Kawasaki Ninja 250 Cafe Racer Build

2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250
Blue Collar Bobbers Kit
Total Build Time: 2 months
Songs:
Ryan Farish - Music Box
Christina Novelli, Fabio XB - Back to You (Wach Remix)
Cameras:
Iphone X
Xiaomi Yi 4k
DJI Mavic Pro
Software:
Adobe Premiere
Adobe Audition

[@BunglowBill]

I'm 33 seconds in and I already love the production quality. Great content. Thanks for sharing.

[@hawkeyepierce3199]

Best looking ninja 250 I have ever seen, so simple yet perfect. Awesome build.

[@SyafulMohamad]

Simple build, great result! Nice!

[@roguetrader4156]

That's a perfect Ninja mate! Great job and my hats to you for turning something normal to an extra-ordinary. Well done.

[@clemmie4]

Top notch content. Hello from Malaysia

[@rickyvann118]

I'm in love with it man. This was my first bike and trying to decide on keeping/selling It's sentimental,so I plan on making something sick out of it kinda like this

[@jonaltschuler8034]

Beautiful work! Great video!

[@tskorka1000]

Beautiful work. I am most of the way through my build on a 2004 Ninja with the same kit. I love the gauges you used. I can't wait until she is back on the road.

[@craigchung9772]

Love this video.. I've been wanting to do this for years but haven't found the right bike. You've inspired me

[@zthang118]

Thanks! Trust me, if I can do it absolutely anyone could. Gluck and show us your build when you're done

[@craigchung9772]

@@zthang118 Thanks man.. is there any way to get in contact with you? Might need some pointers

[@zthang118]

@@craigchung9772 Sure just send me a youtube message I'd be happy to help

[@DeerbrookSouthernRR]

My brother in law has a 2004 ninja that’s been sitting. If I can get it at a good price I’m doing this for sure

[@cameroninfocus916]

Nicely done!

[@oscard.jesusolivas4441]

Me gusta buen trabajo hiciste ,that exactly i want to do in my ninja 250 is so comfort

[@power_of_Christ_God]

Amazing!! Such a beautiful bike!

[@chrirule]

I bought a wrecked Ninja 250 with the intention of doing exactly this. I even went to SLC to talk to Blue Collar Bobbers about the kit and build process, but didn't have the money at the time to buy either Cafe kit. Now I'm ready and I'm sad to announce they have discontinued the kit!! It makes me sick to my stomach! If anyone has links to pieces and parts and can share, it would be greatly appreciated!!!

[@kukaracha8006]

Hey im new in motorcycles and do u know if its good idea if i do exactly the same thing? I mean is it easy to maintain?

[@rameezsafdar6563]

Just beautiful. I'm working on my 250cc bike. Hope it works out great. Amen.

[@zthang118]

Thanks. Good luck on your build, link some vids/pics when you're done

[@rameezsafdar6563]

@@zthang118 sure i will

[@peterroda4181]

Really well done!

[@VroomBroomZoom]

Outstandingly video!!! Loved how easily you wrapped it.

[@spuddie]

Houston streetz! Very cool build. Might do one.

[@wolfdad1512]

Very nice results.

[@dennishuett7542]

I love how you built it to mimic the classic Norton's I'm looking at getting the Blue Collar Bobbers Kit as well but I do have a few questions on some alternate parts you used and hope you can answer back. 1st speedo & tach what did you use? 2nd handle bar lowers what brand did you choose? and last? you used a wrap for the color choice where did you get the wrap in your video ?

[@zthang118]

Unfortunately I don't think BCB produces this kit anymore. The speedo and tach are generic sets from ebay. Just search 'cafe racer tach speedo'. The clip-ons are from Woodcraft. The wrap is from metrorestyling.com

[@RatAndRaven]

Really nice job, well built bike. But wear a jacket and get some proper footwear.

[@westerncivilization]

Fantastic job! Great video!

[@mattygschannel]

So sick man

[@blackeagle9774]

My man, this is legit!!! I see it has a Texas license. Do you have a shop and how much something like this would cost? Thanks for the video posted.

[@stoptakingusernamepls6381]

Probably the cleanest 250 caferacer ive seen on the internet, im looking forward to do this with my 2015 ninja 250. The chassis should be the same as yours right?

[@zthang118]

I don't think so actually. I believe they changed the chassis after the 2008 or 2009 year

[@rileyjamesmusic9333]

Did you make the piece behind the seat or buy it ? Getting an 89 ninja 500 I plan on building into a cafe racer.

[@kenjuicekrajewski9577]

Great work. You've got talent

[@MalcolmYapp80]

Really nice..👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@leadsolo2751]

Brilliant !! :D

[@markdelichte5401]

Awesome

[@shmallzshmwall]

Wow, I need to do this now!

