Well, the bike is done! Well, technically it’s never going to be done, but it’s ready to go.

I pulled it out of the basement using a winch and some straps to keep the winch from scratching up the grab handle on the bike. It was a good bit of work, but we got it out eventually.

First thing I did, of course, was try to start it. I filled the gas tank up about 3/4 of the way and filled up an extra gallon container. I filled up the carb bowls and tried to start it. It really didn’t want to start, and gas kept pouring out of the overflow tube as I tried to start it. Eventually I got it to start it by holding the throttle wide open. It was very reluctant but it eventually got going. I had to adjust the idle speed control considerably, and it wouldn’t stay steady. Idle was all over the place. It was also dripping gas from the carb. After running it for a while, I gave up for a bit and resigned myself to needing to pull the carbs again and see what might be wrong. I also noticed that it was leaking oil from the filler cap. The gasket in it is hard as a rock, which explains why it’s leaking. I ordered a replacement gasket and cap.

The next day, I tried turning it on again. It started right up. It also wasn’t leaking gas anymore! I’m guessing that either a float got stuck or a float needle wasn’t sealing right. Once everything got saturated with gas and expanded a bit, it sealed up. I took the bike to a local parking lot to try it out. Ended up wiping out, but very little damage and that’s precisely why I bought a $500 bike.

On Monday, I adjusted the idle mixture screws (2.5 turns out from all the way in) and that made a huge difference in the quality of idle. I also synced the carbs, which also made a significant improvement. The bike now idles very well (every now and then it wants to die when it’s warm and idling, so if that doesn’t resolve after a while I’ll check my valves again and adjust the idle speed). It also hasn’t started leaking gas again.

On Tuesday, I changed the oil. It was still pretty clean, but I wanted a baseline. I was originally planning to do the coolant as well, but it looks pretty good and with it being still relatively cold, it will take much longer than I’d like it to, so I’ll change it later in the season when it’s warmer outside.

Today, I put all the fairings back on and it’s ready to go!

Everything’s ready, I just need to get my license! Hopefully I’ll successfully complete the MSF course this weekend and get my license on Monday! It’s been a good 4 months getting this ready but it’s finally ready to go!

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Posted in Self

Tags: EX250F, Motorcycle, Ninja 250R, Project