the Kawasaki Ninja ZX6E 600 ZZR supersport

Sep 29th, 2013 Mines Road run, 1st time. 13 miles up. Also new DB windscreen installed!

Also a spectacular wrong turn, maybe best one I’ve done past Mines Road to a park that dead ends after ascent and descent over a peak ridgeline run with gorgeous views!

We also drove into downtown Livermore to get a lunch, and headed to a rumored ‘cute old town’ downtown and stumbled onto a Nostalgic Car show that was packed. Pretty cool, and great all you can eat Indian buffet we ate out on patio where the show car winners happened to strut by

In morning I was also alarmed to have gas pouring out leaks onto the ground on start up first and second try. This happened once before I let the bike sit for 4 weeks. This time about 2 weeks or so. Leaking out of cylinder 1 & 2 with gas dripping off intake on #4 too at least if not them all.

I theorized that maybe my float needles are sticking in the seats, and the carbs overflow and leak. So I let it sit for 20 min, stewing and on my forum researching http:///www.zx6e.net which is an excellent forum.
I went back to bike and with it still off rocked the throttle back and forth 6-7 times +, hoping it could possibly unstick the float needles. And whaddya know? Started right back up and not a drop leaking. Hmmmm.  Mildly worried first 1/4 of trip and then just solid fun!

Prior to starting bike, I installed a new Double Bubble windscreen to try it out. WOW, what an amazing difference. Gone is the highway (50 mph+) buffeting and roar. There is no cockpit wind blast until slight start about 50 mph is first you notice a little wind now. Gonna make this bike such a better tourer!!

Sep 11th, 2013 Tilden, 3 bears, pigfarm hill w Bailey & Harley

Friend in from east coast again, and Hunter kindly volunteered his Harley and gear so we could go ride after work. Wednesday mid week and we’re both pretty tired out from work week etc… but fun of course nonetheless. A squirrel almost commits suicide under my front wheel as I am highest speed of day (80) down back of isolated 1st ‘bear’ hill.

Inspiration Point lookout

Sep 7th, 2013 Just fitted AirTech ZX-7 solo tail on my ZX6E

It’s actually a lot easier than I thought to do, and quick to at least get it on.

NO subframe modification necessary! I was wondering a lot about that. Slipped right on. Optional remove rear undertray and other bits for cleaner look. There are two mount points on the tank for tail, and the integrated seat (mod) goes into normal stock holding positions. The Reserve switch detent on the fairing is Waay off, no chance you’re gonna use reserve switch unless you custom hack a cutout on the AirTech for the E.

Here it is gently wiggled onto the frame, least easy part was just getting the seat into the tabs and clicking in but still easy.
Oh yeah, you’re going to need to remove / relocate / disconnect, whatever, the keyed seat release. Obviously I recommend you move it under the rear part of tail so you can either key in from there or pull it out to key seat release.

There, that’s a lot better. Only lose back third of wheel arch, as you just need one segment out. Again you could simply cut lower sides off and still have it work, but I’m going to keep it as is and off bike and make a little plastic rectangle or something to shelf canister and tool kit on hidden underneath. There’s still a lot of space especially without tail light or a flatter LED setup.

This is a bone stock CA model setup. Note charcoal canister and (actually stock Katana 600) tool set. You could keep them, though it would not be easy to get to tools. EDIT: You could actually easily fish them out the back, depending on if you fit a brake light etc and how you do it.
Probably going to get an all in one integrated LED tail light with built in blinkers.

Next: Remove the tail light. (4) 12 mm bolts. Disconnect all the wiring. You’ll need another light unless you like the lawless thing or just track your soon to be prettier friend.
Note: in this pic the keyed seat release has been unbolted. It’s hanging down off frame.

From the rear: Coolant reservoir not moved at all, stock position. Also interesting, this setup will allow more airflow to regulator.

So here’s that newer exposed area. The grey frame here is about 10″ wide and has four holes already in that area not being used, so I plan to rig up the new flush mounts in the outer two holes, and the LED in the center. Want it all nice and small and tidy. Will hang plate just under it. It should look pretty clean when done. Also plan to cover the exposed sub frame rails on the sides with probably white or black stickers to make it a little less noticeable.

Sep 2nd, 2013 New Bay Bridge! last night, Half Moon Bay, Alices, 4 corners Woodside CA

So this was the trip excuse: wild rumors swirled for days the brand new Bay Bridge * might * open up the night before – maybe late, maybe not – before the official 5am next day opening after labor day weekend.
Lots of bikers cut the cage line like us to get a better position, and then… wait for 45 minutes at least, before some bikers took it upon themselves to barge up the ramp!

The New San Francisco to Oakland bridge is quite something.

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