KevtheRev

Here's the story . Mate likes bikes , has a mint FZR250 , but he's 6'4'' and 15 st. He arrives home (dunno how it made it ) on a badly cared for XTZ750ST which , through many mechanical interventions by me ,and much to my surprise , he hacked around on for the last few years . Anyway , the poor old XTZ recently shit a plank on the motorway . He got it vanned home and it was pronounced dead by yours truly the next day . Nice one ! I thought , no more fixing that horrible fecking thing ! He'll buy himself a more modern/reliable bike and I can relax . I mean everything on the old bike was shagged . But not so fast ! Matey has other ideas ! He likes his old bike and doesn't want a different one . I tell him the only way to sort it is a replacement engine and that it would be easier and probably cheaper to buy a new bike . " I have an engine in the van ", says our mechanically challenged hero . "Bollocks!", says I . "The wheels are f**ked beyond repair ", I told him . " I have some in the van " , he said . " A front one off an FZR 400/600 , not sure , and a back one off a Varadero ". I kid you not !! So , assuming this supposedly "alright" engine works , I seem to have been nominated as mateys SuperMoto build guru , and have to put the wheels on the bike . ( It's gonna be f'n hideous , but he won't have it any other way ) . Please tell me one of you out there has attempted something as ridiculous as this and how to achieve it . PLEASE!!

You might just check that the fuel petcock isn't leaking when it's in the off position . I've seen this causing flooding/starting problems .

Make sure you fit new seals .

Are you looking to give the Girlfriend / Missus , something to grab onto . Check these babies out , - http://www.amazon.co.uk/OXFORD-MOTORCYCLE-PILLION-GRIPS-HANDLE/dp/B002XLKLCG . My Missus loves 'em . She says I get a good secure grip on her when she wears 'em . (wink)

As above J , you'll have to strip , clean and lube the brake . By the sound of things I think you should get someone to do it for you . I wouldn't take ANY chances when it comes to brakes . Bad brakes can turn into bad breaks very quickly .

The piston can make the pads move a little even when the sliders are seized , but the brake won't be very efficient . Will it lock up the rear wheel ?

As above , strip , clean and lubricate . And don't give up 'til it's sorted . Them's the brakes kid , On a side note , it's very dangerous to use compressed air to remove brake pistons from the caliper . A few years ago my brother got hold of a set of surgeon's expanding rib spreaders . Pop 'em inside the piston , turn the screw and presto , piston locked on and easily popped out without any danger to life, limb or low flying aircraft . If you are using compressed air , wrap the bloody caliper in a towel or something , unless you want to be left looking like you're wearing a monocle for the rest of your days .

Lol , I just noticed that this thread is 2yrs old . I'm delighted to hear Chunk is still with you . Nice one !!

Hey , well done she's looking good !!

Waheyy!! I got the tax and insurance sorted yesterday and went for my first ride out today ! Guess what . It was even better than I thought it would be . It brought back all the memories and excitement of my first bike , a DT , nearly 30yrs ago . I even woke up early with excitement and got out on the road just like I did back then . It was magic ! A run out the south Wexford coast , on a perfect morning . The bike was lovely and ran without a single hiccup . It actually feels like it's not fully run in yet , but that wont take long .. The new brake pads are starting to bed in nicely , no knocks from the new headrace bearings and with the new c+s and rear tyre she glided along . I'm ecstatic , lol !! Just want to say thanks to the site for giving me my biking fix while I was off the road . Cheers people ! And here's to no more motorcycle emptiness . Nice one !

x3

Hi Tom , hope your dog pulls through . We've a yellow Lab , he's a daft bugger and a bloody nuisance sometimes but we love him . Best of Irish luck mate , Kev.

How ?????

Pathetic , running downhill to save weight . Everyone knows you run uphill to lose weight !

Hey , now that you mention it ! Where's my kickstart ?? Some thieving fecker must've nicked it !!

Oh , one o' the Bro's old flames . Lol! , Sorry , it's a little electric start CG .

Always check the ring end gap on new rings/pistons . I was looking at a piston from a mates YZ recently . The ring peg had actually started to emerge through the inside of the piston . I thought maybe the ring end gap must've been too small when fitted and that the peg was being "pinched" by the ring and forced inward through the piston . It was a new one on me . Anyone ever seen this happen ?

I know Slice , this kind of power must be used responsibly . Or God knows what could happen , could create a disturbance in the old Space/Time continuum or something. Thanks for the advice , lol .

Tch ! Do these young people not understand that us old curmudgeons are happy in our isolation and ignorance , as long as we have a bike . I wonder how many car accidents are caused by people using the i-phone while driving . Won't do that on a bike .....moan ...moan !! lol

Well here she is , my first bike in 8yrs , I hope I'm still man enough to tame this mighty beast . My last 6 penalty points will vanish like a puff of smoke on Sept 5th . Funny that , as I don't remember getting 6 points in one day !! Anyway , the penalty point system here is a farce , i.e. you only get points if you don't have a copper in the family /friends circle . F'n disgrace . Roll on September . http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/bigkev777KevtheRev/media/Kevs Pics 014_zpsttsuh3yr.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0 Got this for €620 , fitted a rear tyre , fork seals , tapered headrace bearings , C+S and brake pads @ €135 , not too bad I thought . Back in the '80s when I was a courier you couldn't get clean small bikes for love , money or dirty little deals done down back lanes involving knee-pads and chap stick ! But due to the death of the motorcycle courier industry in Dublin there now seems to be plenty about . It's an ill wind that blows no good I suppose . Oh , and only 15,000 miles on the clock Figured out how to post the pics , lol

RESULT !!

Wow , "Powerband in EVERY gear " . - http://www.gumtree.ie/a-motorbikes-scooters/meath/2003-kawasaki-kx/1001327307600910430471209

Best o' luck with her Slice !!

Cheers Tony . I had an LC2 back in '89 , 'twas a formative experience , lol .

Anybody know which way the cam timing marks should line up ?