the Kawasaki Ninja ZX6E 600 ZZR supersport

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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Jul 10th, 2013 Redwood > Palomares > Niles Canyon parts run fun.

off a parted ’97 with 25K picked up:

-‘W’ lower front fairing

-front left blinker (p.o. lowsided on top of it)

-Charcoal canister (emissions – mine’s toast)

-Full belly pan fairing

– ram air guards

all for 54

Beautiful, hot day. Great ride on those roads to back way to Fremont. Joaquin Miller to Redwood to Palomares Canyon Rd to Nile Canyon. I went back through cute little Sunol. End 44,292 mileage.

Jun 19th, 2013 Just got Paid to make Palomares, Pinehurst, Niles Canyon, 84E to Mines Rd. Run! 100 miles 5 hours.

Got last minute call to shoot an MGA car purchase for “Dusty Cars” during rush hour, so I plotted beautiful canyon back road burner trip! Left at 4:40 pm back to Oakland 9:50pm. 100 Miles, and two hour shoot on site. Niles Canyon is just gorgeous! Also 84E out of Sunol into S. Livermore was pretty epic up the mountain vista there.

MGA car is in upper middle left corner of farm shot. Farmer, George there, was the seller. Motor and trans removed an in creepy cool shed, like “Evil Dead 2” stuff. Cool.

So I did have to strap about 6 lbs of the camera and wireless microphone to get it to the shoot. Shot whole thing hand held. Fun run, but late back and late dinner. Pretty tiring run after editing most of day. But very pretty ride!

Jun 16th, 2013 Lake Chabot loop with Bailey and Ducati Multistrada

After we both changed the coolant on Green Magic, we picked up rental 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200cc bike for 1 day rental.

Since we got it early on Sat before 5pm, of course we’re going riding!

Very fun and fast for me 44 mile turn turn turn ride with a walk in between at lovely Lake Chabot.

Jun 15th, 2013 Changed and flushed coolant on bike for 1st time 43,950

Quite happy about it, the week prior I had discovered no coolant visible under rad. cap, and overflow reservoir was so dirty it looked like none in there as well. So had been freaking out that I’d been driving with very little to no coolant. Never had a leak since August 2012, so I started to also worry about fun things like a blown head gasket.

Anyway, All is well! There was coolant in there, maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of what it should be and looked ok, so out with the old and in with the Prestone Ethylene Glycol! Now I can dare to rev that motor and ride again!

In fact, I’m heading right out after it’s all done!

May 30th, 2013 Lake Chabot loop with buddy

Isaac of Haddon Hill Cafe joined me on his customized Triumph Bonneville 900 cafe racer. Fun road burning turns leaving lake. No mechanical problems! Beautiful day.