Need Advice on Maintanence

[kamikaze]

Hi Fellows!

I am a newbie on this forum and already been on a ride. I am already addicted! I have very little experience in bike maintainence!
I have a '99 ZX-7R which I bought recently. I would really like if you guys could advice me how to maintain it. A little brief history about me first:

I have been riding motorcycles (in India) since I was like 16. Had a Yamaha 2 stroke first and then another 180 cc. I had worked on my yamaha a little bit (It was a 2 stroke single cylinder so made things easy) but it has been a while I have worked on bikes myself. I love riding a lot and love to go to exotic places. Check out my blog for my trip logs and stuff on my blog.

I feel a little scared trying to fix my sophisticated machine like ZX7r. However for the fun of DIY I will take a risk! However valuable inputs from experienced people would reduce the risk!

I have ridden about 3,000 miles since I got the bike and I think its time I changed the Engine Oil. The brake fluid is now dark and needs replacement too. The Chain needs tightning and would also replace the air and oil filter. Technically all basic maintainence.

I had a few questions:
These are my riding conditions and wanted to get stuff which suits this :

I ride fast and I ride on curves to there is a lot of throttle use. I sometimes also end up on higways while commuting and I95 hates me. There is always traffic when I get there and the engine gets very hot staying in traffic. However it remains within limits and cooling system works fine.

Q1. What engine oil is best for such riding? There are a few suggestions in the Owner's Manual:
10W40; 10W50; 20W40; 20W50

I used 10W40 in my much smaller engine (180 cc). Would it be sufficient for such a high capacity engine?

Q1.1. Should the oil be changed on a race stand or on side stand

Q2. Coolant: The Owner's Manual says it should have rust resistant and corrosion resistant additives. Which is the best coolant with those properties?

Q3. Oiling of Chain: Which is the best oil for that? Which brand and which product in the brand.

Q4. Which is the best brake fluid? Should I go with the ones mentioned in the manual : ?

Castrol GT LMA, Castrol Disc Brake Fluid, Check Shock Premium heavy duty.

Q5. Best setting for Suspensions for roads in North East, specially MA and NH. Wen going fast the front shakes a lot. I think the front suspension needs to be softened a little bit.

I would really appreciate help from you guys.

Thanks.

[CBRGuru]

See below

Hi Fellows!

I am a newbie on this forum and already been on a ride. I am already addicted! I have very little experience in bike maintainence!
I have a '99 ZX-7R which I bought recently. I would really like if you guys could advice me how to maintain it. A little brief history about me first:

I have been riding motorcycles (in India) since I was like 16. Had a Yamaha 2 stroke first and then another 180 cc. I had worked on my yamaha a little bit (It was a 2 stroke single cylinder so made things easy) but it has been a while I have worked on bikes myself. I love riding a lot and love to go to exotic places. Check out my blog for my trip logs and stuff on my blog.

I feel a little scared trying to fix my sophisticated machine like ZX7r. However for the fun of DIY I will take a risk! However valuable inputs from experienced people would reduce the risk!

I have ridden about 3,000 miles since I got the bike and I think its time I changed the Engine Oil. The brake fluid is now dark and needs replacement too. The Chain needs tightning and would also replace the air and oil filter. Technically all basic maintainence.

I had a few questions:
These are my riding conditions and wanted to get stuff which suits this :

I ride fast and I ride on curves to there is a lot of throttle use. I sometimes also end up on higways while commuting and I95 hates me. There is always traffic when I get there and the engine gets very hot staying in traffic. However it remains within limits and cooling system works fine.

Q1. What engine oil is best for such riding? There are a few suggestions in the Owner's Manual:
10W40; 10W50; 20W40; 20W50

Answer: 10/40 is fine



I used 10W40 in my much smaller engine (180 cc). Would it be sufficient for such a high capacity engine?

Q1.1. Should the oil be changed on a race stand or on side stand

Answer: Does not matter, but level should be checked with bike balanced on its wheels, not on a stand

Q2. Coolant: The Owner's Manual says it should have rust resistant and corrosion resistant additives. Which is the best coolant with those properties?

