ninjette.org

Go Back   ninjette.org > 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R > 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Farkles

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old January 28th, 2015, 01:06 PM   #1
liquidnine
ninjette.org member
 
Name: Aaron
Location: Austin
Join Date: Jun 2014

Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250

Posts: 20
A work in progress - and a question

Question first: I've seen a fair share of 250's, chain guard removed. What's your opinion on safety? I think deleting the chain guard would look good on my bike, but I wouldn't want to sacrifice safety for aesthetics.


The work in progress...

I started riding about 8 months ago. The bikes this board includes inspired me to tinker with my stock 250. It didn’t take long for before my first bike turned in to my first project bike! No need to describe the desire to modify, given the audience here. I would like to say thanks, though, to all the contributors. You will probably see reflections of your own ideas in the pictures below. I kept things simple, since this was a novice attempt.


Plastics

I cut down the side panels quite a bit, and the rest are sitting in my garage right now. Given that this was my first project, I wanted to avoid things that seemed a little too ambitious. As such, I left the air box and battery right where they were. The side panels serve to hide those components. The fluid reservoirs peek out from the sides, but I don’t mind it at all.

The front fender was cut down too. I failed to get a perfectly symmetrical arc across the front… I may ask a pro to shape it a bit if I ever get the bike painted.
The inside fender plastics I cut down too. I wanted to keep the top part of that fender to keep the underside of the seat clean, but wanted to see daylight from the side. I moved some of the electric bits, as you can see below, to the top of the inside fender. Clearance with the seat isn’t a problem and both are nice and secure. With those moved, I used a Dremel cut off the sides of the inside fender while it was still on the bike, following the contours as best I could (since I had a very hard time trying to remove the fender).

The tail is an off-the-shelf Thruxton style tail. Basically, the center is cut out of the seat pan area so all that is left is an L shaped side that covers the frame. Notches were cut in to it so the stock seat frame rests fit nicely inside them. Right now, the tail isn’t fastened to seat or frame. The notching is snug enough to where it isn’t going anywhere. Once I get the seat properly upholstered, I’ll fasten the tail either to the frame, or to the bottom of the seat.


Seat

I pulled back the vinyl and cut the plastic seat pan to where it will fit with where I wanted the tail to be placed. Shaving down the foam, I just trimmed and stapled the vinyl back in place. It almost turned out how I expected. I wanted a more defined ‘edge’ to the top, where it meets the seat pan, but it compressed the vinyl and rounded instead. It was worth a shot! I’m interested in a real upholstery job on the seat, at some point. I think it would add a finished look that I just won’t be able to replicate at home. As far as seat security is concerned, I needed a new way to fasten the seat to the bike now that the stock bracket was removed. I placed a T-nut (epoxied in) and bolt in the bottom of the seat which passes through a hole in the rear bracket I made. A threaded knob is accessed from under the seat that locks it in place. I was worried about it coming loose while riding, but I’ve never had a problem after a thousand or so miles.


Frame

The reciprocating saw removed newly unnecessary tabs and the rear foot pegs. A few inches were trimmed off the back of the frame before I had decided to get that café tail. Fortunately, that change of direction didn’t cause too much trouble for me. I don’t have a grinder, so the tab removal doesn’t look perfect, but it looks just fine from a few feet away. A little black paint did the trick.


Lights

I sourced the headlight and turn signals from the same place and got the tail light from Amazon. The front lights were the more straight forward. I’m not entirely happy with the headlight fork brackets (felt cheap and not a spot-on fit despite my forks matching their size spec) but they’ve held up just fine over the thousand or so miles I’ve ridden with it on. The rears required a bracket. Remember, my tool selection is limited, as is my experience. Using steel and aluminum, I cut, bent and bolted together a bracket to hold both the tail light and the turn signals. I ended up having to reinforce it a few times in order to get it to hold up over speed bumps and what not. The only part I’m keen to replace is the bar holding the rear turn signals. The aluminum I used for that just isn’t strong enough –a heavier gauge will do the trick.
The wiring was largely trial and error. The signals, for example, are three wire lights. I’d pair off two of the wires with my Ninja and see how well it worked. I’m certain some research would have made the job easier… next time!


Gauges

I went with the Trail-Tech Vapor. The Ninja250.org page made a suggestion as to the exact model number and that is what I bought. Most of the wiring was easy enough, but I couldn’t get the Tach to work well. More internet digging uncovered that I needed the resistor equipped Tach wire and Trail Tech sent me one for free. It is wired directly to my left hand coil as opposed to doing the wrap-around technique.


