1990 ZXR250 going for a complete rebuild!

[macros87]

I originally wanted a CBRR250 due to the complete and utter rareness factor, they are like gold dust here but the ZXR are rare, just not AS rare, so I opted for one when I saw her for sale on ebay.

I knew there were problems with her but I didn't think there'd so much to do on it, then again, I do love a good challenge!!!!

There are almost NO parts here in the UK for this bike, have to have the rings custom made from some guy in Bradford, gaskets are not too much of a problem as Corby Kawasaki can accommodate quite well!

This is my first ZXR250, I chose this over the CBRR as I think it actually looks sexier but the maintenance is a bit higher from what I understand.

I do prefer the CBRR's sound but you really have to be a patient man if you want one as they appear once in a blue moon.

I considered a cbr 250 both times I was in the market for a bike, but the zxr is just a nicer fit for me, its bigger, the cbr feels quiet cramped to me, im 6 2 tall so while I knew it would be cheaper to maintain i just couldn't not get a zxr.

you like the cbr's sound better? am I wrong to believe that carbon fiber exhaust you have on it is a straight through can? because the difference between a zxr stock exhaust and a straight through one is night and day, it is much better, even in comparison to the cbr which sounds far too much like the sewing machine cliche in my opinion.

[ZXCharlieR]

I considered a cbr 250 both times I was in the market for a bike, but the zxr is just a nicer fit for me, its bigger, the cbr feels quiet cramped to me, im 6 2 tall so while I knew it would be cheaper to maintain i just couldn't not get a zxr.

you like the cbr's sound better? am I wrong to believe that carbon fiber exhaust you have on it is a straight through can? because the difference between a zxr stock exhaust and a straight through one is night and day, it is much better, even in comparison to the cbr which sounds far too much like the sewing machine cliche in my opinion.

Hahahahaaa, I like the simile!!

I just like the smoothness of the engine and the lack of rattling sound that comes from the engine whilst riding, kwakas are noisy, Hondas are just smoothies!!

The can I HAD on the back of mine certainly did sound good but it has sadly left us now, I'm going for a Scorpion Chrome next as it's better looking, but by all means, I hear where you are coming from!!

Cheers buddy!

[imdying]

This bike is going to stay with me for years to come and she'll be extremely well looked after, I am not in it for the fun of just riding, I am in it for the fun of rebuilding and enjoying everything about bikes, not just cos one is faster than the other.

I totally know what you mean, I too enjoy building them as much as riding them. However, the only thing the ZXR250 really lacks is just a bit more poke... you have to absolutely rape the crap out of it to make it go anywhere; it's just a torque issue. That's kind of fun for a while, but it does not take long to tire of waiting for the sky high redline to front up. Sure you could lower the gearing to get it there a bit quicker, but then you'd have completely neutered the top end.

The ZXR400 has all the charms of the 250, just with that extra poke. It's also easier to find parts for, so if you're going to dive knee deep into something that will likely such a few thousand pounds down, it might be worth considering changing before you start to spend. It's still a grey, but people have raced them against 2 stroke 250s for years, so there is plenty of tuning knowledge around, and a lot more places that can provide you with spares. For example, you won't have trouble finding pistons for the ZXR400, even oversize. Hell you can even get stroker cranks for them!

The biggest reason there won't be any ZXR250s around in 20 years time is because the 400 was basically a superior unit for not a lot more cash. These days, no more cash.

[imdying]

This seems cheap and might interest you:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ghlight=zxr250

[ZXCharlieR]

I totally know what you mean, I too enjoy building them as much as riding them. However, the only thing the ZXR250 really lacks is just a bit more poke... you have to absolutely rape the crap out of it to make it go anywhere; it's just a torque issue. That's kind of fun for a while, but it does not take long to tire of waiting for the sky high redline to front up. Sure you could lower the gearing to get it there a bit quicker, but then you'd have completely neutered the top end.