Answer: Get premixed Kawi or Honda coolant, add some water wetter too for better cooling

Q3. Oiling of Chain: Which is the best oil for that? Which brand and which product in the brand.

Answer: clean chain first with tooth brush and chain cleaner, then ride back for 2-3 min. then use whatever you choose for chain lube

Q4. Which is the best brake fluid? Should I go with the ones mentioned in the manual : ?

Answer: yes and get a mighty vac to assist with drawing the new fuild in and bleeding - you will thank me later

Castrol GT LMA, Castrol Disc Brake Fluid, Check Shock Premium heavy duty.

Q5. Best setting for Suspensions for roads in North East, specially MA and NH. Wen going fast the front shakes a lot. I think the front suspension needs to be softened a little bit.

Answer: set your sag first, 25 rear 35 front should do it. The rest is trial and error - no magic nubers for you. A worn fron tire will contribute to head shake. A damper may help

I would really appreciate help from you guys.

Thanks.

[The Snowman]

I'll bet if you use the search function, you'll find the answers you need. There have been many threads on just about all of the questions that you have asked.

[kamikaze]

I'll bet if you use the search function, you'll find the answers you need. There have been many threads on just about all of the questions that you have asked.

I will check it out for sure. But then getting consolidated answers saves so much work!

See below

Thanks mate. I will go with the manufacturer's recommendations then.

It was fun riding with you too. You got a pretty nasty machine there!

I am just a little bit concerned about the bleeding part and do not want any air bubbles in the fluid. I think I will top it to to full level and let the new brake fluid flow out just a little bit. My neighbour does all the work on the bike himself. Will seek his help for that part and will use the Vaccum for sure! He also has all tools and stuff and he said I can borrow them! Just need to payback with a six pack

[keeena]

On the suspension question: both of my 7R's were always stable as hell. I never found the need for a damper. I also vote check your sag first as well as tire condition. Or better yet, bring it down to Pete @ GMD Computrack...i'm sure it could use an overhaul after nearly 10 years of service.

[kamikaze]

On the suspension question: both of my 7R's were always stable as hell. I never found the need for a damper. I also vote check your sag first as well as tire condition. Or better yet, bring it down to Pete @ GMD Computrack...i'm sure it could use an overhaul after nearly 10 years of service.

I will run the regular maintainence and see how it does before blowing shit loads of money on overhaul!

I also tried to find if I would need a steering damper and most poeple who ride this machine say I don't. So I guess I need to re-check the sag and the tyres. The threads still have a lot of life left in them...I keep about 36 psi int he front. What do you ugys recommend?

[greenmonster]

36 psi front, 41 in the back should do it. Your question #5...front end shake...you can also check the steering head bearings for any play/looseness. Especially on a bike the age of yours. I should know...mine's a '97! (9R)

[kamikaze]

Hmm

I will check that! Just put back the speedo wire which had come off...Means 200 miles less on the odod when I sell it.

What do you guys suggest for air filter? Deopt honda did not have one in stock. Should I go for a K&N. I guess higher up front investment but better breathing engine and less maintanence cost in long run.....Although even a stock one would last atleast this season!

[butcher bergs]

K&N lets dirt through. The engine does breathe better but at a cost to the life of the engine.

The OEM filter is sufficiant and besides, you'll have to re-jet for the K&N which means more time and $$$.

Additionally, the K&N-type filters require cleaning and oiling.

Not worth it, IMO.

[kamikaze]

K&N lets dirt through. The engine does breathe better but at a cost to the life of the engine.

The OEM filter is sufficiant and besides, you'll have to re-jet for the K&N which means more time and $$$.

Additionally, the K&N-type filters require cleaning and oiling.

Not worth it, IMO.

Hmm....Yeah..I totally forgot about the re-jetting! Some people swear bythe K&N's.... Its easy to change the stock but then you have to change them everytime unlike K&N's which just need cleaning (most people use a hose I guess) and oiling.

So even on your track bike you use the OEM filter?

