The 2nd Rebirth.
Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 3:46 pm
So, he we go, again!
After seeing Ryans bike a few weeks back, hearing it run, and seeing the work he had done, i couldnt help leaving with the feeling that I really need to get my ZXR back on the road again. I like my versys, i like it alot. Damn near quick enough for me and is such a laugh considering the bike that it is, its hard to believe the enjoyment i get out of it. But seeing Ryans bike has sparked something off inside, i need to swing my leg over that single seat and then wring seven shades out of it.
The last memories of my ZXR were well over a year ago now, so has been sat in the garden, under cover, unstarted and unloved for just as long. The memory that sticks the most was when i took it out for the last time. Just a quick blat up the A14 and through a couple of small villages on the way, back on the A14 and off the slip road to where i live, and it was that slip road that just made it memorable. Newly tarmac'ed, and tightening up half way round. I slung the bike in, knee down, roll off slowly for the tighter bit, tip it a bit more and out the corner, no fuss, no drama, just fun. It just couldnt be beaten.
So i spent all of half hour yesterday checking the fuel hoses were connected and tight, filled up the empty tank with a couple of litres and gave the button a push. As id run the tank and carbs dry they would take a while to fill up but the battery went dead before it fired. Knowing that these are a pain in the butt to start on a weak battery, i put it on charge for the afternoon and popped out. I guess expecting the battery to get it running after a year of no activity was a bit much. Got back and popped the battery in, choke on and pushed the button. Chikachikachikachika VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM, choke off at this point as it was still revving at 6K, switch off and the choke was stuck on, no problem just slipped the slider back and gave it another go. Fired it up and gave it a touch of choke to help it along, beautiful!
So having got it running i gave the bike a good look over, the news is not good but there are some good points. When i got the bike on the road after being sat in a shed for 3 years while at uni, it was mint, but went down hill from there on. At the time, i moved to ipswich and lodged at a house. Unfortunately they didnt have the luxury of a garage or shed, so had been exposed to everything the weather threw at it. Also being my only transport it got used through two winters and with my neglect of keeping it clean, the elements had taken it toll after 18 months. A further year later im in my own place but once again no garage so its laid under the cover. I also managed to drop in the snow a few years back but the crash bung saved an awful lot as the only issue i had was the panel had split by the mount ever so slightly. As you can see there is a fair amount of corrosion over the bike, the tank has rusted as id only primered the tank. The frame needs re coating as the frame protectors (which iv sold) had marked the frame. Good points are that most of the metal bits i had powdercoated originally, have stood the test of time and simply need a clean, the wheels are still looking like new and just need cleaning.
http://www.bikepics.com/members/RobB/93 ... 440853&s=0
http://www.bikepics.com/members/RobB/93 ... 198663&s=0
So now onto the rebuild. A bit of history here: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3023 and more pics of this on my bikepics page http://www.bikepics.com/members/RobB/93zxr400/
The plan:
-sort some storage, i have a tiny little wooden shed which is just about staying manageable with what ive got in it, so no room for ZXR parts.
-to keep with what ive got colour wise, so gold wheels and black and white bodywork it is. they will be off to the sprayers at some point to be properly done. Possibly a new screen as the one i have has some strange cracks in it.
-clean/re powdercoat anything as necessary in gloss black. Temped by the satin finish but once its scratched or polished off, thats it, it doesnt match the rest.
-stainless steel bolts through out/ where i havent already.
-forks straightened, the right hand seal has blown and has done so regularly in the 18 months i was riding it so theres an issue there and im sure it needs straightening.
-suspension, rear shock replaced with a maxton shock or the like. Front forks to be resprung and serviced. This time im looking to enhance the handling, not just the looks.
-front and rear disks. Fronts are warped although i think the rear is good i may change it anyway.
-brakes to be replaced, i prefer the look of newer ZZR calipers so will be on the lookout for a pair plus new lines as the braided set have gone rusty under the PVC sheath, maybe a warranty job from HEL?
-engine service, clearances 'should' be ok as they were done about 6 months before it was laid up but checked none the less. New cam chain and tensioners, and probably the head gasket too. May have the head looked at and cleaned up, make sure the stem seals are good and have the valves lapped. Been tempted by a blueprint for some years too.
-Clean the loom up as its filthy and replace the reg/rec i recall the head light was flickering from bright to dim at random when last i rode it.
Time scale? Probably looking at a year and a half for this, so next summer is the target. Will be slow work in progress. Got one last debt to clear by this summer (hopefully), at which point the money becomes available. Biggest expenditures will probably the disks, suspension and paintjob.