[@aggieforlife13]

My buddy in Houston just bought a ninja and I told him to do it just like yours

[@phildawe7172]

cool. like the green. great video editing too

[@redthebeard1119]

Looks Fucking sick in motion !

[@Duskworker]

wow you did a great job

[@BoondockSaintRyan]

Amazing job.

[@guillequintana2205]

I have an 1998 Ex 250 and I want to modify it. I love the cafe racer style, but I still watching for a back fairing for the motorcycle...

[@Icarusrider]

This is really cool

[@bellaollie2037]

bru this is sick good job!

[@kinghoffbeers7419]

😁👍👍really cool man!!

[@instrider]

Ohhh woww 👌💚

[@vytas5584]

You work quick man! Impressive. I bet that riding position ain't too comfy without moving the rear pegs back though yeah? Have you been tempted to go to drag bars or something instead?

[@chengzack5715]

I think the light can be lower and it’ll look better

[@mrobertson188]

Bad ass skills

[@TacticalNinjaGaming]

pretty epic

[@dlopez7535]

Great build

[@fawndang6350]

Great job! I’m working on my own cafe racer mod. I had a few questions about wiring up the new guages. Could you kindly point me in the right direction?

[@zthang118]

Sorry just got a chance to read this. If you havent already figured it out, message me with an email and i'll send you the wiring diagram

[@fawndang6350]

zthang118 Thank you for the reply. ✨ Can you please email me? [e-mail] I greatly appreciate it. 😊 Sorry I don’t know how to private message you from here.

[@MinecraftBuilder381]

Bro, sick af😀🔥

[@rogerlabarr8578]

NICE!

[@williammissik3280]

you couldn't bother taking off the stock decals?

[@marcsandoz2282]

Your bike looks great! What sort of tires are those? I feel like they look beefier than average. They look awesome!

[@zthang118]

The front tire is actually included in the kit. It's a 120/80-16 Shinko tire. The back tire is stock size.

[@ikillit9635]

Yeah I was gonna say, they back tire is totally stock, on the ninja 250r prier to 2008 they had those beefy back tires.

[@СтасМышляев]

Молодец!! Класс. Респект тебе.

[@robertdominguez7682]

Hello. Incredible bike! So they stopped making this kit permanently, but I would like to try and reverse engineer it somehow. Do you still have the instructions so that I can see what components went into your build?

[@zthang118]

Sorry I do not have the instructions anymore, however BCB has a whole installation playlist on youtube. That would be your best bet to find out more about the kit: kzbin.info/aero/PL8PSPeTaG6uEOvbmWnwIE4pFJPC9FFCqQ

[@hughclow2254]

I dig the looks and that it's self built, how long have you been riding?

[@zthang118]

Thanks appreciate the comment. I've been riding casually for about 15 years

[@hughclow2254]

@@zthang118 nice, I just bought a 250 and would love it have a cafe racer look, but I'll just live vicariously for now!

[@EduMotovlogs1994]

Se ve hermosa asi👌🏼❤️

[@macintoshkhan8504]

Whats the max tyre size for both wheels plz tell me. Also if i can fit any pther bike rims?

[@mishmohd]

did not expect it to be this much work tbh

[@sammyg.4255]

Bruuuuuh that shit easy compared to other cafe conversions,

[@Cicero75BC]

Nice

[@FX13FR3DDY619]

What brand headlight and brackets did you use? Just need the headlights to do it to my ninja 250.

[@mogalimckay6200]

Does anyone know where you can get these kits? BCB aren't doing them anymore, I'm looking for a 2012 250 kit.

[@duongjay7865]

Here mate: bluecollarbobbers.com/shop/cafe-racer-kit-2/

[@mogalimckay6200]

@@duongjay7865 thanks mate, unfortunately they aren't getting them back in stock

[@keith6437]

What did you use to cover the top of the forks, where the old handlebars went?

[@zthang118]

@@keith6437 wow I didn't think anyone would ever notice that. I measured the diameter and found some camera lens caps that fit perfectly 😂

[@keith6437]

@@zthang118 Hahaha! Perfect. And cheap! Thanks!

[@chipoplouss]

Did u have any experience before doing this kind of build? Looks fun and interesting

[@zthang118]

I had very little experience actually. Instructions were very good, and I would say this project can definitely be done with only novice experience. The only advice I would give is to spend the extra money and have all the parts professionally painted instead of wrapped.

[@quincyharon3320]

To be honest the bike is ugly! Iam going to give you the cold hard truth. Yup!

[@hazemnasser652]

Quincy Haron fr x"D It's sad, could've turned out much better. As much as I love Cafe Racers but it looked much better at stock before the customization.

[@robertdominguez7682]

Do you still have copies of the instructions? I would love to rebuild but they stopped making this kit. Would love to see the manual and try to replicate if possible. Thank tou!

