Just when you think you’ve seen every type of motorcycle, you come across something new. This extraordinary, custom Kawasaki Ninja bike, recently offered on eBay, answers a question that perhaps nobody was asking. What happens when you stuff a vintage 1972 350cc triple-cylinder two-stroke engine into a 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R chassis?
The eBay seller answers:
This custom conversion turns heads wherever it goes.
A New Home for a Special Engine
The engine came from a 1972 Kawasaki 350 S2, similar to this one.
The engine on this bike is from a 1972 350 S2, a motorcycle Kawasaki produced for only two years. It was a wonderfully machined motorcycle engine featuring horizontally split cases and aluminum cylinders with cast-iron liners. Its bore and stroke were almost identical. And its pistons fired at 120-degree intervals making for a notably smooth-running engine, especially for a two-stroke.
Fed by three 24mm Mikuni carbs, the little triple produced 44 hp @ 8,000 rpm before redlining at 8,500 rpm. Luckily, this 350cc survivor found a new home in a 2008 Ninja 250R, Kawasaki’s light and nimble entry-level motorcycle.
A Streetfighter Vibe
In 2008, Kawasaki updated the venerable 250R for the first time in 20 years. The changes included a stiffer diamond-type steel frame that housed the 350 S2 engine just fine. Kawasaki also sharpened the 250R’s handling that year by tightening up the front end’s rake and swapping out the old 16-inch wheels for 17-inch wheels, which were a tad wider.
The 2008 Ninja 250R’s styling also got a major refresh, including bodywork, lights, and a new two-piece seat. Streamlining the bodywork gives the Ninja 250R a fresh streetfighter feel. In addition, the purple paint job and retro race stripes are reminiscent of the 1973 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV livery, adding to its hipness.
The lack of plastic panels also showcases how tightly the inline triple fits within the downtubes of the 250R. The custom 3-into-1 exhaust is beautifully routed between and around them.
A Beautiful Match
While the 250R is fun and easy to ride, the 2008 version lacked torque on the low-end and needed to be revved out for best results. Throwing a spunky 350cc two-stroke engine addresses those shortcomings, and both parties benefit. This custom Ninja 250 gains power and the 350 S2 engine gets a more sporting chassis.
The seller says:
The smooth running, vintage two-stroke engine looks like it belongs in this modern chassis with disc brakes and custom paint.
Not all mashups of old and new are a good idea. However, in this case, it comes together perfectly in a stripped-down sportbike rocking an old triple—with a throwback paint job on a contemporary fairing.
