Rubber flap on cylinder?

EtienneDP · October 20th, 2010, 08:23 AM

So I've had the ninjette for about a month now and I noticed that the previous owner never really cleaned the inside of the fairings or the engine.

Managed to get her naked this afternoon to clean her up and I noticed this rubber flap on top of the cylinder. It rests on top of the cylinder and extends downward and to the back of the engine.

Is it supposed to be there? There doesn't seem to be any burn marks or anything else on the rubber, so its probably designed to take the heat.

Thanks for any help!

dubojr1 · October 20th, 2010, 08:38 AM

hmmmm... Never seen anything like it. Seems to me the engine would cool better without it.

EtienneDP · October 20th, 2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubojr1

hmmmm... Never seen anything like it. Seems to me the engine would cool better without it.

My thoughts exactly! Ive noticed when riding in congested traffic that the engine gets a little warm, the needle moves into the upper region of the gauge, didn't think this is normal?

dubojr1 · October 20th, 2010, 08:47 AM

Maybe it was an attempt to keep the heads cleaner. However the additional heat would not be worth it to me.

kamikaze · October 20th, 2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtienneDP

My thoughts exactly! Ive noticed when riding in congested traffic that the engine gets a little warm, the needle moves into the upper region of the gauge, didn't think this is normal?

if you have a temp gauge, then you likely have a pregen.

what year is your ninjette?

dubojr1 · October 20th, 2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamikaze

if you have a temp gauge, then you likely have a pregen.

what year is your ninjette?

No I think he has a 2008+ FI model.

EtienneDP · October 20th, 2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamikaze

if you have a temp gauge, then you likely have a pregen.

what year is your ninjette?

Its a 2009 FI model, they have a temp gauge instead of the fuel gauge from the US versions

kamikaze · October 20th, 2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubojr1

No I think he has a 2008+ FI model.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtienneDP

Its a 2009 FI model, they have a temp gauge instead of the fuel gauge from the US versions

good to know LOL

rockNroll · October 20th, 2010, 09:51 AM

That engine is liquid cooled so that flap isn't raising your operating temperature.

dubojr1 · October 20th, 2010, 09:59 AM

Maybe the FI models have this to help protect the additional electrical components...

manos33rd · October 20th, 2010, 10:24 AM

The rubber flap is there to keep the heat from the engine away from the gas tank, which keeps the fuel cooler, reducing the possibility of vapor-lock. In smaller fuel injected engines, vapor lock can cause alot of issues, mainly gas mileage issues. The rubber flap may or may not be stock, but whoever put it there my guess is because they were trying to reduce fuel tank temperature. I would have approached the situation differently myself, but hey, whatever works.

EtienneDP · October 20th, 2010, 09:44 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm on my way to the dealer now to get their opinion, will let you know what they say

EtienneDP · October 21st, 2010, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manos33rd

The rubber flap is there to keep the heat from the engine away from the gas tank, which keeps the fuel cooler, reducing the possibility of vapor-lock. In smaller fuel injected engines, vapor lock can cause alot of issues, mainly gas mileage issues. The rubber flap may or may not be stock, but whoever put it there my guess is because they were trying to reduce fuel tank temperature. I would have approached the situation differently myself, but hey, whatever works.

Its exactly as you said, according to them zxr1000 and 1400 also have these "heat shields".

By the way, two of the little rubber well nuts on the fairing were broken and I picked up a screen screw kit by Keiti (www.keiti.com) which has 10 screws, 20 transparent washers and 10 wellnuts for $21, thought this is a pretty good deal instead of getting oem Kawa parts.

Thanks again for all the help

bob706 · October 21st, 2010, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EtienneDP

zxr1000 and 1400 also have these "heat shields".

If the 250 needed a heat shield, Kawasaki would have put one on.

EtienneDP · October 21st, 2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob706

If the 250 needed a heat shield, Kawasaki would have put one on.

Its specific to the FI models, factory fitted according to Kawasaki SA

Sailariel · October 21st, 2010, 10:49 AM

It is called Cylinder Cover and is found in Section 5-3 in the Factory Shop Manual for the EX250R FI

October 20th, 2010, 08:38 AM	#2
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	hmmmm... Never seen anything like it. Seems to me the engine would cool better without it. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

October 20th, 2010, 08:47 AM	#4
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Maybe it was an attempt to keep the heads cleaner. However the additional heat would not be worth it to me. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

October 20th, 2010, 09:51 AM	#9
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	That engine is liquid cooled so that flap isn't raising your operating temperature. __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

October 20th, 2010, 09:59 AM	#10
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Maybe the FI models have this to help protect the additional electrical components... __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

October 21st, 2010, 10:49 AM	#16
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	It is called Cylinder Cover and is found in Section 5-3 in the Factory Shop Manual for the EX250R FI __________________________________________________ Ninjette, Sold. New Bike: 2010 Honda NT-700V/VA, 73 Honda 550, 74 Honda 550

October 20th, 2010, 10:24 AM	#11
manos33rd ninjette.org member Name: Manos Location: Orange Park Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 ninja 250R, '99 YZF R6 Posts: 18	The rubber flap is there to keep the heat from the engine away from the gas tank, which keeps the fuel cooler, reducing the possibility of vapor-lock. In smaller fuel injected engines, vapor lock can cause alot of issues, mainly gas mileage issues. The rubber flap may or may not be stock, but whoever put it there my guess is because they were trying to reduce fuel tank temperature. I would have approached the situation differently myself, but hey, whatever works.

October 20th, 2010, 09:44 PM	#12
EtienneDP ninjette.org member Name: Etienne Location: South Africa Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250 FI Posts: 18	Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm on my way to the dealer now to get their opinion, will let you know what they say

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