I want to make my bike into a streetfighter

What is a streetfighter?

A streetfighter is a motorcycle that has been modified from the original, usually because it's been wrecked and the owner either didn't have the funds or didn't want to restore it to stock condition. What you end up with is a custom bike, usually one that doesn't look like any other. A streetfighter can be good and beautiful, ugly and full of attitude, or just plain ugly. Imagination is the only limiting factor when it comes to making a streetfighter, that and some cash, which is why most streetfighters fall into the second or third categories.

These shots show the progression of the streetfighter. They're not all EX250's, but you get the point. On the left is your basic '03, fully-faired stock bike. Next is the "wrecked, put back together enough to ride" concept. Right center is the Frankenstein/nearly-rat-bike look, followed by as minimalistic as you'd probably ever want to go: function with very little form.

So, you mean a naked bike?

Actually, it's more appropriate to call bikes naked if they were born naked. In other words, naked bikes come from the factory without fairings. They are standard, regular motorcycles. Should you want to, there's no reason why your EX250 can't look like one, too.

How, then, do I make a streetfighter?

It's very easy, really. Just start taking bits off your bike, until you get to the point where everything you don't want on there is off. Then, you can start replacing them with different bits, as fits your whim and budget. A couple trips to the bike shop, a few cans of paint, some mouse clicks, and you'll have a unique bike, which is part of the charm of a streetfighter.

Or, you could end up with what Jim Race affectionately terms a "rat bike".

OK. I want to make a streetfighter. Where do I look for parts and stuff?

Browsing your local shops and motorcycle junkyards is a good place to start. You might find something you like at a price you can afford. eBay is another option. Searching "motorcycle accessories" will give you ideas for several bikes' worth of mods. If you're looking for something specific to the Ninja, the usual search string is ( Ninja 250, EX 250, EX250 ), including the parentheses. But you'll probably want something with a universal fit, so spend some time looking around, planning, and dreaming.

Notes: The main things that need to be taken care of are headlight, front turn signals, gauges, and mirrors. There are plenty of places to spend a lot of money on headlights, but you can get by with a universal 7" light that clamps on your forks. You may be able to find one at an auto parts store. eBay can help here. Go to motorcycle parts and type in "headlight". You should get at least a dozen ideas. If you care about being strictly legal, make sure you get one that is DOT approved. If you don't, it could be something you could get a ticket for from an overzealous cop. It's your bike; you decide.

There are two choices for mirrors. Find some universal bar-mounts, or get bar-end mirrors. Napoleon is a popular brand of the bar-end type. One of our members has the Napoleons, and he says the visibility is much better than stock. Here is a picture of the Napoleon:

Another bar-end option is to get mirrors from your local bicycle shop. Cat Eye is one brand that has been mentioned as working well. They're usually pretty cheap, also.

Here are some shops that cater to the streetfighter builder.

Some of them (only some) are wildly expensive, so you might search these for ideas, then do an internet search and see where else you can find the parts.

rallylights.com Lights

Asian Signals All kinds of turn signals

Ride Now Powersports Lights, other accessories

Custom Wizard Lights, electrical

Four Strokes Only Lights & lots of misc accessories

Acerbis Headlights

Kimpex Lots of accessories; some cool headlights

Streetworks Lights and other parts

Acewell Meter Aftermarket gauges

Sigma Bicycle computers How to install

Old Bike Barn Various accessories

EMGO Lots of different accessories

Cycle Therapy Misc. parts; see their "Universal Parts" section

JC Whitney A bunch of stuff. You might find something you like.

Lockhart Phillips Lots of different accessories and some nice café racer fairings

[Twisted Throttle Assorted Accessories and these windscreens

Streetfighters USA Expensive ideas

Wild Hair Accessories Wildly expensive streetfighter stuff