First new big bike EVER!

[wull]

Shit happens, doubt it’ll happen again

[Mr. Dazzle]

Does explain your thread in the DIY section at least.

[Skub]

Does explain your thread in the DIY section at least.

Stalker.

[Trinity765]

You'll laugh about it one day

[Mr. Dazzle]

Does explain your thread in the DIY section at least.

Stalker.

I like the way it escalated from "do I need to disconnect the battery?" to "I'm gonna take the whole damned swing arm out".

[weeksy]

Ok then,time for a fuck up admission.

When I was lifting the bike in the wheelie position on the Abba Skylift I encountered a bit of resistance when operating the foot pump. I stopped and had a look around,but couldn't spot anything preventing the bike being lifted. With the wonderful gift of hindsight I should have stopped there,but I gave it another couple of pumps to see if I had imagined it....

What I failed to notice was the rear wheel had come in contact with the floor,so all the strain was being put through the swinging arm bobbin,which consequently tore itself off the swinger and will need welding on again. Most likely there will be heat damage in the course of the repair,so it'll need repainted too.

What.a.dickhead.

The swinger came out fairly easily and it'll give me the chance to lube the suspension bearings and swingarm pivot etc,while I'm in there.

So feel good about yourselves tonight,in the knowledge there are more stupid people out there...well,one anyway.

Off to the welders tomorrow.

PS Apologies to Weeksy for the dirt under the Ohlins. I promise it'll be sorted and all ACFed before assembly.

DON't feel too bad on yourself... we've all done things and thought "oh bollox, why didn't i stop there"

[Supermofo]

Bugger, happens though so don't beat yourself up about it. Not that it ever stops me doing the exact opposite

[KungFooBob]

Gorrila glue it

[MingtheMerciless]

Mine is usually, "oh the torque wrench is bound to click in a moment.........."

Whilst not using the torque wrench or forgetting to set the value down from the previous setting.

[Skub]

I contacted the good folk at Abba to explain what had happened,fully admitting my part in the event! Interestingly I recieved this email,which may be of interest should anyone have a similar model and use a Skylift.

"Hi again Davy, thanks for your email & explanation. That is very unfortunate indeed!

As it happens we don’t recommend use of the bobbin mount on all the late Z1000 models as Kawasaki has placed the bobbin position very far forward. This greatly increases the strain on the bobbin. That is why when you select the bike on the website no bobbin is offered. We actually put a warning on the Ninja 1000SX page as we had one customer have one fail before so perhaps we should extend the warning to all models".

"Going forward we would strongly advise putting the strap around the swing-arm itself rather than the bobbin".

[Skub]

All back together again. Swinger pivot and suspension bearings all greased up while I was in there. Drama over for now. I'll use the swinging arm from now on,no more bobbin action for me.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Gorrila glue it

You fucking cowboy.

You need to duck tape it in place, then gorilla glue it, otherwise it'll come out wonky.

[Skub]

What happened again? I'm not following it.

If the bike was being raised then how was pressure on the swinging arm bobbin? Wasn't that being raised too?
I still haven't used my skylift but I'd like to not make any mistakes when I do.

Edited...ahh I see now, I just watched an Abba youtube video and it makes sense, your bike pivoted on the back tyre and because the bobbin is quite far forward it snapped it off.

Yep.

Also,after contacting Abba they informed me there had been a previous,similar event which resulted in a warning for Kawasaki Z1000SX owners not to use the bobbins when lifting. My bike shares many of the same parts as the SX,so it's likely the warning will now be extended to the full range of models.

Kawasaki position the bobbin mounts further forward,resulting in greater stress on the mount when using the strap in the front lift positon. It was entirely my fault the mount sheared off,but it also highlighted an existing weakness.

[Skub]

Cleaning time.

[Skub]

Pipercross air filter clean time. Not too bad for around 13k miles.

[Skub]

You know those times when you are doing a job/building something and everything goes really well?

That makes me suspicious.

I reinstalled the freshly cleaned air filter,buttoned up the airbox,put the tank back down and fitted the fiddly bodywork. It all went together like magic,not once did I encounter an obstinate or awkward part. By the time I had 3 screws left to put back,the feeling of dread was mounting.

Then I saw it.

One single airbox screw left in the tray.

Second time round,everything was a bastard.

[Skub]

Coming close to 20k miles on the Zed now,so I thought I'd give a brief update.

It'll be 3 years old at the end of this July and while the mind does wander to other bikes (don't we all) I'm still really enjoying the bike. There has been a gradual improvement to my requirements and I think that journey ended a while ago. Suspension and brakes are great,the short gearing makes it go like stink and the seat is comfortable enough for all day riding,though for most of my jaunts I'm usually back around 4 hours anyway.

I may try a set of Renthal bars to change my wrist position a little,purely for comfort reasons,but I'm in no massive rush. I changed the bar end mirrors for 'normal' type,because the position interfered with where I wanted my hand to be sometimes,both riding and when moving the bike.

So far,all the bike has had is oil & filter every 4k miles and several sets of tyres. Michelin Road 6 rear lasts about 4k and the front goes for double. The front brake pads will be due a change soon,but they are the original,so can't complain. The standard chain and sprockets are still in good order,I hardly ever need to adjust the chain.

I tend to keep my bikes for years,but this one ticks so many boxes every time I ride,it may just be that elusive beast...the keeper.

[Taipan]

3 years! Man that's a prison sentence. Set yourself free, buy a new bike...

[Noggin]

I'm still massively in love with that bike

[Skub]

3 years! Man that's a prison sentence. Set yourself free, buy a new bike...

Fucking bluebottle.