Kawasaki KZ250D2 CSR project...Help!

Hi guys, hope you can help me,

Friend gave me an 81? KZ250D2 CSR for free ... good.
Hasn't been started in 15 years...bad
Kept outside behind shed...very bad

So this bike's in poor condition, but I'm hoping I'm up to the
challenge. Everything is frozen solid..combination of ice and rust.
Any good products out there to free up all of these rusty components?
Anyone know of a good source of cheap parts? I know that the fuel
tank is shot...bikebandit wants $650 for a new one...ouch!

Thanks in advance
10mmNut

 

You got two out of three correct.

If your objective is to come up with a rideable bike for a reasonable
amount of money, the only sensible thing to do is to sell the carcass
now and put the money toward a bike that doesn't need extensive
repairs.

If you are after a challenge and don't mind spending far more (time
and money) on fixing this bike than you would spend on a later model
low mileage used bike, you're all set. Just remember, unless you
plan on doing a complete stripdown, paint the frame, replace all the
wheel & chassis bearings, rebuild the engine, &c, you will end up
with a bike that is somewhat less desireable than a bike that has
none of those things done to it, but has simply been looked after
and properly stored.

The truth of the matter is, there are many bikes in very good
condition languishing in the back of people's garages, just waiting
to be picked up for a fraction of their market value. Go after one
of those. Not every neglected bike deserves to be saved. It's not
necessarily true that a free bike is a good catch. In my opinion,
most 'free' bikes have the potential of becoming more expensive than
a non-neglected bike that is actually worth something to start with.

 

Thanks for the info/opinions guys. I love the idea about the CLR and
gravel.
Yeah, I guess I'm a little stubborn, I'll mess around with it for a
while and we'll see what happens. The previous owner said that it
was running fine when he last rode it, so hopefully with a little
dismantling, and lots of cleaning, I can get her running again. Will
keep you all up to date.

10mmNut