Plasti-dip

I’m unsure what to do about paint, so I just used plasti-dip. I’m very careful when fueling the bike since gasoline is the bane of dip, but it is all just peel-away temporary color anyways. I used the Anthracite metallic plasti-dip and it looks pretty darn good. The new Dip Coat spray removes 90% of that rubbery feel and helps it stand up to more abuse.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2552E.JPG (83.5 KB, 29 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2553E.JPG (95.2 KB, 34 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2841E.JPG (112.7 KB, 18 views)
liquidnine is offline   Reply With Quote




Old January 28th, 2015, 01:18 PM   #2
csmith12
The Corner Whisperer
 
csmith12's Avatar
 
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
Welcome Aaron! Nice work so far!

As for the chain guard question, imho this will depend on your gear and do you ride 2up.

For a 2up bike, the chain guard is a requirement for me. Or... if a rider wears boots where there are dangly bits (tie strings or the like).

Honestly, I don't like anything that dangles on my bike or my person, with or without a chain guard.
csmith12 is offline   Reply With Quote


Old January 28th, 2015, 01:19 PM   #3
alex.s
wat
 
alex.s's Avatar
 
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009

Motorcycle(s): wat

Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
chain guards are nice for a lot of reasons. with no guard you get lube spray all over
__________________________________________________
alex.s is offline   Reply With Quote


Old January 28th, 2015, 03:07 PM   #4
Motofool
Daily Ninjette rider
 
Motofool's Avatar
 
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011

Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250

Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
Cool

Quote:
Originally Posted by liquidnine View Post
Question first: I've seen a fair share of 250's, chain guard removed. What's your opinion on safety? I think deleting the chain guard would look good on my bike, but I wouldn't want to sacrifice safety for aesthetics.........
Welcome, Aaron !!!

Another function of the guard is to shield the chain from sand and water that the tire would dump on the chain, inducing damage to the o-rings.

It also helps a little bit protecting your leg in the event of the breaking of the chain while riding.

Note that the most dangerous zone of the chain has zero protection.
It is where the lowest portion engages the rear sprocket: it will destroy any soft thing that gets caught in there or the chain will jump/break, if a piece of metal or hard rock gets caught.

Regarding reducing weight, you may find additional ideas here:
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=117501
__________________________________________________
Motofool
.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly
"Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí
Motofool is offline   Reply With Quote


Old January 28th, 2015, 03:22 PM   #5
liquidnine
ninjette.org member
 
Name: Aaron
Location: Austin
Join Date: Jun 2014

Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250

Posts: 20
Thanks, all. Sounds like I'll be keeping a chain guard! Too many reasons to ignore.
liquidnine is offline   Reply With Quote


Old January 28th, 2015, 03:24 PM   #6
Ghostt
in your machine
 
Ghostt's Avatar
 
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014

Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN"

Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
Here are is a couple of ideas for you, and nice job, looks clean.

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/blog.php?b=8358

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/show...2&postcount=64

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111255
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia

ZX-2R BLOG
Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott
I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.
Ghostt is offline   Reply With Quote


Old January 28th, 2015, 03:32 PM   #7
liquidnine
ninjette.org member
 
Name: Aaron
Location: Austin
Join Date: Jun 2014

Motorcycle(s): 2005 Ninja 250

Posts: 20
I'm going to go the Bandit 1200 route - looks slick and easy to install. Just bought on eBay.
liquidnine is offline   Reply With Quote


Old January 28th, 2015, 03:39 PM   #8
Ghostt
in your machine
 
Ghostt's Avatar
 
Name: Scott
Location: Summer Shade, Ky.
Join Date: Oct 2014

Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN"

Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 25
MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15
Quote:
Originally Posted by liquidnine View Post
I'm going to go the Bandit 1200 route - looks slick and easy to install. Just bought on eBay.
That was quick LOL, good choice.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 6096104799044175314.jpg (124.5 KB, 8 views)
File Type: jpg 6096104777289168178.jpg (116.0 KB, 9 views)
File Type: jpg 6096104704460820450.jpg (118.9 KB, 5 views)
__________________________________________________
violente et ignorantia

ZX-2R BLOG
Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott
I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.
Ghostt is offline   Reply With Quote


Reply




Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
My Ninja Cafe...work in progress Ivanrules 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Farkles 208 July 25th, 2017 01:16 PM
Work in progress auntymunga Pictures 33 May 13th, 2014 12:57 PM
2011 Ninja 250R SE *Work in progress* 2011Ninja250R Pictures 14 July 27th, 2011 09:20 AM
09 250r streetfighter. (Work in progress) Nickds7 Pictures 11 June 23rd, 2009 12:29 PM
My work in progress Cochese 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk 34 May 30th, 2009 06:44 PM


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Motorcycle Safety Foundation

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:35 AM.


Website uptime monitoring Host-tracker.com
Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Except where otherwise noted, all site contents are © Copyright 2022 ninjette.org, All rights reserved.