Discussion
I've just purchased the above, it had been sitting but the owner before me spent basically what I paid in parts, its had a repainted etc tank and a brand new set of pirelli angels
The last bike I had was a 1999 cbr600fx, light and quick enough for me, nitron rear and ktech front suspension,I only sold it as being sheilded I wasn't using it
The plan was a earlier vfr750 with cbr600 wheels for modern tyres, that was scuppered by the guy selling it to someone else
So gumtree came up with the zzr which was going down in price every few Weeks , I went to view and it was running really roughly, wouldn't tick over until it was really warm, it was far too heavy and I could only get one foot to the ground, so I bought it.
Collected it on a Friday, straight to the petrol shop and it was running on two or maybe three on the way home, h
Got home and parked up thinking how can I sell it and not lose anything.
After about a week I had a couple of days off,so carbs off and each floatbowl was full of rust
It took a while as I've not stripped carbs for at least 10 years, it was all back together so I tried to start it but fuel ran out of the bottom of the fairing, I reconnected the hose to the fuel pump and we had life, it took a while to get going and was still lumpy, infa red laser sowed more or less the same heat on the downpipes.
As its 80+ kg more than the CBR I was a bit apprehensive on the first ride, chicken strips were on the whole tyre.
It's comfortable (I'm 5ft8 29-30 inside leg) fast but not in a thrash me type way, the cbr was much more revvy.
I've done less than 100 miles so far but it's getting better and the only downside is the weight, I'm still getting used to the brakes(Harrison 6 pots, cleaned and bled)
So far I've not had it up to the redline in any gear, in fact on my commute I think I could get away with less than 4k
I need to lower it a bit, not even looked at the shock to see if it max preload etc
The last bike I had was a 1999 cbr600fx, light and quick enough for me, nitron rear and ktech front suspension,I only sold it as being sheilded I wasn't using it
The plan was a earlier vfr750 with cbr600 wheels for modern tyres, that was scuppered by the guy selling it to someone else
So gumtree came up with the zzr which was going down in price every few Weeks , I went to view and it was running really roughly, wouldn't tick over until it was really warm, it was far too heavy and I could only get one foot to the ground, so I bought it.
Collected it on a Friday, straight to the petrol shop and it was running on two or maybe three on the way home, h
Got home and parked up thinking how can I sell it and not lose anything.
After about a week I had a couple of days off,so carbs off and each floatbowl was full of rust
It took a while as I've not stripped carbs for at least 10 years, it was all back together so I tried to start it but fuel ran out of the bottom of the fairing, I reconnected the hose to the fuel pump and we had life, it took a while to get going and was still lumpy, infa red laser sowed more or less the same heat on the downpipes.
As its 80+ kg more than the CBR I was a bit apprehensive on the first ride, chicken strips were on the whole tyre.
It's comfortable (I'm 5ft8 29-30 inside leg) fast but not in a thrash me type way, the cbr was much more revvy.
I've done less than 100 miles so far but it's getting better and the only downside is the weight, I'm still getting used to the brakes(Harrison 6 pots, cleaned and bled)
So far I've not had it up to the redline in any gear, in fact on my commute I think I could get away with less than 4k
I need to lower it a bit, not even looked at the shock to see if it max preload etc
U didn't like the weight and the seat height, I had a BMW 11gs before a nice lady did a right turn when she should have gone left, I couldn't pick the BMW up and decided that any bike I have, I must be able to pick it up on my own, I've failed, I'm struggling to push it backwards whilst I'm sitting on it because of the seat height, it's our wedding anniversary weekend so no bike messing till next week I'm afraid
£800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
£800 is what I paid, considering the new tyres, new painted tank and a few bits of bodywork I think I did ok, now how am I going to sell it for 4k now?
black-k1 said:
Not being able to pick up an R1100GS is a technique issue. Due to being a boxer they are really easy to pick up as they don't fully fall over.
Forward facing technique - stand on beside the bike. level with the handlebar that's on the ground. Straight back, bent legs, one foot either side of the handle bar, gripping the bar on the ground with both hands and straighten your legs to pick the bar off the ground. don't pick the bick up, just the handlebar. The bike will magically follow.
Rear facing technique - stand with your back to the bike level with the end of the tank nearest the seat. Bend your knees, straight back again, grip the handlebar with one hand and something solid by the seat with the other. Straighten your legs ans shuffle backwards to lift the bike.
Lots of youtube videos (particularly of the rear technique on Harleys!) showing how it's done.
Easy for you to say, are you anywhere near Stourbridge? I'll ring you when it happens Forward facing technique - stand on beside the bike. level with the handlebar that's on the ground. Straight back, bent legs, one foot either side of the handle bar, gripping the bar on the ground with both hands and straighten your legs to pick the bar off the ground. don't pick the bick up, just the handlebar. The bike will magically follow.
