Working on the ZX6R

Had an enjoyable afternoon working on the ZX6R. Whipped off the gear
lever side lower fairing and did an oil and filter change - at 34 k
miles for the record.
Sprayed the chain with waxlube and the rear disc with brake cleaner -
now have a freely spinning rear wheel. Getting the hang of the paddock
stand now. It has been a bit heart in the mouth as standing
singlehanded behind the bike, with the sidestand out in case it
fortunately chose to topple sideways to the left, the hooks locate
then you tilt the bike upright to get the stand wheels level on the
ground then shove down on the bar. For a moment nothing happens and
you wait for the fairing shattering crunch as it it goes down sideways
in a heap - but then, as if by magic, it effortlessly rises up and
over to sit up nicely. So far so good.
I'm now a believer and reckon every bike should come with lugs for
this - it makes working on the bike so much easier as it is hoiked up
much higher than a centre stand.
As I am giving the fairing a good clean up and touching in stone chips
I plan on replacing the tatty old fasteners, some with 'orrible cross
head screws, with stainless Allen bolts if I can locate a set. Also
have ideas of painting the scruffy untreated mild steel exhaust
downpipes with black engine enamel as I happen to have a tin sitting
there. Whilst I am at it I am going to give the underslung suspension
linkage, which is totally unprotected from road muck, a mighty
blasting with Copperseal spray + that pink sticky AFC50 goop that
protects aircraft on open carrier decks, just to seal it in.
Cleaned off the engine and underside with Muc Off and am increasingly
pleased at the overall good condition of the bike.
So far so good - might even treat it to a rear hugger to protect it a bit more.

ZXR thoughts

I've really taken to the zxr. It is surprisingly comfortable and not at all intimidating to ride. So far so good - next novelty will be to put it up on its paddock stand.
Meanwhile Ethel stoically sits there with that seen-it-all-before look on her face.
Funnily enough I'm really looking forward to going out on her again.
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Kawasaki zxr 600

Went out today for the first ride on the swapped zxr. Roads were greasy with patchy light rain to keep you on your toes. Immediate first impression was of how nice it was to be back on a bike that goes where you look after all those miles on Ks which demand planned swoopy lines. Also the weight is low and to the front instead of high and top heavy so the bike flicks effortlessly. It was also good to be allowed to smack down the gears even when cranked over without the bike sitting up and going straight on. The motor revs to the moon with no strain or apparent power band just instant vibration free shove everywhere. The brakes are strong with real bite at the front but without nose diving, rear is nice to trail in bends to keep it tight. Riding position is road race in set up rather than short circuit with plenty of room to move about and wide bars. Gonna move them out a bit more I reckon. The bike is not intimidating to ride at all. Wang it round to 12k in the gears and you are in to 100 mph as you click up to 4th gear. V smooth in 6th gear at 80ish on dual carriageway with grunt left to roll on. But twisties are what this bike is all about. You can roll around bends in 4th at the national limit and can snick down to 3rd to tighten the line up whilst maintaining the same speed with 9k on the dial no problem. Get a hurry on and it responds well to bum cheek off the seat, weight on the inside footrest + counter steering for drama free quick stuff. All the controls are slick + it is great to have a proper indicator switch again. Cold start up is typical carb Kwaka as it screams its nuts off then settles down - that's how they made 'em so go ahead and scream. Of course the Remus race pipe makes music of all this - but only in the ears of the behoder I suppose.
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Kawasaki zxr 600

For this - love it !
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K1100LTSE

I just swapped this...
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Manx GP 2011

Counting down the days to March 13th TT & MGP marshals incident management training at St Johns in Bedford. Just realised that my planned arrival on the Saturday before race week will give me a chance to get involved in a practice session that evening.
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