anyone have a zx600c? Ninja 600R 88-97

[sebastian1000]

Well, I would say that you are going to want to do the battery, all fluids, clean and sync the carbs, do a valve adjustment, replace any bad rubber, and check the air filter. Also check the fork seals and tire valves to see how they are holding up. Look for any weeping or anything in the upper end of the engine that would indicate any bad seals. Check the plugs and wires to see how they look. Check both the front and rear sprockets and chain to see how they look. I can't remember for the life of me what guys are using to clean up the inside of the tank....? I am sure someone else will chime in here. Congrats on the bike. This thread is a good place to start and I suggest you give it a good read. Fun Fun!
-Seb

[doublekick199]

Originally Posted by dark fantastic

Well I picked up that 1994 for $600 bucks. The bike is in great shape other than the 10 years of neglect. So where do I start to get this thing running?
I emptied the fuel tank of nice old, orange gas. What is a good way to clean and treat the tank? Is there a link anywhere on removing and cleaning the carbs? The fuel lines will be replaced also. The anti-freeze looked good and was still full. Corroded fittings into the top of the head though.
What else should I check/do before I turn this thing over (needs a battery also) other than air, fuel, ignition and cooling. This is my first bike.

I hear you can get a three part tank cleaning fluid... you put the first part in and swish it around for awhile and it cleans it... then the same with the etching fluid... then again with the anticorrosion coat... It sounds bloody tedious if you ask me... I'll probably be looking into that soon.

[AutoFreak57]

so i just found out today that my clutch is toast on my bike. Where can I get a new clutch for it? Should I order all the individual parts from ronayers.com? Or is there somewhere else to get them from?

[itjstagame]

If the tank is just full of stale gas but not leaking or rusty, I would just swish it with some acetone or xylene (I typically mix both) and if you have some crud in there get something to bang around in there, a medium size 1-2 foot of chain from the hardware store works pretty well.

As for getting to and cleaning the carbs, here you go: http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...8-97-a-11.html
The very first post on Page 11, by yours truly.

[chinh9]

How do these guys compare to the other 600's? I am looking to get a 600...

[chinh9]

Oh yeah and do you know the bigtime changes over the years? I dont know what happened to the 636? or maybe im an idiot...not sure

[Kawasaki ZX600r]

Comparing these to the modern 600s??? Well, comparing these to the 97' YZF600 I had (rated at around 90hp I think) there is a un-real difference, but these were faster than the YZF in the low RPM range (partly because the YZF had really tall gearing). Also, the YZF handled 100x better

[sublimobile]

if price is your concern, I think these older 600's are a great deal. I bought mine 2 years ago for $2000. I think I overpaid a little, but its still a good deal. It was my first bike, a great bike to learn on. It wont run out from under you. But its fast as hell.

If speed and handling are what you want, I'd have to say you would want a newer bike. I cant speak for everyone else on here, but my 93 zx600c doesnt do wheelies (something I would prefer). I've been able to do it a couple times, but I have to pop the clutch so hard, its almost more dangerous than fun. The bike is heavy. the newer ones are a lot lighter and more responsive.

If its your first bike, try this one out. If not, maybe look for something newer.

I'm looking at a newer 636 for my next bike.

[itjstagame]

Yeah, it's good for cost and getting your bearings. It doesn't have the light weight or power to pop wheels from power alone but is just about at that limit, so front end can get pretty light and pretty much all power goes to acceleration. It is very fast in a straight line even though it's almost 500lb wet and had 85hp (at crank?).

The handling is 'OK', but it can be very hard to lean very far and can sometimes be an issue with change corners (that is going from right lean to left).

Something late 90s would probably be more in the middle, 450lbish and 95-100HP. Early 2000s would be 636s etc and those were 110hp? (I can't recall) and 386lb dry?

Handling is MUCH different on '99 and above bikes as is power.

So again, depends what you want from it. Honestly mine has been the opposite of dependable and I hate it, but if you want to learn carbs and working on bikes I routinely see people in the forum say they got one for $300-600. A 'good' running one could be $1000-1500. Still the cheapest you'll find for a sport bike that does 0-60MPH in 2.8sec. And it still looks pretty much like a sport bike. Actually I have most people think it's a 250R, which I find amusing. No car has ever kept up.

[Bhavesh]

wow, this thread is still alive? crazy!

it's good to still see some familiar screen names

but if anyone wants some OEM clutch springs for this bike, email breakdirt916 at yahoo dot com and you can have them for shipping...I have ~10-15 of them in a bag

[sebastian1000]

Originally Posted by sublimobile

if price is your concern, I think these older 600's are a great deal. I bought mine 2 years ago for $2000. I think I overpaid a little, but its still a good deal. It was my first bike, a great bike to learn on. It wont run out from under you. But its fast as hell.

If speed and handling are what you want, I'd have to say you would want a newer bike. I cant speak for everyone else on here, but my 93 zx600c doesnt do wheelies (something I would prefer). I've been able to do it a couple times, but I have to pop the clutch so hard, its almost more dangerous than fun. The bike is heavy. the newer ones are a lot lighter and more responsive.

