Owner said this FREE bike wouldn't run, I fixed it in 2 hours 

I like to think that the bike became self-aware and decided to stop running when the led strips were installed because, unlike the person that put them there, it had dignity.

I’m impressed by the fact that it still has its original front turn signals. I love these little bikes because you can really thrash around on the back roads and not get yourself into too much trouble.

Bet the guy who gave it to you thrilled to know it was easily fixed and now you will make large profit off his generosity.

I truly like the bike. Small as it may be but it still gets one out there enjoying the ride!👍 I like the idea of rescuing those older rides!

What an absolute gem of a bike... And practically new, with such a low mileage! Great job on restoring it and removing that strip!

Owner: It doesn’t run. Rob: Hold my cheese curds! 😂 I’m surprised at how good it sounds. Neat piece of history.

Nice fix. Surprised the engine oil wasn’t checked / changed prior to running or test riding.

I haven't ridden a motorbike for over 40 years, but what a great bike. Makes me wanna go and jump on a bike again. I originally started on mopeds and scooters, and the biggest motorbike I ever got up to, was a Kawasaki 250cc 2-stroke. Kawasaki's distinctive "5 up" gearshift, kick start only if I remember correctly back then. I loved it, the feeling when the power band literally "kicked" in was sweet. That 250cc gave me as much performance as I ever wanted, yet wasn't too heavy for li'l me, so I didn't feel overwhelmed by its size or weight. Twin leading shoe front brake was delightfully smooth (a nicer feel than discs) and never faded in my use of it. Hey what did you do with the Honda 125cc you found in the old house next door ?

Careful with those upper fairing bolts into the tank. They are slightly shorter than the others. It’s very easy to mix them up and puncture the tank, then you’ll notice a fuel leak after you finish filling the tanks.

I had one of these it was very comfortable especially the seat. With larger stage 1 jets and different needles I got as a kit, and stiffer fork springs it was pretty decent for a bike designed in the 80s

Super cool late 80s bike. The aesthetics are ultra new wave. I bet they will cost a buck in the next decades, just by the looks.

My first bike was a 2007 gpx 250 (black, silver and green). They are bloody amazing bikes. 18L of fuel and 4L/100ks, they have the most comfortable seat for long distance and are great for shorter riders. Mine still pulled up to 175kph but struggled over 150, in saying that max speed limit in Australia is 110kph (other than 130 in one state) with learner riders being allowed to do 80kph max. So more than enough to get your feet wet and truly grasp an understanding of how a bike handles and how to rely on riding technique vs power in the twisty roads.

I love that bike, looking forward to see more videos in it. About the fork/handlebar issue, for example

Nice little find. It amazes me what people shall just give up on. Did you put some kind of lube down the bores before attempting that first crank, after it sitting for years? At no point have you mentioned checking the oil at all, but I have to assume that you did before even turning it over, let alone running it. Nice little video, it is always a great feeling bringing something like this back to life.

I am so jealous of that MASSIVE SCORE! I have been wanting to put a 2 stroke in one of those FOREVER!!!!

Wow, only 3200 miles on it, over 20 years old and it's just barely broken in!! This resurrection was fun to watch! I discovered your watching a Beards and Bikes video, I was saddened to see the carb rebuild kit was made in China. Overall I like the bike, it looks like a great bike for a beginner, the condition of the bike is amazing but again it only has 3200 on it so it should have a lot of life left. The condition looks good and looking at the fairing it looks like it hasn't been dumped. As you mentioned it sounds really healthy, I don't think you'll have any problem getting top dollar for the bike, don't sell it cheap, this is a good bike and deserves a decent sale price. I'd love to buy it but have no more room for another bike. I'll be interested in how the sale goes and what it sold for it you publish that information. Interesting and fun video, thank you!!

Free bike, 2 hours work to get running, landed on your feet there Rob 🤘

Nice to see someone fixing things up properly before trying to start it.

Love the tip on the stuck ignition 👍

A little love goes a long way. Great little runabout bike. Kudos to you for investing some common sense TLC.

My first bike was a ‘92, same model. Lots of nostalgia watching and hearing it run.

Man, I love this so much, subbed and liked. Gotta keep these motorcycles going, spread the love.

You see this quite often. Old petrol, old oil, oil braking fluid (not to mention the suspension). Last year somebody asked me to ‘repair’ a Honda 300 cc engine for a water pressure system. Changed the oil and filter, put a proper airfilter on it (old one was close to ‘vanished’ got rid of all the sludge in it, new sparkplugs, cleaned the carb (only one so always sync 😉) Changed the o-rings in it (wrong petrol) filled it up with 98 ron instead of 95 ron with 10% ethanol. One pull on the cord and the thing was running perfect. 1 hour satisfaction work and a very happy owner.

