Just Wanted a thread where I could post the progress of my 'restoration' of the ZXR to a much more respectable level, as some of you know this bike has cost me more than a 95 ZX6R ...
It all started when I bought the bike, the whole glamour of a fast 250 after a ZZR got me far to eager for my own good, So a quick purchase later I am paying off a shiny Black 1992 ZXR250, which was down on power (33ps)..
I picked it up from Red Baron Auckland geared up and had to try find my way to the motorway, on a new bike this was somewhat strange, new brakes amazing power difference to the ZZR and just a general “mental” little shit that loved to speed, After 10 minutes of searching, and a lot of wheel spin (this bike drifts) I found my way on the North Western, I was by myself and I was pumped to the brim with adrenalin, it was a lunchtime rush and the traffic was fairly fast flowing only minor filtering required to keep me at a steady 110kmph, the long trip began - firstly I really enjoyed the new power and ability to accelerate all the way to 195kmph (on erm... a test track, not the motorway no I would never do that ).
I got to Orewa and stopped at the caltex, still on a buzz from my new toy - filled it up and off I go again - all I can say is I found heavy breaking was unachievable on this bike, I had touchdowns on a lot of corners because I went to fast into them as the brakes refused to slow my speed, this concerned me but I shrugged it off.
I turned off towards ruawai as my mother wanted to see if I was ok - I got to ruawai and was a number one hit there.
I refuelled again (my back plays up from rugby and hockey injuries, so the fuel stops were an excuse for my own weakness!) and took off down SH14, Now I know most of you know this road, while short (45km) it is a bloody awesome road for some erm.. Sensible riding!
I got stuck behind a logging truck for quiet some time because I knew that my brakes wouldn’t chop off the speed in time for the next corner, eventually I pass and pick up the pace, had a few close calls with some unmarked road works, and even did a few wheelies off the crests.
I get into whangarei only to be zapped by about 3 cops, all let me go on and I get into town, People were flashing their lights at me so I take heed and slow myself down, At the lights before JUST before my house I decided not to filter the que, and sat patiently at the back, an escudo pulls up beside me and insists on a drag, it had nos stickers and pod filters and everything the real deal , So I eliminate him and turn into my house - my brakes didn’t want to work so a bit of rear wheel locking and I was done, parked it up and inspected its beauty, what’s this? Leaking oil? Funny smells? Smoke? ... well yes it had it all
I take it to the shop in the next few days, and got that fixed up - many days of happy commuting happened after that and I became more and more concerned about the brakes they just wouldn’t stop me, I was depending on engine braking and the rear brake .
So I take the bike in and say, ah do a 20k service on it (full strip and check), and also told them to check the disks because I was sure they were stuffed, I got a call later that day informing them that my right disk was 5mm out and the left 4mm, so A quick call from red baron had a set of new OEM disks from Japan on there way and new brake pads and such in the mail... I get another call saying that they have to order more shims as my valves where literally ready to drop into the barrels.. So 500$ later I figured that the bike was all good!.
When I picked it up I noticed the difference, some say valves make no difference I don’t really understand as if they are loose you will be down on compression etc (??) well anyway riding around town was a lot more fun, it decided to do nice little first gear power wheelies, which could be made much larger with a quick tug on the bars, I was a very happy chap.
So I decided I wanted some new things, pack rack, alarm, light guard, heated grips, I installed all of these and cleaned the bike every single night, I was overall very happy with her
Until I decided to get new headlamps, now this is possibly the most ironic thing that could ever happen, but I get the lamps install them with a bit of snipping trimming etc, then wait till around 8 when it was getting darker and went for a little ride, It decided to cough and splutter when I turned around to get to whangarei so I slowed down to conserve some fuel and just as I get into town I am greeted by an overly friendly dog , he made a mess of me and the bike, So anyway with the help of some nice people who had just moved to whangarei (the chap had a ZX750R ) I was off home, with a wobbly, very loud bike with everything broken.. Get into town some dickhead reverses over the road causing me to pretty much lock the front (to no avail still shoddy front brakes) and anyways that was over got home feeling some pain and humility my baby is broken and it was my fault for not just leaving her at home, then I decided that I needed to faint and get a free ride to hospital and get lots of drugs.
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Originally Posted by gareth_d
Still though that will change and likely before mine does. Ohwell, I'll always have your age aye boy?
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