Rear facing technique - stand with your back to the bike level with the end of the tank nearest the seat. Bend your knees, straight back again, grip the handlebar with one hand and something solid by the seat with the other. Straighten your legs ans shuffle backwards to lift the bike.
Lots of youtube videos (particularly of the rear technique on Harleys!) showing how it's done.
underwhelmist said:
I love bikes of this era and that looks like a good one, although I'm sure there'll be a few issues to keep you occupied tinkering over winter!
I bought my 1995 RF900 for about what you paid, like yours I needed to strip and clean the carbs. Also replace battery, chain & sprockets, brake and clutch lines (mainly to get rid of anodized purple crap), set valve clearances...you get the idea, I'm sure you won't be bored.
If you're in Stourbridge you're not far from me in Kidderminster, I'll keep an eye out for you although when I'm on the bike I'm usually heading south. Happy riding!
edit: OP, out of curiosity, what's the mileage? Mine's just tipped over 40k, under 1500 miles a year if genuine.
I picked it up from Kidderminster, it's got 35k on it and hasnee chain and sprockets I bought my 1995 RF900 for about what you paid, like yours I needed to strip and clean the carbs. Also replace battery, chain & sprockets, brake and clutch lines (mainly to get rid of anodized purple crap), set valve clearances...you get the idea, I'm sure you won't be bored.
If you're in Stourbridge you're not far from me in Kidderminster, I'll keep an eye out for you although when I'm on the bike I'm usually heading south. Happy riding!
edit: OP, out of curiosity, what's the mileage? Mine's just tipped over 40k, under 1500 miles a year if genuine.
Edited by underwhelmist on Friday 23 September 21:29
Bit of an update, I've used it for commuting a few times, 0430 start and wet on the way to work
It's been really easy to ride, a really wet morning and I'm not sure I went over 4k
As its still a bit tall I thought I'd adjust the suspension, what a pain in the bum, to get at the shock it's tank and seat off, then the whole of the rear ends bodywork and the undertray that has the battery etc on or in it.
So I got just far enough that it wasn't worth putting it back together and it started pouring down, I was outside as the garage is full.
Good news is I got to the shock and it's a hagon aftermarket shock, I've taken all of the preload out of the forks and the shock, I can now use the centre stand as the rear wheel was on the ground even on the stand
It now sits more upright on the side stand and is deffo lower when sitting on it, not ridden it yet as I've waited for the Stourbridge monsoon to pass and it's still hete
It's been really easy to ride, a really wet morning and I'm not sure I went over 4k
As its still a bit tall I thought I'd adjust the suspension, what a pain in the bum, to get at the shock it's tank and seat off, then the whole of the rear ends bodywork and the undertray that has the battery etc on or in it.
So I got just far enough that it wasn't worth putting it back together and it started pouring down, I was outside as the garage is full.
Good news is I got to the shock and it's a hagon aftermarket shock, I've taken all of the preload out of the forks and the shock, I can now use the centre stand as the rear wheel was on the ground even on the stand
It now sits more upright on the side stand and is deffo lower when sitting on it, not ridden it yet as I've waited for the Stourbridge monsoon to pass and it's still hete
Jazoli said:
Have you tried rotating the chain adjuster eccentrics in the swing arm? as is sounds like they have been rotated 180 degrees to raise the rear, which in turn means the tyre will be on the floor when on the side stand, it's a very common mod to increase rear ride height and improve turn in.
It's a 10 minute job to do, undo pinch bolts then use an 8mm (I think) allen wrench to turn the adjusters, you'll have to go the opposite way than you would to tighten the chain.
They are in the normal low position, I'm hoping that adjusting the shock will allow me to do this after It's a 10 minute job to do, undo pinch bolts then use an 8mm (I think) allen wrench to turn the adjusters, you'll have to go the opposite way than you would to tighten the chain.
Edited by Jazoli on Saturday 1st October 08:36
BigFatNinja said:
I am looking to pick one up for commuting duties how do you find ride position / wind & rain protection / fuel ?
So far good on fuel, not done a tank full then work it out run yet, I've only done about 120 miles.It's a bit of a stretch to the bars but they are not too low
Weather protection seems good, it's been wet on my way to work all week and my gear is hardly wet, I've got the STD screen not a flip or DBL bubble one
patchb said:
You say this has Harrison Billet 6 calipers on it?
How are you finding them? I’ve just bought a bike with some on and not ridden it yet but debating changing to a set of Nissin 4 pots just for ease of pad availability etc.
The bike will get used on track occasionally.