[Jim]

Q1. What engine oil is best for such riding? There are a few suggestions in the Owner's Manual:
10W40; 10W50; 20W40; 20W50
I use 10w-40 4T semi-synthetic. Respol or Motul

Q1.1. Should the oil be changed on a race stand or on side stand
better to drain it on stands. i use front and rear to keep it level. kickstand wont get all the oil out. check the level with the tires on the ground and the bike up straight

Q2. Coolant: The Owner's Manual says it should have rust resistant and corrosion resistant additives. Which is the best coolant with those properties?
havent changed mine yet

Q3. Oiling of Chain: Which is the best oil for that? Which brand and which product in the brand.
kerosene will clean the chain best & cheapest, but take your chain off. kerosene will ruin your paint if you spray any on the bike. I use Motorex Chain Cleaner 611, Chain Wax, and clean with a Grudge Brush

Q4. Which is the best brake fluid? Should I go with the ones mentioned in the manual : ?
DOT4 should be fine, wouldnt bother with 5 or 5.1

Q5. Best setting for Suspensions for roads in North East, specially MA and NH. Wen going fast the front shakes a lot. I think the front suspension needs to be softened a little bit.
talk to the GMD guys

[kamikaze]

I want to use 20W50 Full synthetic but its hard to come by. I guess I will go for 10W40 full synthetic or 20W50 semi synthetic.

[OreoGaborio]

k&n = junk. No better than the stock filter.

Stock or BMC. Stock can usually be cleaned & is re-usable, check your service manual.

[kamikaze]

k&n = junk. No better than the stock filter.

Stock or BMC. Stock can usually be cleaned & is re-usable, check your service manual.

The manual says 'Change the Filter'. I ordered it today at the dealership and they say It will come next week!

I know you can clean a foam filter...I used to do it on my punny 135 cc 2 stroke but for this I am not sure if just cleaning it would be ok. Maybe till I get a new one.

[butcher bergs]

So even on your track bike you use the OEM filter?

That's a good question.....I have yet to find this out.

The OEM filter should be good for at least 10,000 miles...that's when I do mine. No issues so far.

[kamikaze]

Ijust started working ont he bike and this $$%$$@%$ thunderstorm!!!

[kamikaze]

I just finished working on my bike.

Changed the oil. The old oil looked thin though looked like could've gone for a little longer.

Oil the chain. For chain Adjustment, the rear wheel bolt is not coming loose! I put in WD40 in the screw still it is as stubborn as George Bush! Ooops I just insulted a part of my bike!

Topped off the coolant! I still have half the mixture. Will keep topping it up regularly.


One tragedy happened. I toppled the bike when it was on race stand and tried to put it down and it tipped over to the right! I still had the cap for engine oil open and the oil spilled over on the drive way! I am soaking it with Old newspaper! My building mates and my landlady will not like that patch of oil!

The indicator on the right also broke

It is just big hassle dealing with spilled oil. The biggest problem in checking the oil level is: The oil level window in located almost inside the fairing and its hard to see with me sitting on it as the level has to be checked with bike straight and on its wheels rather than the stand. I would be asking my friend who is visiting me in a while to check it while I level the bike. I fear I have to buy more oil! just a little more though.

I think manufacturers would keep these things in mind while making those small things. It matters.

Getting off the oil filter was a little tricky, First remove all smudge around it and then get a good grip and unscrew it.

Removing and putting back the fairing did not take very long.

I took some pics and I will be posting them.

[kamikaze]

I opened my air box yesterday to replace the old filter with a new one. To my surprise, it had a K&N.

Good and bad because I have to be on TTD on Tuesday and I do not have the K&N cleaning kit. Depot Kawasaki honda near Portsmouth in closed on Monday. Where can I get a clening kit for K&N near Portsmouth? Does anyone in NH have one? I would really appreciate if anyone can help me with that.

Also I saw a lot of dust in th Air Box. Anyone else notice dust in the air box with a free flow filter? It was so greasy I had to remove the housing and wash it and dry it. Here is a picture after I cleaned the dust somewhat, including a tiny lady bug!

[Jim]

Here is a picture after I cleaned the dust somewhat, including a tiny lady bug!

i hear they add horsepower. you lucked out