Got it running, throttle/idle issue

[Gman021]

Hey guys,

Hope I'm not over posting about outdated ninja 250s. Long story short, I bought an 01 Ninja 250 that had been sitting for 3 or 4 years. With the help of forum member ilikenapalm, we were able to get the bike started but it would turn off without enough throttle. He had to leave, so I decided to do some extra stuff. Turns out the gas tank was rusted and it looked like someone took a huge shit inside. Soaked it in vinegar, changed the oil + filter, checked the spark plugs, and cleaned the carbs again.

Finally started today. Idled high, so I adjusted it. Then it would continually creep up. Adjusted more. A couple of times when throttle was applied, the bike died. A few other times the throttle was non-existent (i.e seemed not to be working), and most of the time when you apply throttle the RPMs don't come back down, so I have to continually adjust the idle.

I will post some videos of the idle sticking RPM wise.

http://vid1125.photobucket.com/album...ps7tigim88.mp4
bike1_zpsxzes8cqd.mp4 Video by xxgman021xx | Photobucket

[Petorius]

Sounds like the same kind of shit I'm dealing with.

[bbhzx10]

Not trying to insult, but how are you "cleaning the carbs"?
Is enough fuel getting through the petcock (if it has one) to keep the bowl filled?
The carbs are very likely the issue, I'd get a fuel filter inline if there isn't one already too.

[Stromper]

Yes petcock clean there are poor screens in there

If there was rust rust in the tank then the tank needs to be coated inside with like cream

You also need a REAL paper element Gas filter found where you by like garden tractors NOT metal foam block

I would also look at carb mounts etc for leaks as air sucking in will do that and atiffen (stretch) the carb springs and lube cables and
throttle to guarantee SNAP back to idle

If they are spigot rubber then you can cheat with black silicone rubber fills and seals the cracks

ANd of course seafoam

[Gman021]

Not trying to insult, but how are you "cleaning the carbs"?
Is enough fuel getting through the petcock (if it has one) to keep the bowl filled?
The carbs are very likely the issue, I'd get a fuel filter inline if there isn't one already too.

I think I did a good job, and ilikennapalm definitely knew what he was doing. When I took it apart, I decided to take the floats off. I noticed the dangling point piece on one side appeared to be stuck, while the other came right out. Cleaned it, but it almost looked like a thin cement coating due to carbon, so I couldn't do much. Felt a little better when I put it back in, but I wouldn't be surprised if it needed to be replaced. I need to see if that could Kmart the throttle or not.

Besides that, I think we did a pretty good job without any fancy tools.

Yes petcock clean there are poor screens in there

If there was rust rust in the tank then the tank needs to be coated inside with like cream

You also need a REAL paper element Gas filter found where you by like garden tractors NOT metal foam block

I would also look at carb mounts etc for leaks as air sucking in will do that and atiffen (stretch) the carb springs and lube cables and
throttle to guarantee SNAP back to idle

If they are spigot rubber then you can cheat with black silicone rubber fills and seals the cracks

ANd of course seafoam

Thanks for all the help. I might just replace the peacock if they don't cost a lot, it was pretty rusted.

[number9]

Any chance of a vacuum leak?

Motion Pro make a cable luber, they are $10 or so:



You're welcome to borrow mine if you're in the city.

[Gman021]

Any chance of a vacuum leak?

Motion Pro make a cable luber, they are $10 or so:



You're welcome to borrow mine if you're in the city.

Honestly, I'm not even sure what that is. This is my first time turning a wrench, I'm surprised I was able to do this much in one day.

[number9]

Honestly, I'm not even sure what that is. This is my first time turning a wrench, I'm surprised I was able to do this much in one day.

It helps you lube the inside of your throttle cables (or any other cable) so that they move more smoothly inside their sheath. It's just easier than doing it with a can of WD-40 and one of those stupid plastic nozzles...

Where abouts do you live? Don't worry about your skills, we all had to start somewhere!

[Gman021]

It helps you lube the inside of your throttle cables (or any other cable) so that they move more smoothly inside their sheath. It's just easier than doing it with a can of WD-40 and one of those stupid plastic nozzles...

Where abouts do you live? Don't worry about your skills, we all had to start somewhere!

I'm in Wakefield, MA or Mansfield, CT depending on the week.

I decided to drop off the carb at a mechanic for ultrasonic cleaning. Dropped the gas tank too. Apple cider vinegar did wonders, but there was still some rust left and it was in the carb +fuel lines. I'm crossing my fingers that's why the bike wouldn't start this morning, or run properly yesterday. He said the petcock was fine.

I noticed one of two pins/needles/jets (the smaller one deeper in the carb) appeared to be partially blocked. I could spray carb cleaner through one, but not the other.

[aldend123]

If it's hard to start when the block's cold, and the idle creeps as it heats up, but pulls hard on the top-end that could point to valve's needing an adjustment. If this problem happened suddenly, I'd focus on carb and air leaks though.

[Gman021]

I have a friend coming to bring my bike back to MA. I'll find a mechanic there, or maybe work on it some more when home. I really think that rust remaining in the gas tank is playing games with my carburetor.

[number9]

I have a friend coming to bring my bike back to MA. I'll find a mechanic there, or maybe work on it some more when home. I really think that rust remaining in the gas tank is playing games with my carburetor.

Is there an inline filter between the tank and the carb? If not, might be a good time to add one.

[Gman021]

Is there an inline filter between the tank and the carb? If not, might be a good time to add one.

I'm definitely adding one. Need to figure out how to lube the throttle cables too.

Mechanic is keeping the carb and doing a hypersonic cleaning (hope he doesn't nail me for labor) and I took the tank back to add more vinegar.

[Stromper]

Here ya go

Amazon.com: gas tank liner

Paper element fuel filter, the pilot jets are smaller than screens and the porous metal thing

[Gman021]

Here ya go

Amazon.com: gas tank liner

Paper element fuel filter, the pilot jets are smaller than screens and the porous metal thing

Thank you sir.


I know the 250s are practically the same from 88-07, but are almost all parts interchangeable. I might pick up an extra tank and carburetor from an 06.

[Stromper]

It only takes 1 over winter badly done to rust a tank