Topic: What did you do to your bike today ?

[Bankerdanny]

Thanks Eric. That will be very helpful to know later on. I am going to replace the stupid tall bars with Euro ones I bought for the 550 last year which will mean all new cables and at least an upper brake hose.

[BobR]

Tore a wheel bearing retainer apart...argh.

[Bob3050]

For a while now I've been putting up with a persistent oil leak and a lack of performance, So I bit the bullet and pulled the top end off and replaced the rings  and did a valve job. The head bolt pucks were as usual the cause of the oil leak. Turned out I only had one exhaust valve that leaked slightly. I cut the seat for that valve and lapped all of them to check the width and position of the seat. It all looks good again. The performance lag I determined to be carbon  build-up behind the exhaust turbine in the turbo. The turbine was very stiff to turn by hand. I took it all apart and cleaned it thoroughly and reassembled it and that seems to have done the trick. It's running good again and there are no oil puddles underneath after I park it.
Bob

[Bankerdanny]

Recovered one of my 550 seats. Not perfect, but pretty good

[Don R]

 That seat looks good to me Danny.

  I started the cb400F, it sounds better on all four. Then finished the wiring, put on the airbox and filter except I can't find the lid which I know I have.  I need to assemble it to run so I can get it off the lift.

[Stev-o]

Recovered one of my 550 seats. Not perfect, but pretty good

Looks very good, Danny.   Do you have an original strap? [if you want to install one?]   Seems the replacement straps the vendors sell are crap.

[Bankerdanny]

I don't have an original strap, but the replacement cover did come with one that seems to be decent quality. However being tall I always remove the straps from my 550's because that's where my butt ends up on the seat and the straps are not very comfortable to sit on.

[Bob3050]

Recovered one of my 550 seats. Not perfect, but pretty good

Every time I re-cover a seat it looks like a bundle of laundry wrapped in a seat cover.
Bob

[Terry in Australia]

Since the dawn of time, I have lusted after Kawasaki's ZZR1100. I did an advanced riders course when I was in the Army back in the early 90's and there was a young soldier on the course who had two. One in a trailer that he'd crashed (and almost killed himself on) and as he couldn't wait for his insurance payout, and had plenty of deployment money left from his return from Cambodia, he bought another one. I still remember him wheelie-ing it past me at close to 100 MPH, I wonder if he's still alive?

Anyhoo, I wanted one. Once they were no longer the "World's fastest production bike" (the big K held the crown for 6 years, then Honda's Blackbird had it briefly before it was snatched away by Suzuki's Hayabusa forever) their value seemed to drop markedly, but they were still too expensive for me, and more recently I've seen some really scruffy ones that have been either left out in the weather, or tastelessly customised, yuck. A couple of nights ago I saw one advertised as a "non runner" for cheap so after dreaming about if for two days I finally made a lowball offer today, and the seller accepted it, and I'm picking it up tomorrow. Woohoo!

It hasn't been run for years, so might have some issues, but my experience with Kawasakis is that they're pretty tough old beasts, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be as wonderful as I've been dreaming it will be!

Terry's ZZR1100 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 1 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 2 by terry prendergast, on Flickr   

[Yamahawk]

Since the dawn of time, I have lusted after Kawasaki's ZZR1100. I did an advanced riders course when I was in the Army back in the early 90's and there was a young soldier on the course who had two. One in a trailer that he'd crashed (and almost killed himself on) and as he couldn't wait for his insurance payout, and had plenty of deployment money left from his return from Cambodia, he bought another one. I still remember him wheelie-ing it past me at close to 100 MPH, I wonder if he's still alive?

Anyhoo, I wanted one. Once they were no longer the "World's fastest production bike" (the big K held the crown for 6 years, then Honda's Blackbird had it briefly before it was snatched away by Suzuki's Hayabusa forever) their value seemed to drop markedly, but they were still too expensive for me, and more recently I've seen some really scruffy ones that have been either left out in the weather, or tastelessly customised, yuck. A couple of nights ago I saw one advertised as a "non runner" for cheap so after dreaming about if for two days I finally made a lowball offer today, and the seller accepted it, and I'm picking it up tomorrow. Woohoo!

It hasn't been run for years, so might have some issues, but my experience with Kawasakis is that they're pretty tough old beasts, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be as wonderful as I've been dreaming it will be!

