Ninja 250 small sprocket cover

Starscream25

Hi, just wondering has anyone ever had any trouble removing the small sprocket cover on a ninja 250 and if so how you managed to get it off, I've removed the gear shifter and also 3 screws that attach the cover over the sprocket, there doesn't seem to be any other screws to be removed, I'm having awful trouble with it, tried putting a bit of muscle into it but my hands and fingers are killing me now, tried putting a small rope in there to latch around the cover but again to no success. I just want to clean up all the gunk in there, am I missing something simple or does it just require a bit more patience and leverage, there does seem to be a bit of give but still won't come off.cheers

Wossack

wee guide on it here:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_I_change_the_front_sprocket%3F

it shouldnt take that much force to remove a plastic cover, so dont go overboard, else you'll be having to replace something..!

Starscream25

Wossack wrote: »

wee guide on it here:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_I_change_the_front_sprocket%3F

it shouldnt take that much force to remove a plastic cover, so dont go overboard, else you'll be having to replace something..!

Thanks wossack, I'll give it another go tomorrow

rat_race

I had a lot of trouble removing the sprocket cover on my Ninja 250 too. Gunk and/or factory sealant seize it in place. No amount of tapping or pulling/shoving would budge it. In the end I got a piece of wood, and from the otherside of the bike, used it as leverage against somewhere on the engine (can't remember exactly), to slowly work it off. It took a bit of effort, and it was a fairly tight fit (getting the piece of wood into the right place), but worked okay.

rat_race

rat_race wrote: »

I had a lot of trouble removing the sprocket cover on my Ninja 250 too. Gunk and/or factory sealant seize it in place. No amount of tapping or pulling/shoving would budge it. In the end I got a piece of wood, and from the otherside of the bike, used it as leverage against somewhere on the engine (can't remember exactly), to slowly work it off. It took a bit of effort, and it was a fairly tight fit (getting the piece of wood into the right place), but worked okay.

Actually, I think I hit the wood a hammer, pretty damn hard. Did the trick. Don't think I used any leverage to budge it.

Starscream25

rat_race wrote: »

Actually, I think I hit the wood a hammer, pretty damn hard. Did the trick. Don't think I used any leverage to budge it.

Cheers rat race, got it off in the end, used a very slender long piece of wood and hit in from underneath the bike and through the bike from other side. In the process of cleaning it now,what a nightmare, this is my first time cleaning it and am quite new to DIY on the motorbike, the gunk is so gunky and am trying to get everything off the cover so I can get it to look grand spanking shiny new, gave the sprocket and all the bits inside a good clean too but by god it's a mess. Would you recommend any cleaning sprays or anti gunk sprays?

rat_race

Starscream25 wrote: »

Cheers rat race, got it off in the end, used a very slender long piece of wood and hit in from underneath the bike and through the bike from other side. In the process of cleaning it now,what a nightmare, this is my first time cleaning it and am quite new to DIY on the motorbike, the gunk is so gunky and am trying to get everything off the cover so I can get it to look grand spanking shiny new, gave the sprocket and all the bits inside a good clean too but by god it's a mess. Would you recommend any cleaning sprays or anti gunk sprays?

Get some kind of degreaser...or chain cleaner spray -- though I find most chain cleaners to be kinda ****, and some degreasers barely work, while others work great.

Kerosene (i.e., diesel) or similar would be very good too...I find some bicycle teflon lubes to be really excellent cleaners too...

Whatever you do, rinse off with water afterwards. You definitely won't clean that stuff easily with just hot water and car shampoo!

Get a good thick brush at it!

Starscream25

Gave it a good clean alright, but my feelings of accomplishment dwindled soon after when I dropped the bike on its side when trying to take it off the centre stand, the side of the house broke most of its fall thankfully but broke the right mirror. Currently looking on ebay for just the mirror plate as opposed to the whole 'wing'.

rat_race

Starscream25 wrote: »

Gave it a good clean alright, but my feelings of accomplishment dwindled soon after when I dropped the bike on its side when trying to take it off the centre stand, the side of the house broke most of its fall thankfully but broke the right mirror. Currently looking on ebay for just the mirror plate as opposed to the whole 'wing'.

You got lucky, could have been worse!! I just view the odd accident as part and parcel of being a biker who does DIY...