Any caveats on a 1984 Ninja 900?

[wolfen42]

I'm going to be taking a look at an 1984 ninja 900 this week hopefully. Is there anything in particular on that bike I should be looking out for? My motorcycle wrenching experience has all been on my ninja 250....

[E.Diane]

Well, I'm no expert here but with any older machine you've got to consider there might be a bit more wrenching involved than you may be up for? It depends on the condition of the bike and how well preserved it is. I have an '85 with a lot of work in it that I think of as a "vintage" bike but I can't imagine a stock 1984 Ninja wouldn't need something done to it.

That was the first model year and the most revolutionary sportbike of the day. There's quite a few guys around here with '84's and '85's and a couple of project bike builders lurking around that may be able to give you all the details of what to look for? Maybe it's a nice bike and has been maintained and is obviously a bargain...sometimes you see a machine and it speaks to you and if it's one of those, you'll know.

Any used bike I bought would get tires first unless they are new and under 2 years old. An old 900 is probably going to need a chain and sprockets and if it has been sitting, figure a battery and carb overhaul. The petcock is probably shot if it hasn't been rebuilt and the condition of the rubber intake parts needs to be eyeballed. Note if it has an airbox or pod filters. Check all the rubber brake lines and fluid levels. See if the rotors are ground up and see if the front suspension stiffens up when you hold the brake on and pump them 3 or 4 times. These bikes had some oiling problems and camshaft problems and some ran hot. There was a recall to install a resistor in the temp guage circuit.

They're pretty neat old bikes with the keyword being old. Everything that you've learned about working on your 250 will apply to the 900. The chain adjustment is funky and requires a couple mondo allen wrenches to adjust and it takes a thin walled plug socket you might not have in your kit.

Hope this helps a little and gets some additional comments.

...Diane

[wolfen42]

Thanks Diane, I really appreciate your help. It sounds like the guy who's selling it has been riding it pretty regularly and has put on a new chain and some other stuff recently. Here's hoping