L’s Angels Cape Reinga/90 Mile Beach Ride November 2013

[Gremlin]

Didn't the majority of gas companies adopted ethanol fuel, I'm almost certain that 'Z' did.

I believe (aka hope to hell) that blends aren't common just yet. Gull has it throughout their full pretty much (possible some older stations in the middle of nowhere type stuff may have normal fuel). Z afaik doesn't have it yet, neither does Caltex or BP. Don't think I could get a definitive answer on Mobil when I last hunted, I think it varied for them.

[Maha]

Normally I would have sorted the groups before now, but just sort yourselves out on the day.

Group 1 is lead by Ashley (LankyBastard) and tec'd by Jase (Mongolian)
Group 2 is lead by Irene (Boots) and tec'd by Simon (bluninja) Carmel (Newhere) will help out with the leading of this group also.
Group 3 is lead by Mark (Maha) and tec'd by Rhys (hobbyhorse) this is the learner friendly group.

:The only point about any group I will make is, nobody overtakes the leader.

No egos or heroes, we just don't care.
This whole ride is designed with newbies in mind, hence the stops every 80k or so. There is only two main stops, at Kiawaka and Paihia. Whangarei is pick up/take a piss/have a drink 15-20 normally.

[angle]

I believe (aka hope to hell) that blends aren't common just yet. Gull has it throughout their full pretty much (possible some older stations in the middle of nowhere type stuff may have normal fuel). Z afaik doesn't have it yet, neither does Caltex or BP. Don't think I could get a definitive answer on Mobil when I last hunted, I think it varied for them.

Thanks, good info to have.

[Juniper]

91 is sometimes better for older bikes though. I thought you said that you've tightened up the chain?

Oh don't get me started!! I had tightened her up perfectly as per the manual and measured and all, then suddenly on Friday I felt and heard (over my plugs music and engine) a clunk and I thought it had come off.

Took it to Spectrum yesterday to tighten it, do the carbs and give it a WOF. The only thing good I can say is I got the WOF. The chain was loser than the town bicycle that I could almost take it off the sprocket with my fingers- and I have this on video- and the carbs so rough it wasn't the usual splutter it was jerking.

Had a go at them this morning and they took it back (after saying they didn't rip the seat it was just a crack that wasn't there before) and gave me a brand new EX300 to ride to get my work laptop.
My bike is worth $3,000 max, the EX300 is $10,000 so kinda nervous about that.
And I didn't like the way it rode, the seating and things like that. You know personal preferences.

When I dropped it back off to pick up my bike he said "I should re-evaluate if I'm a real biker if I didn't like the EX300 v's my little ZXR250". tbh I found that quite hurtful.
And then he went on that the knocking of my lose chain wouldn't make a difference cause you wouldn't be able to hear it over my pipes and that all I'm doing is attracting cops.

Mao is still running upsettingly rough and I don't know what to do about the rip in the seat.

[LankyBastard]

Oh don't get me started!! I had tightened her up perfectly as per the manual and measured and all, then suddenly on Friday I felt and heard (over my plugs music and engine) a clunk and I thought it had come off.

Took it to Spectrum yesterday to tighten it, do the carbs and give it a WOF. The only thing good I can say is I got the WOF. The chain was loser than the town bicycle that I could almost take it off the sprocket with my fingers- and I have this on video- and the carbs so rough it wasn't the usual splutter it was jerking.

Had a go at them this morning and they took it back (after saying they didn't rip the seat it was just a crack that wasn't there before) and gave me a brand new EX300 to ride to get my work laptop.
My bike is worth $3,000 max, the EX300 is $10,000 so kinda nervous about that.
And I didn't like the way it rode, the seating and things like that. You know personal preferences.

When I dropped it back off to pick up my bike he said "I should re-evaluate if I'm a real biker if I didn't like the EX300 v's my little ZXR250". tbh I found that quite hurtful.
And then he went on that the knocking of my lose chain wouldn't make a difference cause you wouldn't be able to hear it over my pipes and that all I'm doing is attracting cops.

Mao is still running upsettingly rough and I don't know what to do about the rip in the seat.

Get George (Motorcycle Doctors) to sort it out for you, he did a friend of mine's ZXR250C, full strip down, new cam chain, full carb balance etc and to be honest after that it was one of the sweetest engines I have ever experienced, virtually no grab off idle, super smooth throttle response. If George can do it you would expect a Kawasaki dealer to be able to!

[GravelRashKid]

Hmm. Spectrum sound as bad as Coleman's Suzuki.
I don't have time right now to give details, but I will later. Suffice to say I strongly recommend avoiding getting engine work done there!

Motorcycle Doctors however... A+
I'm on for this ride.

[Juniper]

Get George (Motorcycle Doctors) to sort it out for you, he did a friend of mine's ZXR250C, full strip down, new cam chain, full carb balance etc and to be honest after that it was one of the sweetest engines I have ever experienced, virtually no grab off idle, super smooth throttle response. If George can do it you would expect a Kawasaki dealer to be able to!

