Category: Tutorials

  • GPz1100 Tank conversion & Repairs

    Trying to find a 1982 GPz1100B2 tank has been harder than finding rocking horse poo. The solution I went down was to use a modified GPz1100B1 tank with the tap relocated. This tank came out of the blue when I started asking around for any solution to my B2 tank shortage problem. When I obtained the tank it was covered …

  • Replacing the zx9r Push Rod Seal

    For a while now my 1994 zx9r-B1 has been leaving a spot of oil everywhere I parked, in fact it started to leave a lot of oil! The cause has been oil leaking past the oil seal for the clutch push rod. On the B1 the clutch is hydraulic, so there is a slave cylinder similar to the older GPz900R …

  • GPz1100 Update – 530 Chain Conversion

    Updated 2019-10-23 Just 30klm shy of completing my 6000klm ride from Brisbane to Tasmania and back in March 2019 I snapped my chain on the freeway. I was travelling at 100klm/hr and felt the chain change pitch, I slowed down to 80 but obviously not quick enough, next the clutch lever pulled in and the engine locked up and we …

  • Master Cylinder Disassembly

    This is my full-proof, gentle and non-destructive way to disassemble a master cylinder (in this case a GPz900R MC). Over time they become seized due to water absorption and oxidation issues. For a project bike I needed a Clutch and Front Brake master cylinder, I have collected a few over the years and they always come in handy. This one …

  • Replacing Wheel Bearings

    Introduction Bearings are subject to wear like any other part of a Motorcycle, however they are under considerably more strain and therefore should be replaced at least every 10 years from my experience. Before you can begin to remove your old worn out wheel bearings and replace them with new ones you need a few basic tools, somewhere clean to …

  • GPz900R – Wheel and Swingarm Bearings

    The GPz900R is a bearing suppliers dream! With Wheel and Swingarm bearings requiring replacement at least once in each bikes lifetime. On a GPz900R you have standard wheel bearings that Kawasaki and most bike manufacturers use and hence they are carried by virtually all quality bearing suppliers. Where the GPz90Rr differs from a lot of early bikes is the shear …

  • GPz900R No Valve Clearance left?

    When I first opened up the cylinder head cover of a GPz900R many years ago I was surprised to see something I first saw in the late 70’s on a Honda CB750… “Rocker Arms” sitting over the camshafts, but with two valve adjustments on them due the the 16 valve head. Having screw adjuster rather than shims makes valve clearance …

  • The z650B1 Charging System Explained

    Motorcycle electrical system are generally considered a black art by most riders. Although fairly robust, when they do fail the charging and ignition systems present the most headache and generally rate at the top of most forum questions (next to “what oil should I use?”). Types of Charging systems Although I will focus on the z650B1 model in this article, …

  • Replacing Fork Seals

    Fork seal replacement is one of those jobs where the right tools and a bit of know how will result in a stress free maintenance task being completed within next to no time. In fact fork seals are so easy to replace that most of your time will be taken with actually removing and re-installing the forks (Quick Tutorial Coming). …