I rode to Willoughby and back for 14 miles. What a difference the rear shock makes! I had gotten used to putting pressure on the pegs when I anticipated a bump to minimize the impact. I still found myself doing it without needing to. The bike rides so much smoother now it's like brand new! I scheduled to have the forks redone hopefully in the next week or so. That should make it even better!
Wow my writing sucks after taking a few months off!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Almost Done with the Repairs! - 32,638
Maintanance Log Entry:
Oil Change (minus the filter) - Amsoil Synthetic 10W30
Antifreeze Change
Rear Shock Absorber Rebuilt
New Rear Tire - Dunlop Roadsmart 190/50-17
New Rear Brakepads/fluid (Front ones come after the fork rebuild) - EBC Sintered HH
Greased Fittings
Oiled Chain
Oil Change (minus the filter) - Amsoil Synthetic 10W30
Antifreeze Change
Rear Shock Absorber Rebuilt
New Rear Tire - Dunlop Roadsmart 190/50-17
New Rear Brakepads/fluid (Front ones come after the fork rebuild) - EBC Sintered HH
Greased Fittings
Oiled Chain
Friday, January 15, 2010
Winter Repairs - Rear End
I started working on my winter repairs this week. I know it's a long time coming and I should have done a few things sooner (like taking the battery out,) but better late than never.
First things first, I took the battery out. I also ordered a trickle charger to keep it charged the rest of the winter. Next I took the seat and rear fairings off (one on each side) in order to gain access to the fuel tank bolts. After pondering for a while on how to get the fuel out, I decided that I needed to get a hose. Here ends the first day of repairs.
On the second day I stopped by home depot on the way home from work and bought two clear hoses--one for the fuel and another for the brake/clutch lines. Unfortunately when I got home the hose for the brake lines was too small. The fuel line was the right size so I got back to work. I turned the fuel off, removed the top hose, and put on the hose I bought. Then when I turned the fuel back on, the gas went into my gas can. Success! It took about half an hour to drain the fuel. When that finished I turned the fuel back off again and proceeded. Well there was still one more hose connected to the fuel tank, so I took that one off too.
Bad idea. The remaining fuel in the tank spilled all over the garage floor. I realized my mistake as soon as I saw gas coming out of the hose. The tank has a hose from the tank itself to the on/off switch that I don't need to remove in order to take the tank off.
Now that that was settled, I removed the 4 bolts holding the tank on and took it off. The fuel in the gas can was nice and clear (no crud in it like I half expected) so I emptied it into my car. I havn't got a chance to look for rust yet, but I'll make sure the tank is clean before putting it back on.
The third day I decided to get the old shock (or steel bar) off to make sure it matched my newly aquired one. I was looking at the service manual, looking at the bike, looking at the service manual, and I could not figure out how to get the shock off. Finally it dawned on me that I have the manual for the D model ZX11 instead of the C model. After throwing the book back in the car I decided the best course of action was to take off the rear tire and get at the shock from behind. A few hours later I had the entire back end of my bike tore off (minus the frame and wires) and finally had access to the shock. I got it off fairly easily and took all the parts back inside.
So now I'm looking for a dealer that will rebuild the shock I bought off ebay. I found one in Akron that will do it for about $150. If they do a good job I'll probably take my forks down there to have them rebuilt too.
I plan on getting the entire back end finished before I start working on the front end. That includes the new shock, new tire, frozen caliper piston, new brake pads, and fixing 5th gear. I'm also thinking of getting a new chain (this chain looks a little rusted) but I'll probably do that after I get everything else fixed and back together. I'm keeping a running total of the cost of repairs as well which I'll post when everything is said and done.
First things first, I took the battery out. I also ordered a trickle charger to keep it charged the rest of the winter. Next I took the seat and rear fairings off (one on each side) in order to gain access to the fuel tank bolts. After pondering for a while on how to get the fuel out, I decided that I needed to get a hose. Here ends the first day of repairs.
On the second day I stopped by home depot on the way home from work and bought two clear hoses--one for the fuel and another for the brake/clutch lines. Unfortunately when I got home the hose for the brake lines was too small. The fuel line was the right size so I got back to work. I turned the fuel off, removed the top hose, and put on the hose I bought. Then when I turned the fuel back on, the gas went into my gas can. Success! It took about half an hour to drain the fuel. When that finished I turned the fuel back off again and proceeded. Well there was still one more hose connected to the fuel tank, so I took that one off too.
Bad idea. The remaining fuel in the tank spilled all over the garage floor. I realized my mistake as soon as I saw gas coming out of the hose. The tank has a hose from the tank itself to the on/off switch that I don't need to remove in order to take the tank off.
Now that that was settled, I removed the 4 bolts holding the tank on and took it off. The fuel in the gas can was nice and clear (no crud in it like I half expected) so I emptied it into my car. I havn't got a chance to look for rust yet, but I'll make sure the tank is clean before putting it back on.