I'm not impressed so far, but I haven't had a chance to really go through them, new seals lube etcHow are you finding them? I’ve just bought a bike with some on and not ridden it yet but debating changing to a set of Nissin 4 pots just for ease of pad availability etc.
The bike will get used on track occasionally.
Also the pads are quite dark so may have been contaminated with fork oil, trouble is asking me as my last bike was a cbr600fx with posh fork Inners etc and that was about 80+ kilos lighter and that was about 2 years ago.
I'm looking at a radial master cylinder upgrade
Pads are about £100 for a set
Edited by ssray on Monday 3rd October 14:43
jjones said:
quickbikes has done a lot of work on his, might be worth a watch:
https://www.youtube.com/c/QuickBikes/videos
Thanks, loads on there https://www.youtube.com/c/QuickBikes/videos
I can now put both feet on the ground at traffic lights etc, it's quite a bit lower in fact I may be able to do the thing with the chain adjuster to speed up the steering and still touch the floor.
The front end was backed off too but I'm thinking it may have uprated springs
It's quite cold blooded in the morning, starts instantly but then seems to go onto two or three cylinders, maybe another carb strip will show a bit of crap in there, last time I just used a spray next time I'll have some nylon thread to poke through the jets
The front end was backed off too but I'm thinking it may have uprated springs
It's quite cold blooded in the morning, starts instantly but then seems to go onto two or three cylinders, maybe another carb strip will show a bit of crap in there, last time I just used a spray next time I'll have some nylon thread to poke through the jets
andym1603 said:
The only problem I had with mine was, If I used it in the wet I found the front pads (both EBC make) almost invariably had welded themselves to the discs the following day. They always released with a good "Thunk" under engine power. Never had that problem with any other bike.
It's got Harrison 6 pot calipers with I think SBS pads I've been commuting on this recently,good mpg,good weather protection, early shifts I leave home at 0315
The only thing I don't really like currently is the brakes.
I'm looking at upgrading to a later radial master cylinder
The brakes are quite wooden and not really feeling that good, I'm going to rebuild with new seals at the same time
The only thing I don't really like currently is the brakes.
I'm looking at upgrading to a later radial master cylinder
The brakes are quite wooden and not really feeling that good, I'm going to rebuild with new seals at the same time
Drawweight said:
On my first 1100 I put 6 pot callipers on it. I believe they were from an early GSXR 1000 but don’t quote me on that.
In spite of the fact they don’t get a good reputation they made a significant difference on the ZZR.
I’m not suggesting you switch as the callipers you have should in theory be quite the upgrade. Perhaps it’s the master cylinder/ calliper ratio that’s wrong and they were never intended for your bike from new.
They are made for it, I'm going to get a more modern m/c for itIn spite of the fact they don’t get a good reputation they made a significant difference on the ZZR.
I’m not suggesting you switch as the callipers you have should in theory be quite the upgrade. Perhaps it’s the master cylinder/ calliper ratio that’s wrong and they were never intended for your bike from new.
I've done stuff since the last update:
Bar risers -they fit under the STD bars and raise them by 30mm(good for old farts)
Zzr600 rear suspension dog bones, they lower the back end by about 30mm(not the same 30mm from the handlebars)
What a pain in the arse they were e
Paddock stand no good, centre stand is not very good and the last owner welded it but t it's crap, I put it on the centre stand with bits of wood under the stand and cable ties around the front brake to keep it stable, couldn't find the 19mm socket so I had to lock the 19mm side and undo it from the other side.
The zzr600 one's are only a bit shorter than the zzr11 ones , I thought it would make no difference but it's better with a few toes down at the lights etc when I collected it , I could only get one toe down on one side
I also did the chain adjuster mod to raise the rear end and speed up the steering a bit, it raises the seat a bit and improves the steering.
The front mudguard had been welded but had cracked again and it's not worth saving, so I use cable ties , drilling holes each side of the cracks the added super glue with bicarbonate of soda sprinkled on to speed it up.
A pain in the arse bit was the r/h exhaust gas split, the front brakes need a rebuild and I haven't had time to for the radial master cylinder yet.
I went round the block and a bit more, seems to steer much better , the bars are nicer ,but I think the r/h one is bent,was raining when I got home so that's for tomorrow
It's no longer a mistake the adjustment's I've done make it feel lighter when moving it around pushing or when seated
Pics when it's less damp out
Bar risers -they fit under the STD bars and raise them by 30mm(good for old farts)
Zzr600 rear suspension dog bones, they lower the back end by about 30mm(not the same 30mm from the handlebars)
What a pain in the arse they were e
Paddock stand no good, centre stand is not very good and the last owner welded it but t it's crap, I put it on the centre stand with bits of wood under the stand and cable ties around the front brake to keep it stable, couldn't find the 19mm socket so I had to lock the 19mm side and undo it from the other side.
