High Plains Rider

1-17-04 - Changed the oil and filter. The cartridge-type oil filter continues to make oil changes more interesting for all the wrong reasons. 9104.7 miles on the clock.

11-17-02 - Changed the oil and filter. The oil filter on the ZRX is one of those pain-in-the-ass cartridge types. It's located on the bottom of the engine right next to the exhaust pipe. Removing it is real messy, and the exhaust pipe gets in the way.

Also noticed the rear fender (mudflap?) was very loose. When I removed the grab-handles and one-piece plastic rear fairing, two loose screws fell to the floor. Those two screws were supposed to support the back part of the rear fender. Looks like someone forgot to screw them in. Good thing they were still rattling around in the back of the bike.

Mileage on the ZRX is now 6939.0.

6-12-02 - 4000 mile service on ZRX1200R at Colorado Powersports in Boulder.

• Check air filter.
• 4 new spark plugs.
• Synchronize carburators.
• Set idle speed.
• Check coolent level and test.
• Inspect emissions components.
• Adjust and lube the chain.
• Check tire pressure.
• Check brakes.
• Check hydraulic fluid levels.
• Check safety-related nuts for tightness.
• Lube lever pivots.
• Check suspension for leaks and operation.
• Check all lights and switches.
• Test battery output.
• Check fan operation.
• Test ride (pop wheelies).

Parts went for $70.65, Labor for $187.50, supplies for $13.13, and sales tax was $6.21. Total cost of 4000 mile service: $277.49. Gotta say, the engine runs superb - better than new.

9/4/01 - Dropped off the new ZRX for its '600 mile service', whatever that is. Anyhow, the counter dude said it will cost me $175 or so (Highway Robbery!). When the bike is brand new, I think it's best to have the dealer work on it. Colorado Powersports is about 24 miles from where I live. That just makes it a total pain to get my motorcycle to service. Just try to get a co-worker or neighbor to give you a ride that far. I just may end up getting some kind of trailer to mount behind my car.

8/31/01 - On 8/23/01, I traded the EX500 for a brand new 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R. What a difference in power! When I asked the salesman how my EX sounded to him, he said, 'it sounds fine'. The dealership mechanic, however, said he noticed some 'cam chain noise'. Whatever. As for the valves, I did go back and adjusted them to the specs.

8/14/01 - Ordered new front and rear brake pads from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse on August 8. They arrived on the 13th. The brake pads are SBS 597HS for the front and SBS 586LS for the rear. Each set cost $32.95. Installing them took about 2 hours. Last Sunday, I adjusted the valves. I did this because the valves sounded noisy after I got the bike back from Sun Enterprises and wondered if they screwed up the valve clearance check. This job took all day. All valves were given between .004" and .002" clearance. Today, I found the valve clearance specs on a sticker under the seat. They are supposed to be as follows: .005" - .007" for the intake and .007" - .009" for the exhaust. This was pretty much where they were before I changed them. My mistake. As for the noisy valves, maybe that's normal.

7/30/01 - Got the EX500 back from Sun on Saturday the 7th. So far I must say it runs. It may take a while before I gain enough confidence in this bike to go out on long trips. On thing they pointed out though, is the brakes are totally shot and the fork seals are leaking. This shit never ends.

7/4/01 - Here it is the Fourth of July and the EX500 is still at Sun. I called them up on Tuesday and they said it will be ready on Thursday. The 'techs' there are saying the carburators need cleaning. The way I see it, I still think they screwed up the bike the first time. No one's going to admit it. It may also be a good idea to order a shop manual from White Horse Press. Sometimes it's better just to do it yourself.

6/23/01 - Dropped the bike back off at Sun. It was a 22 mile trip with a belching, kicking, and smoking motorcycle, hell-bent on leaving me stranded. I don't know what they did to my bike, but they sure screwed it up. And whatever they screwed up they're going to fix! The worst thing is that my EX was running pretty darn well when I originally brought it there. I thought hell, since its already there to have the tires mounted and balanced (they did a good job on that), I might as well have the carbs synced and the valves adjusted. Now, I don't think that was such a good idea. Sun blows.

6/11/01 - Got the bike back from Sun Honda & Harley Davidson last Thursday. It was dropped off the Saturday before. They mounted and balanced the tires, valve clearance check, and carb sync. Man, nothing like a new set of tires! The bike ran great for a while and took me to Sterling and back (240 miles). Next day though, the plugs fouled up. Cleaned them up and now it's running again. Think I'll get some new ones this week.

5/23/01 - Tires arrived today. The KN filter showed up last Friday.

5/14/01 - Ordered the tires and KN filter from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse through the internet. The total was $230.03.

4/30/01 - Finished replacing the fuel line and vacuun hoses. This made a difference. Runs great.

4/28/01 - Replacing fuel lines and all vacuum hoses. Motorcycle dealers seem to have none of this stuff. Had to go to NAPA to get 1/2" hose along with 1/4" and 3/16". Think I'll order the tires from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse. Leaning towards Bridgestone Battlax BT45's. Front - 110/70/17, rear - 130/70/17. Just like the original equipment.