I rang George last night as soon as I found out and he said to give Spectrum a second chance cause he's never heard anything bad about them.

I know bits are worn, and I understand that they might not be able to get rid of the 6-7k splutter. But I would like her back in better or at least the same condition as I dropped her off in. $300 later.

Yep, George it is for me. I just hope he can see me soon.

[angle]

Oh don't get me started!!
...
Mao is still running upsettingly rough and I don't know what to do about the rip in the seat.

Not a very pleasant experience... When I read "When I dropped it..." I've held my breath for a second or two
That mechanic sounds a bit strange (sounds like a fresh apprentice to me) as Spectrum have a good reputation. ZXR250R has an L4 16-valve DOHC (was very popular in the 90ies) while the EX300 is a cheaper parallel twin. You engine is sportier, and I would personally pick a ZXR250R in good condition (not many around nowadays though) over an EX300. As LankyBastard said, Motorcycle Doctors might indeed be the best option for you.

Hmm. Spectrum sound as bad as Coleman's Suzuki.

What's wrong with Colemans?

P.S. This is the carb guy I've mentioned previously http://yellow.co.nz/y/carburettor-centre. However, you do need to take the carbs off and put them back on yourself.

[Juniper]

Not a very pleasant experience... When I read "When I dropped it..." I've held my breath for a second or two
That mechanic sounds a bit strange (sounds like a fresh apprentice to me) as Spectrum have a good reputation. ZXR250R has an L4 16-valve DOHC (was very popular in the 90ies) while the EX300 is a cheaper parallel twin. You engine is sportier, and I would personally pick a ZXR250R in good condition (not many around nowadays though) over an EX300. As LankyBastard said, Motorcycle Doctors might indeed be the best option for you.

It was Brent, the head mechanic.

When I said I preferred the little bit more power mine had he laughed at me and said I was stupid. I think I'm having a girl moment cause that really got to me.

I'm giving the Doc a call in the morning.

[Mongolian]

Oh don't get me started!! I had tightened her up perfectly as per the manual and measured and all, then suddenly on Friday I felt and heard (over my plugs music and engine) a clunk and I thought it had come off.

Took it to Spectrum yesterday to tighten it, do the carbs and give it a WOF. The only thing good I can say is I got the WOF. The chain was loser than the town bicycle that I could almost take it off the sprocket with my fingers- and I have this on video- and the carbs so rough it wasn't the usual splutter it was jerking.

Had a go at them this morning and they took it back (after saying they didn't rip the seat it was just a crack that wasn't there before) and gave me a brand new EX300 to ride to get my work laptop.
My bike is worth $3,000 max, the EX300 is $10,000 so kinda nervous about that.
And I didn't like the way it rode, the seating and things like that. You know personal preferences.

When I dropped it back off to pick up my bike he said "I should re-evaluate if I'm a real biker if I didn't like the EX300 v's my little ZXR250". tbh I found that quite hurtful.
And then he went on that the knocking of my lose chain wouldn't make a difference cause you wouldn't be able to hear it over my pipes and that all I'm doing is attracting cops.

Mao is still running upsettingly rough and I don't know what to do about the rip in the seat.

Lol 're-evaluate if your a real biker because you prefer a real ninja to an ex300', not sure what that mechanic is smoking.
Like angle said a good zxr250 is much better than a new ninja i think, of all the mid 90's 250cc IL4's i think its probably the best as it has the USD's on the front (relatively adjustable i think) and seems to look the best, plus its a Kawasaki

Really sucks you have had such bad experience with them, as others have said I have only had good work out of them with my old mc17 cbr250 and gsxr 750 and now my zx10. hope its all sorted by friday otherwise you might have to find who has the comfiest pillion seat, but hopefully not.

[Juniper]

Not a very pleasant experience... When I read "When I dropped it..." I've held my breath for a second or two

Yeah I was so scared to drop it!!!!! Took it down the road and around a roundabout first before taking it to work.

[Juniper]

Lol 're-evaluate if your a real biker because you prefer a real ninja to an ex300', not sure what that mechanic is smoking.
Like angle said a good zxr250 is much better than a new ninja i think, of all the mid 90's 250cc IL4's i think its probably the best as it has the USD's on the front (relatively adjustable i think) and seems to look the best, plus its a Kawasaki

Really sucks you have had such bad experience with them, as others have said I have only had good work out of them with my old mc17 cbr250 and gsxr 750 and now my zx10. hope its all sorted by friday otherwise you might have to find who has the comfiest pillion seat, but hopefully not.

*Starts eyeing up the seats*. Anyone on a Busa' those seats are HUGE



Thanks guys.

With shops with good reps like that who have always treated me well (though work has never been great) you kinda believe them.

[nerrrd]

"I should re-evaluate if I'm a real biker if I didn't like the EX300 v's my little ZXR250".

Feck him and the "real" bike he rode in on I'd say.

[haydes55]

I see a drag race in the near future...

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[swbarnett]

I see a drag race in the near future...

What you wear is entirely your own choice...