Need some older 500 info

[rogue]

Hello all - 1997 Ninja 500R

Basicly story goes - This is my first bike. Got it from a friend of a friend for next to nothing... Bike has been sitting now for sometime(year) in a garage. Visally looks to be in good shape. Bike cranks with no problem, but will not fire.

Basicly before I tear in to this, just wanted to get a feel for what could be the issue. Ive been pointed towards stuck/gubbed up carb, or a ? floater pin ? or soemthing that could of become stuck over time.

Only mods to the bike are the fully muzzy exhaust.

Should be a nice bike to learn on this summer and trade up to a 600 or so next summer. Just wanna fix this problem now.

Also - are there anythings to .. look out for? or watch for with this model? etc.

Thanks a bunch!

[Hammerhead]

Pull the plugs and crank it over to check for spark. If you have spark, it's a fuel delivery issue. If so, remove the carbs, disassemble, clean and re-synchronize. Gas only lasts for 30 days, then tries to turn back into a dinosaur bone.

[Kawi_T]

Whenever I buy a used bike (and I've bought some that were sitting a while) I start by cleaning the carbs, putting in brand new spark plugs, a brand new battery, cleaning the gas tank, new fuel filter, new fuel lines if they look bad, new oil filter and oil. Thats a really good start on getting the bike running and all that stuff needs to be replaced anyway so just go ahead and do it right away. Once the bike runs don't forget to check the brakes, tires, and chain before you do too much riding. A friend of mine had a ninja 500. It is a very good bike to start on (a much better bike than a ninja 250 IMO, which many people pick as their first bike). It is surprisingly quick and powerful enough to burn the tire!

[rogue]

97 ninja for 800 bucks... i considered it a worthy starter bike.

Alright, first thing Ill check the plugs.


If they are firing, I guess its in to the carb I go.

But in the event they are NOT firing, even with new plugs(what plugs do you reccommend?) What could be the issue?


Because of the nature of the carb, does running any carb/fuel injector cleaner help maintian the efficiency and smoothe operation of a clean carb, or is it just enevitable that it needs to come apart and be cleaned.


As for the gas going back to dino in 30 days... My DSM sits for MONTHS on end over winter with nothing done to it. And it fires up every time.