skidMark's ZXR250A2 restoration project.

[skidMark]

Well as some of you know i threw a big end bearing and buggered my crank at the memorial trackday at taupo.

and well with funds running too low for an engine at this stage.

and my license gone for a long time.

it's time to properly do up the zxr....bring her back to glory days.

so here where i have ended up after today...

what can i say...i got bored?

me n my damn bright ideas.... lol

kitset zxr anybody?...

<img src="http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5673/pict0092ao5.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>

<img src="http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8717/pict0093tc5.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>

SM

[98tls]

Nothing like keeping busy eh.How longs the licence gone for?

[skidMark]

Nothing like keeping busy eh.How longs the licence gone for?


was meant to get it back in april some time but have been done for driving while disqualified.

will leave it at that on the license front unfortunately....as i know what will happen if people go on and on about it....

i don't know how to make it a big more unique...

i was thinking a turbo....but thats a serious mission to figure that one out.

[Disco Dan]

Found the instruction manual for you.... :shutup:


Good on you dude, :Punk:

[Romeo]

Now all you have to do is find the motivation to put it back together again.

Or else it's "FS: Big box of ZXR".


Good luck with that ;P

[R6_kid]

why not just make it 'mint' by doing it all properly - return it to pretty much stock with a nice kawasaki paint job, fix the engine, maybe get the ports polished if your gonna be stupid with it, get the valves shimmed and get all the clearances sorted.

Get the suspension sorted, get the right wheels on it, get the brakes up to scratch, get a proper exhaust on it, get the engine bead blasted so it comes up like new.

Don't go stupid on it, just do the basics to make it right, not unique - its a 250 ffs.

[98tls]

Any chance a 400 motor will fit in there?

[skidMark]

why not just make it 'mint' by doing it all properly - return it to pretty much stock with a nice kawasaki paint job, fix the engine, maybe get the ports polished if your gonna be stupid with it, get the valves shimmed and get all the clearances sorted.

Get the suspension sorted, get the right wheels on it, get the brakes up to scratch, get a proper exhaust on it, get the engine bead blasted so it comes up like new.

Don't go stupid on it, just do the basics to make it right, not unique - its a 250 ffs.


yeah she will all be done right.

brakes are well and truely sweet...has new discs all round

i do wanna throw some braided lines at her though.

[skidMark]

Any chance a 400 motor will fit in there?


unfortunately not or i would have done it :(

[The Pastor]

need help with labour give a txt or whatever im free most weekends

[The Pastor]

haha at least they cant take the bike off you now aye mark!

[skidMark]

need help with labour give a txt or whatever im free most weekends


you can do the exhaust...thats what youd like aye aye aye.

[Disco Dan]

you can do the exhaust...thats what youd like aye aye aye.

Give you $5 for the paving slabs in the picture.

[skidMark]

Give you $5 for the paving slabs in the picture.


landlord might notice bro.

[EJK]

Are you ready to sell it in parts? You'll surely get more than $1000 for all of em :shutup:

[Morcs]

Jeez I could fit that engine in my pocket. Its tiny...

[skidMark]

morcs....what are ya on about dude.......crankcase isnt in pics...only head.....barrells and carbys.....

[madandy]

All the best with ya rebuild dude.

[skidMark]

All the best with ya rebuild dude.


it's amazing how much u notice when you strip a bike down

like the reason my paddock stnad bobbins bent is because it hit the bloodey muffler when it hit big bumps!!!!

everything else is ok....

it's peace of mind too

if i do the work i know it's done right.

last thing i need is brakes shitting out or something flying into a corner....so i do work myself.

ive had a bikeshop do my brake pads once ever....bloodey mechanic fucked around with my adjusters.... got to end of a road...hit the picks....almost nil braking oh fuck fuck fuck...down thru the gears and pumped the rear like a mother fucker.

turned out he had stuffed around with my adjustments...and not let the resovoir bottle breathe excess pressure afterwards....

i don't need to be killed by somebody elses fuck up.

at least i know ive done it right because i know if i don't do it right it's life or death.

so why risk it....


if something screws up when i'm flying into a 55 at 180 trying to drop to the 140-150 i can take it at....and the brakes fuck out...i'm toast...sounds silly i guess but i only trust me with me bike.

the only thing i don't do is tyres and thats because i don't have a tyre machine.

