Service
SERVICE
Greasy fingers
I’ve been riding motorcycles for many years and have never really been interested in the mechanics of them. Now, I own a 1989 GSX-R750 and would like to have the satisfaction of tuning the bike myself. Are there any books you can recommend or someone that I can learn from?
Jay Glaser San Jose, California
The best book to assist you in tuning your GSX-R is a Suzuki service manual available through your local Suzuki dealer or you can get one of several service manuals offered by private publishing companies. Keep in mind that there are special tools required for the more-involved maintenance tasks, and that some of those operations assume a fairly high degree of mechanical knowledge.
If you are at all worried about your mechanical dexterity, it would be a good idea to attend a course that specializes in motorcycle mechanics. Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (800/ 528-7995), with locations in Phoenix, Arizona, and Orlando, Florida, has such programs. Another school that specializes in motorcycle mechanics is American Motorcycle Institute (800/ 874-0645) in Daytona Beach, Florida. Also, be aware that many local colleges offer both day and night classes in motorcycle maintenance. If that's not an option, we'd suggest finding a sympathetic Suzuki mechanic and paying him for a few hours of his time while he briefs you on your GSX-R.
Tiptoe trouble
I’m a short person, standing only 5 feet 4 inches tall. I don’t fit on 750s or 1000s; even my old Yamaha RZ350 makes me tiptoe. I’m not interested in buying a low-seat cruiser, so any suggestions for short people who want io ride sportbikes?
Pat Bleakney Lemoore, California
Most current sporting 750s and 1000s share a seat height between 30.5 and 31.5 inches. That puts your RZ350, with a seat height of 31.1 inches, right in the middle. Even the lowest 600cc sportbikes are 30.8 inches high at the seat, although Suzuki's GS500 (seat height of 30.1 inches) or Kawasaki's EX500 (seat height of 30.3 inches) would bring you closer to the ground than your present bike does. An alternative would be to buy the bike you want and then have the rear shock shortened to lower the bike. Works Performance (8730 Shirley Ave., Northridge, CA 91324; 8181 701-1014) is one company that does the modification. Be aware, though, that to balance handling, the front fork tubes should then be raised in the triple clamps (thus, lowering the front of the bike) a corresponding amount. On some bikes this isn 7 possible, and even if it is, a lowered bike may not handle as well as a stocker and will certainly run out of cornering clearance sooner.
Our suggestion would be to buy a current sportbike with as low a seat height as possible, leave the suspension alone, but have a custom seat made that has an inch or so less padding than the stock seat. That way, while you may lose some long-range comfort, your bike's handling won 7 suffer. Corbin Seats (Box 1562, Watsonville, CA 95077-1562; 800/538-7035) specializes in such seat work.
Reader helps reader
I am writing in response to Larry Weenum’s Service letter {CW, September, 1989) regarding his ZX10’s rear-wheel noise caused by a defective cush-drive. I, too, had a similar problem with my 1988 ZX10, but was informed about the recall via mail by Kawasaki three weeks after my dealer notified me. After he installed the part, the noise vanished.
However, there was another noise, a ratcheting sound, for which the cush-drive was not responsible. When my dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty clutch mechanism and contacted Kawasaki to order the parts, Kawasaki told him that nothing could be done to cure the problem. After three angry letters to Kawasaki, they finally warrantied the clutch and the noise was gone.
I am happy to say that my ZX-10 is also gone.
Steven Pilla Wilmington, Massachusetts ES
