Track Project
Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:39 pm
Hello,
I've got an old ZXR400 in my garage doing nothing. It's 1989 H model imported from Japan way back when with 40000 miles on the clock. The engine stopped one day on the way home and wouldn't fire again so it's been left in the garage for me to decide what to do. With it being an 18 year old bike, it certainly needs a bit of TCL.
Recently, I decided I was going to strip it down and make something out of it. I will become something my mate and I could use at Knockhill to try to get the knee down and improve our riding skills.
So I'm after some advice. I'm 18 stone and my mate's 15 stone. I want to set the bike up so we can both learn to 'feel' what the bike's doing, while building our confidence and improving lap times.
The fork seals are knackered and the rear shock is past it so I thought I'd start with the suspension. Any advice on improvements/replacements (considering the difference in our weights)? Brakes are standard but I plan to start with braided hoses and uprated pads. If that doesn't work, I'll see ifI can fit more modern calipers off a newer sportsbike. I'm still looking at tyres but not sure what I'm going to go for.
Lastly, the engine. I'm in between two minds about rebuilding it or replacing it with a suitable Kawasaki 600cc motor. I'm not sure which one though so any thoughts/advice would be useful.
Thanks a bunch.
Chazz.
I've got an old ZXR400 in my garage doing nothing. It's 1989 H model imported from Japan way back when with 40000 miles on the clock. The engine stopped one day on the way home and wouldn't fire again so it's been left in the garage for me to decide what to do. With it being an 18 year old bike, it certainly needs a bit of TCL.
Recently, I decided I was going to strip it down and make something out of it. I will become something my mate and I could use at Knockhill to try to get the knee down and improve our riding skills.
So I'm after some advice. I'm 18 stone and my mate's 15 stone. I want to set the bike up so we can both learn to 'feel' what the bike's doing, while building our confidence and improving lap times.
The fork seals are knackered and the rear shock is past it so I thought I'd start with the suspension. Any advice on improvements/replacements (considering the difference in our weights)? Brakes are standard but I plan to start with braided hoses and uprated pads. If that doesn't work, I'll see ifI can fit more modern calipers off a newer sportsbike. I'm still looking at tyres but not sure what I'm going to go for.
Lastly, the engine. I'm in between two minds about rebuilding it or replacing it with a suitable Kawasaki 600cc motor. I'm not sure which one though so any thoughts/advice would be useful.
Thanks a bunch.
Chazz.