[@harizyunus9951]

very nice

[@MrSlaughtematic]

Awesome work! Can I ask why the vinyl wrap rather than paint?

[@zthang118]

I wanted to do everything with my own hands. Wasn't confident with my painting skills and always wanted to try using vinyl

[@dickflinghammer7643]

It looks badass. I have one comming my way in a few weeks and I like the way yours came out without a metal and paintshop. I'd like to keep a bit more rear suspension travel though whether I go scrambler tracker or cafe.

[@zoelfikarrp]

Really dude? No sound for the motorcycle

[@jadda4329]

How does it sound

[@postmortemarg]

the headlight is too high for my liking

[@jonathanhernandez9181]

Are those custom handle bars or OEM?

[@zthang118]

They're woodcraft clip ons

[@seanyoon636]

Wow are you in Houston? Let me know when you wanna sell it

[@jpalmiotti]

F-ing dope. I have a 2005 ninja 250 and was wondering if I could cafe it. Question answered.

[@mochammadaqilrafidyumna7320]

Any bike can be cafe racer

[@iam19gamer90]

What handlebars did you use

[@zthang118]

They are 36mm Woodcraft Clipons. Expensive, but they don't require removing the triple tree.

[@iam19gamer90]

zthang118 you haven’t had any troubles with bars hitting tank? Being lower that the triple tree and all

[@zthang118]

@@iam19gamer90 No, you just have to make sure you angle them out enough to clear. Admittedly, that angle will be slightly more outward than you'd want them to be though.

[@TrungNguyen-bd1kl]

I have a 2009 ninja are there any kits for that year

[@macintoshkhan8504]

Also what speedometer you are using?

[@alexisvalencia3783]

👍👍👍💕

[@martydom9820]

I was just wondering how tall you were. I want to go with this build but I'm not too sure if I'd be too tall. Thanks!

[@zthang118]

I'm 5'7" and its pretty perfect. If you're 6' or over, I'd say forget about it

[@cleome__]

I like what you did with the clip ons (instead of keeping the stock risers) do you have any issues with them hitting the tank? I really like the blue collar bobber kit but his is one of my biggest questions with it. The risers just look bad

[@zthang118]

The clipons don't hit the tank at all from lock to lock, but the angle in order to achieve that is a bit more flared than I wanted.

[@cleome__]

zthang118 ah i see. Well i think it looks really slick. Also which gauges are those? The blue collar kit one seems like it’d be clunky with the clip ons set up like that.

[@zthang118]

I literally just searched for "Cafe Racer Guages" on ebay. You'll see them come as a set. They're not expensive, I think I paid $30, but they're not perfect. Everything works fine all the lights etc, but at high speeds the tach needle wobbles a bit lol. Good luck with the build if you decide to do it, feel free to ask for adivce

[@cleome__]

zthang118 oh nice nice. Yeah i’ve been wanting to build a bike and i think the kit would be a great start. Will do, thanks for the video! I really like your green/gold theme.

[@youngsavage80]

What was the total cost of the build and what are the gauges you bought on ebays. Great job by the way.

[@zthang118]

youngsavage80 Thanks! Total build was a little under $3k with the bike making up about half that cost

[@youngsavage80]

Wow great starter project. what about the speedo? That looks way better then the stock housing they provide.

[@zthang118]

If you search 'cafe racer gauges' on ebay you should see this speedo/tach set for about $30

[@christophhofmeister1806]

Are you using plasitc wrap for the green? Did yo have to heat it up or does it stretch to the curves so you don't have creases?

[@zthang118]

I did heat it up a little bit. There were some curves that were too difficult so I sectioned it into several pieces.

[@sd19851]

This is a great idea that I will try on my next build.

[@xXflyingbirdXx]

This is a long shot but... I bought the same ebay gauges for my ninja. Do you perhaps still remember the wiring? Thank you in advance.

[@zthang118]

www.dropbox.com/t/r5MbP8lh9aCq5Zis

[@xXflyingbirdXx]

@@zthang118 ty for blessing me

[@jaddison69420]

@@zthang118 Love the vid! I have the same kit on my bike but I love the alternate parts you used. That Dropbox link doesn’t work anymore so would you mind sending me whatever was in there?

[@thahoova6818]

where did you get the tail piece fairing and seat at? im about to do a build like this for my girlfriend. just picked up an 06 model with 3100 miles😝

[@zthang118]

Tha Hoova It's actually a whole cafe kit from blue collar bobbers. Not super cheap, but very high quality

[@thahoova6818]

zthang118 thanks alot!

[@dominicnittolo6623]

How y’all are you? I’m thinking of getting a 1986 Kawasaki 250 cafe racer, and I’m 6’1”. Do you think it’ll be a good fit?

