Hi all. Having recently acquired a rather nice 97 zzr1100 I’m looking forward to some serious winter tinkering starting with replacing fairing nuts screws clips etc.. Would appreciate some help with where to start! Also what’s the best upgrade for the front brakes...thinking Goodrich hoses?
What is your aim with the bike. To keep it looking standard or to modify it? In regard to the front brakes they can be a pain. They are difficult to bleed and require regular servicing to keep them performing well. Any good quality braided hoses are definitely a must. Some people do a conversion to Suzuki GSXR calipers which are an improvement it just depends on how original you want to keep it.
In regards to replacing fasteners. Make sure you check/replace all the captive nuts. There are 8 on the top half of the fairing alone and they have a habit drying out and breaking. The good thing is that parts are plentiful. What sort of mileage has your done? Any chance of a picture?
Thanks for your response. I want to keep it completely standard apart from upgrading the brake hoses which will give it more feel I think. I would like to change all the fairing screws if I can find them and re fit using copper seal. Have bought some quality stainless steel fixings for the front....Im ocd but it’ll be worth it! Only 2 previous owners with 18k miles...it’s tight as a drum and doesn’t miss a beat!
She looks like a great example mate.I am a little OCD as well. Mine is as it came out of the factory as so much of it is new. I even use Kawasaki washers and fairing bolts. The only things non standard is the rear shock and fork springs which are Hyperpro. Progressive springs at the front. You don't say if you are new to the ZZR 1100 so excuse me if I am teaching you to suck eggs but a free modification that improves handling amazingly is to rotate the concentric chain adjusters 180 degrees which transforms the turn in making it much sharper.
Thanks Michael. I would like further details of obtaining such washers and bolts etc as well as the suspension mods please. Whilst it’s very sure footed I find it quite lumpy if that makes sense. Not at all as this is my first ZZR so welcome any info!
Ive always liked this model...it’s timeless.
The screws for the fairings are available as are the plastic washers. I tend to buy a bag of 10 at a time as the paint on the bolts can come off if, like me, you are a little ham fisted with the screw driver. The plastic washers are really important as they will stop the panels cracking. I dont know what country you are from but I order from Kawasaki UK, MSP based in Europe and I also use some Japanese websites. The shock may need a refurb. In theory they cant be rebuilt but the can. I fitted Hyperpro shocks and progressive fork springs because they reduce the dive when braking hard but in addition tend to keep both end planted. I have used Hyperpro since the 90's when I first started riding ZZR 11's. They are not as expensive as the fashionable brands but I like them. When you order you have to give your weight, riding style etc and they match the front and back and pre-set the rear shock for you.
Rotating the concentric adjusters is an old trick which every ZZR 11 rider who likes to ride fast does. If you look at this picture at the adjusters you will see that the tear drop shapes are at the top. In standard form they are at the bottom. The only downside, for some, is that it raises the seat height but the pay off in improved handling is amazing. It also has no impact on straight line stability
Having such a low mileage is a plus and also a negative. It means it has stood for long periods of time and no bike likes that. If you look at the blog section under ZZR 1100 you will see that when I first got mine it looked imaculate with only 20,000km on the clock. Once I started riding many problems became apparent. The coolant hoses looked like new but had rotted on the inside leading one to blow and caused overheating damage that had to be repaired. The cam chain tensioner was not doing its job, all the fuel pipes sprung leaks. The carb diaphragms had hardend and split. The main oilpipe had hardened and sprung a leak. I dont want to fill you with horror stories but just pointing out that it is a good idea to check the condition of these items. They may well be ok but better safe than sorry.
There are many sites where you can download the factory manual for the bike and these are excellent. If you are in the UK there are Haynes manuals which are ok but do have some errors in. Go for the maintenance manual.
In regard to servicing I would recommend having the carbs balanced every 18 months or so. If the carbs are good they do not go out of sink often. The bike requires a good battery to turn it over at the speed required to start. Even a slightly low battery will turn it over but it will not start. Its a common problem raised in forums. The battery can read 12 or 13 volts but the amps are not high enough. I live in a country where the fan runs all the time, and the lights are on, this leads the amps to drop just a little. Correspondingly the fan speed drops by about 10% and then the bike overheats. I have fitted the high amp/high power battery that is recommended for the ZX14R (Yuasa) and that copes nicely.
As with all bikes it likes the oil and filter changes on a regular basis. I do it every 5000km. I dont use fully synthetic just semi.
I have had the shims done twice in the 6 years I have owned the bike. The first time 3 shims needed changing. The second time none. I mentioned the brake calipers. They really need to be serviced regularly. Particularly if you ride in wet weather.
Check the exhausts for any corrosion. I removed mine and had the pipes cleaned and repainted. That was 3 to 4 years ago and I am about to do it again. Most ZZR's dont have the original pipes and are fitted with power sapping noisy pipes. You have the original and they are as rare as hens teeth, sound and look wonderful so it is worth looking after them. Amazingly they are still available from Kawasaki but the price will make your eyes water.
I have been riding the ZZR 1100 since the 1990's and for me there is not another bike like it. It will do everything you want and do it in style. It is still crazy fast and puts to shame many much newer machines. I also have a Kawasaki ZX14R. Much newer and as you are aware amazingly quick but great though it is my smile is bigger riding the ZZR 11
Anyway mate, welcome to the ZZR 1100 family. You will love it and people will wonder why you have that stupid grin on your face after a ride. Dont bother to explain, they will never understand Ha! Ha!
Any issues, problems or whatever drop me a line and if I dont know the answer I will find it. Also, please keep me up to date with how its going and any interesting times on the bike.
Ride Fast
Michael
Thank a lot Michael. I’m on the Kawasaki parts site now compiling a list which soon adds up! I’m also looking at front & rear shock upgrades and the concentric adjustment also a must...the raised seat height would suit me. Whereabouts are you in the world?
best regards. Mark