From what I understand the Kawasaki clutch has two different hardness of rubbers. The soft ones are what usually break up and the harder ones get too hard from heat and oil and they cause the knock. By using the hose it is softer than the remaining hard rubbers and gives some movement before the hard ones contact. I thought of using silicone hose too, but the sizes were wrong. Total cost for hose and rivets was about $4.00, and two hours of my time.
Could not find one, and to buy a whole bike just for the engine leaves another bike without an engine that needs an engine from something else that leaves another bike without an engine that needs ............................
It was a good job well done, until I read it it didn't occur to me as being either necessary or possible
Took this one for a 50Km ride today while the sun was out. Goes well, rides nice and was a pleasure to sit on. I will put a few more Kms on it and do an oil change and valve check/service and it will be ready for sale. What a fine looking machine.
Now, I like a green Kawasaki, as you would have seen, but it looked like it was missing decals or something. After a bit of googling, turns out they are just that bland. But there were some interesting ones: But I quite like the zxr250A green, white and blue, or the zx like this: Maybe that's the set I should get: zxr250, zx-6r and zx-9r in that scheme... So nerdy.
Have put nearly 500Km on it now so dropped the oil and filter and reset the valve clearances. Leaned the idle mixtures slightly too whilst the fairings off. All back together and running quiet and sweet.
At least one set, even a pair of ninja 250 forks, though I'm not sure about the axle, but I'm a little further away than kiffsta - 700km north. Not sure when I'll be down that way, if he doesn't have what you need.
Thanks Shane. I might need a ZZR front end for a project next year. If you still have them I might be able to swap a ZXR front for your ZZR front.
Out today for ride with some friends. After about 20Km I thought the engine had gone 'off song' but was still running. I stopped to investigate and the coolant was bubbeling into the header tank. I let cool and added some water from my drink bottle to top the radiator up and slowly rode home. Let cool while I had lunch and off with the fairings etc and head to find the gasket has been leaking through between the cylinders. Some work to do here. New gasket (genuine Kawasaki) ordered.
was that an oem gasket that let go ? @Phil loves his zzr250, he can’t believe how frugal it is on fuel
No, an aftermarket one. Just had reply from place I ordered genuine gasket from and nil stock. Have an order for a Cometic one with the sealing rings for only a few dollars more now on way.
Back together with new gasket, fresh coolant and carb balance. Took for a 100Km ride today and home with no loss of fluids. Happy.
The mighty green ZZR250 has gone to live with a real nice young fella and I hope he will have many happy miles/smiles with it while in his ownership.
Still working on the Baviarian Money Waster for a friend (I had thought of owning a Beemer one day, but after working on this one it has cured me of that desire) and the next on the table will be to repair another XL250s for my grandson to learn to ride on.