The original gas tank had several large and serious dents, so it is being replaced. The first task is removing the rubber fitting for the fairings from the sides of the tank, and the tank’s bolt fittings from rear of the gas tank. The next step is removing the gas cap, and the petcock from the old gas tank, and then installing all of the hardware on the new gas tank.

The right side handle bar riser and handle bar were broken, so they need to be replaced. This task is achieved by removing the bolts holding the broken risers from the top of the triple camp. After installing the new handle bar riser, a new handle was installed and the brake reservoir and handle was attached. The throttle grip was the next part to be fitted, and the throttle cables were adjusted.

The instrument cluster had a broken bolt stand, after reattaching it with epoxy; it was reinstalled on the motorcycle. A quick test start ensured the motorcycle was in working order and closes out this episode of Ninja Restore.

Join us again in the future episodes of Ninja Restore when the cosmetics of the Ninja are refinished and the first test ride takes place.

Be sure to check out Ninja Boards for more Ninja fun!

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In this episode, we fix the right side of the engine where the clutch cover is located. The cable holder had snapped off and a large hole was ground through the cover.

After removing the clutch side cover, I proceeded to give the clutch and the gears behind it, a thorough inspection.

Luck was with us in this episode, as the clutch cable, the clutch plates, and the rest of the engine’s internals avoided sustaining any damage.

It was a quick task reassembling the clutch cover and cable, but care needs to be taken to avoid scratching the cover on the rear brake pedal.

Installing a new oil filter and refilling the engine with oil and the radiator with coolant are the last few details that need to be completed on the engine. The levels will have to be rechecked after starting the engine, and the radiator will need to have the air purged.

This is the end of the second episode of Ninja Restore, come back to watch the next episode when the right handle and controls get fixed. The motorcycle will then be reassembled and taken for a ride.

Check out Ninja Boards and take part in exciting Kawasaki related motorcycle discussions.

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After a crash or accident insurance claims will typically give you some money to have your motorcycle repaired at a shop. While it is usually best to have your major repairs done by a qualified professional, you can save money on labor cost by doing minor repairs yourself. You could then apply these savings towards upgraded parts, or new replacement safety gear.

In this debut episode of Ninja Restore, I will be fixing the left side of the engine where damage to the stator cover has damaged the pulsing coil inside. To remove the cover, I first had to remove the fairings, and drain the radiator. I took time beforehand to remove the gas tank and emissions box. I also drained the oil.

My first step in this video is disconnecting the cables from the wiring harness on the right side of the motorcycle. Next, I removed the bolts holding the chain cover and disconnected the radiator hoses.

It was then and easy task removing the cover. After removing the pulsing and generator coils, I installed them in a new cover. Putting everything back on the motorcycle was as simple as the reverse of removal.

Pitfalls abound if you did not take careful notes during removal. Several of the bolts hold clips to secure the cables. Other bolts need to be tightened before or after reconnecting the radiator hose.

That marks the end of this episode of Ninja Restore, future episodes will tackle the right side of the motorcycle, and then handlebars as well as the first ride, so check back often.

Pleas be sure to visit Ninja Boards to take part in an exciting Kawasaki motorcycle discussion board.

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While cautiously filtering through severely slowed rush hour traffic on the freeway, a car I was overtaking decided to sideswipe me, and push me clear to the center of an adjacent lane. Despite breaking my foot, this hit would have been easy to recover from if that new lane was clear, but being a traffic-jam there was a large van, nearly stopped, just a few feet in front of me. Swerve as I might, I was not able to avoid a collision, and after leaving a rather sizable dent with my body, I tumbled head-over-heels towards the roadway.

After waking up on the ground, I got my first brief look at my motorcycle; it was upside down, tires pointing straight up. Some nice people who were stuck in traffic helped me move it to the shoulder where I had one last glimpse before being taken away by an ambulance.

As to be expected, the windscreen, turn signals, and mirrors are shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces. The gas tank is dented, cracked, and leaking. The shift lever, foot pegs, and exhaust pipes are broken and bent out of shape. The right clip-on handlebar’s impact with the van or the ground is likely what broke it off, although the excruciating pain and bruises on my leg make a convincing argument to the contrary.