The third day I decided to get the old shock (or steel bar) off to make sure it matched my newly aquired one. I was looking at the service manual, looking at the bike, looking at the service manual, and I could not figure out how to get the shock off. Finally it dawned on me that I have the manual for the D model ZX11 instead of the C model. After throwing the book back in the car I decided the best course of action was to take off the rear tire and get at the shock from behind. A few hours later I had the entire back end of my bike tore off (minus the frame and wires) and finally had access to the shock. I got it off fairly easily and took all the parts back inside.
So now I'm looking for a dealer that will rebuild the shock I bought off ebay. I found one in Akron that will do it for about $150. If they do a good job I'll probably take my forks down there to have them rebuilt too.
I plan on getting the entire back end finished before I start working on the front end. That includes the new shock, new tire, frozen caliper piston, new brake pads, and fixing 5th gear. I'm also thinking of getting a new chain (this chain looks a little rusted) but I'll probably do that after I get everything else fixed and back together. I'm keeping a running total of the cost of repairs as well which I'll post when everything is said and done.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Last Ride of the Season
It was a beautiful day last Sunday, so I decided to take the bike out one last time. The plan was to go on a date with Emily and play putt putt. We drove to the place and found out it was closed for the season.
Bummer.
We ended up eating at a nearby Denny's and driving home. It was a good drive at least!
Bummer.
We ended up eating at a nearby Denny's and driving home. It was a good drive at least!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Winter Sale
bikebandit.com had a closeout sale last weekend and I jumped at the chance to pick up some equipment.
I dropped $400 on a jacket, pants, gloves, new brake pads, new turn signal, and a cargo net. Because of the sale, I saved $200 total on the clothes. Nice.
I dropped $400 on a jacket, pants, gloves, new brake pads, new turn signal, and a cargo net. Because of the sale, I saved $200 total on the clothes. Nice.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The ZX11 - 32,500 Miles
I bought my Kawasaki ZX11 in August, just two months after I started my new job at Progressive. I wasn't planning on buying a motorcycle anytime soon, but this one caught my eye and the price was right. Previously I had been riding my sister's Kawasaki 250 Ninja every summer since I got my license.
I totaled the thing 2 days after I got my permit, on a country road when a bear ran out and attacked me.
Yes, a bear.
The bike was fixed partly through the dealership and partly from my brother's handywork. I was left with two scars on my right arm.
My sister told me when I was in the ER "When you get better, get back on that bike and go out for a ride." And that's what I did.
I put a lot of miles on the 250 puttin' around town. Minus the rides to Defiance and back (20 miles), I only went on 2 long trips. One was to Ft. Wayne with my dad (50 miles). The other was to Port Clinton (110 miles).
I learned a lot on the 250 and owe my brother and sister for all the support they have given me.
So I ran across the ZX11 for sale while picking up some hay for my bunny. I stopped by and had a look at it, talked to the owner, and got his number. I stopped by a week later for a test drive and put down a price of $2800. He took it. I had just bought my first vehicle.
The bike is a 1991 and it had 31,910 miles on it when I bought it. It runs well. Starts up everytime, idles around 1200, and has more power than you can shake a stick at. It is a giant leap from the tiny 250. The ZX11 is also really heavy, something that I both like and dislike. While it makes it more difficult to corner, the bike feels really solid and tied to the ground.
Since I bought it I took a trip home and back (180 miles), but mostly I've been running around Cleveland. I got a flat tire just before the end of the riding season which put me down for the winter. My bike is currently in the garage waiting for me to winterize and start working on it. I've got a huge list of things to go through this winter (change brake pads, oil/fuel filters, tires, change tire, clean carbs, ect.) so it will be a fun experience. I'm looking forward to learning all about keeping a vehicle running smoothly.
I totaled the thing 2 days after I got my permit, on a country road when a bear ran out and attacked me.
Yes, a bear.
The bike was fixed partly through the dealership and partly from my brother's handywork. I was left with two scars on my right arm.
My sister told me when I was in the ER "When you get better, get back on that bike and go out for a ride." And that's what I did.
I put a lot of miles on the 250 puttin' around town. Minus the rides to Defiance and back (20 miles), I only went on 2 long trips. One was to Ft. Wayne with my dad (50 miles). The other was to Port Clinton (110 miles).
I learned a lot on the 250 and owe my brother and sister for all the support they have given me.
So I ran across the ZX11 for sale while picking up some hay for my bunny. I stopped by and had a look at it, talked to the owner, and got his number. I stopped by a week later for a test drive and put down a price of $2800. He took it. I had just bought my first vehicle.
The bike is a 1991 and it had 31,910 miles on it when I bought it. It runs well. Starts up everytime, idles around 1200, and has more power than you can shake a stick at. It is a giant leap from the tiny 250. The ZX11 is also really heavy, something that I both like and dislike. While it makes it more difficult to corner, the bike feels really solid and tied to the ground.
Since I bought it I took a trip home and back (180 miles), but mostly I've been running around Cleveland. I got a flat tire just before the end of the riding season which put me down for the winter. My bike is currently in the garage waiting for me to winterize and start working on it. I've got a huge list of things to go through this winter (change brake pads, oil/fuel filters, tires, change tire, clean carbs, ect.) so it will be a fun experience. I'm looking forward to learning all about keeping a vehicle running smoothly.
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