Newbie questions

79batmobile · 08-03-2005

So to begin with I'm new to bikes. I just got my license two weeks ago and bought 94 ZX600C about 3 weeks ago.

I have some questions only a newbie would ask though. I've only worked on cars my entire life so this is a different world, a very tightly packed little world.

I am just wondering if the oil in the engine and tranny are the same? And if so how do you check the level of the oil? How do you drain the oil? Also I don't have a manual so recomendaitons on oil weight would be great.

So where's the dipstick......

Thanks

cudaosix · 08-03-2005

I have an older cruiser type model but mabey I can point you in the right direction. Differences between our bikes will be pointed out by someone for sure.

Engine oil covers both engine and wet clutch, no tranny oil to worry about.

Theres no dipstick, I have a sight window located on the clutch cover, bike needs to be level, theres fill lines next to the window to guide you, oil halfway or a bit higher then that is fine.

On the pan theres 2 plugs, one is to drain oil of course and the other holds on a cover, the filter is in there.

A clymer manual (if theres one for your model) or factory service manual is a good idea. You can also use Kawasaki's site for parts diagrams. Its under owner info then parts diagrams
http://www.buykawasaki.com/Default.asp?

As for oil, if you do a search you'll find a ton of threads regarding various types, just avoid energy conserving oils. A good dyno oil is fine in my opinion, I'm useing Castrol GTX 20/50, thick oil is fine for me year round cause its almost always hot down here.

Hope this helps somehow.

79batmobile · 08-03-2005

I noticed the sight glass. I've just never seen any oil in it. I'll get someone to stand the bike up and see if the oil sloshes over. So the filter is inside somewhere? No external filter?

cudaosix · 08-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79batmobile

I noticed the sight glass. I've just never seen any oil in it. I'll get someone to stand the bike up and see if the oil sloshes over. So the filter is inside somewhere? No external filter?

The filter is inside on my model. According to buyKawasaki.com. The 94zx600E2 (thats the closest choice I found on there) looks like it has an external filter.

When the bike is on the side stand, the sight window will look empty.

southjersey636 · 08-03-2005

on the zx600c the oil filter is under the bike right where the exhaust splits into two, its got a 17mm bolt if I recall that you just loosen with a socket then it turns out and drops down. The drain plug is right near it also under the center of the bike.

Oil weight on the zx600 is 10w-40. Make sure you use a motorcycle brand so it doesnt mess with the clutch. Regular or synthetic is your choice, I ran on my zx600 for a few thousand miles, mobil 1 mx4t synethic and it liked it.

Does the bike have stock exhaust on it?

any other questions just let me know cause I had a zx600 for a few months before giving it to my buddy now that just started riding. I did numerous repairs on it, added some performance stuff etc..

79batmobile · 08-03-2005

I don't think the exhaust is stock. I am getting conflicting ideas on what the 600c should have. I've heard the C has dual pipes and the R had a single pipe. I have a single pipe on the right side.

There's other stuff done to it also. From the stickers on the bike (I know that it doesn't mean that any of this has actually been done) it has a Power Commander upgrade of some sort, a Renthal Chain, and some sort of aftermarket "Fuel Management system". I just tore into it the other day to do the typical minor maintenance thing but I don't know what I am looking for as far whether this part or that part is stock or aftermarket.

Thanks for the info on the oil. I am definitely a Mobil 1 fan.

southjersey636 · 08-03-2005

Does the exhaust say Vance Hines on it? if so thats aftermarket. If so thats gonna be one tuff oil change lol. When Vance Hines made the exhaust for the zx600 they routed the pipe right under the oil filter, the only way to get the filter off is to drop the whole exhaust from the header, and by doing this you have to remove front fairings, drop the radiator, drop the coolant, tons of stuff. Ive done it before but its work.

Power commander I cant see being on there cause its carb not fuel injected like the new bikes, Renthal chain would be the sprockets so ya I can see that being on there.

The bikes code names were like zx600c8 which would been a 95, or zx600c9 which probally was a 96 model. The basic name for the bike was Kawasaki 600R.

My bike now has a code name like Kawasaki Ninja zx636b2 or something on those lines but its advertisement name is Kawasaki ZX6R 636.