Be sure to check back with Inline Performance Magazine and Ninja Boards for more exciting motorcycle news and an update on my situation.

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Motorcycle riders are commonly grouped into specific stereotypes based on the type, size, brand, model, and even color of the motorcycle they are seen riding.

New riders, women, short people, poor people, those who want a cheap track bike, and naive people guided by a well-meaning experienced rider are the most common qualities attributed to the Ninja 250 rider. They are also people that want higher mpg, people fearful of their own perceived dangers of high-powered motorcycles, people that want lower insurance premiums, and people that want the styling of a sport bike without the extreme forward riding position. They also enjoy the complete set of features on motorcycles, the side stand, center stand, reserve tank/ fuel light, passenger seating, luggage hooks, grab bar, et cetera.

Ninja 250 riders are perhaps the oddest group to attempt to characterize, as they come from the widest range of the population. Bankers, grocery store clerks, IT professionals, musicians, and even magazine writers -the list of professions goes on almost indefinitely.

Perhaps the only people who do not ride Ninja 250s are the people who cannot ride motorcycles at all due to contract obligations with their job, such as professional athletes. Not everyone will ride a Ninja 250, but a Ninja 250 rider can be anyone.

Every group of motorcyclists has a few riders that feel they instantly know everything about motorcycle riding and gear because they passed the final exam of the MSF course. Newcomer-experts, pros in a month with less than 500 miles, fearful of groups, traffic, and torque; yet, think they are better than anyone else on a 600cc or greater motorcycle because they aren’t like the “squids” who just want speed and flashiness, all while looking cool at Starbucks and never wearing All The Gear All The Time. However, the Ninja 250 carries a disproportionally larger amount of them due to the constant influx of riders fresh from the MSF.

To be sure, there are experienced riders with tens of thousands of miles ridden in all conditions who also have Ninja 250s. Some hail from the track, others the touring world and they help round out member base’s personality. Not obsessed with reiterating the MSF textbook to everyone they meet; they are able to push the upper limits of the motorcycle’s capabilities in the curves, the hills, and the expanse of the road in ways that make the newcomer-expert numb with envy.

Continue reading Inline Performance Magazine for more insights into the motorcycling world.

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Previously, I did not have the means to remove it, try as I might have with various sized Philips, JIS, and other screwdrivers. Today instead, we utilized various workarounds to first remove the fairing. Then we proceeded to complete the job properly using a drill and Easy Out screw extraction kit.

This particular screw extraction set needs to be hammered into the drilled out head of the screw for optimal results, then simply twist counterclockwise using the handle for easy extraction.

I chose to replace the screw, and its mate on the other side, with stainless steel hex screws. They are the same size as the gas tank’s hex screws to streamline fairing removal. Additionally, they will resist stripping if anyone carelessly over tightens them in the future.

Be sure to check back at Inline Performance Magazine for more updates.

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I bought my motorcycle, a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250, used with just less than 500 miles on it. I wanted to buy a larger, faster, sexier looking motorcycle first, but I picked this up on a whim thinking I would quickly sell it and trade up. This is the second year passing by and I still have it. I find myself frequently hoping for, and expecting, more power and acceleration in crucial situations like going uphill and overtaking cars. I figure, when the disappointment and frustration of riding it overwhelm me, that’s the day I’m selling it and getting a different motorcycle, or maybe a few days before.

I have been doing all of the maintenance on it, valve adjustments, tire changes, chassis lubing, etc. It is not too difficult, and it helps demystify the rumblings coming from beneath the seat. I do a lot of commuting on it, and top it out on the freeway far too often. I frequently take it through the hills and for the longest time, I thought it handled the corners terribly. Then one day, I tightened the steering nut and suddenly, it was a hundred times better.

The only current modification I have on the Ninja is a red windscreen by Zero Gravity. I think it gives my bike the extra pop, so that it doesn’t look like every other 250 in the area. Matches the red flames too.

See you guys next time!

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