ZZR250 Service Tips

[justsomeguy]

Hi there,
Will be getting my wee little baby serviced tomorrow.


Any tips on what needs doing??

So far it's oil/filter - will do myself.
Replace air filter - will do myself
Replace rear brake parts (old issue), bleed front and rear brakes-shop
Give the bike a good checking over, tightening whatever needs it - shop
Check all bearings, forks etc, - shop - what do you guys think bout getting heavier oil??
Clean the engine and grease whatever needs doing - shop, cos I'm too busy to get it done before Oponini
What else?
- What does a tune up involve?? Is this part of a normal service?? My bike seems fine - but should I get a tune up anyway??

I was quoted around $130-$150 for a general service (they didn't say anything bout a tune-up and this fool forgot to ask them) - is the price ok??

[justsomeguy]

Anyone:scratch:????????:spudwhat:

[Gremlin]

err... the shop does everything for me... my first attempt at "getting to know you" ended with Aff-man saving one very worried learner :rofl:

When I got the bike, Ricki at Mt Eden did a top to bottom for me cost about $440 all up including parts and one unexpected hiccup.

I think most shops "hire" their mechanics at about $60, and depending on the detail of service anywhere from 2-4 hours I would guess.

When was the bike last tuned?? My bike ran great afterwards, except that I found an idle of 1k wasn't enough...

[ktee]

I have a ZZR250 as well.

Does your ZZR knock when the bike is idling?

The knock in my bike is really loud until the bike warms up ... but when
it's cold and you just pull the clutch lever in slightly (without engaging the
gear), the knock goes away and the bike sounds normal.

I have one party telling me it sounds very serious and another saying it is
a normal sound for a two stroke kawasaki and they all knock like that.

So ummm....what does yours do?

Cheers

[justsomeguy]

I have a ZZR250 as well.

Does your ZZR knock when the bike is idling?

The knock in my bike is really loud until the bike warms up ... but when
it's cold and you just pull the clutch lever in slightly (without engaging the
gear), the knock goes away and the bike sounds normal.

I have one party telling me it sounds very serious and another saying it is
a normal sound for a two stroke kawasaki and they all knock like that.

So ummm....what does yours do?

Cheers

Yup my bike does exactly the same. Only when cold though.

Gremlin - ?? Same???

[ktee]

Yup my bike does exactly the same. Only when cold though.

Gremlin - ?? Same???

Thanx for that. Mine is the same year as yours.

Would welcome other views (not to steal your thread though).....Cheers

[Gremlin]

another saying it is a normal sound for a two stroke kawasaki and they all knock like that.
2 stroke?? where's my power then?? Gimme :killingme

yep, when I used to let it sit and warm up it knocked. Now I get all geared up first, then start and ride her gently until she's warm :devil2: (couldn't resist ya see), so I can't tell if she knocks or not now, but I would think so.

Wouldn't be surprised if it was fine to knock, as mine had a huge service less than 5k ago (due for a 5k soon...) and Ricki said she was running great afterwards.

[bugjuice]

They aren't two strokes - they're two cylinder four strokes. The knock could probably be your clutch/gearbox just running cold and a little dry until the oil gets thru and warms up. Most bikes/cars are like that, some louder than others. WOuldn't really worry about it until it gets really loud and the clutch starts to give and gets heavy while riding.

As for the things you've listed JSG, in the grand scheme of things, doing those two things aren't really going to save you a heap. And there's a chance the shop will just check it over and charge you for that anyway. So, if I were you, I'd either do it all myself (isn't hard), or just get the shop to do it all in one go.

One thing you don't mention, are the spark plugs too.. when were they last checked and changed? Could need replacing, or just need cleaning up if they aren't too old..

[Gremlin]

2 stroke?? where's my power then?? Gimme :killingme

They aren't two strokes - they're two cylinder four strokes.
aww... that would explain a lot... :rofl:

nah, I knew already... just having a little fun :niceone:

[ktee]

[QUOTE=bugjuice]They aren't two strokes - they're two cylinder four strokes. The knock could probably be your clutch/gearbox just running cold and a little dry until the oil gets thru and warms up. Most bikes/cars are like that, some louder than others. WOuldn't really worry about it until it gets really loud and the clutch starts to give and gets heavy while riding.