What an awesome bike. Looks almost brand new at the end

Not bad for FREE! I had both a 2006, and a 2008 ( old Gen, and new gen 250) at the same time. I liked the styling of the new gen, but the top end "rush" (if you will) was much better, in the old gen. More usable power, on the freeway, at speeds of 85, or greater. Both had the same top speed, but the old bike had faster acceleration, up high in the rpm range. The newer ninja 250, was great down low, and midrange, but above 85, was kinda gutless. Awesome find! I usually got honks every day, from riding the old "classic" looking one. People thought it was a lot older, simply because the body had not changed, since 1988.

Nice work! I had a 2003 Ninja 250R. Really fun motorcycle, 0 to 60 in about 5+ seconds, top speed of 100+ mph and could handle freeways like a car can. Going up hill is a weakness, as it doesn't have much torque, maybe 18 ft pounds, but I put 35,000 miles on mine before trading it in. The days of these smaller engine options are almost gone, with Kawasaki bumping the 2024 up to a 450cc engine.

Back in 2007 I bought a brand new '07 Ninja 250, in Candy Plasma Blue. '07 was the last year of the first generation Ninja 250, which actually had a real seat and bars that weren't attached to the front axle. Stupidly I sold it 2 years later to buy something else. I wish I still had it. I put a one tooth larger front sprocket on it and rarely ever rode it over 65 mph. It was a real blast in the mountains, light and flickable. And plenty of power for curvy mountain roads. And that seat was worth its weight in gold.

I passed my test on one of these back in 1994. Great little bike.

Me and my son are in the process of getting my 1896 FZ600 going again. It's hard getting some parts if not impossible and it adds up. I have a 1984 VF500 Interceptor also we will tackle next. $$$.

Nice little turn around. Makes a great learner bike for someone.

When you did the carbs, you should bench test them to check for leaks before you put them in the bike. Being that old I often find that the o-rings on the tee or pipes between the carb bodies leak because they dry out. Also with the carbs off it's easier to adjust the valves, I can almost guarantee that they,ve never been done. I had the same year Ninja as you I got late in the year and got it for my son to learn on. They are great starter motorcycles.

I had a ninja 250 for a while. Such an underrated bike and so cheap on the used market

I owned a Ninja 500. I got it almost the same condition as pictured here, fixed it (rebuilded carbs and replaced battery), and it was an amazing machine, no problems whatsoever. I gave it away for free to a student, who needed a cheap means to transport his ass.

These bikes are brilliant! They will see off most 400's! I have a '94 model.

Nice job. The 250s are easy to fix. Usually stuck Carbys, bad fuel and battery. I just bought another Hyosung GV650. Deal of the century. I always enjoy your shows. Keep up the good work. Rob, Cairns, Down Under

Love finding bikes like this. Those 250’s make a great commuter. Toss the led’s and stickers and it’s a nice little bike. Probably have three sets of carbs for it in my shop all cleaned up and ready to go

I bought two off the showroom floor in 2008. Black & Silver they have 15,000 miles each as I changed colors daily, a hand injury has them dusty for the last few years.

That trick to loosen up the lock was pretty neat. Learned something new

I drove it last year in 400cc catagory and i like this old machine.

Pretty cool, this 2003 Ninja 250 has all the same running gear as my 1988 ZX-10 !!

This is a dream come true! A bit lucky you were / are, and I hope that continues.

Looks almost brand new and for free? What a great deal!

I love this bike. Those little 250s are fun as hell. I'd make it a track bike.

Favorite bike n recent memory. Fun, economical. I owned a Concours at the same time and for knocking around town the 'Jette was tops.

I like the trick you did with the gas cap. Definitely going to keep that in mind!

My first street bike was a 250 Ninja in 1991. I thought I was so cool. It was a really fun bike. It felt so fast but back then V8 cars made less than 200hp so it sort of was for the time.

Awesome stuff. Greetings from Madrid, Spain! So hooked up on your channel, man! Keep up the good work!

Nice little 1st bike or run around bike. Good job

Happy 2023 rob, I remember when those first came out in the 80’s right around the same time Hondas hurricane bikes came out. They’re very good little bikes and lightweight.

Damn, a rusted out bike with most parts missing would still cost a bit where I'm from. Getting a full bike for free is insane.

Love watching you work on a carbureted bike

I had an '04 just like that, it was choke thirsty, who ever had it before me broke it in hard. I could not take the choke off till she was at full temp, if it was below 60 it had to stay on all the time. I do miss her some times, lol.

What a lovely little bike.

The pre-gen Ninja 250 is one of the most under-valued and under-appreciated bikes on the road. Crazy durable and reliable, dirt cheap to buy/own/maintain/insure, and it'll happily do anything that an 883 Sportster will do, and then blow the 883 away in the corners. I had mine for 3 years, rode the hell out of it and loved every mile.

6:18 the last time that I had a vacuum style petcock, it had a "Prime" position. That way, fuel flows even without vacuum from the engine.

Definitely wanna purchase. This was my first bike. Someone tried to steal it and tore it up. Definitely would like to buy this as is

Love the tank key trick!!!!

I had the purple n black 250..loved it for my 1st rd bike..put after market pipe on it..

Great job. Who in their righ mind would give a motorbike away?? I’d love a free one to potter on with!

