Any suggestions?

Hypno Rider · 10-09-2012, 06:10 AM

Hi guys, I just picked up a 1999 GZ250 with 2000 miles on the clock, here is the story: I got it from a friend for $200 bucks. He said he bought it from a motorcycle training school for $700 bucks because he needed something to practice on to get his license. The bike is not running. He said its been sitting for a year outside in the yard uncovered. He showed me a video of him riding the bike about a year ago, right after installing a $15 dollar eBay battery, and she fired right up strong and was riding perfectly, and that was after sitting for a couple of months. Also, very oddly, the bike has definitely been sitting but the tires have not deflated. They are still full of air. The seat is a little loose and shaky, the exhaust pipes are rusty from sitting in the rain, the gas tank is a little shaky and pretty dinged up and I don't have the keys. Other than that,she looks pretty good :2tup:
What do you guys think I should be focused on to get her up and running? All ideas will be greatly appreciated. Will a 2004 ignition fit a 1999 GZ250? Why would the gas tank and seat be loose? Should I replace the pipes or just try to clean the rust? Thanks in advance for any help guys.
P.S. I missed the most important question: should I start the work now? Or should I just wait until after the new york winter?

JWR · 10-09-2012, 07:53 AM

The left side cover has a key lock in it, you need to get this out to make a key,

The seat comes off with the key. The gas cab needs this key also.
Two bolts under the front of the seat and the tank will lift off.

Fresh gas and seafoam or berrymmans b12 to drain thru the carb, new plug.

The carb will need to be cleaned.

Pipes are the least worry now.

They will clean up with Barkeepers friend.

2004 ignition fit a 1999 GZ250?
Yes

Only you know the answer to this...
P.S. I missed the most important question: should I start the work now?

mrlmd1 · 10-09-2012, 10:45 AM

If you get the bike running fine and plan to use it, you will need new tires. Check the date stamp on the sidewalls (in a little rectangular box imprinted in the rubber) - it gives the week and year of manufacture of the tires. If they the originals or are more than 6 years old you need to replace them even though the tread may look good or the sidewalls look OK. The rubber gets hard and brittle and loses its' grip on the road and may be a safety hazard.

Hypno Rider · 10-09-2012, 11:20 AM

Appreciate the tips guys.

@ mrlmd1: thanks, I checked the tires for life, but never considered the year they were made. I'm glad you exposed me to this because, by eye, the tires look damn good and they only have 2000 miles on them. I would have never thought about the production year or the rubber hardening. Awesome info.

@ JWR: thank you for your help. I nearly fell off my chair laughing after reading your comment. You see, I am a master hypnotist and you sent me into a trance for about a minute and a half with this statement: "only you know the answer to this...". That is one of those statements that we hypnotists use to send a person inside to reflect on things. I'm not used to having someone send "me" inside, so it was hilarious to find myself sitting there staring off into space in this trance just thinking about your statement. Cool, and a first for me. Thanks.

Hypno Rider · 10-09-2012, 11:28 AM

@JWR: the reason I asked about doing the work now is because I won't be riding much during the new york winter. I would hate to do all of the work to get it up and running again, and still have to do it all over again because it sat during the winter. I guess my question should have been, if I do the work now in October and let the bike sit until march or April, will I have to do all the work again? (hope that makes sense).

raul10141964 · 10-09-2012, 11:42 AM

i will do it now to bi ready for the first good day in sprin

northsidegz · 10-09-2012, 12:27 PM

Hypno, will you be storing it indoors? If indoors, I would do the work now and then properly store the bike (up on blocks or motorcycle lift so the tires are off the ground) and with an empty tank and carb cleaner run through the system. On tough part (I think) will be knowing the effects of rusty pipes. They may or may not impact the airflow depending upon the extent and location of the rust. I.e. are they just surface rust spots, or are there holes in the exhaust.

Hypno Rider · 10-09-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northsidegz

Hypno, will you be storing it indoors? If indoors, I would do the work now and then properly store the bike (up on blocks or motorcycle lift so the tires are off the ground) and with an empty tank and carb cleaner run through the system. On tough part (I think) will be knowing the effects of rusty pipes. They may or may not impact the airflow depending upon the extent and location of the rust. I.e. are they just surface rust spots, or are there holes in the exhaust.

Right now it will be stored outdoors in the backyard. If I can get off my lazy tail and make room in the garage, then it will be indoors but it will be at least another month before I can tackle that job. The rust on the pipes appears to be all surface rust, and a lot of it, I can't see any holes yet. Thanks.

