm. it is a cool looking bike definitely unique since it was only made for two years. Enjoy it is an aweseome lil bike. Have any questions on it just ask! have completely gone through my bike twice.

February 18th, 2014, 10:42 AM	#10
JoeMcG ninjette.org newbie Name: Joe Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ZX6R, 1986 ninja 250r Posts: 5	For any one who want to hear its first start. Can't get it to idle properly, going to order some new jets, but it's completely rideable once the lights are back on. http://youtu.be/ZNVxK9CRKrY

February 18th, 2014, 11:07 AM	#11
justopelt ninjette.org member Name: Justins Location: wisconsin Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1986 250 Posts: 16	In my 86 i went up couple sizes bigger in jets and also put washers under the needle. starts right up otherwise i was having same problem also.

February 18th, 2014, 11:35 AM	#12
JoeMcG ninjette.org newbie Name: Joe Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth Join Date: Feb 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ZX6R, 1986 ninja 250r Posts: 5	Do you remember what size jets you put in it?

February 18th, 2014, 11:41 AM	#13
justopelt ninjette.org member Name: Justins Location: wisconsin Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1986 250 Posts: 16	I can check in couple of hours...and i will let you know

February 21st, 2014, 03:02 PM	#15
justopelt ninjette.org member Name: Justins Location: wisconsin Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 1986 250 Posts: 16	Sorry for the delayed response. I run a 112 main and a 40 pilot. When I got the bike it had a 130 main and ran but like ****. I have messed with all kind of different combinations and this has worked best for me. Also have 2 washers under the needle also. I will get pics up on profile soon. Bike is currently torn down for new steering bearings and wheel bearings since one was rough.

March 1st, 2014, 09:53 PM	#16
jcgss77 Its not a 250,its a Ninja Name: Shaun Location: Little Rock, AR Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): '11 CBR250R, '22 CFMOTO 300NK Posts: 278	Any more info on this?