Terry's ZZR1100 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 1 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 2 by terry prendergast, on Flickr   

Oh man, Terry! Those are really nice, and the ZZR1200 is a fantastic sport tourer! I'd say you got an excellent bike there... It even looks like it's completely stock, and may just need some maintenance, and cleaning of carbs to get it running. And yes, they are a bulletproof engine. I have a 2006 ZG1000 Concours (Uses the same engine as the 1986 ZX1000 Ninja with different cam timing) which is an amazing sport tourer, a little heavier than the ZZR1100/1200, but takes a lot of the same parts, the ZZR1200 alternator is a good upgrade for my Concours... And that engine will flat out scream!
Charlie

[Terry in Australia]

Since the dawn of time, I have lusted after Kawasaki's ZZR1100. I did an advanced riders course when I was in the Army back in the early 90's and there was a young soldier on the course who had two. One in a trailer that he'd crashed (and almost killed himself on) and as he couldn't wait for his insurance payout, and had plenty of deployment money left from his return from Cambodia, he bought another one. I still remember him wheelie-ing it past me at close to 100 MPH, I wonder if he's still alive?

Anyhoo, I wanted one. Once they were no longer the "World's fastest production bike" (the big K held the crown for 6 years, then Honda's Blackbird had it briefly before it was snatched away by Suzuki's Hayabusa forever) their value seemed to drop markedly, but they were still too expensive for me, and more recently I've seen some really scruffy ones that have been either left out in the weather, or tastelessly customised, yuck. A couple of nights ago I saw one advertised as a "non runner" for cheap so after dreaming about if for two days I finally made a lowball offer today, and the seller accepted it, and I'm picking it up tomorrow. Woohoo!

It hasn't been run for years, so might have some issues, but my experience with Kawasakis is that they're pretty tough old beasts, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be as wonderful as I've been dreaming it will be!

Terry's ZZR1100 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 1 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 2 by terry prendergast, on Flickr   

Oh man, Terry! Those are really nice, and the ZZR1200 is a fantastic sport tourer! I'd say you got an excellent bike there... It even looks like it's completely stock, and may just need some maintenance, and cleaning of carbs to get it running. And yes, they are a bulletproof engine. I have a 2006 ZG1000 Concours (Uses the same engine as the 1986 ZX1000 Ninja with different cam timing) which is an amazing sport tourer, a little heavier than the ZZR1100/1200, but takes a lot of the same parts, the ZZR1200 alternator is a good upgrade for my Concours... And that engine will flat out scream!
Charlie

Thanks Charlie, I've been watching youtube vids all evening to bring me up to date on all things ZZR1100, there are lots of flat out speed video's, but I've got to remember to be mature and ride like a 58 year old, not an 18 year old, you can go to jail for riding them at the sorts of speeds they're capable of nowadays............

[Stev-o]

Since the dawn of time, I have lusted after Kawasaki's ZZR1100. I did an advanced riders course when I was in the Army back in the early 90's and there was a young soldier on the course who had two. One in a trailer that he'd crashed (and almost killed himself on) and as he couldn't wait for his insurance payout, and had plenty of deployment money left from his return from Cambodia, he bought another one. I still remember him wheelie-ing it past me at close to 100 MPH, I wonder if he's still alive?

Anyhoo, I wanted one. Once they were no longer the "World's fastest production bike" (the big K held the crown for 6 years, then Honda's Blackbird had it briefly before it was snatched away by Suzuki's Hayabusa forever) their value seemed to drop markedly, but they were still too expensive for me, and more recently I've seen some really scruffy ones that have been either left out in the weather, or tastelessly customised, yuck. A couple of nights ago I saw one advertised as a "non runner" for cheap so after dreaming about if for two days I finally made a lowball offer today, and the seller accepted it, and I'm picking it up tomorrow. Woohoo!

It hasn't been run for years, so might have some issues, but my experience with Kawasakis is that they're pretty tough old beasts, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be as wonderful as I've been dreaming it will be!

Terry's ZZR1100 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 1 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 2 by terry prendergast, on Flickr   

Oh man, Terry! Those are really nice, and the ZZR1200 is a fantastic sport tourer! I'd say you got an excellent bike there... It even looks like it's completely stock, and may just need some maintenance, and cleaning of carbs to get it running. And yes, they are a bulletproof engine. I have a 2006 ZG1000 Concours (Uses the same engine as the 1986 ZX1000 Ninja with different cam timing) which is an amazing sport tourer, a little heavier than the ZZR1100/1200, but takes a lot of the same parts, the ZZR1200 alternator is a good upgrade for my Concours... And that engine will flat out scream!
Charlie

Thanks Charlie, I've been watching youtube vids all evening to bring me up to date on all things ZZR1100, there are lots of flat out speed video's, but I've got to remember to be mature and ride like a 58 year old, not an 18 year old, you can go to jail for riding them at the sorts of speeds they're capable of nowadays............