[@zthang118]

you could be fine, but it might be a tad small. I'm 5'7 and i can stand with both heels on the ground

[@MarshallSmith27]

youre too big! I have a 2007 and I'm 5'10 and I look large on the bike

[@devonb.2302]

What did you need to do the handlebars like that?

[@mochammadaqilrafidyumna7320]

All cafe racer bike have handlebars like that

[@devonb.2302]

You answered a question I didn't ask. What exact kit/bar assembly did he use?

[@danteszone1531]

Clips on

[@zthang118]

I specifically used woodcraft clipons

[@jonathanestrada6641]

What did you do to hide the water reservoir?

[@zthang118]

There's a black painted triangular steel plate that's fitted to cover that section

[@newvintage1554]

Please ease up on music rather hear raw motorcycle sounds at the end

[@mta.reddit8288]

Are those tires stock if not how wide are they

[@sherryenglish4119]

Im pretty sure the front is a 120/80/16 and the back is a 130/90/16

[@moglip]

what kind of exhausts did you put on your bike?

[@zthang118]

@kingpin Emgo Dunstall Replica Shorty Reverse Cone Tunable Muffler

[@egosum524]

Spectacular build! Horrific music, had to mute it to enjoy.

[@LoL-fs5wc]

Where did you get that speedometer.

[@zthang118]

I literally just searched for "Cafe Racer Guages" on ebay. They're quite inexpensive, less than $20. The main issue is that it's very hard to find one in MPH vs KPH. Other than that, it works very well.

[@russrod1222]

are the BCB kit needed a weld?

[@zthang118]

No there is no welding required. They actually give you everything you need to complete the kit, even a hacksaw for the frame

[@russrod1222]

@@zthang118 i see that you didn't use the tachometer. I like what you did on the wrapping as well. did you cut the front fender?

[@hs74]

Nice build & video! I'm interested in doing a 250R cafe but have heard negative info about modifying intake/exhaust. Did you jet the carb? Any feedback/tips?? Thanks!

[@zthang118]

I used the Emgo 17" reverse cone muffler with Tunable Baffles. With all the screws in there's enough back pressure that I didn't have to rejet anything. Still running stock intake box and jets. It is however, much louder than stock. Good luck

[@edkelly1639]

@@zthang118 where did you get the body kit from. I have a 2005 I want to do the same to.

[@vonshill]

@@edkelly1639 it's from "blue collar bobbers" I'm thinking about getting one too

[@Mrflymess]

how does it pass rego after it's been modified? Would need engineer cert

[@richieoftampa994]

Are you in Commiefornia?

[@uriahbrown1768]

So you took a nice bike and did what to it?

[@RatAndRaven]

Made it nicer.

[@mochammadaqilrafidyumna7320]

Yups

[@mochammadaqilrafidyumna7320]

For real old kawasaki look like ass and the exhaust is fucking annoying af

[@lalnablehector1285]

took a shit generic looking sports bike and made it into something unique and not run of the mill like every semi-modern sports bike.

[@aggieforlife13]

is that rice stadium?

[@aggieforlife13]

never mind definitely in Houston. very interested in learning more about your process. Really want to do something similar.

[@zthang118]

@@aggieforlife13 Feel free to message me with any questions. It's a fun project.

[@jakemonty5517]

Just moved to Houston. Any idea who owns this now and if they may be selling it? Please DM me or add me on insta @Gazethis

[@draghz]

hermosa moto

[@simplebirdy]

I really don’t understand how that kit is $1400, I could do the same for $200

[@zthang118]

There's definitely a convenience fee plus great instructions...but I'd still love to see you prove it

[@simplebirdy]

zthang118 oh I’ll definitely be proving it soon

[@shaunelliott3759]

Jace Dunn. It looks similar to a ZX6R that i built, by Han hand and not a kit that a million others could buy. That cost £300 in parts and £350 in time. How the fuck these robbing bastards can charge so much is shocking.

[@hazemnasser652]

That's facts lol

[@csab2010]

@@simplebirdy well, have you proved it yet, or were you just talking out your ass???

[@nabeelarain3855]

Sir I need wiring diagram of this bike Plz help

[@zthang118]

www.dropbox.com/s/zdsc5il9libpq0u/Kawasaki%20EX250%20E%20Ninja%20250%20R%20GPZ250%20Electrical%20Wiring%20Diagram%201986%201987.pdf?dl=0

[@nabeelarain3855]

Thanks a lot

[@slayer04031974]

How much was the kit?

[@Icarusrider]

but uhh... wear some gears dude....

[@iam19gamer90]

Also what gauges

[@zthang118]

I found them on ebay. Super cheap like $30. Just google cafe racer motorcycle guages.

[@jacobrieck128]

If anyone knows a way to buy this kit or one similar please let me know, I’ve been looking everywhere with no luck, thank you 🤝

[@Robpemfitness]

"Blue collar bobbers" has the kit

[@proteg30]

What speedo