Another new & proud 250R '10 owner with lots of work to do! | GTAMotorcycle.com

Another new & proud 250R '10 owner with lots of work to do!

sleepityme

sleepityme

Active member
(Reintroduction!)
Sweet looking in that Island Blue Metallic, though I've had it since October and already tipped it twice. Once in the rain where I pulled too much front brake and the weight slipped right beneath the bike, and another where I stopped awkwardly and the bike just gave up it's balance. Had a scare on the second time when the bike didn't start, but just needed to let the carbs (or was it the ignition?) drain for an hour while I ran 2km to the nearest Home Depot to borrow a set of tools and make sure it wasn't the battery connection since I was fiddling with it earlier in the week.

Returned back to the Home Depot, thanked the man who lent me a wrench and flathead and promptly bought my own set of allen keys, screwdriver, and found a #17/#14 wrench for those bolts that were otherwise tricky with an monkey wrench.

I've winterized by topping up the gas, dropping in the stabilizer, went out for a 25km run, and topped it up again with more gas. Now sitting behind my car in an underground garage on some pitbull stands, and the battery is nice and warm, tending beside my bed stand.

Riding season begins (hopefully!) in about 3-4 months, and I'm thinking about doing some work with my bike.


To do list from easiest to hardest with links to eBay items (I'm looking for cheap options as I'm in a frugal situation now, but I'm trying to source from Canada first, then US & China after wherever I can):
- Install waterproof outlet and USB charger
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251796280255

- Replace all backlighting on dash with #194 super bright white LEDs
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/400061410682

- Replace all turn signals with brighter LED ones (I'll have to make sure not to tip the bike since these don't bend!)
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/271606520792

- Replace rear tail light fluorescent bulbs with super bright 80W white CREE LED bulb @ 1000lm
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/131282434928

- Wire up a pair of diodes behind the dash to fix 4 way blinking issue known to come with installing LED turn signals
Based on this - http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/My_LED_turn_signals_don't_work_right

- Mend/seal a few cracks that happened during the first slip spill with ABS Remover and clear ABS Cement
Based on this? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYniBuNNOA4

- Change handlebar grips
Kept seeing that Oury was recommended to be the most comfortable! - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/171197623060

- Build & install a retrofit of HIDs with 55w ballasts, projectors, xLED halos, relay harness, and switches to toggle low beam, hi beam, and halos (through stock hi beam switch, and two additional switches to turn on low beam and halos as desired)
HID bulb kit - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/131255368308?var=430534118791
Projector with solenoid kit - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/271537293590
Halos - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/171447691036?var=470481653812
Halo covers - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/161457945837
Halo inverter ballasts - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/121450539598
Orange LED strip to place inside shroud to turn on with HIDs and shine from slots behind halos - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/161098086290
Relay harness to make both bulbs low beam (will wire solenoids to high beam input to toggle on with stock switch) - http://www.ebay.ca/itm/151077497442

- Change my own tires
Michelin Pilot Road 3 Front Tires - 110/70/17 - http://www.revzilla.com/product/michelin-pilot-road-3-front-tires
Michelin Pilot Street Radial Rear Tires - 140/70/17 - http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/michelin-pilot-street-radial-rear-tires

Total before tires: $185~ CAD


Hopefully I can turn this thread or transplant a part of it into the projects or similar section where it'll come to help others who're trying to do something of the same.
I'll write about how it goes with each mini projects and try to take pictures to help others see what happened.

It would be great to know other Canadians & Torontonians who've got insight into where I can get the best deals or people to go to for assistance!
Maybe even make a friend in Buffalo, NY so I can hop down and pick up some stuff ordered within the US?

Thanks, and glad to be part of this community!
This forum has really been a wealth of knowledge, so I look forward to bumping heads with you all!


Resources and references I found helpful:
Dash light - https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=64261
General HID wiring and headlight housing retrofitting - http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r/198734-how-install-bkmoto-bixenon-hid-projectors-angel-eyes-halos-2008-ninja-250r.html
Four Youtube videos that help to bring it closer all together:
General ballast & HID install (no projector or relay switch, for car) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxb-S4wZzxc
Relay harness setup I - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smjmdN5dU9E
Relay harness setup II - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=648zz98xqqs
Solenoid and projector explanation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFF2XoZJIBo



p.s. I'm currently occupied with the follow on screen: Archer, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Suits, Agent Carter, Gotham & Marvel's Agents of Shield
Also, anyone up for paintball?
 
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Welcome!
Wheelie.gif
 
Thanks!

I'll follow up with some project photos once the parts come in a month's time!

Update:
After starting a new thread in general and group buys for tires and HIDs respectively, I jumped the gun a bit and purchased all the hardware last night.
Not tires yet, but not I'm getting $100 HIDs (from YZFer if anyone's interested, and he has a tire company too).
My set up still costs less, for about $60 base, $80 with the fancy LED halos and the orange afterglow that'll shine through the small slits on the side of the projectors.

BUT! Anyway, I had some drawings I wanted to share in case anyone else was looking to do the same, and they're still trying to figure out wiring.

