Well, I could post this on the Ninja forum. But you guys and gals are my friends so I'll put it here. I know some of you cross over to the dark side on that other forum so I think I'll get good advice here.

The Story
New rider buys a souped up 1992 Ninja aka EX500 aka GPZ500. After 8 months low sided it on gravel near his house. Parks bike for good. Scratched fairing. Broken right peg mount. Otherwise OK. Tank not damaged. Right mirror torn off.

About 5 years later, Terry does work on his house. he can't pay the $600 so signs over the bike to Terry. Terry does not ride.

Move on another year to year and a half. Jim does work for me. Jim sees a herd of GS500's. Wonders if I would like that bike that Terry wants to unload. I see pictures. Black Kawasaki. Not sure what it is. So I go take a look. Nice bike. Does have damage. I see 2 exhaust pipes so it is an inline twin. Turns on (with spare battery). Cranks. Didn't let it start. No idea what fluids are or anything else. I'm interested. It was easy to push out of  the storage shed.

It has a Muzzy exhaust. No idea what that is, but probably loud. The lower fairing is Airtech. I like it. Possibly has had a Dynojet mod. There is a sticker for it on the fairing.

There are no indications of the model or CC's. It had been repainted.

The Purchase
So Terry comes out with the clean title. I nearly dropped my pants. It was a 500! I LOVE that size (of course - the GS500!). Selling price? $400. That's right. He took it in trade for $600 and is unloading it on me for $400.

Knowing little about a Ninja other than it has some water dispenser for hot water and is a pain to work on and with plenty of GS500 projects, I elected to let a trusted shop pick her up (she needs a name) and take care of the mechanicals then I'll do the cosmetic work once she is road worthy.

I know some people hate shops. Here I have one I really can trust. Some may think the price is high, but not really for what I'm getting.

I transferred the title with no issues. Washington State is easy. I wonder if people with title issues should title it in Washington. Now the title is clean. Then re-title in their own state? Wow! Title Laundering?
The Pictures








Where it has sat for the past year to year and a half. Always covered. never left outside. That accounts for the clean, rust free condition.


More pictures later.

The Bill
Now the initial repair/restore estimate: $1200
That will include..
* Pulling and cleaning the carbs
* Cleaning out the tank (which is pretty free of any rust)
* Front and rear brakes
* All fluids: radiator, oil, front brake
* New chain and sprockets
* Shorai battery (we know that alone is $150)
* New tires (There's a few hundred!)
And anything else needed

So maybe $1200 is high to some. Look at what is being done. Subtract battery and tires and it drops quite a bit. Chain was probably OK because miles were low (15,473). But since I am starting a project, I like everything to be top drawer. While the rear wheel is off for a new tire, might as well do brakes and chain & sprockets so the rear wheel doesn't have to be taken off again. Also consider that labor is about half the price. That is for GUARANTEED work from an honest shop. I personally know Dave at SUB. He will give good work and I will be helping him by giving his shop some business.

The Plan
If I was just going to fix and flip it, I could get away with very little. I decided this will be a keeper. Restored back to one fantastic bike. I have friends that will always want a bike. So it will eventually get passed on to someone I know. You will never see this bike on Craigs List or parted out on ebay.

Initial plans call for removing and selling the Muzzy. I have my eye on a Motad. I like shiny, quite mufflers. I can't think of anything in this country to put on that isn't loud.

I have plans for LED tail light and smoke turn signals, putting back on the OEM ones and using lenses from lights4all. maybe it is a trade mark for my bikes? Lights4all tail light? smoke OEM turn signals? R&G muffler guards?

Next installment
More info and pictures as I go see her at Seattle Used Bikes on Saturday.

could always adopt the ninja 250s nickname aka ninjette or halfaliter

I like those fairings, most of the ninja 500s have uglier ones that I can think of, good find! Could do without the 150 dollar shorai battery, but thats just me 

Oh and if that muzzy fits on a GS I might be interested, Looks just as ugly as stock though... Probably sounds a little throatier though.

could always mount a stock gs can on it ?

That sounds great for the price Addy Its good to know its going to be a looker when its finished instead of being neglected as it was before.

Congrats on the new bike!
Tony

Looks good as is considering the age. Can't wait to see it cleaned, polished and restored to glory!

damn i like it already lol. those kawis are fairly easy to work on.

No, they are not easy to work on. Water cooled - UGH! Just more complexity.  Maybe older Kawi's were easy.