08-03-2005	#1 (permalink)
79batmobile Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 24	Newbie questions So to begin with I'm new to bikes. I just got my license two weeks ago and bought 94 ZX600C about 3 weeks ago. I have some questions only a newbie would ask though. I've only worked on cars my entire life so this is a different world, a very tightly packed little world. I am just wondering if the oil in the engine and tranny are the same? And if so how do you check the level of the oil? How do you drain the oil? Also I don't have a manual so recomendaitons on oil weight would be great. So where's the dipstick...... Thanks

08-03-2005	#2 (permalink)
cudaosix Guitar nerd BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 3,542	I have an older cruiser type model but mabey I can point you in the right direction. Differences between our bikes will be pointed out by someone for sure. Engine oil covers both engine and wet clutch, no tranny oil to worry about. Theres no dipstick, I have a sight window located on the clutch cover, bike needs to be level, theres fill lines next to the window to guide you, oil halfway or a bit higher then that is fine. On the pan theres 2 plugs, one is to drain oil of course and the other holds on a cover, the filter is in there. A clymer manual (if theres one for your model) or factory service manual is a good idea. You can also use Kawasaki's site for parts diagrams. Its under owner info then parts diagrams http://www.buykawasaki.com/Default.asp? As for oil, if you do a search you'll find a ton of threads regarding various types, just avoid energy conserving oils. A good dyno oil is fine in my opinion, I'm useing Castrol GTX 20/50, thick oil is fine for me year round cause its almost always hot down here. Hope this helps somehow. __________________ Over 40 MegaFonzies and rising 1980 KZ1000 Last edited by cudaosix : 08-03-2005 at 09:27 AM.

08-03-2005	#5 (permalink)
southjersey636 Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Swamps of South Jersey Posts: 1,135	on the zx600c the oil filter is under the bike right where the exhaust splits into two, its got a 17mm bolt if I recall that you just loosen with a socket then it turns out and drops down. The drain plug is right near it also under the center of the bike. Oil weight on the zx600 is 10w-40. Make sure you use a motorcycle brand so it doesnt mess with the clutch. Regular or synthetic is your choice, I ran on my zx600 for a few thousand miles, mobil 1 mx4t synethic and it liked it. Does the bike have stock exhaust on it? any other questions just let me know cause I had a zx600 for a few months before giving it to my buddy now that just started riding. I did numerous repairs on it, added some performance stuff etc.. __________________ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R 636 1995 Kawasaki 600R (old bike) 1991 Plymouth Laser

08-03-2005	#7 (permalink)
southjersey636 Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Swamps of South Jersey Posts: 1,135	Does the exhaust say Vance Hines on it? if so thats aftermarket. If so thats gonna be one tuff oil change lol. When Vance Hines made the exhaust for the zx600 they routed the pipe right under the oil filter, the only way to get the filter off is to drop the whole exhaust from the header, and by doing this you have to remove front fairings, drop the radiator, drop the coolant, tons of stuff. Ive done it before but its work. Power commander I cant see being on there cause its carb not fuel injected like the new bikes, Renthal chain would be the sprockets so ya I can see that being on there. The bikes code names were like zx600c8 which would been a 95, or zx600c9 which probally was a 96 model. The basic name for the bike was Kawasaki 600R. My bike now has a code name like Kawasaki Ninja zx636b2 or something on those lines but its advertisement name is Kawasaki ZX6R 636. __________________ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R 636 1995 Kawasaki 600R (old bike) 1991 Plymouth Laser Last edited by southjersey636 : 08-03-2005 at 11:07 AM.

08-03-2005	#3 (permalink)
79batmobile Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 24	I noticed the sight glass. I've just never seen any oil in it. I'll get someone to stand the bike up and see if the oil sloshes over. So the filter is inside somewhere? No external filter?

08-03-2005	#6 (permalink)
79batmobile Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 24	I don't think the exhaust is stock. I am getting conflicting ideas on what the 600c should have. I've heard the C has dual pipes and the R had a single pipe. I have a single pipe on the right side. There's other stuff done to it also. From the stickers on the bike (I know that it doesn't mean that any of this has actually been done) it has a Power Commander upgrade of some sort, a Renthal Chain, and some sort of aftermarket "Fuel Management system". I just tore into it the other day to do the typical minor maintenance thing but I don't know what I am looking for as far whether this part or that part is stock or aftermarket. Thanks for the info on the oil. I am definitely a Mobil 1 fan.

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