Learning(the hard way)

[cd85]

Well I finally have the bike running pretty well. But it seems like I ride 1 or 2 days and work on it 1 or 2 days. My buddies ask if I bought a HD? Yeah I know, what the He**! My rear wheel bearing smoked out on me at 75mph! SCARY! Was able to control it and put it in a truck to get it home... Trying not to let the wife see me unload it. Wouldnt ya know-the neighbor walked over and got my wife to ask what happened! I was able to locate a outer bearing from a bearing shop about 50 miles away. Just to find out, the inside bearing needed changed!(should have known)The bearing shop only had the one in stock and the other was located 50 miles the other direction!!Anyhow, Faked my way through changing both of them.(With absolutly know idea what I was doing.)Which did give me a chance to paint the hub assembly black.(much better:headbang:)I rode it to work the next day and on my way home the headlight went out!I ripped that apart to find one of the 3 wires wasd melted in the plastic housing. I "faked "my way through that and it now works. Lastly I got a set of front rotors from "Wrongway" and "faked" my way through putting them on. You talk about a NERVOUS first ride! So far in the last 3 days of riding I have worked on it 4. Hopefully I can at least enjoy a few more trips before working on it again... Don't get me wrong I LOVE THIS BIKE. (and somewhat enjoy learning how to wrench on it and not having to pay for the repairs)But does it ever end?

[lowlife]

Yours seem to be the exception not the rule...for the most part these bikes when stock are fairly maintenance free....Be patient I think it may come around...With all that fakin going on I thought you might be my wife!?!?!?!?!Shhhhhhhdon't tell about the black hub......Did mine a while ago and HATE (love )it!!!!

[zlMark]

If your bike looks weathered from being left outside for extended period of time then you really ought to go through it and check all the bearings etc. The melted wire is from high resistance(loose connection) in a connector. Clean and di-electric grease all connections. It will save you lots of headaches.

You can't buy a 25 yr old bike and expect to get by without giving it a good once over. Preventative maintenance my friend!

[cd85]

You are right... I do realize the bike is 25 years old and it does have 25k on her. Hard miles I am sure. So I keep telling myself it IS old and alittle neglected. Hopefully I have fixed most of the problems. Although i do like tinkering with it and there is alot of satisfaction knowing that I did the work myself. I also like the fact that there is people here that I am meeting who do know these bikes and are willing to help out. I will try and post some pics soon of my "ROUGE ZL". It isnt that bad really. Just needs some TLC.

[zot]

It really is worth it when shes done!

[markus56]

It really is worth it when shes done!

I'll Agree...........it'll bring you great satisfaction every step of the way and it's worth every bit of the work you will put into it along the way. It may never end........but it'll slow down alot:no-no-no: :nike:!! Best of luck with it!!!!!!!!!

[ZLrider]

Had similar issues with my KZ when I got it. Lots of electrical gremlins. Neglected maintenance items. The harnesses get old and brittle, connects get loose, arc, and melt. Don't think it's endemic to ZLs just a sign that maybe it has sat out a lot or the Midwest cold/hot cycle just plain kills plastics.

Once I got everything fixed on the KZ it has been very reliable for several years. Bought a trailer about 5 years ago due to frequent breakdowns and wouldn't you know it, I've never needed it for that bike yet!