the Kawasaki Ninja ZX6E 600 ZZR supersport

Jan 30th, 2014 Ok, it was a misunderstanding. We’re friends again

I got my bike running again today. Just needed a little throttle with the choke as it’s sat awhile. Ran fairly easily. Drove up to Montclair and back.

Jan 29th, 2014 Oh I’ve done it, Green Magic is mad at me.

Haven’t driven her since Dec 7th, Green Magic does not like to be ignored. Dusty and needing a clean. Motor cranks no problem but not even a cough.

Dec 7th, 2013 California cold as sh&t today

Had to drive to work about 100 miles round trip. The morning at 10 am in the sun was really cold – about 40. My rear tire slid early on some very cold tarmac.
The ride home in the dark was worse. My fingers went totally numb. My thinsulate leather gloves were not up to the task. 40 degrees and not the right gear made for a very un fun ride.
On the plus side, I had Redwood Rd all to myself, not one motorcyclist or better yet not one car for twenty miles. I also noticed a strange thing riding over the pass in the mountains. Something flickering in my side vision. Eventually I realized I wasn’t imagining it or cold hallucinating it but it was a large bird or even an owl and it was flying right in front of my bike along with me in my headlights for at least well maybe 200 yards or so. I guess it was using my light. Was weird but cool.

Nov 10th, 2013 Lake Chabot, Montclair loop with C

Drove up to T & H house and had late bday celeb. Got new AlpineStars gloves! Drove to Castro Valley and hit Don Julio’s for a food break, that was nice. Walked about Lake Chabot as it was getting colder and darker.

Oct 5th, 2013 Morgan Territories my Girl and Oktoberfest Clayton

Drove 110 miles today 2up with my Girlfriend on the back. Really fun, it was a hot day in 82 + temps and full sun. On loop around Mt. Diablo, we stopped for drink in Clayton (last call for hydration or anything really) and discovered an ‘event’ there – Oktoberfest! It was awesome fun, glass beer steins everywhere on the street. Split an Oktob brew on pizzeria patio in the shade and a lot of water and headed to Morgan Territories. Beautiful, stopped in the park to stretch / relax.

Cute farmland, gorgeous really. I felt my passenger falling asleep several times in and out, that was scary! Had to stop in Castro Valley Peet’s to get her energized. Fun twisties back kept us both alert.

In Morgan territories at the big right turn, eased out clutch, half throttling, and pinned it in 2nd all the way to 14,000 redline! I was kinda nutty, hadn’t been past 10K on Green Magic yet. I tell ya, though, the weight of pillion makes a huge performance difference and forget very aggressive cornering. Bottoms out on bumps and wallows in bumps in turns big time and scrapes center stand, a big crunch there underfoot. Still… so much fun.

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