got a free motorcycle!

[thechief86]

hey guys, i just went and picked up my friend's old kawi ninja 250 for free. it runs, but runs rough, so i'm gonna clean out the carbs and ride it a bit, but i'm thinking of either putting the engine on my current gokart, or possibly build another kart and put this motor on it. what do you guys think? (no pics yet, i just got home with it maybe 20 minutes ago, and i need to get the keys from the guy it belonged to....

 

[mike75925]

check the valve train. they have an issue with the valves pulling back up into the head. keys can be gotten by removing the ignition switch or seat latch lock and taken to kawasaki or a locksmith. there should be a code on the locks that will tell them which blank and how to cut. make sure the lock codes are the same, or you will need 3 separate keys at worst.

 

[thechief86]

cool! thanks! how do i check the valvetrain, and what are symptoms of the valvetrain issue you mentioned?

 

[mike75925]

mine started running like utter crap. if it would run. my brother who was borrowing it, pulled the head to inspect and saw the valves being sucked in further on one side. i have asked him since to recall which side it was on because i did not remember, he doesn't. he either found info from the kawasaki dealer or online.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Sweet dude, that would make an awesome kart engine, but if its a decent bike i would just sell it and buy a crappy (looking) bike for your kart.

 

[thechief86]

ha this one looks pretty crappy..... i don't have keys for it, so i need some pointers on what i might need to do to get it started. since it's key on, push button start, could i put the ignition on a toggle switch, and go that way with it, at least till i decide what i wanna do with the bike, and spend money on?

 

[mike75925]

you could remove the tumblers from the ignition until you get a key(if going this route, pull one tumbler plate at a time and find some way of keeping them in order; leave the last one in place otherwise the keys will come right out). but you won't be able to put anymore gas in her without key unless you pry open the gas cap. these gas caps can be expensive so see how much it is before trying to pry it open. as to disconnecting the switch and running toggles, i think you will need at least 2 or 3. i forget how many different things need power to get it to run. i know power for the starter, power for the cdi, power for lights etc. getting keys cut at the dealer cost $5-$6 apiece.

 

[thechief86]

the gas cap is already keyless entry, (i think it's openable with a screwdriver?) i'm pretty sure the dealership would want me to prove i own the bike, which i can't do because the title was lost 2 owners ago, through being stolen, recovered, then wrecked, rebuilt and sold, then sold again, then abandoned by my buddy, who told me if i wanted it to just go pick it up from his old house. before i go to the trouble of filing for a lost title, i'd like to know if i can get it to run well.



soooo.... could you give tell me how to remove the tumblers? i think if i get it running good enough, i wouldn't mind dropping the coin on a new ignition. a link to a write up would be nice as well.... thanks!

 

[mike75925]

i have never needed a title to get a key cut, either because i have the switch in hand or because they know we do buy/fix up/sell them. removing tumblers: remove the switch from the upper triple clamp. i don't remember if it is a snap together or screw together unit. the electrical end will separate, so be careful of alignment and watch the springs and connector plates. set this aside with the white adapter dog (it looks similar to a centrifugal clutch). now all that is left is the lock assembly. from the bottom side of the lock you should see a round protrusion. in this protrusion there will be a smaller protrusion, around the smaller you will see a zinc colored plate. it should have a notch where you stick the 'removal tool'. a small screwdriver will work. push this plate toward the center and gently push up on the center. once the plate is past the lock groove, turn over, locate the side from which the tumblers are removed. turn the lock assembly until the tumblers removal direction is at 12 o'clock. grasp the lock assembly and gently pull out. each tumbler has a small spring. once the tumblers are out, press in the plate and slip back into the lock body. push it in until it clicks. turn it over and make sure the plate is fully reset. reassemble the 'adapter' with the springs and connectors. reinstall the electrical socket, pay attention to which position the key was at when you disassembled it. just so you know, the ignition switch is around $100.

 

[thechief86]

ok... i had to read that about 3 times to make any sense of it without the part here. it sounds like something i'm gonna want to take pictures of as i go, to keep from losing little bits. do you know where i might find a picture/diagram that would help me figger out which parts are the ones to remove or retain?
thank you very much for your time, though for real! my wife is already givin me crap for having to many toys, so i need to sell this thing or my kart or something really soon. i don't wanna get rid of either of my jeeps, so these are the things on the table.

 

[mike75925]

the plates you want to leave are the bottom 2. the plate that keeps the lock assembly in the lock body is significantly thicker than the tumbler plates and located at the bottom of the lock. if there are pics, they will most likely be on a locksmithing site. sorry i've never looked for pics.

 

[thechief86]

ha, that's cool man. i think i can figure it out, but i'm liable to screw it up... i have a good friend who's a locksmith, but he can't do anything for me for a couple weeks, and i want to play with it now!!!
i hope i can get this bike started, and my buddy can help me put the lock back together, i'm sure....

 

[mike75925]

sorry i couldn't be of more help.

 

[thechief86]

nah, dude, you have been a ton of help! i'm iguana pull that beast apart in the morning! i'm just gonna take the whole ignition switch off from the harness plug to the lock, and take it apart while reading your instructions. i really don't care if i can't get it back together, as long as i can ride the bike a bit. if i use the motor on my kart, i won't need keys, and if i sell the bike for anything more than the diesel i burned picking it up, i didn't do too bad, you know? thanks man, i'm glad i heard from somebody who knows this stuff better than me.

 

[mike75925]

i hope she'll work for ya.

 

[joshpit2003]

sorry, dont have time to read the above posts but had to throw the .02 cents in:

use the engine and then convert or sell the bike to someone who will convert it to electric.
people use the 250 frames all the time for electric conversions.

 

[thechief86]

ok guys, sorry about this thread getting off topic from gokart tech, but does anybody know of a website where i could check the vin to find out if this thing was stolen or not?
i wrote down the vin, and was thinking of going to the stealership in the morning to see if they'd cut me a key. my friend can't help me for another 2 weeks, so i'm checking options. i also got an ignition switch for a tractor from tractor supply company, so i might end up makin that thing work just long enough to make some decisions.....

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Just call the DMV and tell em you are looking to buy it and want to check.

 

[Hendersonjk]

thier should be three wire on the back of the key touch all three together and hit the start button. thats the way my harley is

 

[Hendersonjk]

one is power one is lights and one is run typically.