The aim is to be taking this exact picture next year but looking a damn sight newer!
After seeing Ryans bike a few weeks back, hearing it run, and seeing the work he had done, i couldnt help leaving with the feeling that I really need to get my ZXR back on the road again. I like my versys, i like it alot. Damn near quick enough for me and is such a laugh considering the bike that it is, its hard to believe the enjoyment i get out of it. But seeing Ryans bike has sparked something off inside, i need to swing my leg over that single seat and then wring seven shades out of it.
The last memories of my ZXR were well over a year ago now, so has been sat in the garden, under cover, unstarted and unloved for just as long. The memory that sticks the most was when i took it out for the last time. Just a quick blat up the A14 and through a couple of small villages on the way, back on the A14 and off the slip road to where i live, and it was that slip road that just made it memorable. Newly tarmac'ed, and tightening up half way round. I slung the bike in, knee down, roll off slowly for the tighter bit, tip it a bit more and out the corner, no fuss, no drama, just fun. It just couldnt be beaten.
So i spent all of half hour yesterday checking the fuel hoses were connected and tight, filled up the empty tank with a couple of litres and gave the button a push. As id run the tank and carbs dry they would take a while to fill up but the battery went dead before it fired. Knowing that these are a pain in the butt to start on a weak battery, i put it on charge for the afternoon and popped out. I guess expecting the battery to get it running after a year of no activity was a bit much. Got back and popped the battery in, choke on and pushed the button. Chikachikachikachika VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM, choke off at this point as it was still revving at 6K, switch off and the choke was stuck on, no problem just slipped the slider back and gave it another go. Fired it up and gave it a touch of choke to help it along, beautiful!
So having got it running i gave the bike a good look over, the news is not good but there are some good points. When i got the bike on the road after being sat in a shed for 3 years while at uni, it was mint, but went down hill from there on. At the time, i moved to ipswich and lodged at a house. Unfortunately they didnt have the luxury of a garage or shed, so had been exposed to everything the weather threw at it. Also being my only transport it got used through two winters and with my neglect of keeping it clean, the elements had taken it toll after 18 months. A further year later im in my own place but once again no garage so its laid under the cover. I also managed to drop in the snow a few years back but the crash bung saved an awful lot as the only issue i had was the panel had split by the mount ever so slightly. As you can see there is a fair amount of corrosion over the bike, the tank has rusted as id only primered the tank. The frame needs re coating as the frame protectors (which iv sold) had marked the frame. Good points are that most of the metal bits i had powdercoated originally, have stood the test of time and simply need a clean, the wheels are still looking like new and just need cleaning.
http://www.bikepics.com/members/RobB/93 ... 440853&s=0
http://www.bikepics.com/members/RobB/93 ... 198663&s=0
So now onto the rebuild. A bit of history here: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3023 and more pics of this on my bikepics page http://www.bikepics.com/members/RobB/93zxr400/
The plan:
-sort some storage, i have a tiny little wooden shed which is just about staying manageable with what ive got in it, so no room for ZXR parts.
-to keep with what ive got colour wise, so gold wheels and black and white bodywork it is. they will be off to the sprayers at some point to be properly done. Possibly a new screen as the one i have has some strange cracks in it.
-clean/re powdercoat anything as necessary in gloss black. Temped by the satin finish but once its scratched or polished off, thats it, it doesnt match the rest.
-stainless steel bolts through out/ where i havent already.
-forks straightened, the right hand seal has blown and has done so regularly in the 18 months i was riding it so theres an issue there and im sure it needs straightening.
-suspension, rear shock replaced with a maxton shock or the like. Front forks to be resprung and serviced. This time im looking to enhance the handling, not just the looks.
-front and rear disks. Fronts are warped although i think the rear is good i may change it anyway.
-brakes to be replaced, i prefer the look of newer ZZR calipers so will be on the lookout for a pair plus new lines as the braided set have gone rusty under the PVC sheath, maybe a warranty job from HEL?
-engine service, clearances 'should' be ok as they were done about 6 months before it was laid up but checked none the less. New cam chain and tensioners, and probably the head gasket too. May have the head looked at and cleaned up, make sure the stem seals are good and have the valves lapped. Been tempted by a blueprint for some years too.
-Clean the loom up as its filthy and replace the reg/rec i recall the head light was flickering from bright to dim at random when last i rode it.
Time scale? Probably looking at a year and a half for this, so next summer is the target. Will be slow work in progress. Got one last debt to clear by this summer (hopefully), at which point the money becomes available. Biggest expenditures will probably the disks, suspension and paintjob.
The aim is to be taking this exact picture next year but looking a damn sight newer!