Hi from the other Manhattan (Kansas)

puck · September 15th, 2009, 05:50 PM

Just got my ex250 2003 —love it, and love tinkering just as much. Bought it because I heard it's a great bike and you can really learn a lot on it (and because it's comfortable for my wife if we end up getting a second bike in a few years).

It's also a great excuse to finally buy a few good tools...

I've never been mechanically inclined (at all), but after taking the MSF course and deciding to get a bike, I felt like I should be able at the least to do general / preventive maintenance on the thing. I've bought the books, read a few wikis, and just jumped right in. Since buying the bike last month I've surprised myself (and my wife) by managing to:

Changed the oil / filter (K&N)
Cleaned the air filter
Changed sparkplugs
Cleaned, lubed the chain (checked 35-40mm slack range)
Changed the brake fluid (rear-brake was almost molasses)
Changed the coolant (was dark green)
Found that the tank has rust in it, so had to:
Drain tank, do the BB's-in-the-tank shake clean technique
Disassemble petcock, clean all parts of rust material
drain carbs
Do rust-preventive and tank liner 3-step POR-15 chemical treatment

Afterwards the idle hangs perfectly at 1,300-1,500 rather than the previous 2,200.
I'm afraid to disassemble the carbs since things are running just fine and I hear they can be a bit delicate and finicky. I did pour some seafoam into the first "post-rust" tank of gas to help de-gunk any possible build-up in the carbs...

That, and I'm wondering if I'm quite up to the task of the next thing I should probably do: check and adjust valve clearances.

Anyway, that's probably a problem for another forum!

Just wanted to say, I love riding the ninja —and look forward to meeting you all and being a part of this forum.

Alex · September 15th, 2009, 05:52 PM

puck! Glad to have you aboard...

noche_caliente · September 15th, 2009, 05:55 PM

Hi Danno - it's great to have you here with us! Sounds like you're making great progress with your bike! From what I understand the valve checks on the pregens are much easier than the new gen - I"m sure you'll be fine!

KJohnson21 · September 15th, 2009, 05:58 PM

Strider · September 15th, 2009, 06:12 PM

aboard puck! Glad you found us

Plenty of great info and DIYs here!

lockie · September 15th, 2009, 06:28 PM

Good to have you with us. Lots of great stuff here.

komohana · September 16th, 2009, 12:02 AM

welcome danno, good to have ya along..
i have an '03 also. ever need some maint. info slide me a p.m.

aloha

puck · September 16th, 2009, 07:54 AM

wow great —thanks everybody!

Komohana —I'm sure at some point I will. Must be cool not having to do winterization or deal with road-salt over in Kauai!

Stryder, absolutely, some of the DIYs have already been a huge help!

Noche Caliente, when I get around to the valve checks, I'll be sure to let everyone know what my personal PITA-rating for the task turned out to be!

kkim · September 16th, 2009, 09:39 AM

Aloha and welcome, Danno.

Imagine that... someone who actually works on their own bike.

enjoy!

komohana · September 16th, 2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puck

wow great —thanks everybody!
Komohana —I'm sure at some point I will. Must be cool not having to do winterization or deal with road-salt over in Kauai!

oh we have our fair share of salt being in the middle of the pacific which does make corrosion an issue over time...AND i'd winterize my bike if i could ride for days with out having to turn around at the end of the road

aloha

puck · September 16th, 2009, 06:17 PM

ha! Didn't even consider of all the sea salt guys!

Small world, though. I work with a woman who was born in Kauai—said there was one main road "fifty" that just simply stops instead of looping the island because of a volcano. Also once showed me a picture of a blue stop sign, but I don't know what island that was from...

komohana · September 16th, 2009, 09:04 PM

...AND...being from hawaii...i'm gonna be the first to say

"BOOK-UM DANNO!"

ok..thats outta my system

OldGuy · September 16th, 2009, 09:08 PM

Greetings Danno - glad to have you with us. Sounds like you have gotten to know you bike up close and personal real quick - the best way IMO.

Snake · September 18th, 2009, 06:12 AM

Hello and welcome.