[xwhatsit]

Kind of get what you're saying there, Mark. Even if I did have the money to send the bike to a shop for every little thing, I wouldn't. I've got piss-poor mechanical skills, but I still feel more comfortable at least seeing the work done with my own eyes. If something must break down and cause trouble I'd far rather it be from my own fuck-up (hey at least I learn not to do that again -- see my thread where the valves hit the piston) than somebody else's.

Perhaps if the mechanics at shops let me look over their shoulder like the annoying little shit I am, instead of saying `why don't you go upstairs and I'll tell you when it's done', I might be happier :laugh:

How much would it cost to get hold of a new crank? Often parts like that run near to the cost of a new motor, I've noticed. Checked out Okshon.com? If you're going to find a new crank anywhere, it'll be on there. ZXR250C isn't compatible, is it, as the stroke is different. Or maybe that'd be a nice way to get 10 extra cubic centimetres (there was a thread about that, wasn't there).

Good luck. Would offer to help, but multis do my head in :D

[jeremyb]

In my experience, you should've sold it as is or put a cheap 2nd hand motor in it, its not going to be worth any more by modifying it or restoring it, you'll end up spending a LOT of money that would've been more worthwhile spending on a bigger bike, just my $0.02...

[k14]

if something screws up when i'm flying into a 55 at 180 trying to drop to the 140-150 i can take it at....and the brakes fuck out...i'm toast...sounds silly i guess but i only trust me with me bike.
I'm sure you'd be fine, its pretty hard to injure yourself in your sleep...

[onearmedbandit]

I'm sure you'd be fine, its pretty hard to injure yourself in your sleep...

Post of the year so far!

[FilthyLuka]

Might aswell be usefull i guess

crank bearings:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Engine-drive-train/auction-134472353.htm

That dude has everything but the crank shaft me thinks, so if you can get away with your old one you should be sweet :)

Cylinder head:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Engine-drive-train/auction-134271245.htm

$100 for that head is pretty cheap i reckon, get it so you can port it and do all sorts of shinie things to get some extra ponies. I can send you an article on how to knurl (is that the right spelling?) the intake ports to better atomize the fuel.

Have fun dude.

[Morcs]

morcs....what are ya on about dude.......crankcase isnt in pics...only head.....barrells and carbys.....

Bah. Still tiny.

Like Gareth said, its only a 250.

Get rid of it and get something decent thats worth the time.

[arj127]

In my experience, you should've sold it as is or put a cheap 2nd hand motor in it, its not going to be worth any more by modifying it or restoring it, you'll end up spending a LOT of money that would've been more worthwhile spending on a bigger bike, just my $0.02...

True dat!

Spend the cash on a better bike!!

[Renegade]

part of the passion of restoring cars and bikes is the learning process, i did a few half arse jobs before i did the '78 firebird', it was all a learning process, if he wants to do the zxr, let him, its a great chance to learn how to plan a rebuild/restore (which is the most important part) and follow through reaping the rewards as it comes together which will in turn spur on the enthusiasim.

skidmark, write down a plan of attack and follow through, good luck, if you need any ideas or advice with this let me know, ive worked in the refinshing industry and with vintage cars etc etc the list goes on, im just a pm away.

[skidMark]

In my experience, you should've sold it as is or put a cheap 2nd hand motor in it, its not going to be worth any more by modifying it or restoring it, you'll end up spending a LOT of money that would've been more worthwhile spending on a bigger bike, just my $0.02...


I know it will owe me alot of money, i do not care about loosing money.

and fact is if i get convicted on the driving while disqualified charge i wont have my license back until early 09 if i'm lucky.

at which point i would have to redo all my licenses from scatch (because it would be a total loss of more than 12 months)

i just want the bike to be nice, i'm gunna have it a long time

Might aswell be usefull i guess

crank bearings:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Engine-drive-train/auction-134472353.htm

That dude has everything but the crank shaft me thinks, so if you can get away with your old one you should be sweet :)

Cylinder head:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-accessories/Engine-drive-train/auction-134271245.htm

$100 for that head is pretty cheap i reckon, get it so you can port it and do all sorts of shinie things to get some extra ponies. I can send you an article on how to knurl (is that the right spelling?) the intake ports to better atomize the fuel.