The zzr600 one's are only a bit shorter than the zzr11 ones , I thought it would make no difference but it's better with a few toes down at the lights etc when I collected it , I could only get one toe down on one side
I also did the chain adjuster mod to raise the rear end and speed up the steering a bit, it raises the seat a bit and improves the steering.
The front mudguard had been welded but had cracked again and it's not worth saving, so I use cable ties , drilling holes each side of the cracks the added super glue with bicarbonate of soda sprinkled on to speed it up.
A pain in the arse bit was the r/h exhaust gas split, the front brakes need a rebuild and I haven't had time to for the radial master cylinder yet.
I went round the block and a bit more, seems to steer much better , the bars are nicer ,but I think the r/h one is bent,was raining when I got home so that's for tomorrow
It's no longer a mistake the adjustment's I've done make it feel lighter when moving it around pushing or when seated
Pics when it's less damp out
It's been pushed into service this week, last Saturday the car are it's turbo, so Sunday I was home around 1530 I finished putting the carbs back on at 1900
I removed the pilot jets and put them in a glass jar with petrol in and stuck the jar(lid on) Inthe ultrasonic cleaner, I cooked them for about 20mins, the fuel had darkened quite a lot , I also heated them in a naked flame.
Up at 0330 on the bike at 0430 it was quite cold blooded still and a bugger to get off of the slightly sloped drive,no power down low, it was ok on the main road but then wanted to do 70+
I figured the jets need more time in the cleaner, so I'm buying some unrestricted ones to cobble together a decent set and I can clean parts for longer.
Tuesday the ignition had frozen (0420) so I got the acf90 (don't like wd40) no good , so back in the house and I got my blowtorch,key and lock heated and I was off.
Wednesday was better at starting as I found my cover, Friday it was a right pain to get off of the drive 6k and clutch slip, sorry neighbors , once again rough low down but when warm it was ok
Surprisingly ok in the icy/snowy roads, apart from getting home and getting off and pushing it back onto the drive, it slid ,I slid, kept it upright whilst we both slipped towards the house
I removed the pilot jets and put them in a glass jar with petrol in and stuck the jar(lid on) Inthe ultrasonic cleaner, I cooked them for about 20mins, the fuel had darkened quite a lot , I also heated them in a naked flame.
Up at 0330 on the bike at 0430 it was quite cold blooded still and a bugger to get off of the slightly sloped drive,no power down low, it was ok on the main road but then wanted to do 70+
I figured the jets need more time in the cleaner, so I'm buying some unrestricted ones to cobble together a decent set and I can clean parts for longer.
Tuesday the ignition had frozen (0420) so I got the acf90 (don't like wd40) no good , so back in the house and I got my blowtorch,key and lock heated and I was off.
Wednesday was better at starting as I found my cover, Friday it was a right pain to get off of the drive 6k and clutch slip, sorry neighbors , once again rough low down but when warm it was ok
Surprisingly ok in the icy/snowy roads, apart from getting home and getting off and pushing it back onto the drive, it slid ,I slid, kept it upright whilst we both slipped towards the house
This week has been mostly carb related, on Wednesday it was running so badly it was only doing 30 mph and a hard to get to 30 too, so Thurs I took the airbox off and started it up, the middle two carbs were working but not t no's 1 and 4
Carbs off, jets into the ultrasonic cleaner and carb tops off, new needles,check the diaphragms,all looking ok, so I refitted the carb tops, holding the slides up a bit so there would be no pinching
No time to test ride so off to work,a easy(ish) 40 mph with 60 if I put the choke on, turns out there is a 15-20 mm hose from the ramair at the front to the carbs, this had been pulled out when I was removing or refitting the carbs etc
It's back to scaring the poo out of me again, full power now and running really well
Carbs off, jets into the ultrasonic cleaner and carb tops off, new needles,check the diaphragms,all looking ok, so I refitted the carb tops, holding the slides up a bit so there would be no pinching
No time to test ride so off to work,a easy(ish) 40 mph with 60 if I put the choke on, turns out there is a 15-20 mm hose from the ramair at the front to the carbs, this had been pulled out when I was removing or refitting the carbs etc
It's back to scaring the poo out of me again, full power now and running really well
A500leroy said:
How easy do you find getting parts for an older bike, or do you just cobble up bits of other Kawasaki on to it?
Sorry I forgot to answer, I lowered it initially because the last owner was 6ft2 and may have liked a pie, I've only go a 39 inch inside leg, I don't mind tall bikes be r when they are tall and the seat is wide I suffer It rides much better being lower at the rear , I have also dropped the yokes over the forks about an extra 5mm
Turning the eccentrics for the chain raised the back end slightly but made it steer much better
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