Trying to get my "new bike" running

**Bren** · 23rd September 2007, 14:58

I got my "new" 1988 Kawasaki GPX250 Ninja home yesterday. What a slog that was....driving friday night for 4 hours...then saturday another 1.5 hrs...and back again for 6 hours...
Anyway the bike is home, it has not been running for a while though..No battery in it so I hooked up the positive to jumper cables to my car, and negative from car to frame. So now I had electrical juice. Everything works but LHS indicator. Checked fuel line, was okay...Fuel going to carbies. Tried to fire it up...starter motor works, but doesnt fire the motor up. So what do I do next??? Spark Plugs??? or is there something I missed???

Oh, im not too mechanically minded...can do basics but thats it

**The Lone Rider** · 23rd September 2007, 15:16

Might sound stupid.. but is there petrol in it?

**tri boy** · 23rd September 2007, 15:22

If it had no battery in it, then its probably been sitting for a while. Drain fuel bowls (should have a screw at the base), and get some fresh fuel.
Pay to drain the tank of old fuel to be safe.
Good luck.

**idb** · 23rd September 2007, 16:57

Fresh petrol, check that you have spark, spray some engine start fluid into the air cleaner and then give it a spin.

**surfchick** · 23rd September 2007, 17:31

I have one of those on the garden path right now!
once you get it sorted - they're a sweet bike for the money... you'll be able to blat round no bother..my flatmate was 2up on her one and passed a kawasaki 6r (dunno know what was going on there.. might have been running it in or summit) who was babying sh16 yesterday. It sits sweet at 140+ (not too much faster tho..) but I think she plans to eventually trade up to a 636 but she's one of these perpetual learners (5yrs on the L) ...

**Macktheknife** · 23rd September 2007, 17:39

At the same time as the above advice, change the air filter for a new one. Start simple, fuel, air and spark at the primary components, ensure you have those reliable first, then get back to us.
Good luck and rest assured you have chosen pretty well, good bikes generally, just keep the basics up and you will be fine.

**Bren** · 24th September 2007, 20:59

Well, today after work I tested to see if there was spark going to the plugs, and there was although by the looks of it it was very weak, maybe cos it came from my car battery and thats not flash. Took the front fairing off to have a good look at the engine....looks okay...in fact the bike looks much better without the fairing...so it may just stay off...tomorrow weather permitting will drain the tank and flush the carbies out...Sat plan to get new spark plugs...anyway will tinker about till i get her going..........oh...whats the best stuff to use to start it with...i mean the stuff you spray into the carbs from a can????

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th September 2007, 21:10

dude--do the simple stuff--drain the carbs dry --empty the tank-put new fuel in there --bung a pair of new sparkies in her and try to fire her up

**Bren** · 28th September 2007, 18:09

Update
Well tonight I drained carbies etc,put some new gas in and wired it up to my wifes car battery and gave it a crack. Took a while but it finally started...It is running quite smoky but is running...Next on agenda is replace oil and filter, then will look at rings...So a mediocre success tonight

....

**tri boy** · 28th September 2007, 19:45

Good news.

I agree with oil/filter change, but go for a ride or two to let it settle down a bit before thinking about rings.
That smoke can be related to storage, moisture etc.
Once it done a few rides, then gauge the smoke colour, and oil consumption.
A simple test is to let it idle for a few minutes, and then rev it at say, 6-7k. If its filling the shed with smoke/fumes, then you may wish to do a top end service. Otherwise, just enjoy your ride.