Go Tigers! (I'm an RIT grad...the sticker on the fairing)

Bro you know how nice it would be to find a super cheap example of the old 250s? Just killer machines and genuinely the miata of motorcycles.

You make carb work look so easy. I have Hitachi's on my Yamaha that are pure hell to get right. I swear, it is like a dark art to get carbs on motorcycles right. Carbs on cars are easy compared to bikes.

Turn the main headlight beam off. Yanks eh

I think it looks really retro and cool

i wish i had that bike, i love motorcycles from mid 90s to early 2000s idk why

Throw in fresh oil and maybe chain, new fork springs + oil, sintered pads + braided lines, tyres and this bike is cheap, great start for a beginner.

Even with owning a Hayabusa and ZX-10R, I'd have fun with that thing. 😁 It's a 2002 still with the early 1980s design. I love it!

My first bike 25yrs ago was a Kwacka GPX250R... I miss it. This vid took me back! I spent a lot of time with its fairings off learning about bikes. Bottom line, they are bullet proof and reliable if taken care of. My funnest memory, Philip Island GP track, WOT, redline 165km/h hhahaha need for speed heheh

I had an 05 250 and it was a great first bike and it maxed out at 105mph

Brilliant little bike

Great job great video.... i would have probably changed the oil also before i turned it over ...

Awesome man. I think you should sell it cheap and make someone’s day

Not a bad deal a 250 is a good starter bike and it's good for someone who just wants something to go to town on or just cruise around on the back roads

I got a Kawai ZZR600 for free because it wouldn’t move. The guy said it was stuck in gear…it was not stuck in gear. the brake fluid had locked up the front brakes. Flushed, rebuild the master and caliper. Synced the carbs and used it to get a different bike. I think I had about $50. In the bike.

dang man where can I get those deals, he gave it to you? man those get great MPG, slightly sporty and overall fun to ride... holey smokes he shoots, he SCORES!

Great deal, good starter bike. Greetings from Croatia

I love those older ninja 250’s. Thanks for getting it up and running!

That’s awesome looking bike I need to get one

At least the LED strip was done neatly unlike some that I've seen.

i want one of these so bad. old 250. first bike i ever wanted

You can rebuilt any ruined or dead battery if you own at least a 200 amp battery charger. Make sure the fluids are up to where they're supposed to be. Leave the caps off the battery and set your charger for 200 amp for 15 minutes. Most have timers so let the 15 minutes pass and let the battery rest for one hour then set the charger for another 15 minutes at 200 amp. Do this to where your battery gets at least four 15 minute charges at 200 amps and now you have a battery that is as good as brand new. Enjoy! Been doing it for years. Seems every time I look at the prices of batteries for a pickup or car, they're running at $150 minimum. Last time I bought a motorcycle battery was in '81' for a '76' Honda CB 750 four and it cost me $54.

That thing looks brand spanking new.

Even for an experienced rider there is a lot of fun in riding (thrashing) a small capacity bike like this to it's performance limits rather than a larger capacity one and achieving less than it's capabilities, In many cases much less satisfying.

That's good for a free bike. quick turnaround with minimal payout. And hopefully a good profit. Happy days.

I don't remember these, perhaps we didn't have this model in UK? I did have a Kawasaki GPZ305.

Daeyummmmm Rob, such a suweet byk. Luks lyk a kid's motorcycle wid ur frame sittn on it. Ben frm India

hello foreman, origin from Poland and I watch your repair videos and you do a very good job, I have a general request if you can post with subtitles in Polish? it would be great if I understood what you are saying😅 and I think you would gain a lot of viewership this way, best regards.

Enjoyed this episode. As its different from the norm and its a classic with carbs

The plastics look good. It didn’t seem to get ridden much. Is there more story behind that ninja 250cc? It seems like it’s in great form because the owner or owners didn’t get opportunity for road time. Its been a long time since I laid eyes on a carbureted motor bike. That’s what I learned on. Only carburetor I deal with on a continuous basis is my lawnmower. Hey RK, out of curiosity that bike has me pondering. Do you think walk behind mowers will ever loose carburetor to fuel injection? I’m talking the small mowers. Great bike and great video. Thanks for the journey through the mechanics garage as always. Double 👍’s up to you brother RK.

Nice job!

I have always used guitar strings to clean out the jet holes.. I noticed you sprayed the jets but do you also clean the jet holes out as well?

Boy, I wish I could find freebies like that.

notes the windscreen on the left side is bend inwarts towarts you .

Love it . Did you flush the tank with anything before putting new fuel in . Thanks neil in the UK.

amazing! that is a jewel

If I wasn't halfway across the country I'd buy this! I love those little Ninja 250's!

I had one of those they were called ZZR250 over here 🇬🇧 great handling bike lots of fun and nice ride position too with the raised clip ons😊

Great Job

Gorgeous bike, clean. It's basically new. What did the people who installed the LEDs think???

Youve probably went over it by now but im surprised, no brake fluid change? Check the oil? Throttle wire and clutch wires?