Oh Wise Sage

All the years of motorcycle experience on this site have led to useful habits and tips to follow. My problem is that I am just a greenhorn. Oh Wise MX Sages what helpful tips and habits should I try to start following from the get go with an older bike?

For example:

Kawickrice wrote: Make it a habit to turn the fuel OFF when the bike is not running. Today's bikes use vacuum and this is not a problem as much

old bikes dont stop/steer as fast as new bikes!

When working on the bike always follow the torque recommendations shown in the Kawasaki service manual using quality torque wrenches of the appropriate scales. (i.e. don't try to use a foot pound torque wrench to tighten to inch pound settings). This will prevent you from becoming too familiar with Time-Serts or Heli-Coils. Ed

When you fix things do it THE RIGHT WAY! Remember you only have two wheels and no cage.

When riding know that the people in cars do not see you, even when they look straight at you.

Any fastener that you have not personally removed should get a shot of PBblaster 24hrs prior to actual removal. Also, make sure you have the right tools as others have stated. One thing that gets a lot of guys in trouble with their first KZ is the lack of a JIS screwdriver. JIS screws look like regular phillips heads to the un-initiated, but a phillips screwdriver will strip them out every time. You can grind the tip off a #2 phillips for use on a JIS screw in a pinch.

As for riding tips, when you are stopped at a light, keep the bike in gear with the clutch depressed, and keep an eye on your six. If a car behind you can't stop, then you will be able to ride away and not get smacked from behind. Always have an escape route planned. Make sure you get eye contact with drivers on side streets so they don't pull out because they don't see you. Stay away from any car where the driver is holding a cell phone. They are worse than drunks. At least the drunks are "trying" to get home without hitting something.

It doesn't matter if you're wearing cleaning underwear or not, the first time you get the death wobble at 130 you WILL shit your pants.

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Clean & Polish bike regularly. Its the easiest way to detect wear,loose fasteners,leaks,frayed cables,heated/corroded connecters et all: before they fail.G

650ed wrote: When working on the bike always follow the torque recommendations shown in the Kawasaki service manual using quality torque wrenches of the appropriate scales. (i.e. don't try to use a foot pound torque wrench to tighten to inch pound settings). This will prevent you from becoming too familiar with Time-Serts or Heli-Coils. Ed

except of course the torque recommendations that are incorrect (cam caps come to mind)

DONT CRASH

KZ250LTD wrote:

650ed wrote: When working on the bike always follow the torque recommendations shown in the Kawasaki service manual using quality torque wrenches of the appropriate scales. (i.e. don't try to use a foot pound torque wrench to tighten to inch pound settings). This will prevent you from becoming too familiar with Time-Serts or Heli-Coils. Ed

Except for the recommendations that are wrong

That's why I specified the Kawasaki Service Manual as opposed to Clymer, Haynes, or some other aftermarket manual. Obviously I can't speak for all manuals, but none of the torque specs in the KZ650 Kawasaki Service Manuals I have (3 different ones) are wrong. If there are known torque spec mistakes in the manuals for other models perhaps KZRIDER can create a forum in which to list them. Ed

Another tip - The screws that look like Phillips are not; they are Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). Using Phillips screwdrivers will mess them up, but it is very easy to modify Phillips screwdriver tips to make them fit properly. See pics in link below. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/452802-loud-c...hile-cranking#452872