First one is when I thought I'd have a separate switch to control halos and low beam.
Reason for this was so that I can pull up into the driveway late at night and not wake up the family.
Second was to run with just halos on as DRLs.
Third was so that I can keep both bulbs off (low beams, since solenoids wouldn't activate unless hi beam was switched on with the factory switch) when I turned on the bike, avoiding unnecessary stress and load on the battery/electrical system.

The second diagram is me giving up on the switches.
It also eventually just saved me $70 by also giving up on an integrated taillight, extra wiring, finding cheaper alternatives and etc.
I've been told that despite the increase to 55W, the relay should keep everything stable, and the HIDs don't draw as much power as the stock incandescent bulbs.
Also thought to connect the halos and afterglow to the dash lights since they turn on first when the keys are first turned to on.
Hopefully with less power being drawn into the LEDs that I'm upgrading to on the dash lights, the LEDs within the halo and projectors can be powered by the same source (I'm going to hook it up to the tachometer side LED).
Upon ACC or ignition, then the low beams are turned on.
Hi beams are still wired up the same to the hi input, controlled by the factory switch.

I'm open for questions or critique on the matter.

(Can't seem to upload images right now, I'm just going to leave these links on here. The images are fairly large, btw)
 
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I was looking for something like this, but the cheapest one that I found was for $20. Also, I think the one for the 250r is just two pin, not three.

I'll just try the diodes since I'll be behind the dash anyway, and if the rate of repetition is too high, then I'll just have to buy a flasher relay.

Hope the snowstorm will tide over soon and I'll get my parts by the end of March!


EDIT: Made a HUGE mistake on my drawing, the wire that comes out from the Relay that goes through the Fuse is suppose to connect with the positive connection on the battery.
 
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Actually, reading everything again I thought we were talking about resistors. You will have to go with either resistors or an electronic flasher to fix the hyper blinking issue. I would go electronic flasher, like mentioned in the page you linked to.

The diodes you might need either way.
 
As I thought, diodes are needed for LED turn signal light on the dash. If you put an LED in the dash, it will only work for one side of the bike. It has to do with the way the wiring for that light is setup. You'll need to rearrange the circuit. For the actual signals themselves, you just need resistors or an electronic flasher. I did both of these on either my old GS500 or my current R6. Let us know if you need help.

OURY grips are nice, I have a set on my bike and haven't had numb hands since.

If you're going to do the 5V charger, spend the extra time and a few extra dollars to wire it up properly (with an automotive relay). It's not that hard and better in many ways. It won't stay on and drain your battery when the bike is off, and wiring it straight to your battery or through another circuit is just asking for trouble.
 
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First, welcome to the forum.

Second I would just like to say that one of my favourite things about my bike is that I can dim the display lights at night. Putting something super bright in there might annoy the hell out of you or cause distractions when it comes to riding at night. Just a thought
 
Hey there!

Just a bit of an update and response to those who've been really awesome at giving me advice.

I just got some of the parts, stupidly thought I was going to get a pair of projectors, so for anyone else ordering like me, ORDER two!

Secondly, it's good to hear the news about OURY grips. They don't look like much, but I believe in them.

A note about the super brights, I don't like not being able to see my gauges properly. Also, where I ride around Toronto is fairly well lit, yet there's so much glare that comes back from the dash from the streetlights. Better to have them annoy me a bit than anything.
 
2nd update before final DIY complete posting!

I've been learning things the hard way during this whole thing... like how parts from eBay take nearly 60 days to receive, and how I should also be concerned that projectors that are made for cars won't fit motorcycles. Additionally, how paint really doesn't magically stick to a smooth and reflective surface.

Almost there, but I've got the correct size of parts, and somehow, I'm layering on the paint onto the bits of splatter that just happen to cling onto the reflectors. Hopefully it won't peel off in the end!

Pictures are coming, and so are the warnings for people to avoid what I've been messing up on.
I didn't know any better, and I don't come from a background of handy work or any other work that deals with metal tools (outside of the kitchen and office).

Riding season is upon us soon, and you'll be seeing a new looking Ninja 250 in the GTA with HID projectors, blue devil eyes, LED halo rings and LED turn signals!!
 
Not sure if you did, but it's a good idea to do at least some light sanding on whatever it is you're going to paint. When you scuff up the surface it makes it rough and the paint sticks to it better. Same thing with gluing things. Just make sure you clean it well to get rid of all the dust before you paint.

Painting is the fun part, but the quality really comes from the prep.

Looking forward to seeing some pics.
 
spray____ said:
Not sure if you did, but it's a good idea to do at least some light sanding on whatever it is you're going to paint. When you scuff up the surface it makes it rough and the paint sticks to it better. Same thing with gluing things. Just make sure you clean it well to get rid of all the dust before you paint.

Painting is the fun part, but the quality really comes from the prep.

Looking forward to seeing some pics.
Click to expand...

I should have thought about the prep, but I didn't. I'm too anxious to get my lights in and start riding!
(Saw a few enduros and a couple of nice red ninjas out today!)
 
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