ZX6R F1 non starter

Aha ! Methinks this is the guilty party - fuel pump relay. Rummaging about on Google I came across an American forum with someone with exactly the same problem. Engine turns, sparks ok but dry plugs and no smell of fuel. The response to test the fuel pump was to wire it direct to the battery. So I made up some leads and gave it a go. Bingo ! The pump whirred away like a washing machine on spin whereas it was silent before. Checked all other wires, fuses and connectors - all seem ok. So the only other thing in the circuit is this. So have ordered a working used one from a breaker and will find out if it is the answer when it arrives.
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Big grin at Silverstone on Z800

No I haven't got a pointed head - that's the Schuberth C33 opened !
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Kawasaki Day Silverstone 21 April 13

All set for road ride on new Z800
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So that's what he meant ...

After 7 days just realised what the instructor who passed me on the Stowe circuit on the Kawasaki day looking back and tapping his seat meant. At the time I thought this was the usual follow me signal but was surprised at the pace he was setting. I managed to follow for about a lap and a half before he vanished. At the end of the session he came over to point out that my indicator was on - so that was what he meant not to follow at all ! Quite pleased I hung on as long as I did then.
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Streetfighter

And here's the shiny side.
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Streetfighter check up

Stupidly pleased with this bike. All levels spot on, no leaks, all ok.
No wonder Patch fancies a go.
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Silverstone Z800 road ride

Went out for 25 minute row of ducks ride on the new Z800 Streetfighter . Delighted that it is just like mine to ride but with brakes ! Honestly mine is very close to this to ride so all that work was worth it. The Z800 has better mid range grunt but the dash has tiny rev counter digits so you watch the digital bars grow and shrink just as mine does and there is no gear digit indicator either. So pleased to have bought mine for £200 rather than £8000 for this I forgot to take a picture of it as I walked away. OK it cost me another £1300 to refurbish but still a bargain. Oh yes the timing rotor cover oil weep has stopped so all good.
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Silverstone

And then I rode one of these. It didn't seem such a good idea when it had to be tilted over by 2 blokes so I could even get on the thing. Then away we go brrrrap ! The 250cc 4 stroke has instant punch and I short shifted a couple of gears to calm it down. The course had 5 metre blind high tables and series of nasty 2 metre high waves. After 2 laps I had no confidence at all in what I was doing so I stopped. Having been escorted back to the car park and turning to park in too high a gear it stalled at 0 mph and down I went. So here endeth my dirt bike ambitions.
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Silverstone

The Stalker, Chris Walker, shows how the wheelchange is done
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Silverstone

Me and my newest best mate Tom Sykes
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Kawasaki Day Silverstone 21 April 13

Great fun today. Kicked off with a 15 minute track session on the Streetfighter on the left handed, mickey mouse, adverse cambered Stowe circuit. Was offered and accepted a tow from an instructor who got fed up and cleared off after 2 laps ! Loved it out there anyway.
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Why we love Ethel #1598

Up to RAF Cosford and back today on Ethel. Untouched since the Manx GP 12 she went straight through MOT yesterday and was finally given a clean and check over for today. The Kawasakis are great fun but if you need to get somewhere then there is only 1 bike for the job.
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Streetfighter

Spent ages picking off old gasket on ignition rotor face to fit new cover gasket. Problem is there are wires under rubber which are also clamped when the cover is bolted back on. So despite perfect bare metal face, new gasket, new stainless Allen bolts correctly torqued down the tiny hairline weep persists. Just have to keep an eye on it.
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Kawasaki Day 21 April 13 Silverstone

All set for this on Streetfighter. You get minimum 2 x 15 minute track sessions + road rides on new bikes. In Corby Kawasaki picking up £3 ignition cover gasket I loved the new naked range in 600, 800 and 1000cc options. Gotta have a go on one of them.
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Streetfighter

Its just occurred to me that the Streetfighter and my great mate Patch the dog have similar personalities. They are either doing nothing or going bonkers. The Streetfighter bursts eagerly in to life at 4000 revs and doesn't like reduced choke for a minute or so. It has a tiny oil weep from the ignition cover but to use 1 litre of oil in 200 miles was a shock. Otherwise great, I can now see the appeal of Bandits, Fazers etc. The tyres, brakes and suspension have all bedded in to make it great fun on twisties.
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Decisions made then

The road tax demand for the purple ZX6R F1 was here when I got back on the Streetfighter. Oh dear, the Purple bike is great on track but frankly is horribly uncomfortable on the road. So it's going on SORN to be track modified and just used there. So Kawasaki Day at Silverstone, Festival of 1000 Bikes at Mallory and Donington Park will be on Streetfighter and rain check Rockingham track day will be Purple bike.
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Stubby exhaust can downside

I fitted an oval section Fuel mini stainless end can to the Streetfighter. I am delighted with it. It is perfect for the bike, is solidly made and sounds great.
So what could be wrong with that ? Well riding through town or country roads up and down the gears is great, However we have, thankfully, a lot of dual carriageway roads around here. This leads to prolonged periods at constant throttle openings. The outlet of the short mini can is between the rear wheel spindle and the rear licence plate with the result that exhaust noise exits at the side of the bike not out the back as it does on the purple ZX6R F1 with its long Remus can. The upshot is that the noise soon grates, despite my expensive new Pro Guard custom ear plugs, which by the way are super comfy and otherwise very effective.
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Streetfighter on the road at last

At long last a dry sunny day so took the Streetfighter 125 miles to bed in tyres and everything else. Good news it ran perfectly and did around 60 mpg. This is helped by the lack of screen and upright position making anything over 80mph unbearable. Terrific in town with light weight, tons of bar leverage plus point n squirt power. On country roads the shifter lights are set to come on at 10k revs and it feels racy to see them suddenly light up as a prompt. Overall very nice to ride and probably kinder on the licence and bike as keeping to speed limits whilst flicking it around bends at undiminished speed is not only legal but great fun.
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Next item please !

Well, the Streetfighter is MOTd, taxed and ready to go. All I need is a spell of no snow or icy East wind and away we go.
In the meantime the purple ZX6R absolutely refuses to start. I planned on oil, filters, plugs and fluid change anyway so better bring that bike into the cellar. Funny how I dreaded a carb stripdown on the Streetfighter but now look set to have to do it on the purple bike. I fancy fitting Dzus fasteners to the fairing and maybe some race style sump plug and brake banjo lock wiring whilst I am at it.
Of course whilst all this goes on Ethel starts on the button every time.
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