From: marcouil@newton.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Luc Marcouiller)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: ZX-900 questions, NightHawk 4 sale and r.m newbie !
Date: 14 Aug 92 17:29:55 GMT
Reply-To: marcouil@ireq.hydro.qc.ca
Organization: Hydro-Quebec

Hi there, bikers of netland,

I've been reading r.m for a couple of weeks now and love it!  You can flame
me but I didn't manage yet (didn't try for that matter) to communicate to
the Kotl person to get that number tingy (lost the FAQ file and don't know
where to look for it >8-0).  Here I am anyway and just switched bike few weeks
ago, you probably guessed, from NightHawk 650 to Ninja 900.  The former is
for sale for people in the Montreal area (e-mail if interested).  I like very
much the new one (pull, handling and wind protection).  I've began to work on
it (ZX-900 86) with the help of Mr. Clymer.  Here are a few questions that 
present and former Ninjaite could help me with:

   - What is the trick to check the oil level (pretty basic isn't it!)
       * Clymer sez: on level surface, no center stand, after warming it
                     up, make sure level between min and max marks.  Also
                     put in 3 l for complete oil change (oil+filter).
       ** comments: pretty awkward cheking the little window while holding
                    the bike balanced.  There is no max mark (top of
                    window ?).  Near the oil fill cap it sez "4l oil"
                    (Clymer is wrong or what ?).  Should I check the oil
                    only after warming up from a cold start or the usual is
                    O.K. (after sitting for a little while).  I really miss the
                    simple Honda dip stick ! Help please.

   - From comments I read here, I tried to put in synthetic oil.  I looked
     around for Mobil #1, couldn't find any in the Montreal area (any 
     pointers ??).  At the dealer I got Motul 10w40, I figured the weight
     would be adequate for a liquid-cooled engine in a below normals summer
     weather.  Any comments regarding brand and/or weight ?

   - While on the subject of oil, there is some leaking (very slow that is)
     in the lower crankcase area.  I've tried to dismount, clean, and tighten
     to spec. all banjo fittings and plugs but it is still leaking.  Is it
     normal, unavoidable or a common problem; is there something to do ?

   - I did some tune-up (change s.p., air filter, lubricate throttle cables
     and mechanism), only thing left is carb synchro (don't have the tool).
     While riding I noticed few things which could be normal for this bike, I
     don't know:
       * from 1k to 2k RPM almost no power, engine hesitates
       * while engine braking I hear gear noises usually when the engine is hot
       * when the bike is hot, I have to pull the clutch lever in order to
         get the starter going (on N yes!) otherwise no need.

   - What is the good procedure to bleed the front brakes.  I mean there must be
     a total of six bleeder valves in the system, what is the sequence ?

   - There is some rust inside the fuel tank; is there something to do short of
     replacing it ?

   - On the drive chain side now (NightHawk == driveshaft == maintenance free):
       * what is the proper position for the wheel shaft in the drive chain
         adjusters: in the upper or lower half (Clymer is really fuzzy on this
         one).
       * what is the recommended lub; I'm currently using lithium base grease
         in a spray, is it O.K. ?
       * Is it normal to hear a click click noise coming from the front 
         sprocket while parking, moving the bike with engine not running ?

Well I think it's enough for now !!.  On a more social note now, is there any
DoD rides organized (or disorganized) around here (the north pole; seriously: QC,
VT, upper NY, NH) ?? I would be really happy to join in (I will get my number
asap)

Share and Enjoy    Luc

e-mail-->   marcouil@ireq.hydro.qc.ca