Yay! I finally got my bike!

Yay! I finally got my bike!

Author
Discussion

Alex@POD

Original Poster:

6,152 posts

215 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
As I mentionned elsewhere, I am now a bike owner! However the previous owner hasn't used it since last August, only running it every now and again. Are there any bike-specific things to check/renew before to put it back on the road? It was serviced and MOTd just before then, and felt ok when I rode it a bit today (just first gear stuff), I think I could hear the chain clanging a bit though...

wedg1e

26,804 posts

265 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
Chain probably would snatch a bit at low speed in first. Lob plenty of oil (aerosol chainlube is good stuff) over it and check the tension, remembering to spin the wheel and find the tight spot(s).

Make sure the brake calipers are freeing-off properly when you release the brakes.

Oil the sidestand and gearshift pivots.

Make sure all the lights work!

Mad Dave

7,158 posts

263 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
First thing i'd do to any new bike is change the oil and filter. Also, as mentioned, check the chain tension and it's also worth wandering round the bike with a socket set and nipping up any bolts that have worn loose - like caliper bolts etc. You never know has fastidious the previous owner was (or wasn't!) with routine maintenance. Also check the tyre pressures.

Alex@POD

Original Poster:

6,152 posts

215 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
Cheers, that should keep me busy for a bit... Also, the bike has Datatag stickers on it and I have been given 3 white stickers with a serial number perforated... Are they supposed to be on the bike? I bought it from the previous owner's dad, who doesn't know too much about bikes, and he had no idea what they were...

yellowvette

1,142 posts

222 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
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The perforated white stickers should not be on the bike. There are loads in the datatag kit and they are the templates for the chemical markings. When applying the kit, the white sticker is stuck to the bodywork and the chemical etcher is then applied over it. Once dried the sticker is removed and there's your datatag serial number etched on the plastic/mirror/screen.
I had my Duke datagged but I told them to only etch the inside of the panels - nothing worse than etched numbers visible on the bodywork IMHO. It's still effective though, because it would allow the plod to identify the panel if they were to stumble across a ringing operation.

glade

4,267 posts

223 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
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Sorry missed the other thread!! What bike??

Momentofmadness

2,364 posts

241 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
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glade said:
Sorry missed the other thread!! What bike??


Kwacker 600 Ninja if I recall correctly!

Anyway, I'm a picture whore - so stop polishing it and get those pics posted up

Alex@POD

Original Poster:

6,152 posts

215 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
glade said:
Sorry missed the other thread!! What bike??


Mentionned it in the picture thread... Yes it is a Kwak Ninja, 1998 ZX6R to be precise... I will get some pics as soon as it's cleaner and I can get it out of the workshop (there are a few things in the way now...). It has a Scorpion can fitted, and sounds rather sweet!

Cheers for the Datatag update, I take it I keep the stickers in case I need more panels tagged?