September 15th, 2009, 05:50 PM	#1
puck total tinkerer Name: Danno Location: NE Kansas Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ex250 2003 Posts: 8	Hi from the other Manhattan (Kansas) Just got my ex250 2003 —love it, and love tinkering just as much. Bought it because I heard it's a great bike and you can really learn a lot on it (and because it's comfortable for my wife if we end up getting a second bike in a few years). It's also a great excuse to finally buy a few good tools... I've never been mechanically inclined (at all), but after taking the MSF course and deciding to get a bike, I felt like I should be able at the least to do general / preventive maintenance on the thing. I've bought the books, read a few wikis, and just jumped right in. Since buying the bike last month I've surprised myself (and my wife) by managing to: Changed the oil / filter (K&N) Cleaned the air filter Changed sparkplugs Cleaned, lubed the chain (checked 35-40mm slack range) Changed the brake fluid (rear-brake was almost molasses) Changed the coolant (was dark green) Found that the tank has rust in it, so had to: Drain tank, do the BB's-in-the-tank shake clean technique Disassemble petcock, clean all parts of rust material drain carbs Do rust-preventive and tank liner 3-step POR-15 chemical treatment Afterwards the idle hangs perfectly at 1,300-1,500 rather than the previous 2,200. I'm afraid to disassemble the carbs since things are running just fine and I hear they can be a bit delicate and finicky. I did pour some seafoam into the first "post-rust" tank of gas to help de-gunk any possible build-up in the carbs... That, and I'm wondering if I'm quite up to the task of the next thing I should probably do: check and adjust valve clearances. Anyway, that's probably a problem for another forum! Just wanted to say, I love riding the ninja —and look forward to meeting you all and being a part of this forum.

September 15th, 2009, 05:52 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	puck! Glad to have you aboard... __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 15th, 2009, 05:55 PM	#3
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	Hi Danno - it's great to have you here with us! Sounds like you're making great progress with your bike! From what I understand the valve checks on the pregens are much easier than the new gen - I"m sure you'll be fine! __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

September 15th, 2009, 05:58 PM	#4
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	__________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

September 15th, 2009, 06:12 PM	#5
Strider Back on the Black! Name: Alan Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 (Black) Posts: 831	aboard puck! Glad you found us Plenty of great info and DIYs here! __________________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ATGATT 4EVER

September 15th, 2009, 06:28 PM	#6
lockie ninjette.org sage Name: don Location: Port Elgin NB Canada Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 blue ninja 250R Posts: 742	Good to have you with us. Lots of great stuff here.

September 16th, 2009, 12:02 AM	#7
komohana ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Steve Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.	welcome danno, good to have ya along.. i have an '03 also. ever need some maint. info slide me a p.m. aloha __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

September 16th, 2009, 07:54 AM	#8
puck total tinkerer Name: Danno Location: NE Kansas Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ex250 2003 Posts: 8	wow great —thanks everybody! Komohana —I'm sure at some point I will. Must be cool not having to do winterization or deal with road-salt over in Kauai! Stryder, absolutely, some of the DIYs have already been a huge help! Noche Caliente, when I get around to the valve checks, I'll be sure to let everyone know what my personal PITA-rating for the task turned out to be!

September 16th, 2009, 09:39 AM	#9
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Aloha and welcome, Danno. Imagine that... someone who actually works on their own bike. enjoy!

September 16th, 2009, 06:17 PM	#11
puck total tinkerer Name: Danno Location: NE Kansas Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ex250 2003 Posts: 8	ha! Didn't even consider of all the sea salt guys! Small world, though. I work with a woman who was born in Kauai—said there was one main road "fifty" that just simply stops instead of looping the island because of a volcano. Also once showed me a picture of a blue stop sign, but I don't know what island that was from...

September 16th, 2009, 09:04 PM	#12
komohana ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Steve Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.	...AND...being from hawaii...i'm gonna be the first to say "BOOK-UM DANNO!" ok..thats outta my system __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

September 16th, 2009, 09:08 PM	#13
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Greetings Danno - glad to have you with us. Sounds like you have gotten to know you bike up close and personal real quick - the best way IMO. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

September 18th, 2009, 06:12 AM	#14
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	Hello and welcome.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[visordown.com] - Biker gang cuts off street in Manhattan	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	January 15th, 2014 07:00 AM
[RoadRUNNER] - Sounds Like the Future (2013 Zero S in Manhattan)	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	June 25th, 2013 03:50 PM
[topix.net] - With no electricity, riding through lower Manhattan	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 2nd, 2012 11:40 AM
[hell for leather] - With no electricity, riding through lower Manhattan	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 2nd, 2012 11:40 AM
Parking your bike in Manhattan?	Rollin..	General Motorcycling Discussion	14	July 9th, 2010 02:19 PM