I have a question for the Kawasaki guys

[08Cruiser]

I have a chance to pickup a 1991 Ninja 650 for $200. It has been laid down lightly (scratched up) and has a rod knock. Is it worth it to rebuild these motors? I have found a couple places online that sell rebuilt motors for $745 and up. Just curious on your thoughts for this.

[08Cruiser]

Come on guys. 33 Views and no replys. Doesnt anybody know anything about rebuilding these motors?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Come on guys. 33 Views and no replys. Doesnt anybody know anything about rebuilding these motors?

Nope

[GooseMan]

there is no such thing as a Ninja 650...at least not from 1991 (only 2006+ I believe). Is it a Ninja 500, or 600?

[DogBoy]

First, I'm guessing you are talking about a Ninja 600 since there weren't any 650's in 1991. I'm not sure if the ZX-E was out in '91 so you could be talking about a ZX-6D. I had one of those and its not a very desirable bike. The later ZX6E is a better bike but time has passed it by.

It would cost more to rebuild the engine than buy a replacement engine.

Can you be more specific about your plans for the bike? Daily rider? Side project? Rebuild and sell quickly?

It sounds like the bike would need a lot more than just the engine and I wonder about the how much it would take to put a bike on the road that will probably never be worth more than $1,200 or $1,500. I'd pass on this deal.

[08Cruiser]

The paper I have refers to it as a ZX600-C. Whatever that means. So I assume its a 600. What makes this bike an "undisireable"?
A couple bad pics that I have of it

[DogBoy]

Thats the bike I was thinking of. I had a white one just like it, Mine was an '88 but nothing changed on that model for several years.

These bikes had crappy forks with a goofy anti-dive feature that never worked (as did many Japanese bikes of that era), a very flexible frame and weak brakes. You have limited tire choices for those rims. The engine was strong for a 600 in the late 80's but a new Ninja 650 or SV probably makes the same power over a wider range of rpm. I have a lot nostalgia for sport bikes from the '80s but I wouldn't want another one of those ZX-6's.

[08Cruiser]

Well If the motor just has a knock........I know a guy that has a go-cart frame that would be perfect for it.......


Maybe I'll offer the guy $50 bucks for the bike.

[phoenix]

I would say its a money pit. There's little to no resale hope. If you like to tinker, it might be a decent project to tackle, but it sounds like you're looking at dropping $800 on a rebuilt motor. Before you know it, you'll have over $2000 invested in a bike that you can't get $1500 for it if it were near excellent condition. But you could ride the hell out of it.

[helodoc]

Thats the bike I was thinking of.
These bikes had crappy forks with a goofy anti-dive feature that never worked (as did many Japanese bikes of that era)

You're speaking of that stupid rubber clover leaf in the rear hub, what a stupid piece of shit! Found on ZX-7s of the same era as well. Avoid!

[Andrew]

Run away, run away as fast as you can

[maddjack]

My 2 coppers ,spend the money on something else

[08Cruiser]

The kid wants $300 for the bike, with a rod knocking in it. And half disasimbled. I offered less and he wont take it. Its $800 for a rebuilt motor for it.

So screw it. On to the next project.