Questions Questions- zxr250

[Sharn]

Hey all,

Still searching for some wheels, and its proving tricky not only being out of town from these bikes, but also being a girl with average mechanical knowledge!

I have checked out a little zxr250 (95) that has pretty low km's. The reason I'm looking at this one is I want good power/weight, and the good 400's seem to be few and far between. I have already spent a bit of time on a 600, and that's what I'll jump up to after I get comfy on a smaller bike again, but I havent been riding consistently for over a year and a half now so feel a bit out of the game.

Anyway, I noticed a few things when I checked the bike over, and before I possibly book it in for a pre-purchase I just wanted to check if what I have seen is normal/acceptable for the age of the bike... It is generally pretty tidy, bar two cracks in the fairings, and the dude has been quite good about his maintenance.

There is some surface rust on the rear shock neck, near the eye bolt. There is also a bit of surface rust/pitting on the wheels. The battery has been noted to go flat if the bike is left idling (to warm up I assume), and the alternator has some sort of sealant- charging issues perhaps?

Opinions? Any other things I need to check for on this particular model?

[jellywrestler]

one of the best bikes around http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-427513151.htm
especially if your a little short and in your region

[FJRider]

Anyway, I noticed a few things when I checked the bike over, and before I possibly book it in for a pre-purchase I just wanted to check if what I have seen is normal/acceptable for the age of the bike... It is generally pretty tidy, bar two cracks in the fairings, and the dude has been quite good about his maintenance.

There is some surface rust on the rear shock neck, near the eye bolt. There is also a bit of surface rust/pitting on the wheels. The battery has been noted to go flat if the bike is left idling (to warm up I assume), and the alternator has some sort of sealant- charging issues perhaps?

Opinions? Any other things I need to check for on this particular model?

Surface rust shows it's ugly head in later model bikes as well. Just check it IS surface rust. A good polish and/or paint can fix it. Some may need it on a regular basis. No biggie though. You will move up to a bigger bike before it becomes an issue.
In the pre-purchase, get them to check if it's a battery issue or a charging issue. A few quick tests will point at what the issue is. (although an Auto-sparky may be better to identify the problem )

The cracks in the fairing can be repaired ... at a cost. No biggie though. Often costs more to do than some may warrant as worth it.

But those issues may be worth raising with the seller to negotiate the price down.

Go Girl ...

[Sharn]

Thanks!

Jelly- cool bike, but not my deal so much... Sportsbikes (even mini's) are sexy, the revvy motors get me going!

FJ- cheers dude, I will get the shop to check the charging system on it and see what they think, as well as the rust on the shock just incase. The fairings probably arent a major for me, if I was to repair I would wait until after I do a few track days just incase! Heh

[FJRider]

Thanks!

Sportsbikes (even mini's) are sexy, the revvy motors get me going!

It's not the vibrations ... is it ...

[Sharn]

Well, you could say that!

[jellywrestler]

Thanks!

Sportsbikes (even mini's) are sexy, the revvy motors get me going!

and V twins throb...

[ducatilover]

If the battery goes flat during idle, first check what it's idling at, any lower than 1500rpm warm and it won't be able to push enough voltage to charge (it doesn't run an alternator as per se)

Surface rust? Meh, clean it
Fairing cracks? Not an issue

Being a '95 it's a 40hp restricted model, so it's not going to be a ball of fire even by 250cc standards. The only way to get more power from it is to sell it and buy a pre '93 or an SP model (good luck, haven't seen a D model ZXR for years)
ZXR250s are incredibly efficient at shitting cam chain tensioners, so it's best to pop it out and check it, I might have one sitting in the garage that's been checked.
It's also very likely that valve clearances are out of whack, high revving motor, has to rev high when cold etc and the fact that people are idiots and don't service things.

Being a C model, it's easy to get fork parts for (seals/bushings)
Brake pads are cheap, rotors will need to be checked for thickness, they're rather expensive to replace (same rotors as a ZZR600D/400K if I remember right)
Servicing them is ususaly simple and cheap 'til you need a carb sync and valve clearances, if you don't know when they were done, do them.

How many km has it got anyway?

Happy to help with any other questions