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Help Identify the Model and Jetting for a ZR250 Balius Motor

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by Mike Palmer, Apr 2, 2019.

  1. Mike Palmer

    Mike Palmer Active Member

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    Hi Folks,
    Hopefully you'll have this information as I've been unlucky searching for it.
    I can't find any engine numbers reference for ZR250 Balius's.
    I have a 1998 ZR250B Balius with the motor swapped for the previous owner by a wrecker (the head gasket had blown so they swapped the motor!). It may or may not have the original carburetors, so I need to identify the model that the motor is for, to make sure that the jetting is correct to match the motor. I am completely rebuilding the carbs anyhow as the bike had been sitting unused for 5 years and the carb bowls were a clogged up mouldy mess.
    The engine number is ZX250CE 048632
    Since there are variations of main jet, needles and pilot for the models, I'd like to know what model this motor matches - e.g. is it a 2000 B4 model for instance.
    Then I'll need to find what carb parts should match the motor, e.g. my current carbs have 95 main jets, N77V needles and 32 pilot jets, and unknown factory idle jet setting (1 3/4 turns e.g.) and a 1.5mm shim raising each needle.
    The previous owner said the bike never performed particularly well with this setup, and ran a bit rich, and it came with CR8E plugs which I understand are hotter than the recommended CR9E plugs.
    Anyhow, that magic bit of information will save a lot of time and experimentation, and would be much appreciated.
     
  2. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Not sure sure if this help's but here is a part's list from a 1998 ZR250 Bailus II carburetor, it list's the frame number's and engine number's that the carburetor's suit ZR250-B1/B1A/B2
    And has a list of jet's,needle etc
    https://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-d...537/zr250-b2-789736/carburetor-parts-13774859

    And don't forget the Viton seal kit's from Litetek- @maelstrom
    https://litetek.co/Carb_Kit_Kawasaki_ZR250_Balius.html


    The hotter spark plug's may have been fitted to compensate for it running rich?

    And i didn't notice any shim's listed for the needle too, does it need them , that may be why it's running rich ?
     
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  3. Mike Palmer

    Mike Palmer Active Member

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    Thanks for that info, much appreciated, the microfiche for impex and megazip does say the frame number range and parts for each model, but unfortunately the engine number is always listed as ZX250CE 000001 for all the diagrams.

    Alternatively, I have been looking for posts mentioning the model and engine number. For example I know from one of the posts that ZX250CE 037512 is a 1994 A4 Balius, so mine is probably a year or two later model at 048532 (about 11000 later).

    Until I confirm the model of the motor, I'll remove the shims and put the standard plugs in and see how it runs. There are several versions of the jetting and needles all quite different so I guess if it's running clean and strong it must be the right jetting.

    The last bit I have to figure out is the number of turns of the pilot air screw.

    I have the airbox seals on order from litetek, because they had shrunk, but it looks like I'll need the o-rings as well from reading some of the posts, so I'll order those too. Great information and site by the way.
     
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  4. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

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    This is for a 2003

    zr250.jpg
     
  5. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Keyster sell a tuning kit for the Bailus, it comes with 3 sets of main jets (lean, standard and rich), 3 pilot jets( L,S,R) plus needle mixture screws spring etc etc.
     
  6. Mike Palmer

    Mike Palmer Active Member

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    Many thanks for that!

    I had a look through all the model/frame numbers groupings today, and assuming the engine numbers follow the frame number sequences, and using the engine number from the forum for a reference, it looks like ZX250CE 037512 is possibly a 1993 A3 model, as is my engine ZX250CE 048532.

    (the other engine number is in Benjamin Smiths post last year "New Balius").

    http://bikeswiki.com/Kawasaki_ZR250_Balius
    Name
    : Kawasaki Balius 250 (ZR250, ZR-2)
    Frame/Engine
    : ZR250A-035001 to ZR250A-055000 / ZX250CEXXXXXX
    Code: ZR250-A3

    Going through the microfiche for the various models, the jetting/needles have a specific combination during each of the following periods : 1993-1996, 1997-1998, 2000-2003
    I havn't summarised the years outside these ranges yet.

    Anyhow:
    For 1993-1996 A3/A4/A6 models the combination seems to be 95 main 38 pilot N76X/N76W needles, which I'm guessing is the jetting for my swapped motor ZX250CE 048532.
    For 1997-1998 B1/B2 models the combination matches my current carbs: 95 mains, 32 pilot N77V needles.
    For 2000 onwards the combination seems to be 98 outer 95 inner 32 pilot N9VG/N9VH needles.

    So, with the objective of having the correct carb setup, I'll keep trying to match my swapped engine number ZX250CE 048532 to it's matching model number, I guess now by continuing to milk the internet, and by looking at the frame and engine numbers on any Balius I can find! I can then start to map out the range of engine numbers for each model.

    And I'll put the bike together with the '98 carb setup that it came with,and see how it runs, but from the previous owners comments I don't hold high hopes of it running cleanly or to full power.

    But in the meantime, if there are spec sheets for these 2 models that would be appreciated, because I'd also get the pilot screw adjustment and other details:
    1993 A3 model
    1998 B2 model

    Regards, Mike
     
  7. Mike Palmer

    Mike Palmer Active Member

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    Sorry, I missed the comment about the tuning kit, that looks just what I need, many thanks.
     
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