[icez]

Sorry, I don't have the service/workshop manual. I only have the parts
diagrams that I mentioned earlier. Perhaps if you could find the manual
for ZZR250, you can use that for the engine part. I'll be glad if U could
post here if you find any means to get it. Thanks

[bmiph]

Hi icez,
I just bought a EL250. It's a '97 model but done only 25k km. So I
believe the bike mechanical condition to be good. It even have the
original seats!! I bought the bike directly from the owner. But the body
condition is not so good like the chrome starts to fade, fork have small
spots of rust. So I was wondering if I want to redo the bike appearance,
how much shud I expect?

1. Change brake pads, both front & back.
2. Rechrome all parts.
3. Repaint.
4. Change the chain & sprocket.
5. Can I rechrome the fork??
6. Tyres can cost up to RM450.

[icez]

Congrats!
The low mileage may indicate that the engine should be in a good
condition. But listen to the engine (ask/compare with any other EL owner
or mechanics who's used to EL250/ZZR250) for tappet or timing chain of
need adjustment. But then if hte bike was rarely used, I think it should
be in perfect condition. Check the front/rear wheel bearing and swing arm
shaft for better ride.
Enjoy your ride!

[bmiph]

Hi icez,
The engine shud be in good condition, agree coz low mileage and it's
used as a daily commute from Sg. Ara to Bayan Lepas only. The owner
doesn't go for long journey with this bike.

Now I will have to hunt down a shop to redo the bike's appearance.

[Speed3]

Hi bmiph,

I hope you are enjoying your EL250. It is a good bike.

I bought mine 1996 model in October last year. Ever since I have been
enjoying my bike. Like yours mine was of low milleage about 26k km & am
the second owner.

My experience with this bike are:

(a) When the engine is cold it is noisy (maybe later need to do some
adjustment for the tappets, timming chain tensioner, etc). When it gets
warm up it is OK & ready to go. Acceleration is good and top speed I got
when coming down on the KL/Karak from Genting Highlands was 140km/h and
still have not reached the max. throttle. Scared lah & with the wind
blasting at you & need to bend forward to reduce the wind resistance. Only
one time I did it for experience. Other than that I just cruise at between
100 - 120km/h.

(b) I noticed there was no fuel filter. So I added one between the tank &
the petcock (using a Kancil one). This is to prevent clogging of the
carburretor in the long run. This I learned from icez. Thanks icez. I
read a lot of your postings at MBC on this bike. You are the man.

© The radiator thermostat failed & was replaced. The mechanic told me if
the thermostat failed during a long journey & to prevent overheating just
in case, just short the fan connections with a piece of wire & the fan will
run contionously until you disconnect it.

(d) Just last month the radiator fan kaput! A new original one cost about
RM600.00. Expensive man! Managed to get a used one @ RM300.00 (from an
EL400 one)

(e) And now one of my back shock absorber is leaking. The leak has somewhat
stopped. I have not change it yet. New original one also cost about
RM600.00. So far there is no problem with riding comfort & cornering.

(f) The bike fell down when stationary twice. Once when I dropped
something on the ground & tried to pick it up while still siting on the
bike. Still thinking I was on a kapcai!

BTW I am from KL & after surfing the web for hours a couple of month ago I
stumbled onto this website www.zoli.cda.ro where this guy in Romania has
upload his EL250 Owner`s Manual but not in a downloadable format. You can
save them in jpg format. I have done it & have printed them out. It is
readable.

Well that`s all & hope it will help. Sorry for been long winded.

Thanks

Speed3

[bmiph]

Hi Speed3 and icez,
I think there are not many forumners for EL250. Thanks for ur posting.
Even if it is longer, I would read on coz I a newbie. But I have not taken
ownership yet, suppose to be today. The owner haven't receive his Shadow
yet. He wanted to pass me the bike, but I told him I am in no hurry.
Courtesy la, since he sold me his bike very very cheap.

Hmm...adding a fuel filter??? Never tot of that. Good tips. Anyway, what
is MBC?? Can send me the links.

The other day, I got bad experience. I told a mechanic I bought this
EL250, terus he lanyak this bike no good, overheat. And he said he dun
want to touch the engine & radiator. Tukar sprocket, chain or tyre OK. I
had to keep quiet coz he is the best mechanic

Oh, the owner passed me his EL250 owner manual....I was more into asking
for Workshop Manual. Anyway, what do u guys use for engine oil and
coolant. Esso 4T gold 10W-40 is cheapest I can find here, RM39 for 1
liter.

[Speed3]

Hi bmiph,

MBC stands for Malaysian Bikers Community & the forum website is
at http://malaysianbikers.com.my/forum. There is an English Section but
most of the discussions on EL250 are on the Bahasa Melayu Section. Here is
an interesting discussion thread on the EL2520 -
http://malaysianbike...pic,1014.0.html
Please don`t get discourage with some of the not so good comments on the EL250.

Wah! you are lucky to get the Owner`s Manual from the owner of the bike. I
have tried googling the net for the Workshop Manual but just could not find
it. I think it is almost impossible to get one now unless a good Samaritan
who happens to read this thread post here to says he has one.

I use Motul 3000 4T 20W-50 & it cost about RM20.00 per liter over here.
For coolant I just use the normal one (green colour) & it cost about RM6.00
per tin.

Thanks

Speed3

[bmiph]

Hi Speed3,
Oh, Malaysian Bikers Community. Yea, I know. I posted there looking for
a Virago 535 in Penang but no response. Then fate have me met with
the EL250 that belongs to my factory mate. Virago 250 too expensive.

Yup, I am definitely lucky. This EL250 owner have kept the ori manual
for 10 years. Not a page missing. This bike everything ori, even the
chain, except tyres. And the owner never lumba b4, he just ride it cool.

Motul 3000, is that mineral? Looks like Esso Gold 4T is cheapest fully
synthetic. What's ur experience with engine overheat. I read icez's
posting on his engine overheat. Looks like just normal wear & tear and
parts need replacement. Nothing too serious also. Wonder what;s the fuss
about engine overheat???

[Speed3]

Motul 3000 is mineral based. It is quite popular with many motorcyclist.
Go to this link to read more -
http://www.motul.com.../4stroke19.html

My experience on engine overheat:-

I did experienced one when I rode down the Karak/KL Highway from Genting
Highlands as posted earlier. It was almost at a sustained speed of 120 to
140km/h for about 1/2 hour. At end of the run I noticed the red light
lighted up on the RPM meter which indicated overheating. I stopped and
rested for a few minutes for the light to go off & then continued the
journey. Later at my house I notice there was insufficient water in the
radiator & also in the Coolant Reserve Tank. So I deduced that I did not
properly check my radiator & Coolant Reserve Tank before I started the
journey. My advise is to check properly each time you go for a long
journey. Make sure the radiator is full of water and there is sufficient
in the Coolant Reserve Tank. For me I would check as often as possible.
Change engine oil & filter together at every 3000km or less if possible &
also flush out old water & replace with new coolant/water for the radiator.

Anyway now I normally ride at 100 - 120km/h & very seldom go to 130/140km/h
but sometimes have to when overtaking buses (speeding & a real nuisance) at the
Highway. Anyway our bikes are almost 10 years old, so I will not expect my
bike to perform as I should like it to. Just take it easy & enjoy the ride!

BTW no offence meant, please query the previous owner on his good & no so
good experiences with the bike especially the no so good ones. I am sure
he will let you know all the nitty gritty things about the bike.

Thanks

Speed3

[bmiph]

Ha ha ha...no good stuff...OK...will ask.....but he drives daily less than
15 km only wor.......