Ummm....Yep..don't I feel foolish ....It should have read two cylinder, four stroke. As for not worrying about it ... I just sold it to a bike shop and they have brought it back because of the knock. They are not familiar with road bikes and they specialise in dirt bikes ... but say they cant sell it off the showroom floor sounding like that.

It's getting checked out fully but if it knocks they don't want it.
If the knock goes away or is fixable - they do.

[MoFunthanmost]

Heya all - regarding noises - i've beed told it's rattles and ticks you need to listen for...mine 'Knocks' too when cold, I wouldnt worry about it.

But i do have a question about nosies; My baby's just started makeing metalic tapping, clicking noises whenever the engine winds down (ie when I engine brake).
I topped up the oil the other day and then the noise started. I didnt drain all the old oil out, just topped up as i didnt have time (or money) for a complete change) should I get it looked at or is it just something to do with the new oil and will go away? not particularly mechanically savy.

:not:

Mo

[Drum]

I have an EL250, which Im told has the same engine as the ZZR. Mine also knocks too when cold, but was told by Fergus at TSS that it is Kawasaki thing that is perfectly normal.

[justsomeguy]

As for the things you've listed JSG, in the grand scheme of things, doing those two things aren't really going to save you a heap. And there's a chance the shop will just check it over and charge you for that anyway. So, if I were you, I'd either do it all myself (isn't hard), or just get the shop to do it all in one go.

One thing you don't mention, are the spark plugs too.. when were they last checked and changed? Could need replacing, or just need cleaning up if they aren't too old..

Yup, BJ. I'd save less than $20-$30 MAXXX on the two things, so am getting them to do it all. All gonna be done tomorrow.

I can do it all myself but don't have the time before the opo ride.

I forgot to mention the sparkys in my initial post- they're gonna be replaced too - part of a standard service.

Cheers for your comments.

[justsomeguy]

They reckon everything here (except a tune up and fork recon) will cost bout $150.

Is this normal/average/standard??

[HCW]

Hi guys.
The ZZR250 and GPX250 both share the same two cylinder 4 stroke engine.
The knock your hearing is caused by the crank design and is nothing you change or fix because there is nothing wrong with your engines. The knock is most apparent at idle, especially when idling slow and goes away as the revs increase. I can go into more detail if you want more info.
The tapping or ticking niose however, should be looked at. These bikes have an odd rocker system and you should check your valve clearances. If any of your clearances are extremely large, check the rockers and cams for excessive wear. It could also be cam chain.
Ktee - To people unfamiliar with this engine, the knocking would put people off but It's just a running niose of the engine. If it was about to blow it would have other symptoms.
Cheers.

[justsomeguy]

Thanks for that info HCW.

Got my bike serviced, new oil/filter, plugs, sprockets, chain, rear brake fluid, everything adjusted and set-up. Then spent 2 hours with some petrol and a paint brush and detail cleaned the entire engine, wheels, metallic bits by painting them with petrol, then finished off the fairings with a scrub and some hot soapy water:niceone:

But the little bastard got covered in muck and dust again from riding to work in the rain this morn......:whistle:

[Phenoix]

So how much did it cost you, including the tune then ?

[Bonez]

Hi guys.
The ZZR250 and GPX250 both share the same two cylinder 4 stroke engine.
The knock your hearing is caused by the crank design and is nothing you change or fix because there is nothing wrong with your engines. The knock is most apparent at idle, especially when idling slow and goes away as the revs increase. I can go into more detail if you want more info.
I'm interested in hearing a bit more detail about the knocking HCW.

[ktee]

Thanks for that explanation HCW ... now I understand it as well. The explanations prior was that it was 'normal'.

Anyhoo, had the bike fully checked out and the original buyers are now satisfied that there is nothing wrong with the engine.

Cheers

[Black]

I'd also be interested in hearing how much that service cost you.
I'm going to be sending my wee thing in very soon so an indication on what I'm going to need to spend would be nice.

[justsomeguy]

I'd also be interested in hearing how much that service cost you.
I'm going to be sending my wee thing in very soon so an indication on what I'm going to need to spend would be nice.

Sorry for dredging the old post up but since two of you have asked.....

The service cost and a new chain and set of sprockets that I bought cost me around 400 all up.

Don't waste your money tuning a 250 - there's not that much to gain out of it, unless your bike is really bad to start with......