new ZL1000a

[FL-Rider]

Hi,

Wuputt sent me this way from the KERA fourms - here I am!

I just bought my first Eliminator - am I excited! The bike has 39,000 miles (I know, that's a lot!). Other than normal service maintenance, what should be the FIRST thing that I should plan on doing to avoid $$$ repairs in the future. The bike runs fine, no smoke, lots of power, etc...

I really stumbled into the ZL - long story, but I got a great deal, and it seems to be in good mechanical shape. It's a little rough on the cosmetic side - it's never been dumped, no dings, rips or tears, it just needs some TLC. The only mods that it has are a Dyno-Jet kit, and Supertrapp exhaust system - I've been out of it so long, I don't know if these are "good things" or not! It's got AMAZING power (as I imagine all the ZL's do)!!

Any suggestions and comments are appreciated!

Thanks,

FL-Rider

 

[zl900_moab]

Welcome FL, glad to have you on board....Get the valve adjustment done and fresh fluids front to back, also post up some pics!
Best of luck, the ZLs are alot of fun, my friend!
moab...

 

[CHRIS]

WELCOME FL-RIDER ! GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE ! CHRIS

 

[FL-Rider]

Thanks, Guys!

I'll post some pictures, but as I said before, "she ain't pretty" right now...I live pretty close to the ocean, and the salt air LOVES to attack aluminum and chrome! I've got some decisions to make about how far I'm willing to go ($) to make it shine...

How much should I expect to pay for the valve adjustment? I've got the service manuals, I'm comfortable doing the fluid changes and some basic repair and maintenance, but that's about it for now.

For a while, I'm going to focus on keeping the engine strong, and try to prevent "avoidable" costly repairs.

I'll try to get some pictures up - but don't say I didn't warn you!

Thanks again,

FL-Rider (Matt)

 

[zlMark]

Welcome FL-Rider!

It's not too terrible of a job to do. Use 2 feeler guages to keep the rocker from tilting on the shaft, so you are measuring 2 valves at once. Zip-ties to pull the radiator hose tight up against the frame for valve cover removal clearance. Main gasket, 4 plug well gaskets, and last but not least the 6 rubber bushings that go under the valve cover bolts. They are what put down the pressure to seal the other gaskets.

Expect to pay for at least 3 hours of shop labor plus gaskets and oil change.

There are at least 2 topics in here for valve clearance adjustment, try the search function above.

 

[FL-Rider]

Thanks, Mark...When I'm feeling a bit more confident, I'll try to tackle the valves. It DOES seem to have a bit of a rattle - I'll check it out and report back.

I hate to screw something up, though!

I'll proceed with CAUTION!

Thanks again!

 

[CHRIS]

believe me, doing the valves yourself will save you alot of money, & honestly, sounds very intimidating ! it's actually very easy ! the hardest part of the whole job is removing the valve cover. once you get that off, the rest is easy, but then again, you may have more room to lift your valve cover off. the 900 does'nt leave much room ! CHRIS

 

[FL-Rider]

OK...pictures are up!

Feel free to say what's missing from the bike (parts-wise). I'm also open to any suggestions in general!

Thanks,

FL-Rider

 

[CHRIS]

JUST CHECKED OUT YOUR PICS. not bad !!!!! i've seen alot worse ! you have a good platform to start a resto. my 900 was in really bad shape when i got her back in feb. did'nt take me too long to get her looking nice again. this winter she is getting new paint. looking forward to seeing pics. of the resto. progress on your 1k . CHRIS

 

[FL-Rider]

Thanks, Chris!

I think I'm going to give it a shot...I've got the service manuals, but from what I've read, there is a better/easier method.

I'll keep you posted on my progress (or lack of).

Thanks!

 

[zlMark]

Looks like you have some polishing to do. Are you going to try to polish the painted sections or repaint them? I'd like to see how some polish does that rear tail light cover

 

[FL-Rider]

I'll eventually repaint the whole bike...I'm sure it won't be for a while, though.

What part of the tail light cover are you talking about, Mark? (what's considered the cover)

-Matt

 

[zl900_moab]

Looks fairly complete to me....I love my Trapps, and I'm sure you will love yours too....Best of luck once again, and keep us posted.
No question is a stupid question, and we mean it!
moab...

 

[wuputt]

Matt, do you have the chrome sidecovers?
Glad to see you made it over to ZL-OA, I wouldn't steer you wrong, lots of activity here.(some of these guys actually know what they are talking about too)

it's actually very easy ! the hardest part of the whole job is removing the valve cover. once you get that off, the rest is easy, but then again, you may have more room to lift your valve cover off. the 900 does'nt leave much room ! CHRIS

Actually, Chris, I think there is LESS room on the 1k, the only thing Kaw did with the frame is lengthen it (less than an inch) in the motor space from the zl9.

 

[Kawasaki-krazy]

(some of these guys actually know what they are talking about too)

Keep it serious please :nonono:
KK

 

[CHRIS]

that's nice to know ! don't know much about the 1k, but if all the difference is in the frame being a little longer, then you should be able to pull that valve cover off, with a little elbow greese ! CHRIS

 

[CHRIS]

HEY MATT, forgot to ask, what part of florida are you from ? i lived in port charlotte for 2yrs. out of highschool. i spent most of my time on weekends in ft. meyers, & miami beach . CHRIS

 

[FL-Rider]

I do have the chrome side pieces. I'm going to do a preliminary clean, and put the rest of the bike back together - I'll post more pictures when I get it clean.

I can't tell you all how happy I am that I found this group! (actually, Mark sent me here) I'm looking forward to making some new ZL-Friends!

Thanks again!

*Chris - I live in Vero Beach (3 hours N of Miami)...I'm originally from the Detroit area...

 

[CHRIS]

I usually come down to fla. once or twice a year to visit family, & friends. next time i come down, we'll have to hook up, & go riding ! CHRIS

 

[zlMark]

I can't tell you all how happy I am that I found this group! (actually, Mark sent me here) I'm looking forward to making some new ZL-Friends!

I think it was jeff..............Glad you found us too!