April 25th, 2014, 02:22 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mateo
Location: Mendocino County
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 82
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Any good things to do to my bike while I have it stripped?
I'm having electrical issues at the moment so I took off all the fairings and the tank and all that good stuff to access the wiring. This is my first time taking it apart to this extent and I probably won't be doing it again for a while as my little ninjette is my only mode of transportation.. (I'm kinda screwed at the moment since I have no vehicle...)
But anyways.. Since I have my bike stripped down and not being ridden, is there anything else I could do to it? maybe some minor upgrades? I just don't want to waste the time that my poor little ninja is bed-ridden. I already did an oil change and a coolant change. I put a new chain and sprockets on. It also has new tires. And I believe that's about it. Everything else is stock. Upgrades? Important maintenance? It also sat for a while before I got it so maybe there's something I should do to it in relation to that?? I don't know. Basically anything. Thanks!! |
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April 25th, 2014, 02:26 PM | #2 |
Ninjette Jockey
Name: Tim
Location: Stockton, Ca
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Harley Davidson Heritage Softail, 2 Honda Monkeys, Polini & GRC mini GP Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
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Change fork oil? Change brake fluid, front and rear? Air cleaner clean? Head bearings and swingarm bearings properly adjusted?
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For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?. |
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April 25th, 2014, 02:27 PM | #3 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Good time to get to the valves and the carbs.
Do the valve adjustment if it's about time. If you've got the money for a full exhaust (totally worth it and there's an AreaP group buy on right now!), then yank the carbs and rejet them. You can do that with them on the bike but it's MUCH MUCH easier if you take them out.
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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April 25th, 2014, 02:27 PM | #4 |
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
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Motor mount bolts!!!! Check the torque.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
April 25th, 2014, 02:51 PM | #5 |
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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Battery Tender Terminal Harness
2357LL Tail Light Bulb- brighter than avg bulb when brake is applied, last longer. Dielectric grease or Vaseline- for all electrical connections Upgrade/replace the fuel lines Lube all pivot points- shifter, pegs, levers etc.. Lube key locks- apply some spray lube on the key, insert and twist, repeat twice Replace stock horn with a FIAMM Freeway Blasterhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e97Clplscjo Iridium Spark Plugs |
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April 25th, 2014, 02:54 PM | #6 | ||
ninjette.org member
Name: Mateo
Location: Mendocino County
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 82
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Assume I know nothing. (since I kinda don't know anything) So sorry if my questions are a little basic..
Quote:
Brake fluid: Yes I believe I should do that. Are there certain types that are better or worse? Air cleaner clean? Do you mean air filter? Sorry if I'm just not getting it.. heh.. And I hear a lot about changing to a K&N air filter? yes? no? maybe? Head bearings and swingarm bearings properly adjusted? I don't know where to start with this... This seems like a quite advanced job? Maybe? Is it difficult? Quote:
When is the valve adjustment supposed to happen? And as for the carbs, what would you suggest? I've wanted to clean my carbs for a while now but I've been a little scared to mess them up... I'm pretty new to any all this stuff.. How hard of a job is it? Which ones are those? And what torque are they supposed to be at? Sorry again for my noob-ishness.. |
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April 25th, 2014, 02:54 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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Clean/lube/regrease/retorque/replace everything you can.
If you've got time (and if the bike needs it) check/adjust the valves, along with servicing the bearings in the swingarm pivots and unitrack linkage/dogbones. It seems time consuming and unnecessary, but the rear suspension will thank you by being smooth and reliable. Valve check (and adjustment if necessary) and suspension bearing service should be done every 6000 miles. Annoying, I know. Worth it though. |
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April 25th, 2014, 02:56 PM | #8 |
I'm crazy,your excuse is?
Name: Winston
Location: Connecticut
Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.
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sounds kinda kinky there.
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April 25th, 2014, 02:57 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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When she's naked, you really can't hold back.
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April 25th, 2014, 03:03 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mateo
Location: Mendocino County
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 82
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Oh man this is a lot of stuff.. A little overwhelming to a complete noob to be honest..
