500 Ninja re-animated!

[Frame Maker]

Yeah, there's something not fair about that.
The guy that keeps engineering bikes from scratch suddenly has three just jump into his truck one day.
I'm not sure if I'm more jealous of your abilities or your opportunities.

 

[Frame Maker]

This really isn't related to the 500 Ninja project... but I'm so happy I thought I'd post anyway. Based on a tip from BARFs own Haybaler I found a very well preserved 1986 Ninja 250R on Marketplace. My friends think I'm dumb for driving all the way to Reno for a bike that no one wants and has (as my friend says) "minuscule" resale value. But for some reason I really like this body style that was only made for two years. They have become extremely rare and even more rare to find in good condition.

Anyway, the 500s now have a smaller sibling!

20230121_153646 by andbike, on Flickr

20230122_105046 by andbike, on Flickr

20230122_105104 by andbike, on Flickr

 

[GPzPop]

sooo pretty! as you may know, I am smitten with this version of this model also
Dibs if you decide sometime in the future to release it from your stable
- - S

 

[Jung]

That's a chic little thing. Really clean styling, I've never seen one before.

 

[SFMCjohn]

wow, congratulations—always loved the first-gen Ninja 250, myself!

 

[Frame Maker]

sooo pretty! as you may know, I am smitten with this version of this model also
Dibs if you decide sometime in the future to release it from your stable
- - S

This I did not know. I do have two more that are "projects". One has a motor that smokes badly, the other has no title. If I decide to let one go, I'll let you know.

That's a chic little thing. Really clean styling, I've never seen one before.

wow, congratulations—always loved the first-gen Ninja 250, myself!

Yes, they are cool looking little bikes. I've always liked the styling. Turns out Kawasaki only made this body style for two years and they are now super hard to find in any condition.

As mentioned above, I have two more in "project" condition. I have this ongoing fantasy about putting an RZ350 engine into one... or possibly an RZ250 engine (which I happen to have) so that it stays a 250!arty

 

[GPzPop]

This I did not know. I do have two more that are "projects". One has a motor that smokes badly, the other has no title. If I decide to let one go, I'll let you know.







Yes, they are cool looking little bikes. I've always liked the styling. Turns out Kawasaki only made this body style for two years and they are now super hard to find in any condition.

As mentioned above, I have two more in "project" condition. I have this ongoing fantasy about putting an RZ350 engine into one... or possibly an RZ250 engine (which I happen to have) so that it stays a 250!arty

as I think I mentioned earlier, I saw one once with a rotax 650 single stuffed in to it

dya think a later gen ninja 250 or 300 motor would drop in ?

 

[Frame Maker]

I believe the later 250 engines will go straight in. I have one just for that purpose... if I don't butcher it with an RZ engine Too many other projects with higher priority right now

 

[SFMCjohn]

as I think I mentioned earlier, I saw one once with a rotax 650 single stuffed in to it

had to go google that!

hope the Reno baby ninja goes unmolested into the future—it’s a survivor!

 

[gixxerjeff]

hope the Reno baby ninja goes unmolested into the future—it’s a survivor!

It will. It's in very capable hands. It really is a cool little bike.