Another ZXR250.. but this time its an A model - Project Bumblebee

Hmmm, well after selling up my ZXR250 collection, I stumbled across another in Lismore, after a quick text message negotiation, a sale price was agreed and I shipped Dad off with a fistfull of reddies into Northern NSW to collect it. It arrived home safe and sound and well to be honest, she is a peach. There are  a few things broken including a few cracks in the fairings and Im yet to hear her run, but Im quiety confident that she will fire up. I sold all my spares with my other 2 ZXR's so I might be looking for a few bits, but before I start shopping up a storm, I need to hear her run. I already have oil and a filter, so hopefully tomorrow I can pick up some plugs and a battery, then I will whip the carbies off for a spring clean , reassemble then see if she fires up.

 

yes she does :occasion14:

 

I changed the oil, filter, coolant and she fired up with a bit of coaxing...  still needs some fine tuning, but is saying that, there wasnt any untoward rattles from the engine, she still needs heaps of work but it was a good sign she fired up :Thumbs_up:

 

I had the fun task of emptying the tank , it had fuel in there that was a few years old, the tank lock  was seized so a liberal coating of WD40 was applied, and I set about freeing it up. It finally came away and I stripped the tank lock and cleaned everything, its now good as new.Im going to strip and clean the petcock... then reassemble the bike and see how it runs.
I ordered a battery today which should arrive Wednesday.
As much as I'd like to fully restore this one and make it like new, the plan is get it in a rideable state and move it on. Someone else can organise paint and tyres and fork seals then have a lil 45hp screamer.

 

A bit of an update on the ZXR, its a diamond in the rough and we think we will keep it long term. In order to get it on the road,  I have ordered the following items:


Fork seals and dust seals from Pyramid parts - $30
Brake pads (front and rear) from Pyramid parts - $40
Clutch cover gasket $22 off ebay
Battery $60
Mirrors - $15 off ebay

total spend to date ( less purchase price of the bike)  - $167.00


The front brake master cylinder freed up and we are now going to refurb the brakes. I have noticed that now she is running, that the clutch isnt right, I assume as the bike has sat for some period that the clutch fibres and steel plates are stuck together. As soon as the gasket arrives, I will strip them down, clean them and reassemble.

 

battery is in, clutch has been fully stripped and cleaned and reassembled, much better clutch feel now   next steps are to pull the forks off and get the seals done.

 

I havnt done too much lately with the bike, work has been busy as our state premier (Can Do Campbell) and his henchman have been weaving their spell of destruction through my workplace, so far Im safe...  I had a few hours spare today so I stipped the carbies again as she was having problems starting, all 4 pilot jets were blocked so I need to buy a in-line fuel filter.  I managed to clear them all and pulled the air fuel mix screws out and cleaned them, I put her back togther, primed the carbs and she fired up... and to be honest, sounds much more angrier than before.  Im STOKED

I am awaiting some parts to arrive, so  I stripped the front brake calipers down, removed the pistons and seals, cleaned them , painted them and reassembled them... they look the goods. I will try and get them on the bike tomorrow and fit the new pads...

Time for a beer or 2 to celebrate

Next steps are to pull the forks off and get the seals done.

 

had a few days to play, forks are back on as is the front wheel, new mirrrors fitted, reassembled everything, As the bike has sat for a few years, we bought some Liqui Moly engine flush ( add it in with the oil)  and ran it for 15 mins then dumped the oil and replaced it. It runs super smooth now.

All that is left is to fix the front master cylinder as the seal has gone, I ordered a master cylinder kit from germany and it should be here soon. Started giving her a polish today, she isnt a bad looker for her age.

Fork seals and dust seals from Pyramid parts - $30
Brake pads (front and rear) from Pyramid parts - $40
Clutch cover gasket $22 off ebay
Battery $60
Mirrors - $15 off ebay
Fitting fork seals - $100
Miqui Molly engine flush - $28
Oil - $40
Master cylinder kit - $40

Spend to date (less purchase price of the bike) $334.50

 

The new Indicators arrived, I ended up ordered some from my local bike shop, they are aftermarket jobbies from MCS, part number IK23F and look the goods, they are marked ZX9 but do fit the ZXR250  :Thumbs_up:

Fork seals and dust seals from Pyramid Parts - $30
Brake pads (front and rear) from Pyramid Parts - $40
Clutch cover gasket $22 off ebay
Battery $60
Mirrors - $15 off ebay
Master Cylinder kit - $40 .. didnt fit ARRGGHHHH
Indicators $66
Fitting Fork seals and oil $100
Oil - $52

total spend to date ( less purchase price of the bike) - $425.00

All that is left is the brakes, the front master cylinder is shagged, the kit I ordered for a ZXR400 but it doesnt fit ( plenty of forums say they do, but they are different.. trust me)  I found a reasonable nick ZXR250c on Gumtree so I will use the master cylinder off that and finish the bike. Couple hours effort should see us done with Project Bumblebee.

Then a quick spit polish and I will advertise her for sale...