If its your first bike, try this one out. If not, maybe look for something newer.

I'm looking at a newer 636 for my next bike.

Of course this is dry weight.

I agree with this...except I don't think the bike is that heavy. I think the newer 600's weigh in around 350's-360's and this 600R is 388. Of course we also get a 7 pound center stand!

[sebastian1000]

Originally Posted by itjstagame

Yeah, it's good for cost and getting your bearings. It doesn't have the light weight or power to pop wheels from power alone but is just about at that limit, so front end can get pretty light and pretty much all power goes to acceleration. It is very fast in a straight line even though it's almost 500lb wet and had 85hp (at crank?).

The handling is 'OK', but it can be very hard to lean very far and can sometimes be an issue with change corners (that is going from right lean to left).

Something late 90s would probably be more in the middle, 450lbish and 95-100HP. Early 2000s would be 636s etc and those were 110hp? (I can't recall) and 386lb dry?

Handling is MUCH different on '99 and above bikes as is power.

So again, depends what you want from it. Honestly mine has been the opposite of dependable and I hate it, but if you want to learn carbs and working on bikes I routinely see people in the forum say they got one for $300-600. A 'good' running one could be $1000-1500. Still the cheapest you'll find for a sport bike that does 0-60MPH in 2.8sec. And it still looks pretty much like a sport bike. Actually I have most people think it's a 250R, which I find amusing. No car has ever kept up.

Wait what bike? Our 600R has a dry weight of 388 and about 430 or so wet... Not 500 wet. And yeah she is making 85 at the crank versus the newer bikes that make 125 or so at the crank. My bike has been very reliable and dependable....even though I just toasted some bearings...no worries from me though she will be back up and running in a couple days.

[sebastian1000]

So guys I have a question for you.....my brother works at a speed shop and just told me that if I took out my 600R's engine for him....he would deck the head to raise compression and give me a 5-angle valve job for FREE. You guys think I should do it? Heck the price is right I just wonder how much of a PITA it is going to be? I wonder what kind of benefits I could see from this? Anyone? Free horsepower and engine work sounds too good to pass up to me...I might have to do this.

[M3^Rasin]

^I'd say go for it...if you don't mind doing the work to get it apart and back together again. I'm guessing you'll have to tune the carbs differently too?

I've got about 2 weeks left of school then I'll get to start riding alot. I'll throw up some picture of my bike when I get home. I did just realize that it's missing the two flat black plastic panels on the sides, in front of the seat/below the gas tank.(not sure what they're called) Do you guys think that a big deal? I'd pick them up if I ever found em used, cause I've seen them new for $90 a piece. Not really worth it to me...

My dad took my bike out yesterday and said it almost did a power wheelie in second gear...we don't know what's been done to it other than 4-1 V&H. I guessing at least stage 1 on the carbs, but compaired to his '94 katana 600 (all stock) he said it's much faster. Mines a '91 600r

[Drinknbuddy]

Originally Posted by dark fantastic

Well I picked up that 1994 for $600 bucks. The bike is in great shape other than the 10 years of neglect. So where do I start to get this thing running?
I emptied the fuel tank of nice old, orange gas. What is a good way to clean and treat the tank? Is there a link anywhere on removing and cleaning the carbs? The fuel lines will be replaced also. The anti-freeze looked good and was still full. Corroded fittings into the top of the head though.
What else should I check/do before I turn this thing over (needs a battery also) other than air, fuel, ignition and cooling. This is my first bike.

Hello guys,
I have the same bike as above and have been looking for new body pannels. Its a 600R and was just wondering if anyone can throw me a few websites to find new body pannels, or other models that will work on the same bike. thanks guys.

[AutoFreak57]

Originally Posted by Bhavesh

wow, this thread is still alive? crazy!

it's good to still see some familiar screen names

but if anyone wants some OEM clutch springs for this bike, email breakdirt916 at yahoo dot com and you can have them for shipping...I have ~10-15 of them in a bag

I just emailed you

[96Ninja]

Anyone have any luck finding aftermarket frame sliders or replacment mirrors for these bike?

[96Ninja]

My left side mirror needs replaced. Anyone know of a link or part number of any aftermarket black or carbon fiber look mirrors. Found some for EX 250 & 500 but don't think will work on these bikes.

[howard sanders]

Originally Posted by 96Ninja

My left side mirror needs replaced. Anyone know of a link or part number of any aftermarket black or carbon fiber look mirrors. Found some for EX 250 & 500 but don't think will work on these bikes.

dennis kirk has the mirrors for this bike....i think 20 bux each...i bought some last year

[96Ninja]

Originally Posted by howard sanders

dennis kirk has the mirrors for this bike....i think 20 bux each...i bought some last year

Thanks, those are OEM standard black. Is that all that is available for this bike. Was wanting carbon fiber or newer looking type. I have seen some other Kawi mirrors with a mirror block plate and then a single stem. Has anyone found carbon fiber looking aftermarket mirrors or any kinds of frame sliders for this bike - any links or info is appreciated.