Gas tank leak on old Ninja 250

Lunaonwheels

Lunaonwheels

Active member
Hey there,

I'm looking into buying an older Ninja 250. I've been told it has a small gas leak on the tank (due to a bolt hitting it) and it was sitting for a while before being ridden again.

Two questions: Do you guys know of a cheap and safe way to fix the gas tank and if not, how much do you think it would cost to get a new one?

What other issues might I encounter if the bike sat for a while before being ridden?

Thanks!
 
stan23

stan23

Well-known member
If this is your first bike, and you are not too mechanically inclined, I would pass.

Not saying you can't polish a turd, but for a first bike you want something ridden regularly and is reliable.

How old are the tires? Chain?

But to answer your question, you are probably better off finding a used tank on CL or ebay. They will probably run around $200 for a working one.

As for not being ridden, I checked out an '04 250 recently that was last ridden about a year ago. The bike started, but would not hold an idle at all. Probably needs a good carb cleaning and fresh fuel.
 
Lunaonwheels

Lunaonwheels

Active member
Hey there, the bike's being sold very cheap, so it leaves room for getting a new tank if necessary. It sat for a while, but it has recently been ridden for 500 miles with no issues. That means it's idling, but I didn't ask about the chain. Good point.

How much does a chain usually cost?
 
stan23

stan23

Well-known member
A chain and sprocket set will run about $140 + installation.

Also make sure the tires aren't old... Unlike a car, motorcycle tires have a shelf life (a cutoff time would be about 4 years, before they get dangerously old and crusty -- not matter the treadwear)

If you're set on a 250, go find one that has been regularly ridden. I can't stress enough on that.. my GF recently got an '03 for $1800, with tons of extra parts and suspension mods (the only mods worth-a-damn-on-a-used-bike)
 
Lunaonwheels

Lunaonwheels

Active member
The tires are new, thank god. The woman who's riding it now got new ones when she got it.
I'd like to get a newer bike too (or one I know the history of), but I'm limited on my budget and I can't really find that many below $2000.

I've been told the main issue with a bike that sits for a while are the fluids. Is there an easy way to check damage on that?
 
stan23

stan23

Well-known member
I would at least change the oil, coolant, and flush the brake fluid.

If you can't or don't have anyone help you with the above mentioned, you're looking at another $150 in service fees.

When was the last time the valves were checked? brake pads?

How many miles on the bike, and how long has it been sitting. Everything is a factor..
 
2strokeYardSale

2strokeYardSale

Moab on my mind
A little hole can be fixed with JB Weld or some kind of liquid steel. Be sure to replace the offending bolt with something shorter. (See Ninja250.org for more info.)

For a pierced tank, gummed up carbs, old fluids, etc. I'd want a hell of a good price.
 
Lunaonwheels

Lunaonwheels

Active member
How's $500 for you? ;)

I'm not sure about the fluids or the carbs, I didn't ask. I'll make sure to ask though. What can happen if that's the case, though? Would the bike just stop running?
 
J

Junkie

gone for now
I got a decent condition tank for the price of shipping from someone on the ninja 250 forum. It ended up leaking after about a year, at which point I bought another tank for $50 (which I haven't tested yet, as my engine isn't currently operational). It's easy as hell to swap the tank too.

If you care much about the color of the tank, it'll be a bit harder to find one.
 
Lunaonwheels

Lunaonwheels

Active member
I don't care much about anything more than the bike running and not failing in a way I might die.

Apart from that, it's all good. :cool
 
rick

rick

Well-known member
Half the Ninja 250 tanks on the planet leak at some time or another. Usually from the bolt hole when somebody tried to use too long of a bolt. After that the ears on the forward end of the bottom start to go. Either way just pack it with JB Weld.
 
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