The ZXR400 has all the charms of the 250, just with that extra poke. It's also easier to find parts for, so if you're going to dive knee deep into something that will likely such a few thousand pounds down, it might be worth considering changing before you start to spend. It's still a grey, but people have raced them against 2 stroke 250s for years, so there is plenty of tuning knowledge around, and a lot more places that can provide you with spares. For example, you won't have trouble finding pistons for the ZXR400, even oversize. Hell you can even get stroker cranks for them!

The biggest reason there won't be any ZXR250s around in 20 years time is because the 400 was basically a superior unit for not a lot more cash. These days, no more cash.

Gotcha!!! I got it because it was rare and dirt cheap, I mean night out cheap, a meal with the Mrs and a good night on the town would work out more expensive, so no more dining the Mrs!! LOL!!!

I do like the 400's but it's like I said before, it's not the power I am after, if it were, then I would have bought a Fireblade or something relatively beefy but this is just a new project and I have been dying to get my hands on one of these little screamers for years, just fell into my lap and I just couldn't resist!

You see, all through my biking years, nor one of my friends nor I have had the opportunity to have one and we grew up in that era looking for them and dreaaaaaming of having one, 19,000 revs dude, OMG!!! but nothing remotely like this came our way, now I have one and all my mid 30 yr old friends are soooo envious, the conversations we've had over the NC30's also, WOW!!!

All I am saying is that it's just one of those things that bring back the nostalgia of our early days as bikers, we all had RGV's, NSR's, KR1s's, etc, you get the picture? we HAD the power just not the redline and it was our dream!!

Thanks for the advice all the same, I do appreciate it but this is going to be on collector's monthly when I'm too old to even walk!!

Cheers!!

[imdying]

You see, all through my biking years, nor one of my friends nor I have had the opportunity to have one

Hey you didn't miss much, a lot of my friends had these or CBRs. In fact a girl I dated for a while had a ZXR250A like this, she loved it

[ZXCharlieR]

Hey you didn't miss much, a lot of my friends had these or CBRs. In fact a girl I dated for a while had a ZXR250A like this, she loved it

I just think it's all the mental-wanking we were doing as 18 year olds whilst thrashing the nuts off our 250 oil-burners, great nostalgic trip though, even more fun 20 years later!!! I got goose-bumps now! lol!!!!

[ZXCharlieR]

This seems cheap and might interest you:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ghlight=zxr250

They look weird to me, but hey, aluminium, light as hell.

I am getting new stainless on mine as my Uncle makes stainless pipes and he mentioned something about them being free for me , we all know that the family is there to be abused, just like friends!!

Appreciate the though and the heads up though mate, much appreciated!

Cheers!

[ZXCharlieR]

Hi again guys,

Here's my progress to date:

After some days waiting for my new tools to arrive, I have resumed work (stripping), here's some more photos of my progress:

[ZXCharlieR]

And some more...

[ZXCharlieR]

And some more ...

[ZXCharlieR]

Yet some more ...

[ZXCharlieR]

More photos of other's botch jobs ...

[ZXCharlieR]

Here's the last for today, will post some more tomorrow!!

[ZXCharlieR]

Here's my 2 cents:

Loads of carbon build up on all the valves, haven't tested nor taken them out yet but I the build up is somewhat normal.

The spark plugs are weirdly clean on 2 and oily as hell on the other 2.

Piston 1 is weirdly clean, hence no firing and some play
Piston 2 is heavy with build up
Piston 3 is the weirdest one of all with a surprisingly clean top
Piston 4 is again weird with some play

Out of all of them, Piston 2 is what I would say "normal", I mean, after 41,000 kms, I would expect the build up it has.

Sorry for the repeat of some of the photos, my fault!!

As for the valves, horrible build up but again, what can be expected after 41,000kms? I am worried about the state of the spark plugs though, 2 are very clean and the others are extremely oily.

When I opened her up, petrol poured out of the sump mixed in with the oil so I think that is going to be my main task tomorrow, take the sump off and give it the clean of it's life but I am dreading it due to what I think I am going to find in there.

Anywho, feel free to give me some feedback!

Cheers guys!!