I don't know where to start?? |
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April 25th, 2014, 03:10 PM | #11 |
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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April 25th, 2014, 03:14 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mateo
Location: Mendocino County
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 82
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April 25th, 2014, 03:32 PM | #13 | |
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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Quote:
Lubing the pivot points and key locks requires a cheap can of spray lube (Dupont multi-use is good) Installing a battery tender harness just attaches to your battery terminals. Since you are having an electrical issue the dielectric grease should also be part of your fix. Replacing a light bulb....there's a joke for that one. Everything else will require additional tools, a service manual and a good deal of patience along with a general knowledge of basic mechanics. Online Owner's Manual |
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April 25th, 2014, 03:57 PM | #15 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mateo
Location: Mendocino County
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 82
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Quote:
I already have a battery tender harness installed. That was one of the first things I did when I got the bike. Are the light bulbs that you linked earlier for both pregen and newgen? (I have a pregen) Thanks! |
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April 25th, 2014, 04:15 PM | #16 |
ran when parked
Name: Katie
Location: DC/MD
Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14
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I was gonna suggest air filter. You can get a new one from Uni for cheap and it comes 'oiled' or whatever so all you do is just take the old one out and pop the new one in. Mine was black when I took it out so I just got a new one instead of cleaning it.
Brake fluid replacement is another easy one. There is a good link on ninjette wiki somewhere... Let's see ... here! http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...brake_fluid%3F Use DOT4 fluid. It's cheap and you only need a small amount to replace both. I dunno if this has been said but clean and lube your chain. You can use WD-40 and a rag to clean it (BE CAREFUL OF YOUR FINGERS AND THE REAR SPROCKET!!!!!!) and chain lube (I use chain clean/lube for dirtbikes). |
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April 25th, 2014, 04:18 PM | #17 | |
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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Quote:
Yes the light bulbs fit both pre-gens and new gens. Basic maintenance information is in the Owner's Manual http://www.kawasaki-techinfo.net/sho...2&lang_code=EN |
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April 25th, 2014, 04:59 PM | #18 |
Threadkiller
Name: Mick
Location: Monongahela, Pa.
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Yellow '04 stocker, '89 FJ1200, '87 Ducati Paso, '71 Yamaha XS1b, '99 KLR650, '81 FXE 80, '97 KTM 200EXC , etc Posts: 430
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April 25th, 2014, 05:13 PM | #20 |
Threadkiller
Name: Mick
Location: Monongahela, Pa.
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Yellow '04 stocker, '89 FJ1200, '87 Ducati Paso, '71 Yamaha XS1b, '99 KLR650, '81 FXE 80, '97 KTM 200EXC , etc Posts: 430
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
April 25th, 2014, 05:16 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mateo
Location: Mendocino County
Join Date: Mar 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 82
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
April 25th, 2014, 05:45 PM | #22 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13
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Before you go any further, read all the DIY info you can here and at ninja250.org.
Do you even have decent tools? Do you have a torque wrench? Do you have a maintenance manual? If you do, have you READ the manual? You'd be surprised at how few actually do. Are you confident in your ability to take stuff apart, put it back together and have it function properly? This is not a trivial question. A lot of people (myself included) have taken stuff apart and it's never been quite the same afterwards. I'm a lot older and wiser now. The answer to "how hard can it be?" is often "harder than I thought." I'm not saying that any of this is particularly difficult, but flailing randomly rarely does any good. If you really, truly don't have any idea what you're doing, don't make it worse by guessing or going off half-cocked. It's a really good idea to edumacate yourself before you start ripping stuff apart. By that I mean do more than ask "what do I do?" and "which bolt is that?" I mean go do some homework. No forum response is going to tell you all you need to know. You have to bring some basic knowledge to the party.
__________________________________________________
I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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April 25th, 2014, 05:45 PM | #23 |
Threadkiller
Name: Mick
Location: Monongahela, Pa.
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Yellow '04 stocker, '89 FJ1200, '87 Ducati Paso, '71 Yamaha XS1b, '99 KLR650, '81 FXE 80, '97 KTM 200EXC , etc Posts: 430
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
April 25th, 2014, 05:54 PM | #24 |
bike noob
Name: ev
Location: WA
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r(sold) 04 Yamaha R6 Posts: 94
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Shim your needles if not already done so.
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