Went out and looked at her today. Pretty rough on the Targa fairing so I'll remove that lower fairing, leaving just the OEM upper. It needs a little fixing.

Probably Tuesday they'll check the engine before doing anything else. Compression, leak down tests. I think engine is OK.

Tanks was repainted, as I suspected. There are two very tiny dents. Nothing I'll be concerned about.

Quote from: adidasguy on March 15, 2013, 03:59:44 PM
No, they are not easy to work on. Water cooled - UGH! Just more complexity.  Maybe older Kawi's were easy.

Went out and looked at her today. Pretty rough on the Targa fairing so I'll remove that lower fairing, leaving just the OEM upper. It needs a little fixing.

Probably Tuesday they'll check the engine before doing anything else. Compression, leak down tests. I think engine is OK.

Tanks was repainted, as I suspected. There are two very tiny dents. Nothing I'll be concerned about.

they were for me to work on. course i am weird or a glutton for punishment lol.

Engine is OK. Leak down OK and compression test OK.

Lower fairing removed and will be sold off.

Got in new right peg. Handle bars, controls, brake MC, clutch perch, right mirror. Dropped them off a SUB along with the license plate.

She will get new tires, chain, LiFe battery, all fluids, plugs, tune up, road test.

Like I said, if I were just going to flip it, it would not cost much. (Tires, chain were probably OK for flipping it). Since she is a keeper, I'm getting everything done. Would be cheaper if I did the work, but don't have time. So there is the labor cost which is half of it.

I'll get pictures next week when I bring her home. First I'll replace the rear fender and turn signals. I don't have fronts yet but plan to restore that to stock.

Quote from: adidasguy on March 21, 2013, 12:26:02 PM
Engine is OK. Leak down OK and compression test OK.

Lower fairing removed and will be sold off.

Got in new right peg. Handle bars, controls, brake MC, clutch perch, right mirror. Dropped them off a SUB along with the license plate.

She will get new tires, chain, LiFe battery, all fluids, plugs, tune up, road test.

Like I said, if I were just going to flip it, it would not cost much. (Tires, chain were probably OK for flipping it). Since she is a keeper, I'm getting everything done. Would be cheaper if I did the work, but don't have time. So there is the labor cost which is half of it.

I'll get pictures next week when I bring her home. First I'll replace the rear fender and turn signals. I don't have fronts yet but plan to restore that to stock.

Cant wait for the photos

Ordered new front turn signals from Partzilla.
I found that new ones were 20% more than used ones on ebay. So why not just buy new ones?
Got in a used rear tail plastic today.
I plan to photo the lower cowling that is not going back on the bike and seeing if someone will give me postage for it on the EX500 forum.
I hope to bring her home this weekend.

Quote from: adidasguy on March 26, 2013, 11:02:46 PM
Ordered new front turn signals from Partzilla.
I found that new ones were 20% more than used ones on ebay. So why not just buy new ones?
Got in a used rear tail plastic today.
I plan to photo the lower cowling that is not going back on the bike and seeing if someone will give me postage for it on the EX500 forum.
I hope to bring her home this weekend.

looking forward to it

Ordered a Motad muffler. I know that Muzzy will be loud and crappy. I like quiet bikes.
Ordered one for the Husky bike, too. Getting 2 for about the price of one! It never hurts to ask.

Quote from: adidasguy on March 27, 2013, 11:08:56 AM
Ordered a Motad muffler. I know that Muzzy will be loud and crappy. I like quiet bikes.
Ordered one for the Husky bike, too. Getting 2 for about the price of one! It never hurts to ask.

NICE. never hurts to try Eh?

Some parts coming in. Tires came in. SUB hired a new mechanic with experience on the EX500 so he will be doing the work there. Saturday will be his next day at work and will devote the day to finishing up the EX.
We started her up at SUB today. I will be glad to have the Motad exhaust on her. Muzzy is quite loud.

My friend if i were close by id donate wrench time to getting the ex on the road, ( we had many @ mmi ) but its in good hands @ SUB

Got some parts in.
Motad exhaust (it is a complete system) for the EX and the GS500 Husky project
New tail cowling
Center stand
New front fairing bracket

NOS front turn signals arrived.
Right bracket was no longer available but found it on ebay! Only NOS right bracket there.
These come as a turn signal part - same for left and right. and a left & right bracket (the stalk on them)