Congrats Terry, looks likea nice bike.  "bout time you got a Kaw!!

[RJ CB450]

Not today, but yesterday I did this.

It was time to repack the glasspacks on my 650.

It has quad mufflers.  I was inventing expletive adjectives for my expletives by the time I was done.

[b52bombardier1]

Rode it twice earlier this week and might today after lunch heading back to work. Had to put a new battery in it but she started right up and settled into a good idle after being parked since around last November.

That's what happens when these bikes are stored and used with no ethanol fuel. That stuff stores WAY better than the juice with corn liquor in it.

Rick

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[Yamahawk]

I took apart the front brake caliper on my CB750 today, the pads looked brand new, the silicone grease however, wasn't quite that good... it was dried, caked, and corroded inside the caliper behind the outer brake pad. Matter of fact, I had to pump it out using the MC to remove it, as it was stuck tight.
Then I cleaned both inside and out, use  sparing amount of Permatex anti-seize inside the piston area of the caliper, burnishing it in, and on the outer ring of the brake pad with the rubber o-ring on it. I anti-seized the bolts too, including the shank of them, and polished it in there too. Now, the front brake works like it should, and it doesn't want to drag the brake when I turn the handlebars to the left.
Charlie

[CycleRanger]

Well, so far today I picked up three of them. 
I went out the shop this morning and the XS650 had fallen into the CB550 which in turn fell into the CL350..
Looks like when I rode the XS650 on Monday I picked up something in the back tire.
The 650 was on the side stand and once the back tire went flat the bike tipped into the other two like dominoes...
Must have happened yesterday, the one day I didn't go to the shop this week.

So far I see a small dent in the otherwise pristine XS650 tank and the brake controls and mirror are tweaked.
Maybe, maybe the bars are bent a little, I can't tell for sure.
The 550 has a bent brake lever and mirror and the CL350 is awaiting restore so who cares.
The 650 has about 3/4 of tank of gas and it's rather amazing that none spilled.
*Sigh*, I'll look at them closer once I cool down a bit. I guess it could have been worse.
Fack! And I have to fix the flat.
Anyway,
 

[evanphi]

Well, so far today I picked up three of them. 
I went out the shop this morning and the XS650 had fallen into the CB550 which in turn fell into the CL350..
Looks like when I rode the XS650 on Monday I picked up something in the back tire.
The 650 was on the side stand and once the back tire went flat the bike tipped into the other two like dominoes...
Must have happened yesterday, the one day I didn't go to the shop this week.

So far I see a small dent in the otherwise pristine XS650 tank and the brake controls and mirror are tweaked.
Maybe, maybe the bars are bent a little, I can't tell for sure.
The 550 has a bent brake lever and mirror and the CL350 is awaiting restore so who cares.
The 650 has about 3/4 of tank of gas and it's rather amazing that none spilled.
*Sigh*, I'll look at them closer once I cool down a bit. I guess it could have been worse.
Fack! And I have to fix the flat.
Anyway,
 

Bummer!

[CycleRanger]

Bummer!

Thx. Yeah, it does look like the 650 bars are bent slightly on the throttle side. Grrrr.
Projects spiraling out of control.

[Terry in Australia]

Since the dawn of time, I have lusted after Kawasaki's ZZR1100. I did an advanced riders course when I was in the Army back in the early 90's and there was a young soldier on the course who had two. One in a trailer that he'd crashed (and almost killed himself on) and as he couldn't wait for his insurance payout, and had plenty of deployment money left from his return from Cambodia, he bought another one. I still remember him wheelie-ing it past me at close to 100 MPH, I wonder if he's still alive?

Anyhoo, I wanted one. Once they were no longer the "World's fastest production bike" (the big K held the crown for 6 years, then Honda's Blackbird had it briefly before it was snatched away by Suzuki's Hayabusa forever) their value seemed to drop markedly, but they were still too expensive for me, and more recently I've seen some really scruffy ones that have been either left out in the weather, or tastelessly customised, yuck. A couple of nights ago I saw one advertised as a "non runner" for cheap so after dreaming about if for two days I finally made a lowball offer today, and the seller accepted it, and I'm picking it up tomorrow. Woohoo!

It hasn't been run for years, so might have some issues, but my experience with Kawasakis is that they're pretty tough old beasts, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be as wonderful as I've been dreaming it will be!