Have fun dude.

Cheers dude! :cool:

but ive already got a head etc all that is sweet..... i need a crank. lol

big end bearings and conrod bolts are no issue...it's a crank i need.


True dat!

Spend the cash on a better bike!!

See further up.

The zxr to me is the best 250.


part of the passion of restoring cars and bikes is the learning process, i did a few half arse jobs before i did the '78 firebird', it was all a learning process, if he wants to do the zxr, let him, its a great chance to learn how to plan a rebuild/restore (which is the most important part) and follow through reaping the rewards as it comes together which will in turn spur on the enthusiasim.

skidmark, write down a plan of attack and follow through, good luck, if you need any ideas or advice with this let me know, ive worked in the refinshing industry and with vintage cars etc etc the list goes on, im just a pm away.


Cheers dude!:banana: will contact ya if i need any advice. i have done a bike before so i should be okay :cool:, but hey i might take ya up on that.

Thanks for the replys everybody :rockon:

[FilthyLuka]

Cheers dude! :cool:

but ive already got a head etc all that is sweet..... i need a crank. lol

big end bearings and conrod bolts are no issue...it's a crank i need.


getting an extra head so you can keep the old one stock and grind out the new one is kinda what i was getting at.

Have you rang around the wreckers? I think atomic have a ZXR engine that hasn't esplode'd

[skidMark]

getting an extra head so you can keep the old one stock and grind out the new one is kinda what i was getting at.

Have you rang around the wreckers? I think atomic have a ZXR engine that hasn't esplode'd


I don't have the dosh yet anyway.

Will find an engine when i have saved my pennys.

[Disco Dan]

I don't have the dosh yet anyway.

Will find an engine when i have saved my pennys.

Pop that 1000cc mini engine in it dude... :innocent:

[skidMark]

Pop that 1000cc mini engine in it dude... :innocent:


bit big...

i can get my hands on an 06 zx10r motor tho....

but...

a) it wouldnt fit

b) old chassis couldnt take that much grunt thru it...designed completely different to new bikes....big zx10r's and gixxers etc the modern ones are very precisely designed to handle the power

[manwithav8]

Mark mate, I have given you flack on here due to being a prize dork but this is a good thing your doing....

Take the time and do it properly, don't be put off by others saying you will waste your money and it is only a 250. You now have a lot of time on your hands so you might aswell waste that time doing something you love and if you can't ride it, then build it.

Lets hope this gets you on track to being a more respected and matured biker...

I do all the work on my own bike aswell for a number of reasons..

a. I am a diesel mechanic by trade so swinging spanners is easy.

b. If something isn't done right, I can only blame my self if I am still around. Not the poor apprentice that made a mistake that shouldn't have happend. Been there when I did my building apprentiship, made a great cock up and cost the company a fair wack and I got it in the ass.. I didn't know any better at the time and yes my work should have been checked but there is always little mishaps..

c. The cost of maintaing a Duc can be high so why give someone else my money for a job I cam fully capable of doing..

Good luck to you.... Take lots of pics and regular updates will keep the forum interested in what your doing..

My last project bike lasted 2 weeks cos it was easier to sell it than transport it back to palmy from wanganui.. SLack I know!!!

[CM2005]

Good luck mark! Looks like a primo idea, and better to restore your own bike than buy someone elses bodged "project"

[jeremyb]

i just want the bike to be nice, i'm gunna have it a long time


Ummm.... WHY? its a zxr250, surely you want something with some actual power!

[Jimmy B]

Ummm.... WHY? its a zxr250, surely you want something with some actual power!

Mate, nothing wrong with a 250 in capable hands, more than enough power in the twisties.

Good on you Mark :niceone:

[ynot slow]

Good idea for rebuild mate,as you say time is with you,no license means after 12mths need to apply,and if granted you need a 250,so why not do rebuild,with all the gear as new it will be as new,so reliability should be fine for many km.And maybe when it's done with the pictures as proof,why not role into a few shops and say can I have a job,look at what I've rebuilt.Proof is in the pudding so to speak,worth a crack who knows.But leave the speeding on the track.