Hypno Rider · 10-09-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raul10141964

i will do it now to bi ready for the first good day in sprin

Thanks

alantf · 10-09-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hypno Rider

The rust on the pipes appears to be all surface rust, and a lot of it, I can't see any holes yet. Thanks.

There's one hole you mustn't fill. It's the one that comes drilled from the factory, to let moisture drain out. It's under the exhaust pipe.

10-09-2012, 06:10 AM	#1
Hypno Rider Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New York Republic Posts: 29	Any suggestions? Hi guys, I just picked up a 1999 GZ250 with 2000 miles on the clock, here is the story: I got it from a friend for $200 bucks. He said he bought it from a motorcycle training school for $700 bucks because he needed something to practice on to get his license. The bike is not running. He said its been sitting for a year outside in the yard uncovered. He showed me a video of him riding the bike about a year ago, right after installing a $15 dollar eBay battery, and she fired right up strong and was riding perfectly, and that was after sitting for a couple of months. Also, very oddly, the bike has definitely been sitting but the tires have not deflated. They are still full of air. The seat is a little loose and shaky, the exhaust pipes are rusty from sitting in the rain, the gas tank is a little shaky and pretty dinged up and I don't have the keys. Other than that,she looks pretty good :2tup: What do you guys think I should be focused on to get her up and running? All ideas will be greatly appreciated. Will a 2004 ignition fit a 1999 GZ250? Why would the gas tank and seat be loose? Should I replace the pipes or just try to clean the rust? Thanks in advance for any help guys. P.S. I missed the most important question: should I start the work now? Or should I just wait until after the new york winter? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-09-2012, 07:53 AM	#2
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: Any suggestions? The left side cover has a key lock in it, you need to get this out to make a key, The seat comes off with the key. The gas cab needs this key also. Two bolts under the front of the seat and the tank will lift off. Fresh gas and seafoam or berrymmans b12 to drain thru the carb, new plug. The carb will need to be cleaned. Pipes are the least worry now. They will clean up with Barkeepers friend. 2004 ignition fit a 1999 GZ250? Yes Only you know the answer to this... P.S. I missed the most important question: should I start the work now? __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..."
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10-09-2012, 10:45 AM	#3
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Any suggestions? If you get the bike running fine and plan to use it, you will need new tires. Check the date stamp on the sidewalls (in a little rectangular box imprinted in the rubber) - it gives the week and year of manufacture of the tires. If they the originals or are more than 6 years old you need to replace them even though the tread may look good or the sidewalls look OK. The rubber gets hard and brittle and loses its' grip on the road and may be a safety hazard. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-09-2012, 11:20 AM	#4
Hypno Rider Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New York Republic Posts: 29	Re: Any suggestions? Appreciate the tips guys. @ mrlmd1: thanks, I checked the tires for life, but never considered the year they were made. I'm glad you exposed me to this because, by eye, the tires look damn good and they only have 2000 miles on them. I would have never thought about the production year or the rubber hardening. Awesome info. @ JWR: thank you for your help. I nearly fell off my chair laughing after reading your comment. You see, I am a master hypnotist and you sent me into a trance for about a minute and a half with this statement: "only you know the answer to this...". That is one of those statements that we hypnotists use to send a person inside to reflect on things. I'm not used to having someone send "me" inside, so it was hilarious to find myself sitting there staring off into space in this trance just thinking about your statement. Cool, and a first for me. Thanks.
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10-09-2012, 11:28 AM	#5
Hypno Rider Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New York Republic Posts: 29	Re: Any suggestions? @JWR: the reason I asked about doing the work now is because I won't be riding much during the new york winter. I would hate to do all of the work to get it up and running again, and still have to do it all over again because it sat during the winter. I guess my question should have been, if I do the work now in October and let the bike sit until march or April, will I have to do all the work again? (hope that makes sense). Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-09-2012, 11:42 AM	#6
raul10141964 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Elkhart, Indiana Posts: 369	Re: Any suggestions? i will do it now to bi ready for the first good day in sprin
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10-09-2012, 12:27 PM	#7
northsidegz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 305	Re: Any suggestions? Hypno, will you be storing it indoors? If indoors, I would do the work now and then properly store the bike (up on blocks or motorcycle lift so the tires are off the ground) and with an empty tank and carb cleaner run through the system. On tough part (I think) will be knowing the effects of rusty pipes. They may or may not impact the airflow depending upon the extent and location of the rust. I.e. are they just surface rust spots, or are there holes in the exhaust. __________________ 1982 Suzuki GS450 Bobber (SOLD) 2000 Suzuki GZ250 (SOLD) 1998 Kawasaki Vulcan 800A (Present Ride)
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