l love my bike but she is giving me so many problems. I’m currently the third owner so from the start you know I’m bound to have some maintenance problems. I’m currently a student so $$$ is my main issue concerning repairs—but l am only months away from graduating. l have a FT job pretty much secured so $ will soon pose a smaller issue...but l wanna get back to some twisities and soon! l haven’t ridden in about 3 weeks and it’s killing me. The current delay is my chain; it’s super loose. I’ve been researching some options because the second owner did a 520 conversion (so if you have any recommendations on that, fire away).

Here is what l have to work with:

2000 Kawasaki ZX6R
31,000 Miles

Problems:
-Left Headlamp electronics are fried (still works though)
-Previous owner dropped her on the Right side (fairings all scratched)
-During said fall, right fairing-slider broke off
-Paint is chipping on the underside of the Left fairing
-Needs a new 520 Chain (and sprockets? They're Vector - Aluminum)
-Yoshi slip-on is...''slipping off'' (l did an ok job replacing the rivets)
-The exhaust smells too rich in gas sometimes
-Front brake squeals (new brake pads needed?)

Minor Issues Already Handled:
-Replaced Battery
-New Tires
-New Rider seat
-Bought New Air Filter (yet to replace)
-New Clutch Cable (old one frayed)

The bike is a custom red and so are the rims, but when l bought her from the second owner, the rims were literally black with years of suit and grime. l took this as an indicator of the rest of the components on the bike but she is simply my first bike. I’m looking to newer bikes (most likely the 2008/2009 ZX6R) but wanna ride now! The chain is my main concern as of right now, but given these problems should l repair her now or save up for a semi-new to new bike once l graduate!?

Thanks!

Poor mistreated bike. Sounds like you should save up. Unless you go for the cheap option and put standard chain and sprockets on until you get a new bike.

Me personally, l ride a 1997 Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace that l have done a WHOLE lot of work to. l could go out & buy a Brand new R-1 tomorrow if l wanted, however.that is not my style. l like for my bike to be MY bike.

But 31,000 miles is quite a few miles for a sport bike, if u r not mechanically engine savvy, then u might want to seek out a newer bike.

If it were me, Id run down to the bank & take out about a 4000 dollar loan against my bike( l have good credit), 4000 would be a little a short of doing everything Id want to do..but its a good start, & then id take that 2000 Ninja down to the frame, Send the top end out to have some porting done, have the cyliders bored out to 68mm, re-plated, & put a wiseco 637CC piston kit in it, Replace the cam chain, send the cams out to be re-ground for more mid-top end (Web Cam has a NICE grind spec for the ZX-6), check the crank, bearings ETC & put it back together. Modify the airbox, get a less restrictive 4 into 1 complete system for it, then re-jet it on a dyno.

While l had the top end out getting done, & cylinders getting bored, I'd spray the frame & swing arm with easy off oven cleaner to remove the anodizing, sand & polish them, send the rims out to be stripped & chromed. Id get some new super sport skins for it from Airtech.put some candy colors on it.(Probably sunflower yellow pearl with some candy colored red,green,purple & orange stripes) then have the seats recovered to match the paint.

Id replace the sprockets & chain, cables, brakes.and anything else l found wrong or worn while putting the bike back together.then Id sit back & pop the top off a Bud-Light with a big smile on my face.

End result- Id spend a little more than half the price of a brand new ZX-6, Id have a bike that outruns the new ZX-6, & one that looks better & turns more heads than the new ZX-6. Oh, & could sell mine for MORE than a new ZX-6.

And it would be MY bike that l would never see another one of sitting at the stop lights. But thats just me.

Machine work- $80/Hour
Piston kit- 600 to 700 dollars
4 into 1 system- 700 to 1000 dollars
Rims- $400 dollars.
Cam grind- $400-500
News skins from airtech- $700-$1000 depending on rather or not u do the undertail & hugger.
Everything needed to polish the frame & swing arm- 100 bucks.

The look on peoples face when they see ur bike. PRICELESS.

l could get in a little under $5000.

But you, will probably read this & then go out & pay 9 grand for a new bike :)

Either way, enjoy whatever u decide to ride..keep it right side up, headlight forward, & inbetween the lines!!!

The more you put into the bike, the more personal it becomes. You become attached to the bike so now would be the point to decide to keep her or drop her. (not literally)

me personally I'd keep it. Since you say money is no issue, fix her up and keep it. Then if you want something new, just go get it and you will have 2 bikes. Or once you fix it, sell it for down payment.

BUgz is on the correct path by me.

l ride a 1983 Harley Sportster l bought out of college. Sure, it has a few war wounds, but l never see anyone else on the same sled.

Tighten the chain or take a link out and problem solved until that bank roll gets fat.

If you are mechanically challenged, go get a new ride and be done with the worry.

Now go drink a beer and relax.