Okay, so, the other day I got this itch to mess around with an old bike I had lying around – a 1998 ZX6R. It’s one of those older 600cc bikes that still rocks four cylinders. You know, before everyone started switching to those two-cylinder engines because they are way cheaper to make.
I started by digging through my garage to find the owner’s manual. It’s always a good idea to check what the manufacturer says about specs and stuff, you know? After I found the manual and gave it a quick read, I started looking for parts.
Parts Hunting
Man, finding parts for this old thing was a real adventure. I started by hitting up some online shops because it seemed like a good first step. I searched through a bunch of OEM parts places. I mean, who doesn’t want original parts, right?
- First, I checked out that one website, I won’t mention names, but they claimed to have shipped like 8 million orders. I browsed through their Kawasaki section and they did have a pretty good selection for the ZX6R, even for a ’98 model.
- Then I moved on to another site, this one from the UK. They also had a decent range, and free delivery for orders over 25 quid. I added some parts to my cart to just compare the price.
- I also stumbled upon this other online shop that boasted about their five-star customer service. I decided I will give them a shot and looked through their inventory. The prices were similar to the others, so nothing special.
After browsing online, I decided to visit some local bike shops. Maybe I could get lucky and find some parts in stock, which would save me the shipping time.
- I went to a couple of shops in my area, but no luck. They mostly stocked parts for newer models, which makes sense I guess. The guys at the counter were helpful, though. They suggested some other places I could check out, so it wasn’t a total loss.
Putting Things Together
Once I got all the parts, which took a little while because I ordered most online, it was time to start wrenching. I cleared out some space in my garage, laid out all the parts, and got to work.
- I started with the easier stuff, like replacing the old spark plugs and changing the oil. Those were pretty straightforward, just following the steps in the manual.
- Then, I tackled the slightly more complicated tasks, like replacing the brake pads and adjusting the chain tension. I took my time with these, making sure everything was done right.
After a few days of working on the bike, it was finally ready. I fired it up, and man, it sounded good. It was like taking a trip back in time, hearing that four-cylinder engine roar. I took it for a short spin around the block, and it felt great. It’s amazing what a little bit of work can do to bring an old bike back to life.
So yeah, that’s my little adventure with the 1998 ZX6R. It was a fun project, and I’m glad I decided to do it. It’s not every day you get to mess around with a classic like that.
