Carburetor - what maintenance?

LemonSlice! · July 14th, 2013, 07:42 PM

Hello!! If you read my other post, sorry for the repeat of the information--

I recently bought my first bike, 2005 Ninja EX250-F, with 8,6xx miles. The person I bought it from was not the original owner, and had ridden it less than 100 mi after purchase. They knew basically nothing about what if any maintenance had ever been done on the bike. I'm going to go ahead and give it an oil change, but I'm wondering about the carburetor. I don't have any experience with carbs, so where can I find information on what should be done to it after 8,6xx miles? Since I don't know the history of the bike I'm going to assume nothing has been done. Is that ok? Is there any *harm* I can do by performing maintenance that may or may not be really needed? (besides harm to my wallet)

Thanks so much!!
Lemon

Snake · July 14th, 2013, 08:06 PM

Anytime I buy a used vehicle I always assume none of the maintenance had been done so I start from scratch and do everything.

jayman87 · July 16th, 2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LemonSlice!

Is there any *harm* I can do by performing maintenance that may or may not be really needed? (besides harm to my wallet)

If your confident you can put everything back together right, a carb cleaning isn't a bad idea.

The carbs can be a pain to remove, consider the battery box mod for easier future removal.

N4's Battery Box Mod

How do I work on the carbs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7bCEuefvgY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJVHu8itDls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U3a_FtDSqg

Yarhj · July 17th, 2013, 08:24 AM

If the bike is running properly I wouldn't bother mucking about with the carburetors just yet, as they don't really require regular maintenance. If you're having a lot of trouble starting the bike, or if it's not idling smoothly even after it warms up, then it might be worth giving the carbs a good cleaning (and synching them afterwards).

If you really must take them off, I second the battery box mod. It sped up the carb removal and reinstallation process by a good factor of 6 for me. It takes less time to do N4's battery box mod and remove the carburetors than it takes to remove the carburetors without the mod.

One thing you should do is get the valve clearances checked/adjusted. They need to be checked about every 6000 miles, and it's best to assume the previous owner was a deadbeat to be on the safe side. If you're feeling adventurous, check out the ninja250.org site on the adjustment process. Personally, I'd recommend getting that done by a shop for now, so you can focus on actually riding the thing. It's no fun getting a new (to you) motorcycle, and spending more time working on it than riding it. Then when you've put another 6000 miles on it you can do the adjustment yourself if you feel up to it.

csmith12 · July 17th, 2013, 09:48 AM

^^^ What Will said. Do your scheduled maintenance assuming the prev. owner didn't. For me.... I take the fairings off and go through every nook, cranny and bolt I can get a wrench on, if it's not broken, don't fix it. No harm in KNOWING for sure though Lemon!

Welcome Will!

July 14th, 2013, 07:42 PM	#1
LemonSlice! ninjette.org newbie! Name: Lemon Location: Pacific Northwest, USA Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja EX250-F (Ebony/Galaxy Silver) Posts: 6	Carburetor - what maintenance? Hello!! If you read my other post, sorry for the repeat of the information-- I recently bought my first bike, 2005 Ninja EX250-F, with 8,6xx miles. The person I bought it from was not the original owner, and had ridden it less than 100 mi after purchase. They knew basically nothing about what if any maintenance had ever been done on the bike. I'm going to go ahead and give it an oil change, but I'm wondering about the carburetor. I don't have any experience with carbs, so where can I find information on what should be done to it after 8,6xx miles? Since I don't know the history of the bike I'm going to assume nothing has been done. Is that ok? Is there any harm I can do by performing maintenance that may or may not be really needed? (besides harm to my wallet) Thanks so much!! Lemon

July 17th, 2013, 09:48 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	^^^ What Will said. Do your scheduled maintenance assuming the prev. owner didn't. For me.... I take the fairings off and go through every nook, cranny and bolt I can get a wrench on, if it's not broken, don't fix it. No harm in KNOWING for sure though Lemon! Welcome Will! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School Last futzed with by csmith12; July 17th, 2013 at 09:53 AM. Reason: kn

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Carburetor Cleaning	Motofool	Videos	3	May 20th, 2014 08:42 PM
problem with carburetor maybe?	alex.bowles	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	40	March 18th, 2013 12:58 PM
Carburetor Diaphragm	kingkang204	Motorcycle-related	4	September 21st, 2011 07:20 PM
carburetor bolts	james250ninja	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	3	September 2nd, 2011 01:53 PM
Carburetor Heads Up	Jakester9500	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	14	March 31st, 2010 09:44 AM

July 14th, 2013, 08:06 PM	#2
Snake 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	Anytime I buy a used vehicle I always assume none of the maintenance had been done so I start from scratch and do everything.

July 17th, 2013, 08:24 AM	#4
Yarhj ninjette.org member Name: Will Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 (2001) Posts: 135	If the bike is running properly I wouldn't bother mucking about with the carburetors just yet, as they don't really require regular maintenance. If you're having a lot of trouble starting the bike, or if it's not idling smoothly even after it warms up, then it might be worth giving the carbs a good cleaning (and synching them afterwards). If you really must take them off, I second the battery box mod. It sped up the carb removal and reinstallation process by a good factor of 6 for me. It takes less time to do N4's battery box mod and remove the carburetors than it takes to remove the carburetors without the mod. One thing you should do is get the valve clearances checked/adjusted. They need to be checked about every 6000 miles, and it's best to assume the previous owner was a deadbeat to be on the safe side. If you're feeling adventurous, check out the ninja250.org site on the adjustment process. Personally, I'd recommend getting that done by a shop for now, so you can focus on actually riding the thing. It's no fun getting a new (to you) motorcycle, and spending more time working on it than riding it. Then when you've put another 6000 miles on it you can do the adjustment yourself if you feel up to it.