Terry's ZZR1100 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 1 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 2 by terry prendergast, on Flickr   

Oh man, Terry! Those are really nice, and the ZZR1200 is a fantastic sport tourer! I'd say you got an excellent bike there... It even looks like it's completely stock, and may just need some maintenance, and cleaning of carbs to get it running. And yes, they are a bulletproof engine. I have a 2006 ZG1000 Concours (Uses the same engine as the 1986 ZX1000 Ninja with different cam timing) which is an amazing sport tourer, a little heavier than the ZZR1100/1200, but takes a lot of the same parts, the ZZR1200 alternator is a good upgrade for my Concours... And that engine will flat out scream!
Charlie

Thanks Charlie, I've been watching youtube vids all evening to bring me up to date on all things ZZR1100, there are lots of flat out speed video's, but I've got to remember to be mature and ride like a 58 year old, not an 18 year old, you can go to jail for riding them at the sorts of speeds they're capable of nowadays............

Congrats Terry, looks likea nice bike.  "bout time you got a Kaw!!

Thanks Steve, yeah I think the last Kawasaki I owned was my 1975 Z900 that I had in the 80's, then I owned several Suzuki GS1000's, which of course were Kawasaki clones, engine wise at least. The Z1 was without doubt the best looking Kawasaki ever built, and while everything that followed was far less attractive, the one thing that I've always loved about them is their brutal power.   

It is a "non runner" and I'm hoping it's only because it's been sitting for so long, but it was really cheap, so no biggie if there are a few surprises in store. I was bidding on an Ebay auction for a couple of CB750's and a pile of parts, but I could see it getting expensive, and all I would have been doing was adding to my never ending list of projects, so it'll be good to have a new bike that won't (hopefully) need much to get back on the road.

[spotty]

Well done terry, cos you needed another bike, got room in the storage container for it ? If not you can always leave it round here and you get a nice ride thru kinglake etc whenever you want to take it for a blast in the hills....
Looks like you'll have to take me up on a hat offer of a vmax test ride so I can finally see what a ZZR is like. I've always had a yearning for one but I'd prob still go for a 'busa given the chance and the money

[Terry in Australia]

Well done terry, cos you needed another bike, got room in the storage container for it ? If not you can always leave it round here and you get a nice ride thru kinglake etc whenever you want to take it for a blast in the hills....
Looks like you'll have to take me up on a hat offer of a vmax test ride so I can finally see what a ZZR is like. I've always had a yearning for one but I'd prob still go for a 'busa given the chance and the money

G'Day Spotty, thanks for that mate, I forgot to tell the wife about this one, so I might be sleeping in the shipping container when I get home! But yep, definitely, once I've got my red plate I'll bring it over for a ride, it'll be interesting to race it against your VMax, then race your VMax against it, sounds like some scary fun!

I picked it up this arvo on my way down to Bairnsdale to visit my mum. The bike has a fascinating (to me) back story, and reminds me of when I bought my Suzuki GS1000S in Adelaide in the early 1990's, in that this bike has only had one registered owner, who bought it new in July 1992, and was still the owner when the registration expired in 2000. He wasn't the guy I bought it from, but interestingly, it's been parked in a little garden shed, unridden and (on closer inspection) unloved for the last 18 years?

The odometer says that there's only 8000 Km (5000 miles) on the clock, but of course it might be 108000, which is probably more likely, even though that's quite a lot of klicks for a bike that was only on the road for 8 years? The bloke I bought it from wasn't the owner, he was a thickly accented European who told me in his best broken English that his mate bought it as a "non-runner", tried to fix it, gave up, and put it back in the shed, then moved back overseas.

It seems legit though, I did a search to see if it was stolen, but nothing came up, and the dude I collected it from gave me both keys, the owners manual, the original sale documents, and the factory Kawasaki workshop manual. There's no crash damage that I can see, only one scratch on the tank that I'll touch up, but a couple small cracks in the plastics that I'll have to repair, once I remove them all to get to the engine to see why it's not working.

It does look like someone pulled everything off it (and didn't put it back together properly) so it'll be interesting to see what the problem is, but I love a motorcycle challenge, so I'm looking forward to it! Cheers, Terry.

Terry's ZZR1100 pickup day 1 by terry prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's ZZR1100 pickup day 4 by terry prendergast, on Flickr


   

[PeWe]

Terry, you have a good start for a bike museum!

[Bankerdanny]

Installed the recovered seat on the 550

[Don R]

 Rode the 70 750 to an Abate bike show and didn't win one of the top 5, how is that possible?

[M.Henry]

Took the carbs off and completely tore apart my set of pd carbs just to set their needle level different.